Crunchy Granola (2024)

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Crunchy Granola (1)

I’m a big believer in breakfast. Not just the food — the entire experience. :) Love waking up to the the newness of another day, padding downstairs to prepare a healthy breakfast, and enjoying it while cozied up in my sunlight-filled dining room with a good book or the news of the day. Mmmmm…my idea of beginning a day well.

That said, one of my favorite go-to recipes for a well-rounded breakfast is this simple granola recipe. It’s packed with great nutrition and flavor, has a wonderful crunch, and is easy to prepare. Plus, it makes a pretty large batch, which of course can be enjoyed in a myriad of ways — plain and dry, in a bowl with milk, in a yogrut and fruit parfait, in pancakes, etc. Or, for later in the day, I love adding it to ice cream, cobblers, or using it to make pie crusts. Such a yummy, versatile mixture to have on hand!

Crunchy Granola (2)

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Crunchy Granola (3)

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  • Prep Time: 10 minutes
  • Cook Time: 40 minutes
  • Total Time: 50 minutes
  • Yield: 10 cups 1x

Description

This crunchy granola is everything you could want in a granola, and it’s so easy too!

  • 5 cups rolled oats
  • 1/2 cup ground flax seed (optional)
  • 2 to 3 cups raw almonds or pecan halves, or a mixture
  • ¾ cup light brown sugar
  • 1 Tbsp. ground cinnamon
  • 1 tsp. ground ginger
  • 1 tsp. salt
  • 1 cup unsweetened apple sauce
  • 1/2 cup honey
  • 2 tsp. vanilla
  • 2 tbsp. vegetable oil
  • 1 cup. favorite dried fruit (cherries, cranberries, raisins, apricots, etc.)

Instructions

  1. Set racks in the upper and lower thirds of the oven. Preheat the oven to 300°F.
  2. In a large bowl, combine all of the dry ingredients. Stir to mix well. In a small bowl, combine all of the wet ingredients. Stir to mix well. Pour the wet ingredients over the dry ones, and stir well.
  3. Spread the mixture evenly on two rimmed baking sheets, either greased with cooking spray or covered with parchment paper. Bake for 35 to 40 minutes, or until evenly golden brown. Set a timer to go off every ten minutes while the granola bakes, so you can rotate the pans and give the granola a good stir; this helps it to cook evenly.
  4. When it’s ready, remove the pans from the oven, stir well – this will keep it from cooling into a hard, solid sheet – and set aside to cool. The finished granola may still feel slightly soft when it comes out of the oven, but it will crisp as it cools.
  5. Scoop cooled granola into to a large zipper-lock plastic bag or other airtight container. Store in the refrigerator indefinitely.

Notes

Adapted from Nigella Lawson’s “Feast

Crunchy Granola (4)

Crunchy Granola (5)

posted on July 27, 2009 by Ali

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12 comments on “Crunchy Granola”

  1. Rachel Budke Reply

    Hey Alison. Aww I love this whole site, it’s so cute!! I’ll for sure stop by and steal some recipes often. :)

  2. My step-mom makes her own granola. It is irresistible – I can’t keep my mitts off of it when I am there. My kids love it too.
    Your post inspires me to start making my own!

    Nikki

  3. That looks really delicious and I’d bet it’s way cheaper than buying the pre-made stuff – and probably healthier too! I’m definitely going to try this out, it beats toast for breakkie!

  4. do i have to use applesauce? can i use an oil instead?

  5. seafoods are great because they have lots of the mineral iodine which prevents goiter–*

  6. I found you through Pinterest. I made this granola last night with a few changes based upon what I had in the house: maple syrup instead of honey and no flax seeds. I also left out the fruit, but that was by accident. :0)

    It tastes great and smelled wonderful while it was cooking. This one is a keeper. Thanks for posting this recipe.

  7. Stephanie Reply

    Just made this…smells delightful. Like oatmeal raisin cookies. Doesn’t taste bad either. I think this will replace store brought breakfast cereal for a while. Thanks for sharing!

  8. After your grain-free granola post I searched your archives and found this beauty! Any idea how I could make it without the brown sugar? :)

    • Hayley @ Gimme Some Oven

      Hi Heidi! We think you could just use 3/4 cup-1 cup of honey in this (though you might need as much applesauce, since the extra honey provides more liquid and moisture). We hope you enjoy! :)

Crunchy Granola (2024)

FAQs

What is a crunchy granola type person? ›

adjective. , Slang. characterized by or defining oneself by ecological awareness, liberal political views, and support or use of natural products and health foods.

