I’ve spent a long time looking for good granola recipes because a) it’s totally delicious b) it’s totally expensive to buy in the stores and 3) it’s a perfect way to use those oats sitting in your food storage. Well I have to say that I was literally giddy Saturday morning when I found these delicious recipes posted to my blog by Leslie H. I knew I had to try them and after I did, I knew I couldn’t wait until a Fanatic Friday to share them all with you. The recipes are SO easy and SO delicious. In fact the Crunchy Granola (the one I added dry cranberries to) tastes just like Post’s Cranberry Granola Crunch which runs for $5.00 in the store! Definitely not what I paid to make it myself. Plus, I like having more control over the ingredients when I make things myself. Leslie says her daughter eats the granola all the time for breakfast and that they will put the Peanut Butter Granola on top of ice cream and of course you can top your favorite yogurt with either recipe. Anyway, you’ve got to try them! You’ll be pleasantly surprised…again…that food storage can be so delicious!
Crunchy Granola
1 ½ cups brown sugar
½ cup water
4 teaspoons vanilla extract
½ teaspoon salt
8 cups rolled oats
¾ cup pecans, coarsely chopped
¾ cup almonds, coarsely chopped
½ cup sunflower seeds, unsalted
½ cup shredded coconut
dried fruits, if desired (tropical fruit is good, raisins, blueberries, cranberries, cherries are all great.)
Heat oven to 275 degrees.
Combine brown sugar and water in a 4 cup microwave proof cup.
Microwave on high 5 minutes, or until the sugar is completely dissolved.
Remove from microwave and stir in vanilla and salt.
In a large mixing bowl, mix oats and nuts.
Add the brown sugar mixture.
Mix thoroughly.
Spread onto 2 cookie sheets and bake for a total of 45 minutes or until golden brown.
After 25 minutes, stir and put back in the oven for the rest of the time.
When granola has cooked completely, add dried fruits.
*I added dry cranberries but next I’m going to try dehydrated Pineapple (mine comes from Shelf Reliance)
Peanut Butter Granola
Mix &; heat in 4-cup glass jug for 4 minutes on HIGH:
1-1/2 c white sugar
1-1/3 c margarine
1/2 t vanilla extract
2/3 c peanut butter
1/2 t salt
1 c water
Mix in large bowl:
12 c rolled oats
1 t cinnamon
Pour wet ingredients over dry and mix quickly and well.
Put onto two small greased cookie sheets.
Bake at 325 degrees for 25 minutes.
Exchange cookie sheets in oven, cook 10 minutes.
Turn oven off and let granola dry for several hours.
Store in closed jar on kitchen counter and watch it disappear.
Also, FoodStorageMadeEasy.net just posted a GREAT video about swine flu, which explains what it is and how worried you should be about it. Also…it looks like they have some Mother’s Day fun brewing…so you’ll probably want to keep your eye on that as well.
So glad you like the recipes. The pineapple will be great. My husband likes the tropical fruit we get at Costco. I like blueberries and cherries.It is such a great recipe because you can make it with ingredients you like. I don’t add anything to the peanut butter, but nuts would be good. Just be sure to always add the fruit after it is out of the oven, but while it is still hot.
So glad you like the recipes. The pineapple will be great. My husband likes the tropical fruit we get at Costco. I like blueberries and cherries.It is such a great recipe because you can make it with ingredients you like. I don’t add anything to the peanut butter, but nuts would be good. Just be sure to always add the fruit after it is out of the oven, but while it is still hot.
Ooo..I’m excited to try these! Are “rolled oats” the same as quick oats or regular oats? Thanks!
Ooo..I’m excited to try these! Are “rolled oats” the same as quick oats or regular oats? Thanks!
I’m always looking for ways to use my oats. Thanks to you both.
Jennifer: rolled oats would be the same as regular oats.
I’m always looking for ways to use my oats. Thanks to you both.
Jennifer: rolled oats would be the same as regular oats.
YUM on the PB granola. I just put it in the oven. Smells great and I can’t wait to eat it!!!!
YUM on the PB granola. I just put it in the oven. Smells great and I can’t wait to eat it!!!!
I actually use instant oats from the LDS dry pack cannery.
I actually use instant oats from the LDS dry pack cannery.
Made the PB granola last night and let it sit over night in the oven to get crunchy. Turned out great!
Next time I may add a bit more peanut butter to add additional flavor. TFS
Made the PB granola last night and let it sit over night in the oven to get crunchy. Turned out great!
Next time I may add a bit more peanut butter to add additional flavor. TFS
I like to toast my chopped nuts on the stove before adding them, and I cook the granola in my microwave in a big bowl. Its my favorite breakfast
I like to toast my chopped nuts on the stove before adding them, and I cook the granola in my microwave in a big bowl. Its my favorite breakfast
On the PB granola, what does it mean when it says to exchange cookie sheets and cook for 10 min.
On the PB granola, what does it mean when it says to exchange cookie sheets and cook for 10 min.
I tried making granola bars today but this week I plan on trying one of your granola recipes. They look great!
I tried making granola bars today but this week I plan on trying one of your granola recipes. They look great!
Like Michele, I am wondering what you mean by “exchange your cookie sheets”? Does this mean to swtich them – take the top sheet and exchange it with the sheet on the shelf below it?
Like Michele, I am wondering what you mean by “exchange your cookie sheets”? Does this mean to swtich them – take the top sheet and exchange it with the sheet on the shelf below it?
I don’t want to speak for Crystal, but I think “exchanging cookie sheets’ means if you are doing 2 cookie sheets at a time to swap them from top to bottom so they cook evenly.
I don’t want to speak for Crystal, but I think “exchanging cookie sheets’ means if you are doing 2 cookie sheets at a time to swap them from top to bottom so they cook evenly.
Oh my heck, Crystal, I just had the most decadent breakfast! I made the peanut butter granola yesterday (delish!) but my leftover wheat pancakes were calling my name this morning. I couldn’t decide between the two so I had my pancakes with peach sauce (a large can of peaches in light syrup thrown in the blender with a tsp of almond extract and heated up…) with a little pb granola on top!! So good and now a new favorite!! Thanks so much for this one!!
Oh my heck, Crystal, I just had the most decadent breakfast! I made the peanut butter granola yesterday (delish!) but my leftover wheat pancakes were calling my name this morning. I couldn’t decide between the two so I had my pancakes with peach sauce (a large can of peaches in light syrup thrown in the blender with a tsp of almond extract and heated up…) with a little pb granola on top!! So good and now a new favorite!! Thanks so much for this one!!
YEAH! I love it!
YEAH! I love it!
No oil? This is fabulous! I can’t wait to try it.
Can you substitute oil for margarine?