Easy Homemade Granola

Easy Homemade Granola is a family favorite! I have been making variations of this for years. 

Easy Homemade Granola is delicious, crunchy, customizable, and made without refined sugars or artificial ingredients. Make a batch today for breakfast, parfaits, or a quick snack. Perfect to take along on hiking or camping adventures, or even give as gifts. 

One of the best things about this granola, besides the taste, is the versatility. As a cook and recipe creator, I always have a variety of nuts and seeds in my pantry and freezer. This recipe provides a lot of freedom to use your preferences. Don’t have shelled sunflower seeds?  Leave them out! Don’t like almonds? No big deal – don’t use them. Use whatever nuts you have. I have even added an extra half cup of walnuts. 

I have a love for Sun-Maid Jumbo Mixed Raisins in Easy Homemade Granola, but you can use any chewy dried fruit here. (Don’t use freeze dried fruit, as it will not work in this granola recipe.) What is your favorite? Apricots? Mango? Cherries? Craisins (dried cranberries)? Pineapple? Any of these would be fantastic! Try it with dried cherries, and when the granola is completely cooled, toss in a half cup of dark chocolate chunks. Do the same with craisins but add half a cup of white chocolate chips to the cooled granola. Oh, my goodness! There is really no limit on the flavor combinations you can create! For today’s version, I used Golden Raisins, which are also a great choice. 

I love local honey! I buy mine at Lucky Dog Farm in Wentzville. If you don’t buy honey locally, please consider it and buy it as close to where you live as possible. Local honey has tremendous health benefits, especially in our part of the country where seasonal allergies are a way of life. Easy Homemade Granola uses honey and pure maple syrup as sweeteners. You can use just one of these, or both, but use the correct quantity if you choose just one. 

I have written about my love of vanilla extract. Easy Homemade Granola uses vanilla and almond extracts. But guess what? Yes, you can use whatever extract you like (mint would not be good!). I don’t typically have too many different types in my pantry: vanilla, almond, coconut. But if there’s one you like the way I like vanilla, give it a try. Growing up, my sister used orange extract a lot. If I used orange extract, I would definitely toss in orange zest and finish it with chocolate chunks. 

Easy Homemade Granola is just that: easy and homemade. It takes less than an hour for your house to be filled with the amazing aroma of freshly baked granola. It keeps for 3 weeks in an airtight container. It makes a great hostess gift packaged in a Mason jar. People LOVE to get homemade food gifts. I have made this for many occasions to give as gifts. Make a batch today and let me know what you think by commenting below. Enjoy!