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This really is the best homemade granola
There is a general perception that granola is a healthy breakfast option, but is it really? Pick up a box at the store, and what do you find? Lots of sugar, seed oils, soy and preservatives. I think we can do better, and my Best Homemade Granola is going to help.
The other challenge with any granola, healthy or, not is the flavor. I think I have found a couple of ways to improve both the flavor and the quality of the ingredients.
Better fats, a variety of grains, some higher protein ingredients – it all adds up to better quality and, believe me, you cannot beat how good it tastes.
Are there better grains than just oats?
Oats are certainly fine, and the basis for many granola recipes. It is always a good idea to eat a wide variety of foods though, and grains are no exception. It used to be a problem, finding other types of grains that would work in granola. Now, there are so many easily accessible ingredients for granola making.
You might be able to find them locally, in a health food store, or even in the supermarket, but if not, I linked to some good choices on Amazon in the paragraphs below. Some might seem a bit pricey, but this recipe makes a big batch of granola. The majority of the ingredients can also be frozen so they stay fresh for future batches.
I used a mixture of rolled oats, barley flakes, wheat flakes, and some quinoa flakes for the increased protein. Quinoa has a bit of a vegetable-y quality about it normally. In flaked form in this granola, it doesn’t stand out, and you still get that all important protein boost at breakfast time.
I added some of my favorite seeds too – golden flax, chia and sesame seeds – each adds its own unique nutrition, fiber, and flavor. Instead of unhealthy seed oils, I used coconut oil. Unsweetened coconut chips are delicious.
Why use applesauce?
My old granola recipe had a LOT of oil in it. You can’t just take out the oil, because then you end up with a pile of ingredients that don’t meld together or get crunchy. Applesauce is a surprisingly good substitute and it adds lots of flavor. Just make sure you get the unsweetened kind, or make your own. The use of applesauce helps all of the ingredients form nice, crunchy clusters with really great flavor.
Fruit and nuts round out the other ingredients
Use whatever dried fruit you enjoy, keeping in mind that dried fruit is pretty high in sugars, albeit natural ones. Dried fruit does have some fiber, not to mention a huge flavor boost and a little additional sweetness. This recipe doesn’t use a lot of sweetener – just some honey and maple syrup, along with the applesauce. For this batch, I used dried cherries, apricots and raisins. As written, my version is not as sweet as what you find in the store. You can increase the amounts of honey and maple syrup, or just wait and drizzle some on to suit your own taste when you’re eating it.
Nuts are also important, for fiber, protein and flavor. I used raw sliced almonds, chopped hazelnuts and pecans. Fruit and nuts also make this granola taste amazing. I like amazing things.
Use a big bowl
If you check the recipe card below, or my Amazon Store, I listed the equipment I used for this recipe, including a nice big stainless steel bowl. You need plenty of room to mix all of the ingredients.
Spread everything on heavy baking sheets
Since all of my favorite half-sheet pans are made of heavy aluminum, I always line them with parchment paper. This keeps the food from coming in contact with aluminum and makes cleanup easier.
Here’s how to make The Best Homemade Granola
The Best Homemade Granola
Equipment
Ingredients
- 6 cups cereal grains [any combo of oats wheat or barley]
- 2 cups quinoa flakes
- 2 cups coconut flakes
- 1 cups sliced raw almonds
- 1 cup coarsely chopped raw pecans
- 1 cup coarsely chopped blanched hazelnuts
- 1/2 cup sesame seeds
- 1/2 cup flax seeds
- 1/2 cup chia seeds
- 1 1/3 cups unsweetened apple sauce
- 1/3 cup honey [vegan option - use agave]
- 1/3 cup maple syrup
- 1/4 cup coconut oil
- 2 tablespoons pure vanilla extract
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
- 1 teaspoon ground ginger
- 2 to 3 cups dried fruit of your choice [raisins, apricots, sour cherries, apples, plums, etc], chopped if needed
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 300º and line two heavy baking sheets with parchment paper.
- In a very large bowl, combine the grains, quinoa flakes, coconut flakes, sesame, flax and chia seeds and the nuts. Mix well.
- In a medium saucepan, combine the applesauce, honey or agave, maple syrup and coconut oil. Heat until the oil melts.
- Whisk in the vanilla, salt, cinnamon and ginger.
- Pour half of the applesauce mixture over the grain mixture, and mix to combine.
