Homemade Granola

by Kiran on May 3, 2013 · 88 comments

in Baking, Gluten Free, Snack

It’s been raining cats and dogs these past few days. Everyday cloud threatens storm and days are often dull, dark and gloomy. Not a picturesque condition for any photographer out there. But a perfect day to bake.

A lot of granola.

And then cry over a huge batch that burnt in the process.

Homemade Granola | KiranTarun.com

Sometimes things just don’t work out as planned. Like overcooking eggs, burnt toasts, baking disasters etc. Juggling daily responsibilities definitely takes a lot of toll on the creativity too.

Which brings me to baffle about how others seem to have this preconceived notion about how some of us have this so-called “perfect life”.

Just because I blog about food, talk about food, heck, live my life surrounded by food and consistently updating Facebook about our meals — doesn’t sum up perfection. In fact, our life is a far cry from perfection.

And we are fine with that 🙂

Who needs a perfect life anyways. That would just spell BORING. Tell me I’m right about this 😀

Homemade Granola | KiranTarun.com

Like this platter of disastrous granola. I mean, how simple can baking a granola be that I ended up burning a large batch? I did warn you about my baking skills many times, so which part of this makes it looks like I have a “perfect life”?

OK, fine. I love food styling and I spend a huge chunk of my time, sweat (and money!) to perfect the look I want to achieve over a recipe. That’s a lot of hard-work, my dear. Where does it spell “perfection”?

I’m flattered, thank you, but perfection doesn’t work when I have a pile of dirty laundry and dishes, awaiting to be tackled. And how my to-do list just gets longer each passing day.

Just pointing out the reality and obvious, my friends 🙂

Homemade Granola | KiranTarun.com

Print This Recipe Print This Recipe

Ingredients:

  • 2 cups of rolled oats
  • 1 cup of cooked quinoa
  • 1.5 cup of mix nuts and seeds (i used walnuts, hazelnuts, almonds, sunflower, poppy, chia and sesame seeds.)
  • 1/2 cup maple syrup
  • 1/4 cup honey
  • 1/2 cup coconut butter
  • 1/2 tsp salt
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract
  • 1/2 cup dried raisins

Directions:

  1. Preheat oven to 315F. Prepare 3 baking sheets.
  2. In an extra large bowl add oats, quinoa, mixed nuts + seeds. Stir everything to combine.
  3. Add maple syrup, honey, coconut butter in a small saucepan. Heat it over medium-low. Stir to melt ingredients and combine. You want the mixture to liquify. Once it does liquifies, remove from heat. Add in salt and vanilla extract.
  4. Pour liquid into huge bowl with dry ingredients. Stir everything to combine.
  5. Proportionate the granola mix onto 3 baking trays. Spread evenly to allow even baking and browning.
  6. Bake for 30 to 40 minutes. Rotate baking trays and toss granola every now and then in between baking time. Also, watch granola very closely to avoid burn.
  7. Once granola has toasted and browned evenly, remove from oven and allow granola to cool completely before tossing in dried raisins and storing in an airtight container.
  8. Serve it atop yogurt, oatmeal or fruit. Enjoy!

 

Homemade Granola | KiranTarun.com

Now that I’ve complained about my ridic baking skills and how imperfect my life is — it’s time for you to rant.

What is your list of imperfection? What are your tips when it comes to baking? Help me!

On that note, have a great weekend my friends 🙂

 

Enjoyed this recipe? Join others and get free email updates!

Comments on this entry are closed.

1 Rosa May 3, 2013 at 9:51 AM

A toothsome and healthy granola! Better than any store-bought cereals…

Cheers,

Rosa

2 Kiran May 7, 2013 at 4:01 PM

Rosa — ditto!

3 ashley - baker by nature May 3, 2013 at 10:56 AM

We just made a giant batch of granola last week. It’s so perfect for light breakfasts. Your version looks lovely, Kiran!
ashley – baker by nature recently posted..Asparagus, Avocado, and Orange Quinoa Salad with Sesame – Mint Vinaigrette

4 Kiran May 7, 2013 at 4:02 PM

Ashley — thank you! Love homemade granola’s 🙂

5 dixya@food, pleasure, and health May 3, 2013 at 11:05 AM

i have been wanting to make homemade granola for forever but its on my longgggg to do list promise. this week was little hectic but oh well- it only leads to better things (hopefully). I have a love-hate relationship with baking but I am getting better at it (i think). My tips is follow the recipe esp if you are new to it and try not to healthify it too much 🙂
dixya@food, pleasure, and health recently posted..Weight Maintenance : Highs and Lows

6 Kiran May 7, 2013 at 4:33 PM

Dixya — If I can do it, so can you. Just keep an extra “watchful” eyes when baking. An advice from a person who had her handful shares of baking disasters 😉

7 Anna @ Crunchy Creamy Sweet May 3, 2013 at 11:13 AM

I love homemade granola! The addition of quinoa makes it even better! YUM!
Anna @ Crunchy Creamy Sweet recently posted..New features on Crunchy Creamy Sweet!

