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The Best Granola Recipe

This is the best granola recipe that I’ve ever made. The ingredients seem basic, but the flavor is spot on.
The Best Granola Recipe | Buttered Side Up
I have been making this granola recipe for over five years. You know a recipe is gold when you keep going back to it after trying many others.
Sure, it’s fun to try new recipes and flavors. But somehow I always return to this tried and true granola. It really can’t be beat for its simple, hearty, wonderful flavor.
The Best Granola Recipe | Buttered Side Up
Waaaay back in 2009 I first posted about this recipe on Cooking for Seven. I had found the recipe on my then-online baking bible: Joy of Baking. For some reason Stephanie (the author of that website) decided to change the recipe she had online.
I felt very fortunate to have saved the original before it was moved.
And so I felt that I should share this recipe with ya’ll again. It will forever be my favorite granola.

How to Make the Best Granola Recipe:

The Best Granola Recipe | Buttered Side Up

Equipment:

All you really need is a large mixing bowl, a wooden spoon, a small saucepan, and a baking sheet. Parchment paper makes cleanup really easy, but it isn’t strictly necessary.

Ingredients:

You only need nine ingredients to make the best granola recipe:
  • Old fashioned rolled oats (don’t use quick cooking oats)
  • Shredded or chipped desiccated coconut
  • 1 cup of nuts of choice (pecans are my absolute favorite, but I’ve also used a combo of pecans and sliced almonds)
  • Unrefined sea salt
  • 1/2 cup salted butter (if you use unsalted, increase the amount of unrefined salt)
  • A mix of honey and maple syrup (you can use all maple syrup or all honey, but a mix is the best)
  • Pure vanilla extract (don’t use imitation unless you just love the flavor)
  • Dried fruit (I usually leave this out because it’s not my jam, but feel free to include it if you like!)

Baking Method:

This granola recipe is baked low and slow for the best, most even browning. Make sure to stir it frequently as it bakes so you don’t get dark patches and light patches.

It will seem kind of soft when it first comes out of the oven. But it will crisp up as it cools.

 

And in the style of Top With Cinnamon, I had to share a gif of Reuben pouring milk over the granola. I convinced him, still bleary-eyed from sleep, to help a food-blogger-girl out.

More Breakfast Recipes:

5 from 1 vote
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The Best Granola Recipe

A basic granola recipe that doesn't taste basic!

Course Breakfast
Cuisine American
Keyword Granola, Oats
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 25 minutes
Servings 5 cups
Calories 633 kcal
Author Erica Kastner

Ingredients

  • 4 cups old-fashioned rolled oats
  • 1 cup of shredded or chipped coconut
  • 1 cup nuts of choice coarsely chopped (I love pecans)
  • 1/4 teaspoon real salt
  • 1/2 cup 1 stick butter
  • 1/4 cup honey
  • 1/4 cup pure maple syrup
  • 1/2 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
  • 1 cup dried fruits cranberries, cherries, apricots, raisins, dates, etc., optional (I usually leave these out)

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 300 degrees F (150 C). Line a rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper or a silpat.
  2. In a large bowl, mix together the oats, coconut, nuts, and salt.
  3. In a small saucepan set over medium heat, melt the butter. Remove from heat and stir in the honey, maple syrup and vanilla. Pour this mixture over the dry ingredients and toss together, making sure all of the dry ingredients are evenly coated.
  4. Spread onto the prepared baking sheet and baking in the preheated oven for 20-30 minutes, or until golden brown. Stir the granola every 10 minutes and rotate the pan halfway through baking.
  5. Remove from oven and allow to cool in the pan on a wire rack. Once the granola is completely cool you may stir in the dried fruit. Store in an airtight container at room temperature, or in the refrigerator or freezer for longer storage.

Recipe Notes

adapted from Joy of Baking

Recipe Rating




Katelyn Kastner

Thursday 23rd of January 2020

I Just made this recipe with a couple additions. This recipe is great for a base to add whatever kind of fruit or nuts you like. Thanks for the easy instructions and delicious recipe!

(Mostly) Organic/Natural Grocery Haul #2 - Buttered Side Up

Wednesday 22nd of November 2017

[…] the granola was really really good. I basically made my all-time favorite granola recipe, but I soaked the nuts in water + salt and the oats in water + lemon juice and dehydrated them in […]

Erica Lea

Tuesday 29th of July 2014

So pleased that you like it! :)

Erika

Monday 28th of July 2014

You are right - This is the BEST granola. Finally got around to making it this weekend, and I will never purchase store bought again. I added about 1 cup of wheat germ, and used almonds. Delicious!

Erica Lea

Sunday 30th of March 2014

Hooray! I can't tell you how happy I am that you guys enjoyed this. :)