- Add the second half of the applesauce mixture and mix to combine that as well. [it is easier to get the applesauce completely combined if you do in two steps]
- Spread the mixture evenly on the two pans - it is going to fill them both right up.
- Bake at 300º for a total of 40 to 60 minutes, stirring every 15 minutes or so to break up large pieces and cook evenly.
- When it is toasty and evenly cooked, remove to cooling racks.
- Immediately, mix half of the fruit into each pan - the residual heat will meld the fruit in without making it get hard.
- Once cooled, store in tightly sealed containers. [see notes]
Notes
Nutrition
Don’t cook the fruit
When you remove the tray of granola from the oven, mix in the fruit. This ensures that the fruit will meld into the other ingredients, while still staying soft and chewable.
Serving The Best Homemade Granola
The most common way to eat granola is probably in a bowl with milk like any cold cereal.
But it is also really good on Homemade Greek Yogurt, and Vanilla Bean Ice Cream. There’s also always just munching some down without anything added, probably my personal favorite. It does make a really nice snack. See the recipe card, above for storage suggestions.
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Aging is largely such a good thing, but boy do our metabolisms change! So this recipe is perfect for the way we’re trying (and mostly succeeding) to eat now. This is perfect — thanks so much.
Thanks John and I agree on all counts!
Well now isn’t that a great idea! I sure remember my old granola recipe from the sixties. Back then,even my mom who was not at all into dieting used to say “You know Adri, that stuff is really quite fattening.” Of course she was right. And of course I ignored her… so it goes. Now I realize that she was spot on. The applesauce is a most welcome innovation. Thanks!
Thanks Adri – hope you give it a try!
I think I’ll be making a batch of this tonight! So tasty…and full of so many yummy ingredients! Thank you for sharing it with us!
Hope you guys love it Monet!
this does look soooooo good! I have to try it very soon!
Thank you, Mary – I do hope you enjoy it!
and those little gourmet bags of granola at whole foods are like $10 a pop when you can make it at home for $4!
here I think to myself, ‘I am in the wrong business’.
You know?
Oh yeah, Dawn – I totally agree! Just one of the many products that make me think that!
this delicious granola is way better than one can ever get on stores….there is something so energizing about making such treats at home…buying can never give that….and with such a wonderful recipe….we won’t even think of getting a pack of granola from stores again,thanks so much for sharing 🙂
Thanks Kumar – once you try this, you won’t be able to stand the store bought stuff again 🙂
I want to stay young forever and eat everything I want! Oh well, as hard as we try, it’s inevitable and we have to start watching this and that. It’s horrible because as a youngster I could eat anything and stay rail thin ***sigh***
This granola is a super foods wonderland! Love the colours and all the goodies.
Oh me too Nazneen! Sadly that is definitely not the case. This granola helps though!
It’s funny, but I never made granola way back when but i am now. Go figure! Love this version!
Thanks Abbe – hope that you give it a try!
Hello, Donalyn! I love coming across granola recipes because it’s firmly on my ‘cooking and baking bucket list’! I particularly like this recipe of yours, though, with the applesauce and quinoa … it’s such a good idea to sneak in those heallthier little ‘bits’. This is definitely getting pinned for later!
Thanks Helen – I think the hardest part is getting all of the ingredients around, unless you have a very good health food store or bulk market nearby. Hope you get the chance to make it!
Gorgeous granola. I think just the natural nuts have quite a bit of natural oil so adding more would be a bit much. Love your lightened up version and lots of yummy things inside an at half of the cost for sure.
Hi Bam – the nuts do have oils, but not enough to really spread to the other ingredients and make them crunchy. That’s why some recipes have so much oil. The applesauce acts as a binder plus gives you a nice crunchy texture as well. And you would never know that this is a lighter version!
I love the sound of adding applesauce to lighten up granola — this looks fabulous! Pinning. 🙂
Thanks Marcie & thanks for the pin!
Granola sure has come a long way from those munchie days hasn’t it Donalyn? I remember them well, lol…I can’t tell you how many different granola recipes I experimented with in my youth. As you say though now they can be prepared with so many innovative ingredients including applesauce. I’m so loving this recipe! I must save it. I have recently learned my granddaughter is quite the granola lover. (she’s 11:) I can’t wait to share this recipe with her!
Thank you so much for sharing, Donalyn…
Thanks so much. I hope your granddaughter loves this one Louise – I can tell you that my grandchildren really enjoy it!