Homemade Granola

Granola is a family favorite over here.  With milk, with yogurt, in small handfuls with nothing else - we both love it.  Filling and fairly healthy, the only challenge is in the purchase: it can be quite pricey, and the cheaper versions typically have much more sugar and fat.  The good news?  It's super-easy to make at home!

 There are dozens of variations that can be found online, but the greatness of homemade granola is in its simplicity: you can make it with whichever ingredients you prefer.  The bulk of my recipe included whole oats, sliced almonds, wheat germ, shredded coconut, cinnamon, nutmeg and vanilla.  Honey and vegetable oil bring the whole concoction together.

My basic recipe:

 - 4 cups whole rolled oats

 - 1 cup shredded coconut

 - 3/4 cup sliced almonds

 - 1/4 cup wheat germ

 - 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon

 - 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg

 - 1 teaspoon vanilla

 - 1/2 cup vegetable oil (you can also use sunflower or another oil)

 - 1/4 cup honey

Instructions:  Preheat oven to 275 degrees.  Stir dry ingredients together until evenly blended.  In a separate bowl, mix together oil, honey and vanilla.  Pour wet mixture into dry and stir to evenly coat.  Pour entire mixture onto a parchment-lined baking sheet.  Bake for approximately 45 minutes.

I recommend stirring the granola on the tray about halfway though, and checking regularly after 30 minutes to ensure that it doesn't burn!  When the granola looks golden, remove it from the oven and let cool completely.  I store mine in glass ball jars to keep it crispy :)

{warm granola}

{Tucky looks for dropped bites}