Power Granola Recipe for Adults and Adventurous Kids

This recipe has everything good I could cram into it. you may think of more things. Sometimes more is better! But there are many variations possible here, depending on your taste.

3 Cups Rolled Oats (or any mix of rolled/flaked grains: Rice, Wheat, Rye, Barley)

¼ cup Honey (if honey is viscous, heat it in the oven first) and/or Maple Syrup

3-4 TBSP Olive Oil (you can substitute other oils as well)

TBSP Sesame Oil

TBSP Vanilla Extract

TSP Almond Extract

Any combination of the following: chopped almonds, chopped walnuts, chopped hazelnuts, (total amount of nuts: about 1 cup, I like nuts!), pumpkin seeds (I put in about 4 TBSP), sesame seeds (I like these, I put in 3 TBSP), sunflower seeds (2 TBSP), several dashes of cinnamon powder, a couple of dashes of cardamon powder, 1-2 dashes of nutmeg and/or allspice. Salt is optional, as are coconut flakes.

Mix wet ingredients in a big bowl first, then add dry ingredients, mixing to cover the dry ingredients so that the flakes are lightly covered but not doused (you may need to add a bit more oil or honey/syrup if it’s not sweet enough for your, or flakes if it’s too moist, just experiment! Then add seeds, nuts, etc.

Spread out a thin layer of the mix on parchment paper on a cookie sheet or in a roasting pan and roast for 8-10 minutes at 300F (or 150C) -- a slow roast is better than a fast burn. Use a silicone or wooden flat edge spatula to turn the mix in the pan, roast several more minutes (5-10) until golden – don’t over-bake. Over-baked granola is no fun to eat!

After roasting, the following may be added to the mix: chia seeds, flax flakes, goji berries.

Allow mixture to cool before storing in an airtight container, preferably made of glass. Keep in refridgerator for up to two weeks. If you and your family eat it every day, it will go fast. Otherwise, you can cut the recipe in half. I like to bake in quantities so I don’t have to do it again right away!

Extra Credit: Granola for Kids Who Don’t Like Nuts or Seeds

EVOO, Sesame Oil, Mix of Rolled Oats and/or other rolled grains

Honey, Brown Sugar, Maple Syrup or any combination of these three ingredients
1-2 TBLSP Olive Oil, Dash of Sesame Oil

Dash of Cinnamon