Ok,there are some things you should know about me:
One, I love food, duh!
Two, I am addicted to bread and carbs, Bad!!! But give me a piece of bread and I am happy!! Happiness trumps over the waistline, until I realize the waistline expanded way to much. Then depression hits and I turn to more bread, it’s a vicious cycle I live.
Three, I love granola and could live on it! It’s not uncommon for me to pile through a few cups a day. Sad, I know, I need to stay away from the stuff but I have issues and can’t! This recipe I am going to share with you is what I think is the best granola ever! I made several granola’s and they turn out ok, but not exactly what I’m looking for, but this recipe has it all!!
It’s so perfect, it has to be shown in a wine glass, pure elegance! The description of this granola is simple, it’s sweet, crunchy, clumpy, low in calories and pretty healthy! I love it!!!!
I ate so much of this granola in one day, that I gained 5lbs over night, it didn’t go away and it looked like I swallowed a beach ball. My stomach had a perfect round circle, I was so concerned about this I almost called my doctor. I checked with some friends and they said you have Alien Baby! Alien Baby? Whats that? They said I consumed way to much fiber and my stomach bloated up! They said the worse thing possible to me, “Stay Away from the Granola”! Ahhhhhh!!! Horrifying! So don’t be like me, enjoy it on yogurt, oatmeal and as a light snack, don’t down it like it’s water! However, If you do make this, you may become addicted too! So don’t blame me, just giving you a warning!
Mmmm, Clumpy!
I made this granola on Sunday, and I hate to say it but it’s almost gone, sigh… Need to make more this weekend!! Thats normally my Friday night thing to do! Oh and get this, my Husband told me to stay away from the granola to, because it’s not good for my teeth, Ahhh, I think he’s just jealous!!
First thing you do is mix the oats, set aside, then add all your wet ingredients into a pot.
Cook until all ingredients are combined and it’s a creamy texture about 5 – 7 minutes.
Poor the wet ingredients over the oats,and stir until everything is wet.
Place on parchment lined cookie sheet and bake in a 300 degree oven for 45 minutes, turning every 15 minutes.
Once done, let it cool (I leave it in the oven with the oven door open a crack) and then place in an air tight container. I use one of those OXO air sealed container.
Perfect Granola (WARNING! May become addicting!)
Dry Ingredients:
2 1/2 Cups Old Fashion Oatmeal
5 cups of rolled mixed oats (I used Trader Joe’s Rolled Oats, I ran out of Old Fashion Oats, and I had to dig into my other stash of oatmeal)
1/2 cup shredded coconut
1 tbsp of chia seeds
1 tbsp of ground flax
1/4 cup sunflower seeds
1 Tbsp. of ground cinnamon
Wet Ingredients:
4 tbsp brown rice syrup
1 tbsp agave nectar or Maple Syrup
1 tbsp coconut oil
2 tbsp applesauce, unsweetened
3 tbsp peanut butter
1/4 cup un packed brown sugar
Add Ins:
1/4 cup of dried cranberries
1/4 dried apricots (diced up)
1/4 dried pineapple (diced up) (My favorite)
Note: Nuts can be used to, slivered almonds are great in this recipe! That is what is cool about granola, you can use any kind of dried fruits and nuts you like.
Directions:
Preheat oven to 300F
In a medium size saucepan over medium heat, add the wet ingredients. Stir well. Bring to a boil and then simmer on low for 5-10 minutes, stirring frequently.
In a very large mixing bowl, Mix together the dry ingredients.
Add the wet mixture (while still warm!) over the top of the dry mixture and stir well. It will be very thick and hard to stir, but keep at it until everything is thoroughly combined.
Spread onto a baking sheet lined with parchment paper or a non-stick mat and bake in the oven for 45 minutes; stirring every 15 minutes to ensure even baking.
When granola is done, add in the dried fruit and allow the granola to cool for 20-25 minutes on the pan before serving. The granola will get harder as it cools.
Enjoy!!
Makes 20 – 1/2 cup servings
Calories per serving: 165, Fat: 4.3, Sodium: 16.9, Potassium: 52, Carbs: 28, Fiber: 4, Sugar: 9, Protein: 4.6
I love this stuff! I wish I could have some now, but I went to the dentist today to have my teeth cleaned and there to sore to eat crunchy, believe me I tried!
Whats your favorite kind of Granola?
Have a wonderful Saturday!!
my favorite is natures path pumpkin flax granola. OMGG. i can’t and don’t buy it. i have zero self control over that stuff haha!
Hi Jennifer,
This recipe looks amazing! I have a quick question, you listed that you used 2 1/2 cups of old fashion oatmeal and 5 cups of rolled mixed oats. What’s the difference between those 2? If i’m just going to use rolled oats, how much would you suggest I use?
Thanks!
Hi Avely,
7 1/2 cups total of any kind of oats. I probably should of clarified in my recipe, I used 5 1/2 Cups of Trader Joe’s Gluten Free Rolled Oats, plus I used 2 Cups of Old Fashion Oats, like Quaker. Like I said, you can use any kind of Oats you like, just not instant Oats. If you have any additonal questions, please let me know.
Let me know how the recipe turns out!
Have a great day!
I was wondering… is there something I could use in the place of the peanut butter? Or can it just be omitted completely?
I think you can or if you don’t like peanut butter, you could always use another nut butter like almond or sunflower. But my guess is you can make it without it. Let me know if you make it. Have a great day!!
I did decide to make it… it just finished in the oven and tastes amazing! I am allergic to peanuts… thats why I wanted to omit the peanut butter. I had some almond butter on hand and used that instead which was awesome. I also took your tip from another granola recipe of yours (Coconut Almond) and added a bit of almond extract. I have never made granola before this… but now I will never buy it again… Thanks so much! I just found your blog today and think I am in blogger heaven lol.
Oh I am so glad that it came out. Granola is such a wonderful snack to make, and it’s easy. I think homemade tastes so much better than store bought and whats even better you can add whatever you like to it. I’m glad you found my blog, please stop back anytime. Have a great day!!
When do you add the add ins Jen? Before or after you bake the granoloa?
I guess I forgot to put that in the recipe. Thanks for telling me!
I mix in the dried fruit as soon as I pull the granola out of the oven, just before the cooling time. That way they are fresh. Let me know how you like it!