This Homemade Vanilla Granola is superior to anything you can buy. The flavors are so much better, it is amazing on yogurt or with milk over the top.
I love making my own granola. Not only do I feel like I am saving money, but making it homemade tastes SO much better than anything I have tried from the store. Elise gave me this recipe a few years back and I have made it at least a dozen times since. It’s really good with milk or sprinkled over yogurt and ice cream. It is also wonderful just plain as a snack. We have been putting it in sandwich bags and taking it on road-trips and picnics just to munch on.
Elise’s Homemade Vanilla Granola
Ingredients (with Amazon Links)
- 8 c. oats
- 2 c. sliced almonds
- 1 c. wheat germ
- 1 c. brown sugar
- 1 tsp. salt
- 1 tsp cinnamon
- craisins or raisins to taste (optional)
- 3/4 c. canola oil or coconut oil
- 1 c. honey
- 3 Tbsp. vanilla use the real stuff if you have it-- it tastes much better
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 300-degrees. Combine first 8 ingredients (dry ingredients) in a large bowl. In a saucepan combine oil, honey, and vanilla and bring to a boil. Let boil for 1 minute then pour over oat mixture. Mix until all ingredients are moistened. Divide and spread mixture over 2 large cookie sheets and bake at 300-degrees for 20-30 minutes. Remove from oven and leave on pans until the granola hardens (it may be a little chewy and that's ok.. if you prefer it not to be chewy at all, allow to dry completely). Break up granola and store in large Ziploc bags or containers. Serve plain, with yogurt, or with milk.
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ashleydox says
This looks yummy! Let me know when you want a crock-pot granola recipe! :o)
SUE KLEIN says
WOULD LIKE A RECIPE FOR SLOW COOKER. WOULD ALSO KNOW HOW TO SEND THIS FROM FACEBOOK TO MY RECIPIES FILE . WOULD APPRECIATE IT VERY MUCH SINCE I AM DIABETIC & MY SON & I HAVE CANCER ALSO MY HUSBAND IS GREAT NUTRITION FOOD ISSUES. THANK YOU VERY MUCH IF YOU COULD HELP ME WITH THIS .
Echo says
I have not made this recipe in a slow cooker, but after doing some research, this is my recommendation. Follow the directions on the recipe but instead of spreading the granola on baking sheets, pour the granola into a 5-6 quart slow cooker sprayed lightly with non-stick cooking spray. Cook on the high setting for 2 hours stirring well every 20 minutes (this is important so that granola doesn’t burn on the sides of the slow cooker).
I’m so sorry for the health problems you and your son are having. I hope you will find strength, comfort, and peace as you battle these illnesses.
Heather Salt says
Would lovr granola for crockpot recipe. Thanks
Echo says
Heather, please see my recommendation to Sue below. Thank you!
Natalie says
You really can't go wrong with homemade granola, the stuff from stores doesn't even compare!!
Teri says
I have made 4 recipes off your blog now (found it blogstalking) and am in LOVE with them all… but this granola takes the prize! Hope it is ok to add you to my blog list so I can find out when you update with a new recipe. Thanks for the amazing yummy ideas!
Hillary says
Do you use old fashioned oats or the quick cooking oats?
Erica says
You can use either one. I think the Old Fashioned just take longer to harden up.
Hillary says
Okay, well, I just made this for breakfast this morning. OH. MY. GOODNESS. It is so, so good! I served it with yogurt, blackberries, and strawberries. Fabulous!! Thank you for the recipe! I've got my own recipe blog (dinner-inspiration.blogspot.com), and I'll definitely be putting it up there! 🙂
Kedric, Elizebeth and Emily says
I made this tonight and it was great! I replaced 1/2 cup of canola oil with applesauce and it was so yummy. Thank you so much for sharing!
Lisa says
Love to make this but what can I substitute for the wheat germ (sensitivities)? Can I substitute oat bran?
Erica says
I am totally clueless when it comes to wheat allergies! Give it a try and let me know how it turns out!
