Easy Homemade Granola Gives Taste of the Country

Homemade granola can be a healthy snack as well as a great gift. Healthy homemade granola is possible by limiting the amount of preservative but it pays to keep in mind this can also limit the 'shelf life' of the granola. By making up a week or two supply at a time you get a fresher granola, providing your ingredients are of good quality. Most recipes have rolled oats as a base. The other ingredients may vary widely but oatmeal is a healthy base.

One tasty granola which can be used for cereal or snacking is also easy to make. Combine 3 ½ cups rolled oats, ½ cup coconut flakes, 3 tablespoons sesame seeds 1/3 cup sunflower seeds, ½ cup toasted mixed chopped nuts, 2 teaspoons cinnamon, a teaspoon sea salt, ¼ cup each brown sugar and canola oil, 2 tablespoons honey, a tablespoon maple syrup and 2 teaspoons vanilla extract. Line a baking sheet with foil and bake at 375, stirring every 10 minutes until it's the color desired. Usually 20-30 minutes will turn it a golden brown but some want darker color than others. Another tasty option, although less healthy is adding ¼ cup of chocolate chips to the mix. Add in 2 cups chopped walnuts or mixed dried fruit.

For variety omit the honey and maple syrup and add 2 tablespoons peanut butter. You can tinker with the ingredients until finding something that is tailored to you. Another option is substituting part of the dried fruit with butterscotch or peanut butter chips. These can all add different flavors to the same basic recipe, allowing for multiple variations. You can even make an bag up several at a time, making maximum use of having your stove fired up.

Another type of granola can be made with a similar but different recipe. You will need 4 cups "old fashioned" rolled oats, 1/3 cup honey or molasses or maple syrup, ¼ cup vegetable oil. a teaspoon vanilla extract, 1 cup chopped nuts ¾ cup bran cereal, 1 cup flaked coconut 1 cup raisins and ½ cup chocolate chips. Begin by toasting the rolled oats at 350F, spread evenly in a 15x10 pan for 10 minutes, stirring half way through. Warm honey/syrup/molasses and oil on the stove, stir in vanilla. Remove oats and toss in other ingredients except fruit, then pour the hot mixture over it, tossing well to coat thoroughly. Bake for another 20 minutes, stirring three times during that time frame. Add raisins and chocolate chips, cool and store in airtight container. This makes eight one cup servings.

Homemade granola is a tasty start to the morning, a wonderful addition to yogurt or topped ice cream or a snack by itself. Make some today!