8 Kiran May 7, 2013 at 4:48 PM

Anna — 🙂

9 Daniela @ FoodrecipesHQ May 3, 2013 at 1:29 PM

I am very good at burning pizza and always, ALWAYS, the fire alarm is activated after I open the oven and take my (burnt) stuff out 🙂 No chance I can bake without the crazy loud sound of the alarm!

Your granola looks amazingly suntanned! 🙂 Seriously speaking I think it’s great. I also like that you add Quinoa into it!
Daniela @ FoodrecipesHQ recently posted..Dense and Nutritious Coffee Banana Smoothie

10 Kiran May 7, 2013 at 5:03 PM

Daniela — suntanned is the right word for this granola mess 😀

11 honeywhatscooking May 3, 2013 at 1:44 PM

looks so good, you are tempting me to go get a bowl of oatmeal and i just ate. i’m such a pig. that’s what happens when you are working from home, or pretending to. haha! my baking skills are good, but my decorating skills suck. i think you’re really good at that. imperfections? none! 🙂 Lots, but just can’t think right now.
honeywhatscooking recently posted..Friday’s Favorite Things – 5.3.13

12 Kiran May 8, 2013 at 12:30 AM

Honey — lol, your sense of humor always gets me 🙂

13 Monica May 3, 2013 at 1:47 PM

I’ve definitely learned not to let perfection be the enemy of the good. It’s no use trying to be perfect since it doesn’t exist. Your granola looks wonderful to me, and all the time you spend on food styling is sure worth it! It’s beautiful to look at and I appreciate it! Btw, quinoa in granola sounds like a great idea! : )
Monica recently posted..Nigella’s cappuccino pavlova

14 Kiran May 8, 2013 at 12:31 AM

Monica — aww, thank you so so much. Perfection is definitely boring 😀

15 Maria May 3, 2013 at 2:40 PM

Kiran we all have disasters and success that’s how we overcome it…great clicks 🙂
Maria recently posted..Sprouts Kabab

16 Kiran May 8, 2013 at 12:33 AM

Maria — thank you my friend 🙂

17 Kiersten @ Oh My Veggies May 3, 2013 at 2:48 PM

I love this post. People sometimes say things to me about how everything I do must be perfect, and at times, I kind of pick up a little hostility behind it too. But who wants to read a blog all about my dirty dishes and recipe disasters?! Of course our blogs are going to focus on the recipes that are delicious, the photos that turn out perfectly. It doesn’t mean that WE are perfect.

Anyway! Love that you added quinoa to this. 🙂 It looks perfect to me!
Kiersten @ Oh My Veggies recently posted..What Courtney from The Fig Tree Ate This Week

18 Kiran May 8, 2013 at 12:36 AM

Kiersten — DITTO!!

19 Kitchen Belleicious May 3, 2013 at 2:49 PM

I seriously make homemade granola every 2 weeks and I have my next batch coming up Monday- I am making this!
Kitchen Belleicious recently posted..Deconstructed Shrimp Boil Skewers

20 Kiran May 8, 2013 at 1:08 AM

Jessica — yay! Let me know how it tastes!

21 Mr. & Mrs. P May 3, 2013 at 3:06 PM

Sounds delicious!!! Love all the healthy ingredients that went into this granola!!! Flavor turn up!!!
Mr. & Mrs. P recently posted..Skinny Cauliflower Mash

22 Kiran May 8, 2013 at 1:09 AM

Mr & Mrs P — thank you!

23 Gemma @andgeesaid May 3, 2013 at 6:57 PM

Haha loved the rant! Last night we had semi-burnt pumpkin soup ): It was barely salvageable, but it was fun trying! You’re right – perfect lives would just be boring! I’ll try and make this soon, and try my hardest not to burn it! 🙂 xxx Have a wonderful weekend!

gemma @ andgeesaid.blogspot.com.au
Gemma @andgeesaid recently posted..Some thoughts, Hogwarts and breakfast.

