Homemade Crunchy Granola

This homemade crunchy granola is made up of 6 ingredients that you likely already have in your pantry! I make it in big batches over the weekend and enjoy it in my smoothie bowls or a yogurt breakfast bowl. This homemade granola is also customizable – add in your favourite nuts and seeds (mine are walnuts and pumpkin!), and see notes on how to make it nut-free.

Prep time: 10 minutes

Cook time: 25 minutes

Servings: about 8 1/2 cups

Ingredients

• 6 cups large flake oats
• 3/4 cup neutral-flavoured oil
• 3/4 cup maple syrup
• 1 tbsp cinnamon
• 1 1/2 cups unsalted nuts and/or seeds (I used 1 cup raw unsalted walnuts & 1/2 cup roasted unsalted pumpkin seeds)

Equipment

• Mixing bowl
• 2 baking sheets

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 325F.
2. Add all ingredients to a large mixing bowl and mix well.
3. Add the granola to lined baking sheets, spreading it out evenly with a spoon.
4. Bake for 10-12 minutes, then remove from the oven and mix with a spoon.
5. Bake for another 10-14 minutes, until golden brown. You don’t want it to burn, so I recommend starting with 10 minutes, and checking every couple of minutes from there until it is perfectly golden.
6. Remove from the oven and let sit for 30 minutes (this will allow it to firm up and become crunchy!).
7. Store in jars or containers, then enjoy in a yogurt & fruit breakfast bowl or in a yummy smoothie bowl!

Notes

*For nut-free version, simply use seeds such as pumpkin and sunflower in the granola.

*For a gluten-free version, make sure to use certified gluten-free oats.