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HEALTHY HOME-MADE GRANOLA RECIPE

Finding commercial granola that does not contain oil is nearly impossible. This is a food that can be perfectly delicious, and still crunchy, without added oil. Making your own homemade granola is easy, and you don’t even need a food dehydrator. Serve over hot cereal or with fruit.
Print Recipe
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 55 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 10 minutes
Servings: 4
Course: Appetizer, Breakfast, Snack
Cuisine: American
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

  • - 2 cups old-fashioned rolled oats
  • - ½ cup raisins
  • - ½ cup sliced almonds optional
  • - ½ cup water or orange zest and orange juice or apple sauce
  • - 4 ounces pitted dates 7 to 8 Medjool or 14 to 16 Deglet Noor, steamed
  • - 1½ teaspoons vanilla extract or seeds from 1 to 2 vanilla beans
  • - 1¼ teaspoons cinnamon
  • - ½ teaspoon ground nutmeg

Method
 

  1. Place the liquid ingredient, dates, vanilla, cinnamon, and nutmeg into a blender and set aside for at least 15 minutes (so the dates can soften).
  2. Preheat the oven to 250°F. Line two baking sheets with parchment paper, and set them aside.
  3. Combine the oats, raisins, and almonds (if using) in a medium bowl.
  4. Blend the dates, vanilla, cinnamon, and nutmeg until smooth. Pour this into the bowl of oats, raisins, and nuts, and stir well.
  5. Spread the granola evenly between the two baking sheets, breaking up any large clumps. Bake for 30 minutes.
  6. Remove the baking sheets from the oven and shuffle the granola around with a spatula. Return to the oven (but switch racks for even browning) for 20 to 25 minutes more, or until lightly browned.
  7. Completely cool the granola for maximum crunchiness.

Notes

Shopping tips: Look for dates in the bulk food section or packaged near the raisins. Make sure your raisins have not had oil or sugar added to them.
Note: Try unsweetened fruit juice (orange, tangerine, or apple) instead of water for added sweetness and flavor.