How to Make Granola

“This is way good!” said Hannah in Production.

Anytime is granola time.  It's great for camping.  Mix it with some M&M's and make great trail food for that energetic Boy Scout.  We like it as cereal with either hot or cold milk.  And homemade granola is so much fresher—and we think better—than what you buy in the stores. 

Let your imagination run wild when you make granola.  The basic ingredients are cereal, oil, and a sweetener.  Then add anything that you like to give it the character, taste, and nutrition that you want.  Remember that kids' tastes are different than yours so make two batches—granola is easy to make.

Note: The pictured granola was made with rolled oats, rolled wheat, sunflower seeds, brown sugar, vanilla and orange extracts, walnuts, and dried apples.

Mix and Match Granola 

4 cups rolled oats, wheat, or barley (any combination) 
1/2 cup sunflower seeds or sesame seeds
1/2 cup honey, maple syrup, or a thick syrup made with 1/2 cup brown sugar and 2-3 tablespoons water 
1/4 cup canola oil 
1 teaspoon vanilla and/or other extract
3/4 cup raisins or other dried fruit (optional)
1/2 cup walnuts(optional)
1/2 teaspoon salt

Directions:

Preheat the oven to 325 degrees. 

1. In a large bowl, mix all the dry ingredients together except for the dried fruit.  Set the dried fruit aside.
2. In another bowl mix the sweetener, oil, and extract together.
3. Add the liquid to the dry ingredients and mix thoroughly.  The liquids will be absorbed and the granola will become darker and shinier. 
4. Spread the granola in a shallow baking pan.  Bake at 325 degrees for ten minutes.  Use a spatula and turn the granola on the baking sheet.  Place the granola back in the oven and bake for another ten minutes or until fairly dry and starting to brown.  Remove the granola from the oven and stir in the fruit.

Tips

1. Granola will become crispier and crunchier as it cools.
2. Because of the oil, granola will not stay fresh long.  Store in an airtight container and use within two weeks.  Freeze for longer storage.

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