The Very Best Granola
Total Time
26 minutes
Prep Time
5 mins
Cook Time
21 mins
Rating
4.9 out of 5 stars
(2.81k)
Ingredients
8 cups
- 4 cups old-fashioned rolled oats (use certified gluten-free oats for gluten-free granola)
- 1 ½ cup raw nuts and/or seeds (1 cup pecans and ½ cup pepitas)
- 1 teaspoon fine-grain sea salt (¾ teaspoon if using table salt)
- ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ½ cup melted coconut oil or olive oil
- ½ cup maple syrup or honey
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- ⅔ cup dried fruit, chopped if large (dried cranberries)
- Optional: ½ cup chocolate chips or coconut flakes
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Preparation
Step 1
Preheat oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit and line a large, rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper.
Step 2
In a large mixing bowl, combine the oats, nuts and/or seeds, salt and cinnamon. Stir to blend.
Step 3
Pour in the oil, maple syrup and/or honey and vanilla. Mix well, until every oat and nut is lightly coated. Pour the granola onto your prepared pan and use a large spoon to spread it in an even layer.
Step 4
Bake until lightly golden, about 21 to 24 minutes, stirring halfway (for extra-clumpy granola, press the stirred granola down with your spatula to create a more even layer). The granola will further crisp up as it cools.
Step 5
Let the granola cool completely, undisturbed (at least 45 minutes). Top with the dried fruit (and optional chocolate chips, if using). Break the granola into pieces with your hands if you want to retain big chunks, or stir it around with a spoon if you don’t want extra-clumpy granola.
Step 6
Store the granola in an airtight container at room temperature for 1 to 2 weeks, or in a sealed freezer bag in the freezer for up to 3 months. The dried fruit can freeze solid, so let it warm to room temperature for 5 to 10 minutes before serving.
Step 7
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Chef's notes
Recipe adapted from Meg Gordan’s granola, which I’ve tweaked over the years.
Make it gluten-free:
Use certified gluten-free oats.
Make it nut-free:
Use seeds, like pepitas or sunflower seeds, instead of nuts.
If you want toasted coconut in your granola:
Stir the coconut flakes into the granola halfway through baking.
Serving suggestions:
This granola is awesome on its own, with milk or yogurt and fresh fruit, and you can even throw a couple handfuls into a salad for granola 'croutons.'
