My favorite simple skinny granola: sweet, with just the right amount of crunch and highly addictive!

Homemade granola is so easy to make. It’s perfect for topping yogurt, or just as cereal in a bowl with milk. It’s so versatile to make, and you control the ingredients to it. You can make your homemade granola cereal as sweet as you like it. 

This granola recipe is a family-loved favorite that I am sure you are going to love and enjoy. It’s crunchy without being too hard. If you want to trim some calories or fat from your diet, this oil-free granola recipe is sure to be a hit.

Ingredients You Need:

• Old Fashioned Oats
• Sliced nuts (I like almonds myself, but use what you love)
• Wheat germ
• Honey
• Water
• Brown sugar
• Vanilla extract
• Dried fruit (optional)

Making your Old Fashioned Homemade Granola

1. Preheat oven to 325 degrees.
2. Combine the dry ingredients, except the fruit in a large bowl.
3. In a saucepan over medium heat, combine water, honey, and brown sugar. Heat, stirring constantly until sugar is dissolved.
4. Pour sugars and water over the dry mixture and stir until well-coated.
5. Spread the granola mixture over a baking pan and bake for 30-45 minutes, stirring every 15. 
6. Once done baking, remove from heat, stir in dried fruit, and cool completely. 
7. Store in an airtight container.

 

 

Can I use quick oats for this recipe?

You CAN, but old-fashioned oats (aka rolled oats) will provide a better texture to the homemade cereal. The quick oats are much smaller and can tend to wind up mushy in this recipe. 

How long will this cereal last?

In an airtight container, this homemade granola should last at least 10 days. If you want to store it longer, I would suggest storing it in the freezer. This will keep it fresh and still maintain that crunch.

All Time Favorite Simple Granola Recipe

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 45 minutes

Total Time: 55 minutes

The perfect simple granola recipe: sweet, with just the right amount of crunch, and highly addictive! Customize with your favorite dried nuts and fruits and serve over yogurt or with milk.

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Ingredients

• 5 C old fashioned oats
• 1/2 C sliced nuts or seeds of your choice – I prefer almonds
• 1/2 C wheat germ
• 1/4 C honey
• 2 T unsalted butter
• 2 T brown sugar
• 4-6 T oil of your preference
• 1 t vanilla extract
• Optional: 1/2 C coconut and/ or 1 C dried fruit

Instructions

1. Combine all of the dry ingredients except dried fruit. Melt butter and combine with brown sugar until dissolved. Combine with oil, and slowly add to the dry mixture, stirring until well coated.

1. Spread the mixture onto a parchment lined pan or stoneware and bake at 325 degrees for up to 30-45 minutes (until brown), stirring every 15 minutes. Keep in mind that the granola won’t be crunchy until it sets and cools – so you’re keeping an eye on the color and making sure it doesn’t burn!
2. Once done, add dried fruit, spread on parchment to cool, or place pan on cooling rack. Once cooled, store in a sealed container.

I promised I’d also share the oil-free version of this recipe. It’s great for when you’re trying to trim some calories and fat from your diet – and this version also packs a lot more crunch. So if skinny and crunchy are what you’re looking for, this recipe is for you:

Simple Skinny Granola (no oil)

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 45 minutes

Total Time: 55 minutes

The perfect skinny granola recipe: sweet, with just the right amount of crunch, and highly addictive! Customize with your favorite dried nuts and fruits and serve over yogurt or with milk.

Print

Ingredients

• 5 C old fashioned oats
• 1/2 C sliced nuts or seeds of your choice – I prefer almonds
• 1/2 C wheat germ
• 1/4 C honey
• 1/3 C water
• 2 T brown sugar
• 1 t vanilla extract
• Optional: 1/2 C coconut and/ or 1 C dried fruit

Instructions

1. Combine all of the dry ingredients except dried fruit. In a sauce pan on medium/low heat, combine water, honey and brown sugar, heating until sugar is dissolved. Slowly add to the dry mixture, stirring until well coated.

1. Spread the mixture onto a parchment lined pan or stoneware and bake at 325 degrees for up to 30-45 minutes (until brown), stirring every 15 minutes. Keep in mind that the granola won’t be crunchy until it sets and cools – so you’re keeping an eye on the color and making sure it doesn’t burn!
2. Once done, add dried fruit, spread on parchment to cool, or place pan on cooling rack. Once cooled, store in a sealed container.
   

If I had to choose a favorite, I prefer the rich flavors that the small amount of oil provides, and the softer, less crunchy texture. I also feel a little more full and satisfied when I make that version.

Tell me, which version is your favorite? Full flavor with oil? Or the simple skinny granola with an extra crunch?

Looking for other simple skinny recipes? Try this Southwest Scramble breakfast – it’s the perfect recipe to prep and go!