One of the fun things about being so close to the end of this pregnancy is the nesting stage.
Where my home actually gets cleaned.
Where I pretend to know how to organize.
Where I think in advance about what meal times are going to be like.
Which brings me to one of my favorite recipes ever.
Granola! If you would have told me five years ago I would be making my own granola I would have laughed, laughed, laughed.
I had NO idea how simple it was. How delicious it was. Or how cost efficient it is!
Now. I have to admit, while I love my recipe… I needed a bit of help in the technique department.
Enter in Sylvie from gourmande in the kitchen.
She wrote this AMAZING post on how to make the best granola… and I think I may have wept a little. I mean, yes I am pregnant and normally dont weep about granola, but really. Its just that good of a post!
Plus her photography is absolutely stunning.
Seriously. Dont go over there. You will never, ever want to come back here! She is an absolute master at what she does.
I drool.
My recipe is pretty straight forward. The only “specialty” ingredient I highly recommend getting is coconut oil. I got this at my local grocery store.
But after reading Sylvie’s recommendations, I added quick oats, some turbinado sugar (you can use white sugar) and used her clumping method to get crispy chunks.
Ingredients
- 2 cups Old Fashioned Oats
- 2 cups quick cook oats
- 2-4 teaspoons cinnamon
- 1/2 cup pure maple syrup
- 1/2 cup coconut oil
- 2 teaspoons vanilla
- 1-2 tablespoons raw Turbinado sugar (or white sugar)
- 1 cup raisins
- 1 cup dried fruit of choice (I like dried blueberries, my family likes Pomegranate Craisens)
Instructions
- Heat oven to 250 degrees.
- Combine all ingredients in a large bowl. Place on baking sheet and put in oven for thirty minutes. Remove and sift gently, then put back in oven for 15-30 minutes or until mostly dry.
- Remove from oven and let sit out for at least one hour.
- Store in an air tight container. Serve over yogurt, in milk, or on ice cream.
*You can also make this recipe gluten free by buying Gluten Free Oats
Really, the sky is the limit with granola! Heck, I love to just eat it right from the jar. 
A quick note about coconut oil. This site, OrganicFacts.net, has some fantastic information on how to use it for stress relief, hair care, and even helping to reduce chance of cancer.
When you buy coconut oil it is in solid form, but will turn into liquid at 75 degrees. You can stir it into granola in the solid form, but I often heat it slightly so that it turns to liquid. (making it a bit easier to incorporate)
Hope you try this, and hope you love it as much as we do!
I sure do I hope my kids eat this when I am in the hospital with baby… but I have a feeling Grandpa might be sneaking them a donut or two. 
That looks so good! I was just thinking yesterday that I should try to make some homemade granola to mix with yogurt & stuff…you must have read my mind!
So well done and so beautifully photographed. oh, i have to find some of that coconut oil!
OKay okay! I have been making granola for years and I’ve been so frustrated recently…JUST TODAY EVEN! LOL My granola was clumpy (good!) but the end result was chewy (not so good). I was about ready to give up…but you have inspired me to press on with this! Besides, I have a lovely bag of dried blueberries, cranberries, and pomagranite seeds that I REALLY want to use in some granola! ♥- Katrina
OKay okay! I have been making granola for years and I’ve been so frustrated recently…JUST TODAY EVEN! LOL My granola was clumpy (good!) but the end result was chewy (not so good). I was about ready to give up…but you have inspired me to press on with this! Besides, I have a lovely bag of dried blueberries, cranberries, and pomagranite seeds that I REALLY want to use in some granola! ♥- Katrina
I love a good homemade granola.
looks delicious
Hi (oi) Amanda!
I love (eu amo) granola …=)
Happy day for you…
kisses (Beijos),
Vinni – São Paulo/ Brasil
Ps: Your cake is a hit! God bless!
Ooh, between this recipe and the granola bars from Smitten Kitchen, I am set!
I’m one of those people that’s really hungry but only ever really feel like snacking in the morning. I would definitely snack on that granola!
I love the way my kitchen smells when I make granola! Now I am inspired to make some
Looks yummy!
Best wishes to you as you’re in the home stretch waiting for your little one to arrive. Take care of yourself.
Blessings, Kari
coconut oil also pops the tastiest popcorn!
Loved the granola…take care of the little one !
Yummy! Saving to give it a try. Thanks! Kerri
I use coconut oil in my granola and love the results. Granola is pretty stored in a jar on the counter (I did this for several months), but I find it remains crisper if stored in the freezer. Thanks for sharing your recipe.
Hi Amanda!! I’m new at blogging, I started “following” you the other day. I love reading your posts! Beautiful pictures and beautiful spirit!
granola is one of my very favorite food groups!
granola is one of my very favorite food groups!
Your photos are stunning and a granola worth crying over? I’m totally going to have to try this!
I want to try this recipe so bad! Where in the grocery store can i find the coconut oil?
I LOVE LOVE LOVE GRANOLA! I probably stand alone, but I’d put dates and means in mine. I love dates SO MUCH!
Yum! I’ve been hearing about coconut oil. One of my friends puts it in her girls hot chocolate. Have you picked a name yet? I can’t wait to meet this little guy!
What general section of the store do I look for coconut oil in? I’ve never purchased it.
Oh yuuuuuuum!!! We LOVE homemade granola around here! So tastified~! And thanks for turning me on to Sylvie’s site, too! It truly is fantastic!
BTW, you are so funny about your end-of-pregnancy nesting thoughts! =-D Can’t wait to hear about your baby’s arrival and see pics!!
Thanks for including a gluten free option. I love that you did that!
In my grocery store we have an organic/natural foods section, and that is where I found it. I know Amazon sells it as well!
Oh great! That’s where I’ll start. My grocery has a large organic section so I’m hoping I can find it there. Btw, I’ve become a huge fan of coconut lately! I love Silk COconut Milk. I’ve been using it as coffee creamer. It’s only 90 cal per 1 cup and it’s a sweet treat. ♥- Katrina PS- SOO EXCITED TO WELCOME YOUR BABY!!
HI Amanda!
As a person who comes from the original land of coconuts – Kerala. Let me caution you on coconut oil. Pure organic coconut oil spoils easily if not stored well. It gives out a rancid smell and tastes funny. This is why most coconut oil brands add some kind of preservative. If your coconut oil doesn’t taste funny in a months time or maybe a little more since your place might not be as hot as South India, then you will know for sure that it is not as organic and pure as you thought it to be.
p.s As a kid I used to help my grandma dry our coconut on the terraced roof and take it to the mill to make oil.
Looks Yummy. Great recipe – thanks for sharing some of the culinary delights.
This is cool! I’ll definitely try this and add up to my breakfast meals if it will be a success. Thanks much!
I absolutely love homemade granola! I’ll have to try your recipe
That looks delicious and I LOVE granola. I’m starting to feel like myself again and really want to get back into baking. This is definatly going on the list of things to make!
It’s just so amazing how coconut oil works in many ways. Aside from the fact that it can be used in cooking, it can also be applied on skin and hair. I really love coconut oil! I got mine from http://products.mercola.com/coconut-oil/ By the way, thanks for this granola recipe. I will surely try it this weekend!
I too am obsessed with granola, and I am always trying to find a better one. Okay so I actually posted just say that I can see exactly why you almost cried. I just pulled my pan of granola out of the oven and as I looked at it, all I could say to myself was “SHUT UP”!!! I even couldn’t resist tasting it hot because of all of those beautiful golden clusters. Needless to say, but I don’t think I’ll be looking for anymore granola recipes, because this has to be the best one on earth=))). Thank you so much for this delicious recipe.
Love it.