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Addictively delicious and so easy to make, this best ever granola will become one of those recipes that is requested over and over!
Last summer we spent a longweekend with family in the North Carolina mountains. Whenever we're all together on a vacation, my daughter Cait, daughter-in-law Lindsay and I take turns planning the meals and enjoyhelping each other in the kitchen.Lindsay brought a big container of homemade granola for breakfasts and snacks. "This is the best ever granola!", I told her one day, as I nibbled on a little handful.
"Well, thank you. But it's your recipe", she laughed.
"Really? Why does yours taste so much better than mine?" I asked. She said she followed the recipe, but had made a few little adaptations...
We talked about the few little tweaks she had made and thatone of them wascutting back a bit on the sweeteners (brown sugar and maple syrup) in the original recipe. I loved that it still tasted fantastic without as much sweetener! Another difference inLindsay's granola, is that she keeps itquite simple with just oats, slivered almonds and coconut. I had gotten into adding all kinds of seeds and nuts to my granola (which there's nothing wrong with) but with hers, the delicious, pure flavor of the oats and coconut come shining through.
Lindsay also recommended the shredded coconut from Trader Joe's. I didn't think thebrand of coconut would make much difference, but I decided to try it. It does! Even though it's labeled "sweetened" there's not as much sugar as in most other sweetened coconuts. Plus it's slightly toasted already, so it doesn't clump together like other brands do. And I love that there's nothing "weird" in the list of ingredients, just coconut and sugar. All and all, it's just wonderful for granola, and I pick up a bag or two each time I'm at Trader Joes. If you don't have a Trader Joes to shop at, you can order it online or just look at the labels and try to find a coconut that's not loaded with preservatives.
So, ever since our trip to the mountains, I've been playing a bit withthe old family recipe, using Lindsay's modifications along with a few of my own. My granola issimpler but better than ever and I couldn't wait to share it with you. Just a little warning though about this best ever granola, it's ridiculously addictive! I guess there could be a whole lot worse things to be addicted to, right?
I like making a double batch and freezing it in wide mouth quart jars. I keep a small jar in the pantry and when it gets low, just refill it from the freezer. Once thawed this stuff tastes just like it was freshly made.
This best ever granola makes a lovely treatfor friends, neighbors, teachers, etc.and is always greatly appreciated. It's also a wonderful way to start theday. Most morningshere at The Café beginwith yogurt and fresh fruit (whatever's in season) topped with ahandful of granola. Right now we're enjoying it with sliced clementines, diced fresh pineapple and dried cranberries - delish!
Next time you're shopping, pick up a few everyday ingredients and you'll be good to go. It takes about 10 minutes to throw together and just over an hour to bake. If you can, tryto let it cool before you start sampling. Once you take the first taste, you'll probably be hooked like we are. And unless Lindsay comes up with something better, I have a feeling you'll agree, this is the Best Ever Granola!
Cafe Tips for making this Best Ever Granola
- I like to use both slivered and sliced almonds for texture, crunch and appearance but you could use the same amount of one or the other.
- Lindsay turned me on to the coconut at Trader Joes. It's fantastic with no weird ingredients on the label. The kind they've always carried is sweetened, but I just noticed they've started carrying unsweetened as well. I think either would be fine for this recipe.
- Use pure maple syrup, not pancake syrup
- Coconut oil is one of the secrets, it's not the same with other oils. I usually get my coconut oil at Aldi or Trader Joes.
If you enjoy granola but have to watch your carbs, this Double Almond Paleo Granola is also fantastic!
5 from 8 votes
Best Ever Granola
The most addictively delicious granola you'll ever have the pleasure of meeting! With almonds, oats, sesame seeds, coconut and pure maple syrup, what's not to like?
Author: Chris Scheuer
Course:Breakfast
Servings: 24
Calories: 149 kcal
Ingredients
- 2 ½cupsrolled oatsold fashioned
- 1cupsliced almonds
- 1cupslivered almonds
- 1cupshredded coconutI use sweetened coconut
- ½cupsesame seeds(or flax seeds)
- ¾teaspoonsalt
- 10tablespoonspure maple syrup
- ¼cupcoconut oil
- 1tablepoon vanilla extract
US Customary - Metric
Instructions
Preheat oven to 250˚F. Line two sheet pans with parchment paper (parchment paper works better than foil for this as the granola doesn't stick). Set aside.
Combine maple syrup, coconut oil, vanilla and salt. Microwave on high power for 1-2 minutes or until the coconut oil is melted. Stir to combine. Set aside
Combine oats, almonds, coconut and flax (or sesame seeds) in a large bowl. Stir to combine. Add maple syrup mixture and stir gently till combined.
Spread mixture out evenly onto prepared pan. Pat it down gently with a spoon or spatula. Bake at 250 degrees for 1 hour and 15 minutes or until medium golden brown. Watch it for the last 15 or so minutes, so it doesn't get too brown. On the other hand, if it's not nice and golden after the complete baking time, give it another 10 minutes.
Let mixture cool completely then lift the parchment paper and it will break into shards. As you transfer it to storage containers, it will break up more, but some of it will stay in clumps. Store in an airtight container. I keep mine in wide-mouth mason jars. I keep a small jar in the pantry and store the rest in the freezer. When you take it out of the freezer and thaw it, it's exactly like you just made it.
Calories 149kcal
Fat 9g
Saturated fat 4g
Sodium 75mg
Potassium 131mg
Carbohydrates 14g
Fiber 2g
Sugar 5g
Protein 3g
Vitamin C 0.1%
Calcium 38%
Iron 0.8%
