Make it Yourself: Granola

Making your own granola is not only waaaay cheaper than buying it but super easy and very flexible. I generally make a different variation each time based on what needs to be used up and/or what was on sale at the store. I always buy Old Fashioned Oats when they are on sale. They last a long time and always get used.

An example of one batch's ingredients

Base Recipe:

Pre-heat oven to 350 degrees.

In a large bowl mix:

4 cups of oats
1-1.5 cups of chopped or sliced nuts
1/2 cup brown sugar

In a sauce pan whisk together
1/4 cup of honey
1/4 cup of veg oil
Add 1 t of vanilla

Combine ingredients and mix well. Place in a lasagne type pan, spread evenly.
Cook for around 30 minutes or until just a little bit before it's as crunchy as you like as it will crunch up a bit more after you take it out of the oven. I stir every 10 minutes or so to make sure all of it cooks and none of it burns.

After it cooks add your favorite dried fruits. Store in an airtight container  - lasts a very long time.

To this base recipe I have added sesame seeds, pumpkin seeds, raw toasted quinoa (super crunchy and yummy), a variety of dried fruits, etc.

Have fun with it, combinations and variations are pretty much endless.