24 Kiran May 8, 2013 at 1:12 AM

Gemma — thank you and I hope you would enjoying baking this for the family. Just keep a watchful eye while baking granola 🙂

25 Sylvie @ Gourmande in the Kitchen May 3, 2013 at 11:54 PM

I hear you, burns, spills, and all out flops are all part of the norm over here too!
Sylvie @ Gourmande in the Kitchen recently posted..Pea, Mint and Feta Fritters with Yogurt Mint Dipping Sauce (Gluten-Free, Grain-Free)

26 Kiran May 8, 2013 at 1:13 AM

Sylvie — I’m so glad we all are eventually “normal” 😉

27 Laura (Tutti Dolci) May 4, 2013 at 1:55 AM

I love this post because it’s real life! I spent way too many years trying to be perfect and it’s just not worth it. Your granola looks fabulous, just blame the oven on that one batch ;).
Laura (Tutti Dolci) recently posted..cinnamon, honey & toblerone ice cream

28 Kiran May 8, 2013 at 1:14 AM

Laura — the oven definitely took the blame for it 😉

29 Julia | JuliasAlbum.com May 4, 2013 at 3:15 AM

Beautiful and healthy granola! It’s only Friday midnight, and I am already craving this granola for my breakfast on Saturday!
Julia | JuliasAlbum.com recently posted..Broiled salmon with mango salsa and rice

30 Kiran May 8, 2013 at 11:20 PM

Julia — a must make 🙂

31 Helene Dsouza I Masala Herb May 4, 2013 at 7:16 AM

Kiran you are perfect in your own way. 😉
I am in a granola mood in the heat, feel free to send me some over =P

32 Kiran May 8, 2013 at 11:51 PM

Helene — you are way too sweet! 🙂

33 Carolyn Chan May 4, 2013 at 10:48 AM

We’re so lucky you spend so much time making your food shots look soooo good ! And thanks for sharing that a) it’s a lot of hard work and it doesn’t just magically look perfect and b) life isn’t about perfection. It would be so boring if it were !
Carolyn Chan recently posted..Meyer Lemon Tea Cake

34 Kiran May 8, 2013 at 11:54 PM

Carolyn — I’m thankful to have friends like you who takes so much pain to visit us and leave such sweet and encouraging comments! xoxo

35 Karen (Back Road Journal) May 4, 2013 at 11:22 AM

You may have had a little setback but the end result looks and sounds good. 🙂
Karen (Back Road Journal) recently posted..Harira, A Moroccan Chickpea And Lentil Soup

36 Kiran May 9, 2013 at 12:08 AM

Karen — thank you!! 🙂

37 Laura @ Family Spice May 4, 2013 at 11:53 AM

I love, love LOVE the addition of quinoa. DEFINITELY going to try this out. And your hard word prevails in the end. Gorgeous pictures. I’ve burnt many a granola, many a toast and so on and so forth!!
Laura @ Family Spice recently posted..Strawberry, Kale and Pomegranate Cooler Thingie

38 Kiran May 9, 2013 at 12:09 AM

Laura — makes for a GREAT crunch too! And let me know how it tastes. Bon apetit!

39 Matt @ The Athlete's Plate May 4, 2013 at 7:30 PM

I love homemade granola! Interesting addition with the quinoa.
Matt @ The Athlete’s Plate recently posted..Mini #Whole30

40 Kiran May 9, 2013 at 12:10 AM

Matt — adds a great texture and crunch!

41 Nik May 4, 2013 at 7:50 PM

The granola looks deliciously great, we had several days of way too much rain here too. I’ve been making granola bars at home for the past few months. Though I’ve tried to cut back on the amount of honey and butter, I then run into problems of how to hold the structure together. Sometimes, I feel like enrolling in a baking school.
Nik recently posted..kumquat ginger sorbet

42 Kiran May 9, 2013 at 12:18 AM

Nik — I don’t use butter in my granola or bars. But I can definitely understand your frustration when it comes to baking. It’s almost like an experiment and can always go awry any time. Sigh. I did use coconut butter in this granola recipe, something that you might want to try in the bars? Let me know how it turns out if you do!

43 Lail | With A Spin May 5, 2013 at 6:33 AM

You are so right, Kiran. Life is not perfect and it’s perfectly fine with me 🙂 You wont believe how many batches of pasta I burnt in the last year(to my defense they were all very small batch for my daughter). Seriously who burns pasta while boiling it?

