Make Your Own Granola

It is important that you eat a healthy breakfast so you have enough energy to get through your day.  I have recently gotten into the habit of eating granola for breakfast.  I started buying it ready made at the store and found that it is too expensive, so I decided to make my own.  I went to my favorite recipe website called allrecipes.com, and found a really great recipe called Megan’s Granola.  I tweaked it a little and here are the ingredients and directions in case you would like to make it too.

 

Ingredients

• 8 cups rolled oats
• 1 1/2 cups wheat germ
• 1 1/2 cups oat bran
• 1 cup sunflower seeds
• 1 cup finely chopped almonds
• 1 cup finely chopped walnuts
• 1 1/2 teaspoons salt
• 1/2 cup brown sugar
• 1/4 cup maple syrup
• 3/4 cup honey
• 1 cup vegetable oil
• 1 tablespoon ground cinnamon
• 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
• 2 cups sweetened dried cranberries
• 1 cup dried goji berries

Directions

1. Preheat the oven to 325 degrees F (165 degrees C). Line two large baking sheets with parchment or aluminum foil.
2. Combine the oats, wheat germ, oat bran, sunflower seeds, almonds, and walnuts in a large bowl. Stir together the salt, brown sugar, maple syrup, honey, oil, cinnamon, and vanilla in a saucepan. Bring to a boil over medium heat, then pour over the dry ingredients, and stir to coat. Spread the mixture out evenly on the baking sheets.
3. Bake in the preheated oven until crispy and toasted, about 20 minutes. Stir once halfway through. Cool, then stir in the goji berries and cranberries before storing in an airtight container.

This recipe makes approximately 30 servings.  The ingredients cost me approximately $30.  I was able to buy everything I needed at Bulk Barn.  If I were to buy this amount of granola at a grocery store, I would pay at least double that amount.  So, if you are looking for a high energy, nutritious breakfast, try making your own granola and see how you like it.  Feel free to substitute the ingredients with whatever you like best.  Dried blackberries, barberries, etc. would also be great in granola.  You could also add hemp seed, chia seeds, or quinoa.  You only need a small portion to feel full so this recipe will last you for a while.

Granola is also a great snack for when you go hiking, and it tastes fabulous in yogurt.

What do you like to put in your granola?