Granola Part 1: "Granola, So Easy!"

Why is granola so expensive? I don’t know. Its cheap and easy to make. Several years ago a friend named Robin made this “ratio” for me by scanning several recipes and finding the common denominators.


3 cups oats (regular, not instant)
1-2 cups add-ins (nuts, fruit, seeds, etc.)
1/4 cup liquid sweetener (honey, corn syrup, molasses, or agave nectar)
2 tablespoons-1/4 cup sugar or brown sugar
3 tablespoons vegetable oil
3 tablespoons water
(optional: 1 teaspoon vanilla or 1/4-1/2 teaspoon almond extract or cinnamon to taste)

Mix the oats and the add-ins in a bowl. Mix the liquid ingredients and the sugar in a saucepan. Bring them to a boil. Remove from heat and slowly poor the liquid over the dry ingredients. Stir to coat evenly. Spread the mixture on a cookie sheet. Pat down. Bake at 275 degrees for 45 minutes. Cool completely. Crumble into granola.

If you need help choosing your ad-ins, go to the cereal isle at the grocery store and steal some ideas. My favorite combo is coconut, almonds and almond extract. 
Check out Granola Part 2, Health Calculus.