I also made granola today. Yours look fabulous.
Lail | With A Spin recently posted..Elegant Mother’s Day Brunch Dads Can Easily Prepare

44 Kiran May 9, 2013 at 12:20 AM

Lail — i’m so glad we made granola the same time. creative minds thinks alike? 😉

45 Charul @ Tadka Masala May 5, 2013 at 9:17 AM

Granola is on my i-so-want-to-make list for so long but then my experiences with baking have not been that good either. lets see, when is granola going to happen! 😛
Charul @ Tadka Masala recently posted..Lemon Curry / Sambhar

46 Kiran May 9, 2013 at 12:24 AM

Charul — you must make it since it’s so simple. but keep a very close eye when it’s baking. Really 😀

47 Angie@Angie's Recipes May 5, 2013 at 10:28 AM

A delicious and healthy granola! Homemade is the best!
Angie@Angie’s Recipes recently posted..Five Grain Spelt Bread with Grapeseed Flour and Malt Extract

48 Kiran May 9, 2013 at 12:41 AM

Angie — thank you!

49 Simply Life May 5, 2013 at 11:02 AM

homemade granola is one of my FAVORITE things to eat- I would love a big bowl of this!

50 Kiran May 9, 2013 at 12:42 AM

Gina — 🙂

51 Lora @cakeduchess May 5, 2013 at 11:13 AM

Oh, Kiran. Don’t ask me those ?’s…lol. Your granola clicks are so, so lovely. I know sometimes we are too hard on ourselves. It was raining like crazy here. For days and days and seemed it wouldn’t stop. Are you liking the cooler weather that came down our way? 🙂
Lora @cakeduchess recently posted..Chocolate-Crusted Banana Blondies

52 Kiran May 9, 2013 at 12:47 AM

Lora — I’m definitely liking the cooler weather that came down our way, before summer is officially on us for the next long months. Might as well enjoy it now, huh? 😀

ps: We must meet soon!

53 john@kitchenriffs May 5, 2013 at 3:57 PM

Fun rant! And nice recipe. I’ve never made my own granola, and doubt if I ever will (I rarely eat the stuff). But I like to read about other people doing it! And your pictures look pretty darn good! Good stuff – thanks.
john@kitchenriffs recently posted..Walnut Roll Cake

54 Kiran May 9, 2013 at 12:48 AM

John — and thanks for appreciating my rant. No one ever does it 😉

55 Amy Tong May 5, 2013 at 11:14 PM

I’m so with you….I lost count on the number of times I burn and over cook things in my kitchen! 😛 As you said, it’s totally okay (and perfect) to be imperfect! Life is a lot more fun that way. 😉 Your Homemade Granola sure looks delicious. I really love a great homemade granola. I’ll try your version with quinoa next time.
Amy Tong recently posted..Boozy Framboise Guimauve Pops–For Mothers Day

56 Kiran May 9, 2013 at 12:52 AM

Amy — thank you and do let me know how it tastes 🙂

57 ChopinandMysaucepan May 6, 2013 at 2:57 AM

Dear Kiran,

This granola looks really crunchy, healthy and delicious. My abject fear of baking means this is probably simple enough for me to attempt although there will be a high chance I will muck this up as well.
ChopinandMysaucepan recently posted..Mount Claremont Farmers Market, Perth

58 Kiran May 9, 2013 at 12:55 AM

Dear Chopinand — you might from my experience, so please keep an extra set of eyes watchful while baking these. Really 😀

59 Raymund May 6, 2013 at 3:09 AM

This would be a nice and healthy breakfast
Raymund recently posted..Lo Ba Bung

60 Kiran May 9, 2013 at 12:56 AM

Raymund — totally 😀

61 marla May 6, 2013 at 6:25 AM

Lovely homemade granola recipe ~ pinned!
marla recently posted..*Freebie* “Pretty Flowers” Mother’s Day Cards Printables

62 Kiran May 9, 2013 at 1:56 AM

Marla — thank you so much!

63 Sissi May 6, 2013 at 10:53 AM

I could have written the same words… My friends who never cook are always surprised when I talk about one more total failure that ended up in the bin… or when I burn a very simple cake when they come. They assume that someone obsessed with food and a regular daily cook can fail only very complicated first-time dishes…
Anyway, your granola looks beautiful. Your photos are amazing too.

