Comments on: Homemade Hearty Granola

By: Cathy

Cathy — Mon, 07 Dec 2009 09:33:24 +0000

You are right about Granola being a "make as you like" recipe. A couple of suggestions for you — use Flax Meal, ground flax is more digestible than whole seeds. Throw in wheat germ, wheat bran, and/or oat bran to add more nutrition & fiber. Substitute some unsweetened applesauce for the honey. Here is my recipe, I store it in quart jars in the fridge.

6 cups rolled oats

1 cup almonds, chopped

1/2 cup sunflower seeds

1/2 cup Pumpkin seeds

1/2 cup sesame seeds

1/4 cup wheat germ

1/4 cup flax meal

1/4 cup wheat bran, or 1/4c more wheat germ

1/2 cup shredded coconut meat

1 1/4 cups unsweetened applesauce

1/3 cup honey

2 tablespoons canola oil

1/3 cup dried cranberries, chopped

1/3 cup raisins

1/3 cup dried apricots, chopped

1/3 cup dried papaya, chopped

1/3 cup dates, chopped

Mix dry ingredients. Stir in combined wet ingredients. Bake for 35 to 40 minutes or until evenly golden brown. Stir every 10 minutes to ensure even browning. Remove from oven, cool slightly. Stir in fruit. Completely cool before storing in jars. Refrigerate.

By: Nick

Nick — Mon, 26 Oct 2009 21:50:45 +0000

@ Zoe

Oh no! Burned granola!

It drys out more and turns crunchy as it cools… you have to be careful with granola. I definitely burned the first batch I made also. When the oats start to brown a bit, it's done. :)

It's also kind of oven-dependent so you have to keep a pretty close eye on it! Sorry it didn't work out! Trust me… it's totally worth retrying it. ;)

By: Zoe

Zoe — Mon, 26 Oct 2009 21:35:14 +0000

Nick, I just made this and I totally burned it. How do I know when it's done? I was waiting for the honey to feel dry — but it definitely didn't get there. Any suggestions?

By: Amanda

Amanda — Sun, 24 May 2009 19:47:35 +0000

I have made this granola twice in the past month, it really is amazing. I personally love the cocoa powder in this, it is so subtle. After trying various granola recipes over the past 20+ years, this one has everything. I think it is great that you say that adding too many spices makes it taste like nothing at all, you nailed that description. Being a native Vermonter, I used half honey and half Grade B Maple syrup. Yay!

By: Alex

Alex — Mon, 08 Dec 2008 11:17:03 +0000

This looks wonderful. I cannot wait to try this

By: Say No to Pounds! » Blog Archive » Healthy vs. Hearty vs. Junk

Say No to Pounds! » Blog Archive » Healthy vs. Hearty vs. Junk — Sun, 07 Dec 2008 21:55:02 +0000

[...] in the mix. If making it at home, you can monitor what goes in it such as this blog suggests; Hearty Granola. Potatoes: good for you; mashed potatoes: not so much. When people make mashed potatoes they [...]

By: Nick

Nick — Sat, 06 Dec 2008 17:00:53 +0000

Haha. Yea I went to Whole Paycheck. If you just buy stuff from their bulk section it isn’t too bad though. I’m not really sure where else to get bulk seeds and nuts around my neighborhood.

They have a pretty good selection and I’m pretty sure it worked out to be a bit cheaper or the same price as store-bought granola.

@Korilinka: Yes. Bran flakes would be a good addition. I would add 1/2 cup.

By: Yasmin

Yasmin — Sat, 06 Dec 2008 16:52:11 +0000

Where did you buy your nuts/seeds? Whole (Paycheck) Foods?

By: Karolinka27

Karolinka27 — Sat, 06 Dec 2008 15:29:10 +0000

Nick, you can also add bran flakes at the oatmeal stage. I recommend this because everyone can use a little more bran in their life but it also adds an awesome depth of flavor. Also, glad to see that you didn’t burn the oatmeal…