This granola recipe is a very basic recipe that you can then tweak and adjust to your family’s liking and preferences. I love to make a big batch of this granola to eat with milk or sprinkle on top of yogurt. But one of my favorite ways to use this homemade granola with oats and honey recipe is to make for gifts! This simple healthy homemade granola recipe is perfect for those who are gluten-free or nut-free.
Now, I have discovered some yummy store bought granola in our local Amish bulk food stores. But in general, I prefer this homemade granola with oats and honey recipe. It only has 3 basic ingredients so it is easy to make anytime your family wants a batch!
And if you like to get creative there is plenty of room to be creative by adding cranberries, nuts, chocolate chips, or using some maple syrup in place of honey!
How to Make Homemade Granola with Oats
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.
Measure out 4 cups of rolled oats in a large mixing bowl. Be sure to use rolled oats or old-fashioned oats and not quick oats.
Add in a tsp of cinnamon and a handful of ground flax seed. Ground flax seed is very beneficial as it has omega-3 fatty acids, potassium, vitamin B1, and antioxidants.
Measure out 1/2 cup of honey and 1/2 cup of canola oil into a small saucepan. Warm over medium heat. Stir and allow honey and canola oil to mix without boiling. You are simple trying to warm and mix the mixture.
Pour the warmed honey and oil mixture over the oats. Stir to coat oats.
Pour oats out onto a baking sheet. Smooth out oats so that they are spread over the entire pan.
Place oats in preheated over. Set timer for 15 minutes.
After 15 minutes, pull tray out of the oven. With a spatula, stir oats. Pull oats away from edges and stir oats completely. Shake the baking sheet slightly to redistribute the oats. Place back into the oven. Set timer for another 15 minutes.
After 15 minutes, pull out granola and stir again. If it needs a few more minutes place back in the oven. SET THE TIMER!
Once granola has finished baking, place on oven. Stir ever few minutes to keep granola from hardening into big chunks.
After granola has completely cooled, place into ziploc bag or into a mason jar with a lid. Store in pantry.
Tips to Making Great Homemade Granola
- Keep Close Eye On Granola. Granola is simple to make, but it does require some watching. Granola can burn quickly so don’t forget to set your timer. At the half way point make sure to stir your granola. And then reset your time for another 12-15 minutes. You want your granola browned, but not burned!
- Substitute Oils. You may substitute your canola oil for another oil. I have seen coconut oil used. Personally, I don’t recommend substituting for olive oil as it will drastically change the flavor and olive oil is best when cooked at low temperatures.
- Stir Granola After It Comes Out of Oven. After the granola comes out of the oven, make sure to stir it every few minutes. If you pull the granola out of the oven and walk away, it will become one big hard piece! Just make sure to stir it every few minutes as it cools and that will avoid this!
- Be Careful when You Add Your Favorites. You can customize this granola to make delicious granola for your family. If you wish to add nuts, then add the nuts before cooking. If you wish to add chocolate chips or craisins or dried fruit, add those after cooking and cooled.
- Add Some Maple Syrup. We make maple syrup every other year on our farm, so I like to substitute some of the honey for maple syrup. I enjoy using 1/4 cup maple syrup and 1/4 cup honey.
- Double Granola Easily. Everyone loves this granola. So if you have a big family or want to make gifts then simply double the ingredients. Do make sure to use two baking sheets to spread out the granola evenly so that it will brown nicely and not burn!
Homemade Granola for Gifts
Homemade granola with oats and honey makes a great holiday gift! When making it for gifts, I choose to keep the recipe very basic and don’t add in any cranberries or nuts.
With this homemade granola recipe you will have a gluten-free, nut-free gift that is healthy. And when your granola is packaged in mason jars with a ribbon, it makes a beautiful yummy gift made with only natural sweetners.
Homemade Granola with Oats and Honey
Equipment
- 1 large mixing bowl
- 1 saucepan
- 1 baking or cookie sheet
Ingredients
- 4 cups rolled oats don't use quick oats
- 1/2 cup canola oil
- 1/2 cup honey may use 1/4 honey and 1/4 maple syrup
- 1/2 tsp cinnamon
- 1/4 cup ground flax seed optional
- nuts, craisins, chocolate chips optional
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
- Measure out oats, cinnamon and ground flax seed into a large mixing bowl.
- If you want to add nuts, you can also add those now.
- Pour canola oil and honey into a saucepan. Place on stovetop and heat on medium heat.
- Stir canola oil and honey mixture until warmed throughout but not boiling.
- Pour warmed oil and honey over the oats. Stir until oats are completely coated.
- Pour coated oat mixture onto a baking sheet. Spread out so that it is evenly distributed on the sheet.
- Place baking sheet in preheated oven and set timer for 15 minutes. USE YOUR TIMER TO AVOID BURNING OATS:)
- After 15 minutes, remove pan of oats from oven and stir completely.
- Place tray back into oven. Reset timer for another 15 minutes.
- Lastly, pull tray out of the oven and stir immediately. Then every several minutes stir granola to avoid clumps as it cools.
- After cooling, If you want to add craisins or chocolate chips, add them at this time.
- Store in a plastic bag, plastic container, or mason jar. Store in pantry.
