As food prices are rising, many of us are turning to budget recipes so we can save as much as possible while still feeding our families what they want. Breakfast items, like cereal, are one of the grocery standards that you may need to cut back on or switch to generic brands. Another option is to bake your own granola. You can mix up exactly the flavor your family likes and it's easy on the pocketbook.
The main ingredient in granola is old-fashioned oats, which can be one of the best bargains in a grocery store. The process of baking granola is simply coating it with honey and a little bit of oil, then baking and stirring so the mixture gets evenly browned and crispy. You might just like the homemade better than the name brands, and you can make if for about half the price.
Granola, makes about 5 cups
- 3 1/2 cups oats, old-fashioned
- 3/4 cup slivered almonds
- 1/2 cup honey
- 2 tablespoons canola oil
- 1/4 teaspoon salt (optional)
- Cinnamon & sugar
- 3/4 cup raisins
- 1/2 cup dried cherries or other dried fruit, chopped
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Lightly coat a jelly roll pan with cooking spray.
- Combine oats and almonds in a large bowl.
- Warm honey in microwave for 20 seconds. Pour in oil and stir vigorously to combine. Drizzle honey mixture over oats mixture and stir to combine. Taste and add 1/4 teaspoon of salt if you want a slightly salty granola
- Spread mixture in prepared pan and bake for 40 minutes. Every 10 minutes, stop the timer, remove pan to stir the granola and sprinkle cinnamon & sugar over the granola until you're happy with how sweet it tastes. Remember to restart the timer when you put the pan back in the oven.
- Once the granola has browned, remove from oven and let cool for an hour. Add the raisins and dried fruit and stir to combine.
- Store in an airtight container for up to two weeks.
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