Making your own granola at home is so easy. My hubby love cereal and eats it almost daily as an evening snack. I refuse to buy commercial cereal, even organic, anymore because (a) it’s expensive, and (b) it doesn’t fall into my definition of “real food“. So, I had to find a substitute to keep hubby happy, and so far, this recipe has done the trick! You can substitute whatever nuts, seeds, dried fruit, or other goodies you have on hand. This just happens to be the combo that has worked well for me. You can double or triple this recipe if needed, or you can halve it or quarter it if it’s too much.
Important note: I am completely aware that oats really don’t provide much nutrition, especially if they’re not soaked. However, I have not had much luck soaking and dehydrating oats (though I know it can be done), so I do use unsoaked oats in this recipe. I pick my battles, and if it means that someone will skip the store bought junk and eat homemade cereal (even if the oats aren’t soaked), then I’m happy with that. Even with the oats, they’re getting more nutrition from this than a bag of granola from the store. If you have problems digesting oats, then you might want to skip this recipe, or maybe just leave the oats out and use all of the other ingredients. Just my two cents 
Fruit and Nut Granola with Chia Seeds and Coconut
Ingredients:
8 cups old fashioned oats
2 cups shredded coconut
1 cup dried cranberries
1 cup dried cherries
1 cup golden raisins
1 cup walnuts, (soaked if possible)
1 cup sliced almonds, (soaked if possible)
1 cup sunflower seeds, (soaked if possible)
1 cup pumpkin seeds, (soaked if possible)
1 cup chia seeds
2 cups coconut oil
1 cup honey
2 tsp. vanilla
2 heaping tbsp. cinnamon
Instructions:
Preheat oven to 250 degrees.
In a saucepan, melt the coconut oil and honey together over low heat and whisk until combined. Stir in the vanilla and remove from heat. In a huge bowl (or two large bowls if you don’t have a huge bowl ) place the oats, nuts, seeds, dried fruit, and coconut. Sprinkle the cinnamon over the dry mixture and stir to combine. Pour the honey/coconut oil mixture over the dry ingredients and stir until everything is coated. Grease some baking sheets (I have to use 3 baking sheets for a full batch) with coconut oil, pour the granola mixture onto a baking sheet, and spread out into a single layer. Bake for one hour, stirring occasionally. You want the granola to be golden brown. The granola will still seem wet when you take it out after an hour, but it dries out and gets crunchy after it sits. Careful not to overcook it, as the dried fruit gets a weird burnt flavor. I learned that the hard way, unfortunately.
Store the cereal in a glass jar in the fridge to keep it fresh and keep the nuts and seeds from going rancid.
Delicious Obsessions was founded by Jessica Espinoza in 2010. Jessica is passionate about real food, natural living, and more. She helps people see how to eat nourishing food, without breaking the bank. Her motto is "baby steps" -- making small, lasting changes, one at a time, is the best way to ensure long-term success. This website contains "affiliate links" where appropriate, on which, I may earn a small commission or referral fee on your purchase. This has no effect on your price. The monies earned help maintain and support this website's hosting, maintenance, and the development of free content. The content shared on this site is for informational and educational purposes only. Statements/products discussed have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and are not intended to diagnose, cure, treat, or prevent any disease or illness. Please consult your own health care practitioner before making changes to your current diet or before beginning any herbal or vitamin supplement regimen or exercise program.
I also do not buy cereal but love homemade granola. This recipe looks SO good – can’t wait to make some!
Thank you, Laurie! I hope you enjoy. My hubby loves it and it keeps forever. I have a 1/2 gallon jar of it in the freezer!
Don’t forget to soak the oatmeal too.
Hi Kellie – Thanks for the comment. You most certainly can soak the oatmeal first. It will help boost the nutrition. I’ve never had good luck soaking my oatmeal and using in granola, so I don’t use soaked. While I know that oats are not super nutritious, especially if they’re not soaked, this recipe is the perfect way for people to move away from pre-packaged cereals. I have a boxed cereal addict in my family, so this recipe is helping wean them off of that junk! Hope you enjoy!
I’m not good at soaking either. I use the sprouted oats from To Your Health. They don’t need to be soaked, since they’re sprouted.
I love their products! I’ve never tried the oats though — I’ll have to remember that!