In Search of the Perfect Granola
I've been on a mission to find the perfect granola recipe and frankly my family and friends are tired of eating my experiments. Testing nine recipes and making 23 batches to test modifications may seem like an obsession, but I think you'll like the results. Who knew that there would be so many different ways to make granola?
To me, granola has always been blaugh. Commercial versions filled with chewy chunks of dried fruit, puffed rice and way too much sugar just didn't sound like an appealing breakfast. Tasting my sister's homemade granola made me rethink my granola aversion and consider the possibilities.
Co-workers Tami, Todd and Jessica happily testing more granola recipes.
Granola is a nutritious and versatile food. It can be the perfect combination of protein, healthy mono-and polyunsaturated fat and whole grain fiber. Granola can be sprinkled over yogurt and fruit for an easy breakfast. It can be mixed with dried fruit and taken in a baggie for a portable snack to work or for road trips. It can be sprinkled on top of dessert as a crunchy topping.
The recipe that I adapted for this version came from a recipe called Nekisia's Olive Oil and Sea Salt Granola in Salt Fat Acid Heat by Samin Nosrat.
Recipe
Maple Pecan Granola
Ingredients
- 4 cups old-fashioned rolled oats (use gluten free oats for a GF version)
- 1 cup chopped pecans
- 1 cup pepitas a type of hull-less pumpkin seed
- 1 cup shelled sunflower seeds
- 1 cup unsweetened coconut flakes
- ⅔ cup maple syrup
- ½ cup extra virgin olive oil
- ⅓ cup packed brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- ½ teaspoon cinnamon
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 300 degrees.
- In a large bowl combine oats, pecans, pepitas, sunflower seeds and coconut. Stir to combine.
- In a small saucepan, combine syrup, olive oil, brown sugar, salt and cinnamon. Heat over medium heat until the brown sugar dissolves to create a smooth mixture.
- Drizzle the warmed, sweet oil mixture over the dry oat and nut mixture.
- Cover a rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper for easier clean up. Spread granola mixture evenly on the prepared baking sheet.
- Bake for 45 minutes, stirring half-way through the baking process.
- Remove from oven and allow to cool, before storing in an airtight container.
Nancy Mucklow
Requested by my dear hubby now that he has finished all the gifted granola from you, Karen! Making a batch on this chilly summer afternoon!. If he finds out it's served on your sailboat, he'll be requesting reservations! THANKS for sharing!
Karen
We’d love to serve you some of this granola aboard our sailboat. We’d have to find better footwear for CJ. Cowboy boots aren’t the best for traction on a boat deck!
Mike Beurskens
Well, Sarah and I had the awesome opportunity to enjoy this granola while on the Snowcat II and it was delicious!
Karen
It was great hosting our first guests aboard Snowcat II. We’ve already exhausted the supply of granola that we brought from home. I’m looking to create a small batch, stove-top, quicker-cooking version that I can make on the boat without heating up the interior. Stay tuned!
Eileen Grover
Karen, thanks for putting this in your blog. I really love this recipe and have printed it so that I can get the ingredients and make a batch. I think it's the best granola mix that I have ever had. Good Job!!! Eileen
Jim Petre
Oh my, this granola is delicious. I made it with no deviations. Got the main ingredients at Sprouts for less than $8. I'll be enjoying this for weeks.
Karen
I'm thrilled that you gave my Maple Pecan Granola recipe a try. I gave jars of granola for gifts this holiday season and it was a big hit!
Karen
Thanks for the price calculation. When I bought my ingredients I had enough for two batches!