Easy, Healthy Homemade Granola Recipe

If you've seen the price of granola lately, you are likely searching for a cheap but tasty alternative to grocery store fare. Look no further! This easy recipe for homemade granola offers a little bit of everything - the perfect balance of fat, carbohydrates, protein, and of course, fiber! This granola also works as an easily-customizable base for any preference-based changes you see fit. Like nuts? Throw in some nuts! Like grated coconut and dried apricots? Throw them in!

You'll also notice that this recipe uses a little extra virgin coconut oil. Old cultures have long known the health benefits of coconut and its oil, but you don't have to take their word for it. Look up some of the modern research on the health benefits (link included below).

Homemade healthy granola doesn't have to be hard, but it does have to be delicious. This recipe provides you with step-by-step instructions for turning out the best and healthiest granola you've ever had.

Ingredients

• 6 cups (590g) oatmeal—thick, rolled oats
• 1 1/2 TBS (25g) sesame seeds
• 1/4 cup (50g) whole ground flaxseed meal
• 3/4 cup (100g) organic high fiber hot cereal or wheat germ
• 1 cup (250g) unsweetened applesauce
• 3 TBS (42g) light brown sugar
• 1 TBS (14g) extra virgin coconut oil
• 5 TBS (105g) honey—local, if available
• 1 1/2 TBS cinnamon
• 2 tsp nutmeg
• dried fruit (I used dried cherries)

Directions

Step One: Preheat oven to 300ºF. Throw everything into a big bowl.

Step Two: Mix everything together until the granola is uniformly wet.

Step Three: Spread wet granola evenly onto cookie sheets lined with parchment paper, or foil lightly sprayed with oil.

Step Four: Bake for 30 minutes, then switch cookie sheet positions in oven. Bake for another 30 minutes before removing granola from oven and mixing up the granola. Spread the mixed granola evenly over the cookie sheets once more before returning to oven and baking for 20 minutes, or until granola is golden as desired.

Step Five: Allow granola to cool on cookie sheets, then add the dried fruit, mixing well. Store granola in an airtight container in the refrigerator. It keeps for months.

Step Six: Sneak a little to try right away!

Preheat oven to 300ºF.

Throw everything into a big bowl.

Mix everything together until the granola is uniformly wet.

Spread wet granola evenly onto cookie sheets lined with parchment paper, or foil lightly sprayed with oil. Excuse the fuzziness here!

Bake for 30 minutes, then switch cookie sheet positions in oven. Bake for another 30 minutes before removing granola from oven and mixing up the granola. Spread the mixed granola evenly over the cookie sheets once more before returning to oven and baking for 20 minutes, or until granola is golden as desired.

Allow granola to cool on cookie sheets, then add the dried fruit, mixing well.

Sneak a little to try right away!

Granola sure is tasty and nutritious, but all granola has a very high calorie profile. So when you decide to enjoy your delicious and healthy granola, remember to start with a few ounces and don't overdo it. The high (very high) fiber content of this granola will keep you full for hours. Have a little faith, and stick to one bowl!