Lisa says
I substitued the wheat germ with oat bran and also added apple sauce to replace some of the oil, turned out very good. I love it. Next time, I think I will add some maple syrup. Thanks so much!
Erica says
That is so great! I am so glad you came back to let us know, thank you!!!!!
Stephanie says
Hi, Is there a substitute I can use for in place of the canola oil? Would coconut oil work well in this recipe? Thanks! 🙂
Erica says
We posted this recipe before using coconut oil was cool haha.. I think coconut oil would be AMAZING and now that you mention it, I will probably make it with coconut oil next time!
heather says
Does this granola need to be stored in the fridge? Thanks.
Emily says
No, it keeps fine on the shelf but the fridge works too! 🙂
Hannah says
I discovered this recipe a few years ago and I cannot tell you how much I have loved it! I use the 8 cups of oats as my base and then I usually use a combination of almonds, flax seed, wheat germ, sunflower seeds and pumpkin seeds. And I always use coconut oil. Everyone that has ever eaten this at my house always asks for this recipe and I think they are always glad to find this blog if they don’t already know about it. This granola is so good on its own but goes to a whole other level with some greek goddess honey yogurt and fresh berries, or with homemade applesauce it is like a dessert for breakfast or a snack! Thanks for sharing so many great recipes!
Erica says
Thank you so much for your comment! I like your addition ideas! We have used coconut oil the last few times and it really adds to the flavor– yum! Thanks so much for spreading the word about us and for your nice comment! P.S. We agree about the name “Echo”… we have several Echos in our family, we love the name!
Hannah says
P.S. my great grandma’s name was Echo and I have always loved it, so glad to see someone else with such a great name:)
Deby Wine says
I made this recipe yesterday, first time making granola. I added heaping cup of each-sweetened coconut, sunflower seeds, and pecan halves. Gave a big squeeze extra of honey to make up for extra dry ingredients. Learned a BIG lesson. Do not overcook. I thought I wanted it dry and crispy, and figured I needed more heat and time. Wrong. Half of the recipe was too brown, thought my son and husband split that half and took to their work today. I was going to throw it away. I did also add more of the cinnamon. I had it for lunch today, and had to force my self to stop eating it. Wonderful, and I will make again, and again. Put in a full pound of dried cranberries. Will do cherries next.
Echo says
Thank you for sharing your experience with this recipe. I’ve made the mistake of overcooking too. I prefer it more on the soft/chewy side, but if it gets overcooked I mix it in with yogurt and it is really good. Thank you for sharing your tips! I love the idea of adding sunflower seeds – yum!
Paula says
This looks delicious but I live by myself and 8 cups is a lot. Will this recipe work if I just halve everything?
Echo says
Yes, of course! You will love it! It lasts for about a month if you store it in an airtight container or sealed plastic bag.
Stacy says
I really want to make this, but I couldn’t find wheat germ at the store. I looked in the baking aisle at Walmart. Is there another place to find it?
Thanks!
Sandra Morrissey says
this maybe a stupid question but since cocoanut is solid is it the same measurement when it melts.
Erica says
What exactly do you mean by “melts”? Like when it is baked?
Sandra Morrissey says
Never mind I answered my own question. I do want to say that I did half the recipe since I have never made granola before and wasn’t sure how your recipe would taste. Well let me say I cannot stop eating it. It is so wonderful and would like to ask another question.
I plan on making a full order of it today but is there a way to make this recipe in bars. My grandson would like to eat it like a bar at work. If not into a bar how do I get it to clump more. Mine came out very loose.
Sandra Morrissey says
I plan on making a full order of it today but is there a way to make this recipe in bars. My grandson would like to eat it like a bar at work. If not into a bar how do I get it to clump more. Mine came out very loose.
Erica says
If you want to make bars, you can blend up dates and maybe a little peanut butter and add it to the recipe until it holds it’s shape, you can try using this recipe here and adding the vanilla granola ingredients that you like: /10-happy-morning-hacks/