Simple Homemade Granola

April 19, 2024|The Simple Kitchen: Recipes

Do you ever feel like you are preparing the same food for meals all the time? I do. I think this is especially true of breakfast. Saturday mornings sometimes include homemade pancakes or an egg omelet, but during the rest of the week, breakfast is mostly “every person for themselves”. And we all know dry cereal can get old, as well as toast with butter!

When I need to add variety to breakfast, this homemade granola is my first choice and has become a family favorite. It is less expensive than store brand granola and most of the ingredients are usually in my pantry. It can be prepared in about fifteen minutes and ready to eat an hour later.

The original recipe is from the Charm Countryview Inn, nestled in the hills of Ohio’s Amish country, one of our favorite places for an overnight stay! If you are looking for a relaxing getaway, the rocking chairs on the large front porch of the Inn and the TV-free guest rooms are just perfect. And the recipes in their cookbook have become some of my favorites, including this granola recipe. Over the years I have adapted their recipe to our family’s preferences, and you can do the same.

Recipe: Homemade Granola Cereal

INGREDIENTS
4 cups quick oats
½ tsp salt
¾ tsp baking soda
½ cup brown sugar
½ cup maple syrup*
1 cup flour (whole wheat or white)
½ cup melted butter
(optional ingredients – 1 cup coconut; 11 graham crackers, crushed; ¼ cup chopped nuts; ¼ cup chocolate chips)

INSTRUCTIONS
Combine oats, salt, baking soda, brown sugar, maple syrup, flour and melted butter in large mixing bowl. (Add coconut at this time if desired). Put on cookie sheet and bake in 250 degree oven for 45 minutes. Remove from oven, add crackers and nuts if desired. Slightly stir or break up granola with spatula. Return to oven and bake for an additional 15 minutes. Remove from oven. Add chocolate chips, if desired, while granola is still warm but not hot.

Makes about 8 cups.

The secret to a delicious batch of this granola is the slow baking process. We like our granola to have a smaller crumb texture to it, but feel free to break it up into whatever texture you prefer. Also, in my opinion, real maple syrup is a key ingredient in this tasty granola. Store the granola in an air-tight container after it is completely cool. We like to nibble on it when it is still warm from the oven, but do not consume while it is still hot.

We enjoy this homemade granola in a variety of ways: with cold milk, like a bowl of cereal; or slightly warmed up in the microwave, like a hot cereal, with milk added; or as a main ingredient in a fruit/yogurt parfait. This granola stores well and even makes a great snack for munching in the car on road trips. It might just become one of your family favorites, like it has ours. My recipe here is half of the original recipe – so if you need more granola, it works fine to double this.

I hope this simple recipe will encourage you to try something new. And perhaps to pursue something new. To pursue a simplicity that embraces a little less consumerism and a little more creativity, a little less dependence and a little more resourcefulness. Perhaps discovering a place for simplicity might be as easy as starting at home.

Welcome!

Hello! I’m Debbie — Lover of Jesus, Pastor’s Wife, Mom, Encourager, Hobby Gardener and passionate about the simple pleasures of life.