I have a lot of granola recipes, but the one my daughter likes best is this one. I think it’s the clumps, which are there because the recipe evolved from a failed attempt at making granola bars.
The bars wouldn’t hold together, so I just broke them all up and dried the broken granola out in the oven for another 15 minutes or so. It made the clumpiest granola ever, and since granola is finger food in this house, the clumps make it easier to eat on the go. I also like this method because it doesn’t involve a lot of stirring. Not that stirring every 15 minutes is a drag, but, well, yes — it is a drag. But I can’t really say this one is more convenient because you still have to use both a baking sheet and a pan.
Since this recipe started out as a bar, I baked the dried fruit with the granola which made the fruit a bit dryer and chewier. I liked that somewhat more dried out quality in the apricot, but if you’re using raisins or cranberries and don’t want the fruit to be quite so chewy, you should at it last.
- 1 1/3 cup rolled oats
- 1/4 cup sunflower seeds
- 1/2 cup almonds, walnuts or pecans
- 2 tablespoons of untoasted wheat germ
- 2 tablespoons of sesame seed (optional)
- 1/4 cup shredded or flaked coconut
- 1/4 cup honey
- 2 tablespoons packed light or dark brown sugar
- 1 1/2 tablespoons unsalted butter or coconut oil
- 1/8 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 3 ounces dried fruit – preferably apricots, golden raisins and raisins
- Spread the oats, sunflower seeds, almonds and wheat germ and sesame seeds (if using) on a baking sheet and bake at 350 for 10 minutes or just long enough to toast the oats and nuts.
- Meanwhile, line an 8 inch square metal pan with foil and spray foil with cooking spray or just line with non-stick foil.
- In a large, microwave-safe mixing bowl, combine the honey, brown sugar, butter, and salt. Heat for 1 minute and stir until smooth. Add the vanilla.
- Add the toasted oat mixture and the coconut to the sugar mixture and stir well (save fruit and add it later). Pour into the pan and press down tightly. Bake at 300 for about 20-25 minutes. Remove from pan and let cool completely (this is important). Break up the cooled granola. You should have clumps and crumbs. Spread the not-quite-crisp granola on a tray and re-heat at 300 for about 15 minutes or until it begins to crisp. Remove for the oven and let it cool completely. Stir in whatever dried fruit you like.
I really love granola and have not tried very many variations of it. This looks great! I’m going to have to make it. I’d go make it right now but I’m out of some of the ingredients. 🙁
I’ve only made granola using applesauce instead of oil/butter so I’ll have to try this one!
Your story reminds me of my fist granola attempt a few weeks ago. I just broke it up as well, but it didn’t last long enough to ever work as an ongoing snack :).
Granola is on my to do list. I’m impressed that Fuzz eats raisins. I’m not sure that either of my adult children will eat them even now. I’ll have to ask.
I love raisins. To avoid drying them out you can always soak them in hot water for a half hour or so before using them. I always do this for muffins, and my aunt says it’s a must for butter tarts 🙂
I love clumpy granola, too. Finally found a recipe I love—
http://barbarabakes.com/2011/05/almond-raisin-granola/
Mix up, bake for 20 minutes—then don’t touch until cool–it clumps together. I wonder if all recipes would do that–but I’ve always made ones that say to keep stirring (the drag part). I love the almost caramel-like thin layer it adds to the whole bottom of the granola.
Now I’m going to have to try yours, too. I never add the dried fruit until I’m putting it in a container to store.
Just goes to show how even ‘failures’ can be successes in disguise…
Clumpy granola is the only way to go.
I would love some home made granola! I also soak my raisins in either hot apple juice or a combination of that and Captain Morgan when baking with them…but I might like them chewy in granola!
Thanks for this recipe! I was looking for a granola recipe because I wanted to replicate the yoghurt -granola parfaits I keep “buying”!
I will definitely be trying this method! I can never get my homemade granola clumpy enough.
I love clumpy granola, too. I’m filing this one away for future “goodie packages.” My daughter is starting college next week and I need to start figuring out things to bake and mail to her dorm!
I will have to try this recipe. My go-to granola is your “Great Granola” recipe. I love that one, but sometimes I’m in the mood for clumpier granola. This looks like a winner.
i plan to make this and smother it in deep dark chocolate! Can’t wait! (-8
I’m with your daughter on this one. Clumpy granola is always better.
This looks like a happy accident!
My favorite granola isn’t my granola recipe at all… it’s when my granola bars get squished in my bag, or sat on in the car. And so, they go in a bowl with a splash of almond milk and a spoon.