Why is my granola not crispy enough? ›

Add Fat and Sugar

When you bake granola at a low temp in the oven, you get a dehydrating effect that helps the granola get crispy. In a pan, too little sugar often means no crunch, and too little fat means no toasty crispness. So don't skimp.

Is Crunchy granola good for you? ›

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.

How much granola is enough? ›

The serving size for granola can differ by brand, but a typical portion of granola is 1/3 cup, says Sass, “about the size of one-third of a tennis ball.” That means sitting down to a big bowl of granola for breakfast is excessive.

What does it mean if a girl is granola? ›

According to Urban Dictionary, a “Granola Girl” is defined as “A girl who doesn't wear a bit of makeup, has a very low-maintenance appearance, dresses in mainly earth tone colors and wears clothing that is very casual (even in more formal occasions).” This aesthetic has gained popularity through TikTok in the past few ...

What does it mean if a guy is granola? ›

Granola describes someone who loves the outdoors, is environmentally-conscious and low maintenance. A granola may enjoy participating in outside activities such as camping, hiking, and skiing. They often support local small businesses, eat fresh organic foods, and try to reduce their carbon footprint.

What is crunchy granola? ›

Kellogg's Crunchy Granola is a delicious crunchy multigrain breakfast which is carefully crafted for flavour and texture. Granola clusters are perfectly oven-baked combination of wheat, rice, oats and corn, to bring you a multigrain breakfast that is a source of fibre.

How to crisp up granola? ›

I usually place the few spoonfuls I'll be eating that morning into a ramekin and give it about 10 seconds on HIGH. That's just enough to crisp up the granola without scorching. If you're re-crisping a larger batch for several people, spread it out on a plate and microwave in 10 second bursts until it's crispy again.

Does homemade granola get crunchy as it cools? ›

Your homemade granola will continue to crisp up as it cools. It's tempting to start eating it as soon as it comes out of the oven, but if you let it rest for 15 minutes on the sheet pan, it'll be extra crisp and toasty – totally worth the wait!

Which is the healthiest granola? ›

What's the healthiest granola you can buy?
  • Back Roads, Ancient Grains (unsweetened)
  • Bear Naked Granola, Fruit & Nut.
  • Bob's Red Mill Honey Almond Granola.
  • Kind Healthy Grain Clusters, Raspberry With Chia Seeds.
  • Nature's Path Honey Almond Granola.
  • Purely Elizabeth Original Granola.
  • Wildway Grain-Free Granola, Banana Nut.
Apr 23, 2024

Is purely Elizabeth healthy? ›

This product is delicious and good for you too. It is made with quality ingredients and no harmful chemicals in it. I love to eat handfuls when I feel just a little picky. It is great as a warm cereal.

Is granola or oatmeal healthier? ›

Which One Is Better for Breakfast? Both oatmeal and granola make for a healthy, nutritious breakfast, but the winner for us is granola—the added nuts, seeds, and dried fruits give you a source of fiber and healthy fats that oatmeal can't quite compete with.

Is granola better for you than cereal? ›

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.

Is granola a fat or protein? ›

Classic granola provides nine grams of fat per serving. The nuts and grains in granola help to boost the protein grams in granola. However, it is still generally a low protein snack. Each serving provides about three grams of protein.

Is peanut butter healthy? ›

Eating peanut butter alongside other nutritious foods is perfectly healthy — as long as you don't exceed your calorie needs. Peanut butter is high in calories and could lead to excess calorie intake if not consumed in moderation. However, it is still a high-quality food that provides numerous nutrients.

What does it mean to have a crunchy personality? ›

crunchy adjective (PERSON)

living in a way that shows you care about the environment and have generally liberal opinions (= accepting and encouraging social change): Using cloth diapers may earn you the title of a crunchy mama. Being crunchy usually means that you don't just go along with mainstream ideas.

What does granola style mean? ›

The granola aesthetic is a modern hippie look with lots of prints and accessories. It includes beanies, baseball caps, dainty jewelry, flannels, fleece jackets, cargo pants, national park tees, baggy sweatshirts, leather sandals, rugged boots, and any kind of hiking gear.

What is the difference between a granola girl and a crunchy mom? ›

Granola moms are the ones making homemade granola for their kids and using essential oils to medicate most ailments. Crunchy mom is the granola girl all grown up. (That's why there are some references to crunchy moms also being “neo-hippies.”)

What is a crunchy granola mom? ›

The term crunchy mom is typically used to describe a mother or female caregiver who typically follows a natural lifestyle and incorporates it into their parenting. A crunchy mom attempts to avoid modern medicine, limits reliance on technology, and eats only organic foods.

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