Easy Healthy Homemade Granola
Kari Birdsley
4 cup old fashioned oats
1/2 cup wheat germ
1/3 cup ground flaxseed (approximately, as I just fill my grinder & add to the crock-pot)
1 tsp cinnamon (I usually add extra)
1/2 cup brown sugar
1/3 cup canola oil (vegetable or whatever you have would work)
4 tbsp honey
1/2 cup water
1 tsp vanilla
1 cup raisins (approximately, as I just add them by the handful)
Original Preparation Steps:
1. In a large bowl, combine the oats, wheat germ, cinnamon, and brown sugar; mix well.
2. In another bowl, mix the oil, honey, water and vanilla.
3. Pour the liquid mixture over the dry ingredients and mix well.
4. Spread over a jelly-roll pan sprayed with nonstick spray.
5. Bake at 300°F for 50-60 minutes, stirring every 15 minutes.
6. The last 10-15 minutes add the raisins.
7. The granola will brown as it cooks.
8. Cool in pan on wire rack.
9. Store in an airtight container.
I make it in the crock-pot because it is easier for me, as I can just let a double batch cook all day & not have to worry about stirring it every 10-15 minutes as it cooks in the oven.
Crockpot Method of Cooking:
1. Add all dry ingredients into crock-pot except raisins; mix well.
2. Add all liquid ingredients to the crock-pot; mix well.
3. Leave lid ajar so steam can exit to allow granola to dry out & not be too soggy.
4. Cook a single batch for about 4-5 hours on low or a double batch for about 6-8 hours on low.
5. Stir periodically, as the granola on the bottom & edges will begin to dry & brown first.
6. Once desired level of dryness is reached, remove from crock pot.
7. Place on jelly roll or roasting pan to finish cooling.
8. Add raisins after it is done cooking, so they don’t taste burnt.
7. Once cool, place in airtight container and enjoy.
FYI – if you don’t want to have to dirty an extra dish you can let it cool in the airtight container with the lid off. It just takes longer and sometimes can be slightly less crunchy because the bottom portion is trapped as it cools. My kids are thankfully not picky and will eat it either way.
Other variations we have used:
• More wheat germ or a little extra wheat flour make it more clumpy
• Dried cranberries or blueberries, sunflower seeds, walnuts, almonds,
• Any additional add-ins will all work. My kids just like it plain & simple with just raisins :-)