Homemade Granola

Have you ever noticed how you tend to gravitate towards granola and granola bars more so than other times of the year? Maybe it’s more common for those living in parts of the country that experience 4 seasons.  Exercising outdoors and doing yard work during the summer has me reaching for my Homemade Granola giving me that added boost of energy without causing me to feel sluggish. 

Homemade Granola, Granola Bars, or Energy Bars are an ideal way to jump start your day, especially when on the run with little time for breakfast or lunch.

Creating your own healthy Homemade Granola  takes just 30 minutes.  Typically I make mine after dinner.  Once cooled, I pour the Homemade Granola in Mason Jars, or a zip-lock baggie to keep it air tight and fresh.

For years my family objected to adding nuts to the mix.  I finally convinced them, adding that bit of protein is great for the body, and can sustain you through the day.

Nuts are bite-size nutritional powerhouses packed with heart-healthy fats, protein, vitamins, and minerals.  All nuts are about equal in terms of calories per ounce, and in moderation are healthy additions to any diet. Their mix of omega-3 fatty acids, protein, and fiber will help you feel full and suppress your appetite. So it makes perfect sense to add them to granola to help you through your day, hike or after your workout!

I also like adding dried fruit to my granola giving it added nutritional benefits and a bit of naturally good sweetness.  I’ll pack a baggie of homemade granola when I know I’m going to be on the run, and place it in my purse or backpack.

Homemade Granola fits the bill on those hectic non-stop days, for a quick pick me up, long road trip, or hike.  Of course you can always enjoy Homemade Granola for a nice relaxing and healthy breakfast any day of the week!

Homemade granola is ideal as a snack, added to your yogurt, mixed with fruit, or as a topping for desserts.  Once you make your own batch vs. the store bought varieties you’ll never purchase another box again.

My recipe below can be adapted to use the ingredients you like best.  Change out the dried fruits for the ones you love, or add fresh fruit when serving.  In the recipe below you can use a light juice like apple. However, I used Karuna brand Fruity Longan a beverage created locally here in St. Louis, Missouri, now available in other parts of the United States.  I love all the Karuna products.  If you’ve never heard about them you can read my post when Karuna was first introduced in markets, or check out the Karuna website with details about the company plus all their pure & healthy products, and where to purchase them.

In the meantime, I hope you’ll try my Homemade Granola.  I venture to say you’ll never buy  the store brands again!

Print Recipe

Homemade Granola

Yield: 6-8 Servings

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 15-20 minutes

Total Time: 30 minutes

Why buy store bought granola when you can make Homemade Granola the way you love it!  Quick, easy, healthy & delicious!!!

Ingredients:

• 4 cups old fashioned oats
• 1/4 cup packed brown sugar
• 1/4 cup Karuna brand Fruity Longan or apple juice
• 1/4 cup honey
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1 1/2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
• 1/4 cup whole unsalted almonds
• 1/4 cup sunflower seeds, unsalted
• 1/4 cup pumpkin seeds, unsalted
• 1/4 cup dried cherries
• 1/4 cup dried blueberries

Directions:

1. Place oatmeal in a large bowl. 2. In a saucepan, combine brown sugar, Fruity Longan or apple juice, honey and cinnamon; bring to a boil. Remove from heat and stir in vanilla. 3. Pour mixture over oats and stir to coat. Spread oat mixture onto a large sheet pan covered with heavy duty foil and place in oven. Bake at 350F degrees for 15 to 20 minutes, stirring occasionally. 4. Cool completely before adding nuts & dried fruit. Store in an airtight container or zip-lock baggie.  

Note: Feel free to add other ingredients: dried cranberries or other dried fruits like raisins and raspberries, or favorite nuts, etc.

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