Granola

breakfast · crunchy · homemade

Oats are the base. Granola starts with rolled oats, which are flattened grains that get mixed with honey, oil, nuts, and seeds. When you bake them all together, the heat makes everything crispy and golden brown.

Honey holds it together. Honey is the sticky ingredient that helps bind all the oats and nuts so they form clumps when baked. The clumps are what make granola satisfying to crunch and munch.

Lots of mix-ins possible. You can add almost anything to granola before baking, like almonds, walnuts, pumpkin seeds, and even puffed rice. After baking, people often stir in dried fruit like raisins and dates, plus chocolate chips.

Stirring prevents burning. While granola bakes in the oven, you have to stir it every few minutes so it cooks evenly and doesn't burn. This keeps the mixture loose and prevents it from forming one giant brick.

A breakfast superstar. Granola is perfect for cereal with milk, but you can also sprinkle it on yogurt, blend it into smoothie bowls, or eat it straight as a snack.