Homemade Granola

Granola is a hot commodity in our house. I eat it for breakfast everyday (in combination with Fibre 1 cereal)...my husband eats for breakfast most days and my kids enjoy snacking on granola and yogurt. So, it is no wonder that granola is always on our grocery shopping list. Not any more. I kept reading about everyone making their own granola and I couldn't take it anymore, I had to give it a try. Wow, making homemade granola is super easy. Not to mention the end result is delicious. My friend put me onto the recipe over at Inchmark and I went from there. That's one of the best things about granola, you can add whatever you like.

(adapted from Inchmark)

5 cups old fashioned rolled oats

1 cup whole wheat flour

1 cup wheat germ

1 cup shredded, unsweetened, coconut

1 cup slivered, unsalted, almonds

1 cup pumpkin seeds, unsalted

1 tablespoon cinnamon

1 tablespoon salt

2 tablespoon vanilla

¼ cup water

6 table spoons oil, I used sunflower oil

½ cup honey

 1. Combine all dry ingredients in a very large bowl.

2. Mix all wet ingredients in a bowl.

3. Add wet ingredients to dry and mix until completely combined.

4. Pour granola onto a parchment paper lined baking sheet.

5. Place in 250F oven for 2 hours, stir the granola every 30 minutes.

6. Remove from oven when the granola looks toasted, let cool completely.

7. Store in an air tight container and enjoy.

See, that was pretty easy. One trip to the bulk food store later and you have your very own custom granola. In theory you could add chocolate chips, dried fruit, any kind of nut, psyllium fibre, flax seeds, etc, etc. The options are endless. I also think that a simple glass container filled with homemade granola would make a lovely hostess/host gift for the holidays. What a perfect meal for the morning after a party. What ingredients would you add to your custom granola?