This is hard for me to admit but I have a little thing for sugar cereals. According to my hubby, it’s not so little. Okay, stop judging me! In my defense we eat healthy around here (for the most part), make dinner at home, avoid high-fructose corn syrup, get eggs from our own chickens, and have read every Michael Pollan book since The Omnivore’s Dilemma. So excuse me if I have the occasional late-night date with a Captain named Crunch. Or a Froot Loop. Or a Frosted Flake. I’m weak alright. Weak!
Then I read an article in the Huffington Post the other day about things you didn’t know were in your food. You can read that article here but be warned–it’s nasty. I’ve researched a lot about industrial food over the years and just when I think nothing about processed food can shock me, something does.
The one that caught my eye was Butylated Hydroxytoluene (BHT) which is an ingredient commonly found in cereal. It helps keep food fresh longer which doesn’t seem so bad right? Except that it is the same chemical compound found in petroleum products such as…JET FUEL. Say what??!!
I decided I had to finally break it off with the Captain. Time to rekindle a past relationship that was actually pretty sweet. Homemade granola.
The great thing about making your own granola, aside from the lack of jet-fuel additives, is that you can totally customize it. You’ll want to keep your proportions roughly the same but you can change up the nuts, seeds and berries to fit the tastes of your family. I usually add sunflower seeds but I was out so I added extra pumpkin seeds. My family loves dried blueberries but raisins are a popular second. Almonds can be switched up with cashews or pecans and if you don’t have dried orange peel you can certainly use fresh orange zest. You can also add some brown sugar if you like a sweeter granola (we do). Get creative and definitely use what you have on hand.
All you have to do is put everything in a big bowl and mix really, really well. It will take a bit of effort to get all the honey incorporated. To make your life a little easier here’s a great tip when measuring honey (or molasses, agave nectar, etc.). Coat the measuring cup generously with canola oil, and the honey will just slide right out. Seriously–look at the picture! It’s the little things that make life awesome.
Now you can spread the granola out in a rimmed baking sheet. This is actually the broiler pan that came with our oven but I’ve only ever used it for baking granola. Maybe it’s not a broiler pan after all, maybe it actually is a granola pan. Thank-you nice folks at Jenn-Air. Your oven is falling apart after only 5 years but the granola pan still works great!
Oh, in my Jenn-Air ranting I forgot to tell you to generously sprinkle the top of the granola with cinnamon before popping it in your (barely working) oven. It will bake for 30 minutes but you’ll need to stir it a few times to keep the edges from burning. After it comes out I like to squish it down with a spatula and then let it cool for at least 30 minutes. That way it stays kinda clumpy as I break it up, just like granola should be.
There is something that feels so good about feeding my family homemade granola. The fact that they devour the stuff doesn’t hurt either. Okay, in truth my taste buds still like sugar cereal but the more I read about what’s in processed foods, the less my heart does.
Honey Granola
3 cups old-fashioned rolled oats
1/2 cup sesame seeds
1/2 cup pumpkin seeds (pepitas)
1/2 cup flax seed
1/2 cup sunflower seeds
1/2 cup shredded coconut (unsweetened)
1/2 cup dried blueberries (or any dried fruit)
1/2 cup sliced almonds
3/4 cup honey (raw honey strongly preferred)
2 tbsp. grapeseed oil (or other high quality oil)
1 tbsp. pure vanilla extract
1 tbsp. dried orange peel
cinnamon for sprinkling
3-4 tbsp. brown sugar (optional–if you like a sweeter granola)
Preheat oven to 300 F.
Put all ingredients except cinnamon in to a large greased metal bowl. Stir everything together until thoroughly coated. Turn out onto a well greased baking pan with a rim and spread mixture out to the edges. Sprinkle generously with cinnamon. Bake for 30-35 minutes, stirring everything around the pan every 10 minutes. Remove from oven and gently press granola down with a spatula. Let cool for 30 minutes. Break up granola into small pieces and store in an airtight container.
Yield: approx 6 cups
Your granola looks delicious, I love making my own granola, my family would love the addition of dried blueberries! I just started a new link-up, Meal Planning Monday Recipe Link-Up and would love to invite you to share your your recipe at my linky party. 🙂 http://www.aprilshomemaking.com/2014/03/meal-planning-monday-recipe-link-up.html
Thanks April–no offense to raisins but dried blueberries are the best in granola. Just added this recipe to your link-up. Have a great day!
–Leah
This looks so good and not packed with sugar! Thanks for sharing!
You’re welcome Annette! It’s shocking how much sugar is in store-bought cereal–even granola. It’s just so easy and better to make your own. Thanks for stopping by!
–Leah
This looks great! I have to admit I am a sugar fiend also! Thanks for the alternative.
You’re welcome Deb! I’m proud to say that I walked right past the cereal aisle at the grocery store today. It was hard but it can be done:)
–Leah
Leah! You are fabulous. I decided to forever give up on cold cereal as our go-to breakfast and was just thinking the other day that I need to make my own granola. Thanks for the recipe! Just pinned it 🙂 And if you aren’t already linking up at All Things Thursday, it starts every Wednesday at 7 MST. We would love to have you!
Thanks Kristina! I have eaten this granola for breakfast the last 2 days and had forgotten how good it is. And thanks for the invite–I will definitely link up.
–Leah
Thank you for linking up at Meal Planning Monday Recipe Link-Up, and sharing your recipe! 🙂
Hello there! I love your blog so much that I’ve nominated you for the Liebster Award.. go to
http://interiordesignprinciples.blogspot.com/2014/03/my-blog-won-liebster-award.html
for more info.. 🙂
I have been craving granola like crazy— your blog is awesome, thanks for sharing
That’s so sweet of you to say Heidi! Thanks for stopping by.
–Leah
Thanks for sharing last week on Mostly Homemade Mondays! If you get a minute, hop over today and link up a few more of your favorite posts: http://www.thesustainablecouple.com/2014/06/mostly-homemade-mondays-week-83.html
Your welcome Kelli! Love your site and I think it’s such a cute concept. I will be joining up with your link party again. Keep up the good work!
–Leah
This looks so great! I love snacking on granola or adding it to my yogurt, oatmeal, etc.. Thank you for a lovely recipe!
You welcome Sami! I keep trying new granola recipes that I find but I always come back to this one.Hope you enjoy it.
–Leah
This looks great, I pinned to try!
http://inourhappyplace.com/captain-obvious/
That’s awesome Marie–I hope you do. I’ve tried so many granola recipes over the years and this one remains my family’s favorite. Have a great week!
–Leah
Sounds great! Pinning
Thanks for stopping by Jennifer! I hope you like it.
–Leah
This looks so tasty!
Thanks Akaleistar! I promise it is. Come back soon!
–Leah
In my endless search for a perfect granola recipe – my husband enjoys a bowl most every morning – I found your recipe a few months ago. I’ve been making a batch EVERY week! Thanks for posting this…LOVE it!
Wow Sarah–thanks! That is one of the nicest comments I have ever received. So glad your family likes it as much as we do. I might need to go make a batch right now. LOL! Have a fabulous week.
–Leah