64 Kiran May 9, 2013 at 2:00 AM

Sissi — ah, the misconceptions 😉

65 The Squishy Monster May 6, 2013 at 2:06 PM

I have a box of trix that is screaming for my attention…wish I could have a gigantic bowl of this instead!
The Squishy Monster recently posted..Weekend Bits

66 Kiran May 9, 2013 at 2:14 AM

TSM — 🙂

67 Josie May 6, 2013 at 7:45 PM

Beautiful! I know I’ve had people tell me it looks like I have a perfect life but I think it’s crazy and silly! Obviously no one has a perfect life – good photography just makes it seem like it and you have an incredible eye! I am so inspired by your lovely photos and tasty looking food:)
Josie recently posted..Sheep + Wool

68 Kiran May 9, 2013 at 3:09 AM

Josie — thank you so much for the kind and sweet compliments 🙂

69 Gwen @SimplyHealthyFamily May 6, 2013 at 8:08 PM

Raining for days? Oh my! It hardly ever rains here in Phoenix for more than 12 minutes 😉

So sad, I bet granola is one of those things you have to pay close attention to when baking….. maybe that’s why I’ve never attempted it :}
Gwen @SimplyHealthyFamily recently posted..The Best Grilled Fish Tacos on Home Made Blue Corn Tortillas with Mango Salsa, Cumin & Garlic Black Beans and a Healthy and Simple Cinco de Mayo Roundup.

70 Kiran May 9, 2013 at 3:11 AM

Gwen — it was not too bad. I managed to salvage a lot of the granola 😉

71 carolinaheartstrings May 6, 2013 at 8:33 PM

Love your posts and recipes!
carolinaheartstrings recently posted..POBLANO PEPPER DIP

72 Kiran May 9, 2013 at 3:13 AM

CHS — thank you!

73 Laura (Blogging Over Thyme) May 7, 2013 at 12:10 AM

Looks delicious! And totally love the addition of cooked quinoa–such a great idea!

74 Kiran May 9, 2013 at 3:14 AM

Laura — thank you! it adds a lot of great texture and crunch 🙂

75 IRENA May 7, 2013 at 7:17 AM

Even the most everyday things looks fantastic on your photos!
IRENA recently posted..Cheesy Ravioli & Spinach

76 Kiran May 9, 2013 at 3:17 AM

Irena — awww, thanks friend 🙂

77 Jess May 7, 2013 at 7:39 AM

I have never even thought about making my own granola…this looks so yummy…I think I am going to try it 🙂
Jess recently posted..Jillian Michaels Body Revolution Vs P90x

78 Kiran May 9, 2013 at 3:18 AM

Jess — thanks and do let me know how it tastes 🙂

79 Lorraine @ Not Quite Nigella May 7, 2013 at 7:56 AM

Hehe I’ve burnt three lots of home made granola in my time! That’s three times too many but oh well! This looks great! 😀 is coconut butter the solid form of coconut oil? 🙂
Lorraine @ Not Quite Nigella recently posted..Mexico, Surry Hills

80 Kiran May 9, 2013 at 3:20 AM

Lorraine — coconut butter is made from the flesh of a coconut, not from the oil 🙂

81 Jen @ Savory Simple May 7, 2013 at 9:54 AM

Ugh, I hear ya! Nothing’s more frustrating than a kitchen fail but I just pretend everything is perfect all the time. I love homemade granola and this sounds wonderful.
Jen @ Savory Simple recently posted..Smoked Salmon and Avocado Tartine

82 Kiran May 9, 2013 at 3:20 AM

Jen — 🙂

83 Aimee @ ShugarySweets May 7, 2013 at 1:45 PM

Yum. Love this Kiran!
Aimee @ ShugarySweets recently posted..Chocolate Orange Cookies

84 Kiran May 9, 2013 at 3:26 AM

Aimee — thank you!

85 Grace @ Perpetual Nomming May 10, 2013 at 3:46 AM

Granola is SO good. The only bad thing about it is that when I start eating it, I can never get myself to stop! to make or not to make….

Great post and recipe!
xx

86 Kiran June 13, 2013 at 11:05 PM

Grace — haha, to make and immediately store it after 1 serving 🙂

87 mycookinghut May 13, 2013 at 4:44 PM

Healthy and yummy homemade granola, love it!
mycookinghut recently posted..Orange Flower & Dark Chocolate Madeleines

88 Kiran June 13, 2013 at 11:15 PM

leemei — thank you! 🙂

Previous post:

Next post: