This Hearty Granola is a fan favorite, customize with your favorite nuts and / or dried fruits.
Ingredients
- 3 cups old fashioned oats
- 1 cup chopped nuts
- 1 cup chopped dried fruit
- 1 TBSP cinnamon
- 1 TBSP vanilla
- ½ tsp salt (optional)
- 1/3 cup brown sugar
- 1 cup maple syrup
Directions
- Mix ingredients in large bowl
- Preheat oven to 325 degrees
- Grease large baking pan with slides – example 16×12 inch lasagna pan
- Bake in oven for about 45 minutes – stir after 20 minutes
- Cool in baking dish – enjoy!
- Store in container with lid
Do you want to try and make homemade granola? This recipe is for you. It is simple, has your favorite ingredients and will delight your family and friends.
Tips & Tricks for perfecting Favorite Hearty Granola
This recipe can be modified based on the ingredients you prefer, or just what you have in your pantry.
I personally like to use old fashioned oats. They create a more crunchy, hearty granola. However, if you have quick cooking oats, those also work well.
In regards to nuts or dried fruit, use whatever you like or have at home. Almonds, walnuts, pecans, peanuts, etc.: dried cranberries, raisins, dates, dried apricots, etc.
I often substitute organic sugar or sugar in the raw for brown sugar in this recipe. It works out just as well!
This is best baked in a pan with sides, because half way through you need to stir the contents. Also the granola will then bake more evenly. I prefer using a 16×12 size pan, but you can substitute a 13×9 or similar type baking pan.
It is really hard not to sample granola after it comes out of the oven, because it smells so good! Remember that the granola will be soft until it has had time to cool.
You can use this as a cereal, a topping for yogurt or ice cream, or just to snack on.
Mix in other treats like M&Ms, chocolate chips, candy corn, or little peppermint candy cane pieces (after the granola cools). This makes the granola more festive especially during the holidays.
Have fun with this recipe and make it your new family favorite!
Background of Favorite Hearty Granola
Granola seems to have a mystery around it. Almost like it is made in a secret place and you can only buy it from a “organic” store or specialty grocer. It is a food that people think they can’t make at home. However, it is one of the easiest recipes ever. Also a recipe that you can customize to be your own, based on the ingredients you have at home.
The magic in this recipe comes from vanilla, cinnamon and maple syrup! These ingredients come together to flavor this recipe, making it outstanding! Most granola recipes don’t use maple syrup, but it adds a “wow” factor that is so yummy.
So pick your favorite nuts and dried fruit and mix them right into the recipe. Almond or walnut are my personal favorite nuts to use in this recipe, but other types also work well. I also like using dried cranberries, but dried apricots or raisins also are great.
Remember to include your family’s favorite add ins to this recipe, and they will be granola lovers for life. Try different combinations of nuts and fruits to find that special granola mix!
Homemade Hearty Granola can also be used as a gift item. You can specialize the granola with holiday themed wrapping or even mix in some candy treats (after the granola is cooled). I especially like mixing in mini M&M candies during the Christmas season. Your friends and family will be amazed and appreciative of your thoughtful gift.
