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She Says: Make Your Own Granola
In the 7th Grade we had pen-pals. My pen-pal wanted to know my favorite food. Without hesitation I wrote (1) Vanilla Yogurt with Granola and (2) Snickers. I still love granola, but am often disappointed by the fat/calories/sugar/taste of many brands, so I don’t explore packaged brands that much anymore.
Anyway, one day, I just decided to make my own and I’ve been experimenting ever since. This is my first batch since the blog – once again blogging is super because now I am actually writing down what I did to make it! What I’ve learned in the course of my granola making is this:
(1) honey and/or juice plus water make great sweeteners;
(2) a little vanilla or cinnamon goes a long way;
(3) melty peanut butter is easier to work with than “cold” pb;
(4) turn your granola;
(5) low heat is best because granola easily burns;
(6) add things like chocolate chips or raisins in at the end, trail mix style;
(7) remove from the oven before you think it’s ready, the crunch will come when cooled; and
(8) what you make will be better and cheaper than what you can buy!
Starting with Lesson 1, juice makes a great sweetener. The granola doesn’t actually taste like juice, but rather subtly carries a sweet flavor of whatever juice you used. I’ve used Juicy Juice Fruit Punch, Apple Juice and White Grape Juice in the past with great results. Today I used Zola Acai Pineapple Juice as the only sweetener and the result was fantastic!
Acai Pineapple Granola
Ingredients
2 Cups Oats
1 Cup Roasted Unsalted Almonds*
1 Cup Dried Cranberries
6 T Juice
2 T Water
2 t Cinnamon
2 t Ground Flax
Procedure
Granola is so easy to make: Preheat oven to 300* Mix everything you want to bake in a bowl. For me this included everything but half the cranberries (I like how they get crunchy when baked, but also like them fresh). Make sure it’s all covered with the liquid, but not soppy wet. Spread onto baking sheet and bake for about 20 minutes. Make sure to rotate the granola while baking! It’s done when it’s no longer wet and slightly crunchy, but it will not be as crunchy as packaged granola. It will get crunchier when it cools, but it doesn’t have butter or added sugar, so it’s won’t be quite the same texture as you might be used to. After removing from the oven, add the rest of the cranberries and an extra shake of cinnamon.
I enjoyed my granola atop some plain Chobani Greek Yogurt. Try it yourself!
*I am not just saying this because Oh! Nuts sent me these, but these were the best almonds I’ve ever had. They were obviously fresh. They were crisp, aromatic and not too dry, like almonds sometimes are. I can’t get over it!
ooo what a delicious sounding recipe! i love granola too, so im definitely going to try this
thanks for posting!
That sounds easy enough. Thanks!
I went through a huge granola phase two years ago and haven’t made a batch since. This definitely gives me some inspiration! Seems like you’ve learned quite a bit over time
Yum! I have yet to make my own granola, but like you I think there are too many on the market that aren’t worth it — again with Bear Naked being an exception because I love their granola!
And hurray for pen pals!!! Good times
Awesome – I hate how store-bought granola can be so unhealthy! I’ve made my own before and I really like it.
That looks great – can you only buy Oh! Nuts online!
You also have a standing offer to stop by any Friday night for pizza!
Sounds great!
LOVE, LOVE, LOVE your granola recipe!!
It’s super easy, so you all should try!
Biz, Yes, Oh! Nuts is exclusively online. See how I used exclusively to make them sound extra fancy.
Oh my goodness, homeade granola! If only I could excel to that level of kitchen expertise some day…
Fun stuff! Have a great Sunday!
I am not much of a granola fan because of the added sugar and fat and small serving size so I am def all for making your own… looks great!
I fear there is a REALLY GOOD CHANCE Id have no portion control with this
MizFit: You should try it with making only one portion! It’s not so much work that it would be a pain in the but and if you put it on low low heat you won’t have to worry about burning it.
Oh, yum!!! I’ve been making my own batch of granola every 10 days or so. I’m definitely giving this recipe a try on my next batch. I never thought to use juice. What a great idea!
And you’re right, homemade granola is way better than any
you can buy. I bought some of the new Kashi flavor granola when it was on sale last week and used it when I ran out of my homemade – I hate to say it because I love Kashi, but there really was no comparison at all!
ooh ooh, granola is one of the first things on my to-do list once i move to my new apartment
i wouldn’t have thought to use the juice, thanks!!
Heather, re: Daring Bakers
Check out the website http://daringbakersblogroll.blogspot.com/
Here are the instructions:
If you’re interested in becoming a member of the Daring Bakers, e-mail BOTH Lis at lamiacucina{at}adelphia{dot}net AND Ivonne at creampuffsinvenice{at}gmail{dot}com.
When contacting Lis and Ivonne, please include your name, your blog name and url, and an e-mail address.
If you don’t have a blog but still want to be a Daring Baker, you’re welcome to join. Non-blogging members are expected to complete the challenge and provide a write-up (and photos, if possible).
New members are always welcome!
**Deadline for membership each month is the day of our challenge reveal. So when you start seeing 100’s of the Daring Baker challenges popping up everywhere, take note of the date they all posted on.. you’ve got until midnight of that date to email both Lisa and Ivonne your request to join. If we receive it the day after, your membership will be for the following month.
HELP SUPPORT THE DARING BAKERS!
So, you would be joining for November now. Hope this helps!
Hey Heather, first time on your blog. And I love it.
I actually tasted the Acai pineapple granola very recently at a PCC cooks class, and I loved it. I am so making this at home!
I like the Nature’s Path granola, but I am very excited about your recipe and I’ve copied it down.
Just made my version of this using slivered almonds, fresh cranberries, banana chips, and apple juice. Very good…thanks!
Where did u find this word press look??? It looks great! Tell me pls =) Greets from Greece