Make Ahead

Granola for fellow "Granolas"

by:
July 14, 2010
5
2 Ratings
  • Makes plenty to share
Author Notes

According to the “Urban Dictionary,” granola can be defined as:

“An adjective used to describe people who are environmentally aware (flower child, tree-hugger), open-minded, left-winged, socially aware and active, gay friendly, anti-oppressive/discriminatory (racial, sexual, gender, class, age, etc.) with an organic and natural emphasis on living, who might refrain from consuming or using anything containing animals and animal by-products (for health and/or environmental reasons), as well as limit consumption of what he or she does consume, as granola people are usually concerned about wasting resources. Usually buy only fair-trade goods and refrain from buying from large corporations, as most exploit the environment as well as their workers, which goes against granola core values. The choice of not removing body hair (see ‘amazon’) and drug use are not characteristics that define granola people, and people, regardless of granola status, may or may not partake in said activities. This definition is sometimes confused with hippie.”

I’d like to wear the “granola” badge proudly, and I’ll bet this granola recipe can bring out the granola that lives deep down in you too! Okay, it’s a goofy thought but if tree-huggin’ ain’t your gig, this will at least get you rolling for a perfect day living your best life. - Happyolks —Happyolks

Test Kitchen Notes

I am a huge fan of homemade granola and I just love this recipe by Happyolks; I've nicknamed it "loaded granola" because of all of the great stuff in here. I liked how all of the nuts, seeds, raisins and spices worked together to create a very flavorful mix without all that much sweetener. I left out the nutmeg because I don't really like it and used Lyle's cane syrup instead of the maple or rice syrup, otherwise I followed the recipe exactly. When you bake it, definitely follow the instructions to spread the granola out between 2-3 pans, because if you pile it all onto one pan, it will take much longer than an hour to bake. With plain Greek yogurt and berries, this is pretty much my ideal breakfast. - WinnieAb —WinnieAb

What You'll Need
Ingredients
  • 4-5 cups Bobs Red Mill GF Oats
  • 2 cups plain Kamut puffs
  • 1 cup crushed raw almonds
  • 1 cup crushed raw walnuts
  • 1/2 cup crushed raw pecans
  • 1 cup raw pumpkin seeds
  • 3/4 cup unsweetened raisins
  • 1/2 cup ground flax seeds or chia seeds
  • 1/4 cup chia seeds
  • 1/4 cup raw coconut flakes
  • 2 tablespoons cinnamon
  • 1 tablespoon nutmeg
  • 1 teaspoon ground ginger
  • 1/2 cup Maple or Brown Rice Syrup
Directions
  1. Mix all the dry ingredients in a jumbo-sized bowl.
  2. Slowly stir in syrup and used a rubber spatula to coat the mixture lightly. If you feel like there isn't enough to go around, add just a tad of walnut or safflower oil. This isn't meant to be a super sweet granola though.
  3. Lay out the sticky mixture on 2 or 3 cookie pans with ledges so things don't get too exciting in the oven.
  4. Bake for close to an hour on the lowest setting of your oven, probably 200' F.
  5. Allow to cool and harden for about 15 minutes on the sheets before storing in airtight tupperware or a glass jar. Enjoy with greek yogurt and summer berries and stone fruits.

See what other Food52ers are saying.

  • Windischgirl
    Windischgirl
  • Taylor Stanton
    Taylor Stanton
  • boulangere
    boulangere
  • Lizthechef
    Lizthechef
  • dymnyno
    dymnyno
"Be a lamp or a lifeboat or a ladder..."

7 Reviews

Windischgirl March 12, 2017
I wanted to make a treat for a friend with celiac and was concerned that he could not tolerate the kamut, so I subbed puffed brown rice. To increase clumping, I combined the ground flax with the same amount of water (or a bit more) and let it sit to make "flax eggs" while I prepped the other ingredients. I think it's helping!
BTW, I love this recipe because it skips the oil and can be easily modified for whatever I have in the pantry!
 
Windischgirl March 17, 2017
The flax eggs worked well! I used the listed amount of ground flax mixed with an equal amount of water and let it sit to thicken while I prepped the other ingredients. It's thick, so blend well! I also bake at 350 for about 40 minutes to brown well.
 
Taylor S. August 8, 2016
Fantastic. Everything I want in a granola and more! I really like the addition of adding a cereal/grain in addition to the oats.
 
Windischgirl April 3, 2016
Nice flavors and I like the slow baking for a crisp but light texture. However, I like my granola a little more "clumpy", so I might add a couple of egg whites next time.
Boulangere, I saw a recipe for a seeded granola in Kim Boyce's book, "Good to the Grain."
 
boulangere November 6, 2011
I happily embrace most of Happyyolks' left-leaning qualifications. The son and the daughter were both born at Alta Bates Hospital in Berkeley, I'm largely vegetarian with the exception of locally raised chickens and bison. But I am seriously allergic to nuts, and would love, love, love to see a granola free of them. I don't especially care about the protein compromise as I make my own Greek yogurt, but nut-free would truly be heavenly.
 
Lizthechef October 19, 2011
So happy to find you here!
 
dymnyno July 16, 2010
Nothing starts the day like a great bowl or granola and fresh fruit! I love your name.