Ingredients
- 4 cups rolled oats
- 1 cup raw nuts (pecans or walnuts work well)
- 1/2 cup pepitas
- 2 tsp ground cinnamon
- 1 tsp kosher salt
- 1/2 cup vegetable oil
- 1/2 cup honey or maple syrup
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 cup dried fruit (raisins or cranberries)
First, Mix the Granola Base
Set your oven to 350F.
In a large bowl, combine the rolled oats, nuts, pepitas, cinnamon, and salt. Then pour in the vegetable oil, honey, and vanilla extract. Stir everything together until all the oats and nuts are evenly coated.
The mixture will be wet and clumpy – this is what you want.
Bake the Granola
Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper and spread the granola mixture out in an even layer. Use a spatula to press it down firmly.
Bake for ~20-25 minutes. About halfway through, I pull the pan out and gently rotate it, but I don’t stir the granola.
The granola is done when it’s lightly golden brown around the edges.
Cool Completely for Chunks
This is the important part. Take the granola out of the oven and let it cool on the baking sheet for at least 45 minutes without touching it.
Letting the granola cool undisturbed is what creates the big clusters.
Once it’s completely cool, sprinkle the dried fruit over the top and then use your hands to break the granola into whatever size chunks you want. Store it in an airtight container.
Homemade Granola
Ingredients
- 4 cups rolled oats
- 1 cup raw nuts pecans or walnuts work well
- 1/2 cup pepitas
- 2 tsp ground cinnamon
- 1 tsp kosher salt
- 1/2 cup vegetable oil
- 1/2 cup honey or maple syrup
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 cup dried fruit raisins or cranberries
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350F.
- Mix oats, nuts, pepitas, cinnamon, and salt in a large bowl.
- Add oil, honey, and vanilla; stir until evenly coated.
- Spread mixture on parchment-lined baking sheet, pressing down firmly.
- Bake 20-25 minutes, rotating pan halfway through (do not stir).
- Remove when edges are lightly golden brown.
- Let cool completely on baking sheet for 45 minutes without disturbing.
- Sprinkle dried fruit over cooled granola.
- Break into chunks and store in airtight container.
