Granola is a great way to start the day. Like a crumbled up cookie for breakfast.

Dessert. Breakfast. Happy times.

The great thing about homemade granola is that you can put whatever you want in it. As long as oats, some kind of oil and sweetener are included, the mix ins are up to you.

I went for a mix of nuts (almonds), seeds (sunflower) and dried fruit (cranberries, raisins and golden raisins), but you could go pure nut, or add chocolate chips or coconut. The list of possibilities are only stopped by your own imagination.

Once made, you can keep it all for yourself or make a lot and gift it to others. Food gifts are always welcome!!

INGREDIENTS

I’ve used cup measurements here as it’s easier for measuring all of your mix-ins.

The following is the recipe I put together with the ingredients I had at hand, but obviously this recipe can be multiplied as necessary and mix ins added, changed or taken away as wanted.

1/4 cup flavourless vegetable oil like rapeseed (canola) – you can use coconut oil (I have before) but I think it gives the granola an odd aftertaste after cooking.

1/2 cup honey/maple syrup/ dark brown sugar (muscavado/panela) – I like 3:1 mix of liquid sweetness and sugar, but you can use completely honey or syrup if you want)

1/4-1/2 tsp mixed spice or cinnamon – optional (if you fancy a seasonal touch)

1 cup mixed chopped nuts and seeds

3 cups rolled oats

1 cup mixed dried fruit

METHOD

1. Set your oven to 150C/300F and line a baking sheet or two with parchment paper.

2. Mix the oil and honey (and spices if you’re adding any) together in a large bowl. Mix the dry ingredients (except the dried fruit) together and then add them to the oil/honey mix. Mix until all the dry ingredients are covered in the oil and honey.

3. Spread the mixture out on the baking sheets.

4. Put into the oven for 20-30 minutes and stir the granola half way through. It could take slightly longer than 20 minutes, but definitely check at 20 because you don’t want overdone granola! You’ll know when the granola is ready when it’s golden brown and you can smell the cooked oats and toasted nuts.

5. Sprinkle over the dried fruit and combine with the rest of the mixture. The granola will still be a little moist straight out of the oven, so this will be easy to do.

6. Leave the granola to completely dry on the baking sheets leaving it a little clumpy (I like a mix of chunks of oats and separate ones).

7. Once completely cooled, break up the granola and put it in an airtight container.

8. Use on top of your cereal, yoghurt (gross), fruit, pancakes, ice cream or even alone. I’ve even seen people put it in muffins too. Really, the possibilities are endless.