If you know me in real life and have ever spent the night at my house, you'll probably know that I am obsessed with oatmeal. I go through a large canister of old fashioned oats every month or two. By myself. Sometimes I feel like a horse.
I don't make granola that often but I'm always glad when I do. It's fun to mix up the texture of oatmeal with a crunchy variation every now and then. Making granola is pretty easy, and in terms of ingredients it's almost foolproof since unlike most baking it's not an exact science. However, it is SO easy to burn, so you have to exercise constant vigilance when it's in the oven!
Here's a basic granola recipe I just made yesterday. Feel free to add any mix-ins you want! (See my note at the end).
Basic Homemade Granola
Adapted from Moosewood Restaurant New Classics (my current cookbook obsession)
Makes a shitton of granola, keep half and give half, or just eat it all yourself.
Ingredients:
-4 1/2 cups old fashioned rolled oats
-1/2 cup sunflower seeds
-2 t. cinnamon
-1/3 cup canola oil
-1/4 cup honey
-1/4 cup maple syrup
-2 T molasses
Preheat the oven to 350* and spray a jelly roll pan (cookie sheet with the sides) with cooking spray.
In a big bowl, mix the oats, sunflower seeds, and cinnamon.
In a smaller bowl, combine the remaining (wet) ingredients.
Dump the wet ingredients into the oats and stir until combined.
Spread the oat mixture evenly onto the baking sheet and bake for 12 minutes, STIRRING THE GRANOLA EVERY 4-5 MINUTES.
*The granola will be done when it is a little browner than it started, but it will not be crispy until it cools!
Allow granola to cool on baking sheet, stirring a couple more times, until it's dry and crispy.
Add any mix-ins you want! Suggestions: shredded coconut, roasted nuts, dried fruit, chocolate chips.
Transfer into sealed containers and enjoy!
NOTE: It's important not to add the extra mix-ins until after the granola is baked, since they'll most likely burn. If you're adding raw nuts though, you can bake them with the oats.
Enjoy with milk or yogurt!
