Easy Homemade Granola
A simple baked granola made with rolled oats, seeds or nuts, applesauce and a neutral oil. Sweetened optionally with honey or maple syrup and finished with dried fruit after baking.
Servings: 24 servings
Ingredients
Ingredients
- ?4 cupsrolled oats
- ?1 cupchopped seeds or nuts such ashemp seeds, chopped cashews, sunflower seeds, sesame seeds, or chopped walnuts
- ?1/4 teaspoonsalt
- ?1/2 cupapplesauce
- ?1/3 cupneutral oil like canola or coconut; if using coconut, melt it first
- ?1 teaspooncinnamon
- ?1 teaspoonvanilla
- ?2 tablespoonshoney ormaple syrup optional
- ?1 cupdried fruit such as raisins, dried cherries, or other diced dried fruit, optional
Instructions
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 300°F (150°C). Line a rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Prepare the seeds or nuts: if using cashews or walnuts, chop them in a food processor, blender, or with a knife until coarsely chopped. If using other seeds or already-chopped nuts, no chopping is needed.
- If using coconut oil, melt it first (briefly in the microwave or in a small saucepan) and let it cool slightly.
- In a medium bowl, combine 4 cups rolled oats, 1 cup chopped seeds or nuts, and 1/4 teaspoon salt. Add 1/2 cup applesauce, 1/3 cup neutral oil (melted coconut if using), 1 teaspoon cinnamon, 1 teaspoon vanilla, and 2 tablespoons honey or maple syrup if using. Stir until the dry ingredients are evenly coated.
- Pour the granola mixture onto the prepared baking sheet and spread it into an even single layer.
- Bake at 300°F for 40–45 minutes, until the granola is lightly golden brown. Stir once halfway through baking (about 20–22 minutes) for more even browning, or leave undisturbed if you prefer chunkier clusters.
- Remove the baking sheet from the oven and let the granola cool completely on the pan; it will crisp as it cools.
- Once fully cooled, stir in 1 cup dried fruit if using.
Equipment
- Mixing Bowl
- Baking Sheet
- Storage Containers
Notes
Store in airtight containers for up to 1 month or store in freezer containers or zip top freezer bags for up to 3 months in the freezer.
Use unsweetened, smooth applesauce.
Line yourbaking sheetwithparchment paperor foil to prevent sticking and for easy clean up.
Use sunflower seeds or chopped walnuts to avoid choking hazards for kids.
Chop any larger pieces of dried fruit to make sure it’s easy for the kids to eat.
Grind the cooled granola in afood processorto make granola “sprinkle” for little kids.
Serve over yogurt or cottage cheese, or anyway you like it.
Gluten-free:Use certified gluten-freerolled oats.
Nut-free:Use sunflower seeds.
Use unsweetened, smooth applesauce.
Line yourbaking sheetwithparchment paperor foil to prevent sticking and for easy clean up.
Use sunflower seeds or chopped walnuts to avoid choking hazards for kids.
Chop any larger pieces of dried fruit to make sure it’s easy for the kids to eat.
Grind the cooled granola in afood processorto make granola “sprinkle” for little kids.
Serve over yogurt or cottage cheese, or anyway you like it.
Gluten-free:Use certified gluten-freerolled oats.
Nut-free:Use sunflower seeds.