Just the right amount of crunch to make this granola recipe the perfect snack, dessert or breakfast!
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About eight years ago, I tried a homemade granola recipe. My memories of homemade granola were at a bed and breakfast I went to with my parents back when I was in between high school and college. The proprietor offered homemade granola as part of breakfast.
I didn’t think about it too much after that, but then a few years ago, I tried a granola recipe a friend made and decided to make the plunge and try making it myself. I’m glad I did, because this recipe has been a favorite of my family’s for years.
When I made it again last week, I decided it was certainly time I share it on here. This easy oat and honey granola recipe is delicious. When I first made it, I crumpled it up thinking I’d use it in small pieces for cereal or something. After that I left it in chunks, because it’s so good on its own that we eat it for snacks, dessert and breakfast around here.
This oat and honey granola recipe has just the right amount of crunch and sweetness. It’s surprisingly easy to make with simple ingredients you probably have in your kitchen right now. And it has the added bonus of making your house smell great while it’s baking!
Just look at this goodness!
Getting started
I’ll be honest and tell you that when I first started looking for a granola recipe to make, I didn’t even know what kind of oats recipes were talking about.
I learned that it’s the oats you buy in a canister to make oatmeal. You can use either quick-cooking oats for this recipe or old-fashioned. I’ve made it with both. We prefer quick-cooking oats because they are a bit smaller.
Once you have your ingredients and are ready to go, turn your oven to 350-degrees to preheat. Then put the oats, honey, brown sugar, vanilla, vegetable oil, water and salt into a bowl.
Next, stir everything together. It will seem like it is too dry, but it will be fine. Just keep stirring for a couple of minutes until everything is coated. This oat and honey granola isn’t a mix that gets really wet.
Bake it in the oven at 350-degrees for 10 minutes. Take it out, stir it around and press it back into the same layer as before Return it to the oven for 10 to 12 more minutes until the oat and honey granola is a lovely golden brown with crispy edges and your kitchen smells divine!
Even if you like things extra crunchy, don’t be tempted to over-bake this oat and honey granola recipe. I’ve tried leaving it in for a few extra minutes and ended up with a hard block that tasted slightly burnt.
Don’t worry if the oat and honey granola doesn’t seem super crunchy when it’s still warm. It crunches up as it cools.
If you want it in small chunks to eat like cereal or as a topping, then stir it around again as soon as it comes out of the oven.
If you want to leave the oat and honey granola in chunks to snack on like I do, then let it cool completely, lift it off the pan and break it into chunks. I store mine in a quart-sized ziptop bag to keep it fresh.
The oat and honey granola will last about a week before it starts getting on the chewy side.
Easy oat and honey granola
This oat and honey granola recipe is easy and delicious! Just the right amount of crunch and sweetness make it a great breakfast, snack or dessert!
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 10 minutesmins
Cook Time 20 minutesmins
Course Breakfast, Dessert, Soup
Cuisine American
Ingredients
2cupsoatsquick-cooking or old-fashioned; I prefer quick-cooking because they're smaller
1/3cuphoney
1/3cupvegetable oil
pinchof salt
1teaspoonvanilla extract
2tablespoonsbrown sugar
1teaspoonwater
Instructions
Preheat oven to 350-degrees.
Combine all the ingredients in a bowl and mix them together. The mixture will be sort of clumpy and wet without being soaking.
Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or non-stick aluminum foil.
Spread the granola mixture out in a thin layer all over the pan.
Bake it in the oven for 10 minutes, then stir it around and press it back into the same thin layer as before.
Bake for 10 to 12 more minutes until it’s a lovely golden brown with crispy edges and your kitchen smells divine.
Keyword granola, oat and honey, oat and honey granola
The Bottom Line. Granola is healthy in small amounts, especially because oats, nuts, seeds and dried fruit in granola provide some fiber that's good for heart and gut health. However, granola can also be a rich source of calories, saturated fat and sugar, depending on the brand you buy.
Most granola recipes add the nuts in the beginning and the nuts just cook too long and become bitter. Also cooking at a low temperature means there is no constant stirring like most recipes. You only stir when you add the nuts and coconut.
Use a large sheet pan and make sure to spread the oats mixture in one single layer directly on the pan. I do not use parchment paper, I know it's easier for clean up purposes but it does not produce the same results in terms of crunch. Check the granola every few minutes during the baking time and stir to avoid burning ...
Oats are an excellent source of beta-glucan, which is a fiber that helps reduce LDL and overall cholesterol levels—two risk factors for getting heart disease. Improve gut health. Granola can help increase the levels of healthy bacteria in the gut compared to other breakfast cereals.
Yes, granola can be eaten daily. As part of a balanced diet and if the portions are checked. Go for healthier options with less added sugars and saturated fats to get the most out of it.
While both granola and cereal may seem similar, there are significant differences between the two. Granola is a healthier, more nutrient-dense, and joyfully versatile option that will not only make your taste buds dance but also keep your body happy and healthy.
Because ingredients vary widely by brand, it's important to read nutrition labels carefully when shopping for granola. Check the ingredient list, avoiding products that list sugar or sweeteners —including natural sweeteners like honey — within the first few ingredients.
Higher temperatures can cause ingredients like nuts, seeds, and coconut to burn before the batch has a chance to properly dry out and crisp up, Perry says. Stick with a low temperature, keep an eye on your mixture, and stir it from time to time to help it brown evenly.
A basic saying to guide your use of papers in the kitchen: "Sweet treats need parchment sheets; grill or broil, go with foil," says Weaver. Foil conducts and distributes heat, making it able to withstand high temperatures from baking, broiling, roasting, or grilling. For anything above 400 degrees, use foil.
Both aluminum foil and parchment paper are totally safe to use—though parchment is more environmentally friendly. When it comes to cooking and baking, aluminum can serve as an effective alternative to parchment in some cases, but not all—it really just depends on what you're making.
One of the most notable benefits of eating oats every day is their positive impact on heart health. The soluble fibre in oats helps reduce LDL (bad) cholesterol levels by absorbing cholesterol in the digestive system and promoting its excretion.
Instant oatmeal has about 12 grams of added sugar before you even touch it. It's low on fiber and has less than three grams of protein—one serving of Greek yogurt has 23 grams.”
Use yogurt and cream cheese as your base, then add fruit like kiwi, banana, orange and frozen berries. A bit of honey and cinnamon rounds out the flavors and excites the taste buds! If you're in a hurry, you can also try this Maple Sea Salt Granola Parfait, which calls for just two ingredients!
Granola tastes so good, but all those calories can be hard for weight loss. One cup of store-bought granola adds up to 500 calories easily. On a 1500-calorie diet, you're a third of the way there already! Learn simple ways to make your homemade granola calories more friendly.
According to Healthline.com, oats are a good source of carbs and fiber and are even filled with "important vitamins, minerals, and antioxidant plant compounds." When combined with the natural energy found in pure honey, there is no doubt that honey and oats pack a powerful punch when enjoyed together.
Introduction: My name is Jonah Leffler, I am a determined, faithful, outstanding, inexpensive, cheerful, determined, smiling person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.
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