Once you see how easy it is to make granola, you will never purchase granola from the grocery store again. This is a simple recipe that is so easy to make.
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The other day, I was making a blueberry pear crisp and I wanted a crunchier topping on my crisp. I was taking pictures of my blueberry pear crisp and I wanted the top of the fruit dessert to look perfect. So I looked in my pantry for some crunchy granola bars to crumble over the top of the fruit crisp. I then realized that my husband had finished the box of crunchy granola bars. So I decided to make homemade granola.
Making homemade granola is so easy. I discovered how easy it is to make granola at home many years ago when my son asked me to buy a box of granola cereal. I was shocked at the price of the small box of granola and searched for a granola recipe. I was amazed at how easy it was to make granola and from that day, I never bought store-bought granola again.
A few simple ingredients for homemade granola
Making granola at home is so easy and only requires a few simple ingredients. The main ingredient in my crunchy granola recipe is oatmeal. Then you simply mix in some other ingredients, that you probably have in your pantry. Since the granola recipe uses oatmeal, it is a gluten-free recipe. My crunchy granola recipe is also a dairy-free recipe as well as a plant-based recipe. If you omit the pecans, it is a nut-free recipe. Granola is also a healthy recipe.
Ingredients needed for the best homemade granola
+ Oatmeal
+ Maple Syrup
+ Salt
+ Pecans
Five ingredients are all you need to make this delicious granola recipe. As you can see that most of the ingredients in this recipe for the best homemade granola are healthy. Most granola recipes use vegetable oil but I use coconut oil in my granola recipe. Coconut oil is a healthy oil and I think it adds awesome flavor to recipes.
I used Viva Natural Coconut Oil in my granola recipe as I love that this coconut oil is cold-pressed and 100% organic. I just love how clear this coconut oil is and that Viva Natural coconut oil contains only coconuts and nothing else. This extra virgin coconut oil is made from fresh organic coconuts and is perfect for recipes and beauty fixes.
I think what I really like about coconut oil is how it can be a liquid or a solid fat. So if I want to use liquid coconut oil in recipes, I keep it in my pantry. If I want to enjoy coconut oil as a spread on my bagels or to moisturize my skin, then storing coconut oil in the fridge will make it into a solid form of coconut oil.
Did you know that coconut oil is gluten-free? Coconut oil is also Keto & Paleo Friendly
The other healthy ingredients in homemade granola are oatmeal and nuts. Oatmeal is a heart-healthy ingredient as it is loaded with healthy fiber. The pecans are loaded with protein and also provide fiber. So granola can be a healthy snack or a delicious topping for fruit crisps. I like to sprinkle the crunchy granola on my fruit crisp after I bake it. If you sprinkle the granola on top of the fruit crisp while it is still warm, the granola will stick to the fruit but remain crunchy.
Homemade granola is
+ Healthy
+ Crunchy
+ Full of Fiber
+ Loaded with Protein
+ Vegan
+ Gluten-Free
+ Plant-Based
+ Delicious
+ A Tasty Topping for Yogurt or Oatmeal
+ Great for Recipes
+ Delicious with Milk
As you can see from the above list, granola is awesome food. I like to use granola in many recipes like my vegan peanut butter cookies. I also enjoy granola over ice cream and a delicious snack by the handful. My favorite bedtime snack is a bowl of crunchy granola with almond milk. My boys like granola sprinkled on top of yogurt.
Check out how delicious granola looks on my homemade blueberry pear crisp. My husband loves the crunchy topping on his fruit crisps and it gets him to eat more fruit. I have been making plenty of fruit crisps this summer as my neighbor has a pear tree that has over-produced. So I am glad that she is sharing the pears with me. My new Sweetie Pie stoneware pie pan makes the best fruit crisps. This cute stoneware pie plate distributes heat evenly and produces golden-brown crusts.
I can't wait to make a pumpkin pie in my Sweetie Pie pan. For now, here is the link to my blueberry pear crisp so you can enjoy this fruit recipe.
https://www.momknowsbest.net/2021/09/simple-blueberry-pear-crisp-with.html
You can check out the Great Jones Sweetie Pie plate here.
So now that you can see how easy it is to make granola and how it will save you money, you need to try this recipe for homemade crunchy maple pecan granola. Homemade granola is so much healthier than store-bought granola as you can control the amount of sugar in the recipe and choose to use a healthier oil like coconut oil. Store-bought granola usually is loaded with sugar and unhealthy fats.
Add variety to homemade granola
To add different flavors to your homemade granola recipe, just mix in some different ingredients like chocolate chips. I like to add about 1/4 cup of the additional ingredients. Check out some other optional mix-in granola ingredients.
+ Chocolate Chips
+ Toasted Coconut
+ Dried Fruit ~ raisins, cranberries, dates
+ Sliced Almonds
Chunky Granola Tips
If you like those big chunks in your granola, like me, then here are my tips for granola with big pieces.
+ Your oats need to be a little crowded in the baking pan. So use a half-sheet baking pan with a rim. It is fine if the oat mixture is not spread out. The rim on the pan will keep the granola in the pan when you stir it at the halfway point.
+ Be sure to line the pan with parchment paper. So the sugar sticks to the oats and not the pan. This will make clean-up so much easier.
+ Viva Natural Coconut Oil adds great flavor and helps the oatmeal clump up better for bigger granola pieces
+ When you stir the granola at the halfway baking point, make sure to press the mixture down with the back of the spoon.
+ Let the granola cool completely before removing from the pan. That way you can break the granola up into big pieces.
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