When the going gets tough, the tough start making this Easy Homemade Granola with Maple Syrup. Or something like that. Maybe you’re just here for an easy granola recipe. Possibly though, you’ve been having sticker shock at the grocery store lately and have decided that a Little House on the Prairie lifestyle is right up your alley. C’mon Ma, you need to feed the young’uns.
As of late, I’ve personally had some pretty startling revelations in the grocery store. The first was around San Marzano tomatoes which I often tell people to use in recipes I share. My new “divorce-ain’t-cheap” budget forced me to notice the $5 per can price tag and reassess. Ouch! The second revelation was around artisan granola which was ringing in at an astounding $7 for a small bag. Double Ouch. The final insult was the $41 price tag on real vanilla at Costco. Excuse me, I’ll just be over here wiping the tears off my Barefoot Contessa cookbooks.
I mean, who are these entitled people who can whip out this kind of money for tomatoes, granola, and vanilla? Oh right. I was that person. So let me just say that if in the past I came across as a snobby suburban housewife, let me be the first to apologize and say that I am currently rolling my eyes at myself. That being said, I refuse to give up on great tasting food, I’m simply more determined to do it within a budget.
First up is this recipe for Easy Homemade Granola with Maple Syrup. The beauty of this recipe is that you can now call yourself an “artisan granola maker” with all the pretentiousness that the store brands muster and get away with it. So go ahead, package this in cute paper bags ( aka lunch sacs) and give it away to all your friends like the badass baker you are.
Whatever you do, do not read this recipe as granola gospel. I have trust issues because of raisins, so I use cranberries. Don’t have almonds on hand? Then double up on pumpkin seeds or add in another nut. Have a half a cup of coconut flakes leftover? Then toss it in. And despite this recipe being called Homemade Granola with Maple Syrup, it could just as easily be Granola with Agave, or Granola with Honey. Remember, you’re an artist now and this is your creation. Have fun with it!
Homemade Granola with Maple Syrup
Ingredients
- 2 cups large flake rolled oats
- 3/4 cup dried cranberries
- 1/2 cup sliced almonds
- 1/2 cup pepitas (hulled pumpkin seeds)
- 1/2 cup pecan halves
- 1/2 cup pure maple syrup
- 2 tbsps unsalted butter
- 1/2 tsp kosher salt
- 1/4 tsp ground cinnamon
Instructions
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Preheat oven to 325F
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Combine oats, cranberries, almonds, pumpkin seeds, and pecan halves in a large bowl.
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In a small pot, combine maple syrup, butter, salt, and cinnamon and heat over low heat until butter is melted. Blend well with whisk.
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Using a spatula, slowly spread maple syrup mixture over oat mixture and stir until combined.
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Spread on a large rimmed baking sheet and place in oven.
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Bake for 15 minutes, then remove and flip with spatula and return to oven for another 15 minutes. Do this until granola is lightly toasted. (it may take three or four turns in the oven)
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Remove from oven and let cool completely on tray.
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Place granola in an airtight container. Serve over yogurt, enjoy as cereal, or take as an on the go snack.
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The Easy Homemade Granola with Maple Syrup will last up to six months in an airtight container, but it will never last that long.
How yummy! Isn’t it remarkable how many things we can make for ourselves … and *way* cheaper … that we get sucked into purchasing in packages?
We are so easily swept up by convenience. I am currently really mad at plastic. Like, in general. I can’t fix the problems of the world all by myself, but being aware and making choices based on what you want in the future (as opposed to NOW NOW NOW!) really helps.
Decision. Action!
Good for you! Also, good for you and me and everyone. 🙂
Great post! I have always enjoyed your recipes.
Awww, thank you Laureen. I’ve also stopped buying cookies, squares etc. By baking them myself I reduce a few things: consumption of sugary things is decreased to when I bake, plastics, money spent, and chemicals ingested because let’s face it, a lot of ingredients in store bought items are not commonly found in kitchens. Next up! Bread!