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    Sweet & Simple Crunchy Granola

    Oct 28, 2014 / by Laney Schwartz / 57 Comments(updated Dec 13, 2021)
    ★★★★★ from 18 reviews

    Jump to Recipe·Print Recipe

    This Sweet & Simple Crunchy Granola is the perfect addition to your yogurt or simply as a snack. It also makes a great gift!

    I’ve got this friend, and I’m pretty sure she’s superwoman.

    DSC_0059

    So let me tell you a little bit about this Sweet & Simple Crunchy Granola recipe. I stole borrowed this recipe from my friend Kim, and tweaked it to my perfection.  It’s quick and easy, and makes you look like a gourmet chef.  It’s that good.

    My friend’s name is Kimberly (Hi Kim!).  Kim has four (four!) amazing children, a husband, a dog, and an entire household to take care of.  She cooks (everyday), she cleans, she bakes, she works out, she drives carpool, and she returns every phone call, text, and email in a timely manner.

    Kim does it all.  I don’t understand how she does it (and does it so well),  but I love her for it.

    Kimberly has been my mommy mentor, lunch date partner, and recipe bouncer offer for the last 5 years.  In between the toddler tantrums, crying babies, and busy schedules, Kim and I gab about food every chance we get. And that’s how I got this Sweet & Simple Crunchy Granola recipe!

    The best thing about this recipe is that you can make it your way (to an extent).  I like my granola sweet, sticky, suuuuuper crunchy, and without any bells and whistles.  But please, feel free to add chocolate chips, dried fruit, or whatever else tickles your granola fancy.

    DSC_0051

    I recently got an email from someone I worked with years ago, asking for this Sweet & Simple Crunchy Granola recipe.  (I was totally that person who used to bring homemade snacks to staff meetings.  How else do you get through those?)  I had not spoken to this person for over a year, but she said, and I quote, “I have someone who’s excited about granola, and you make the best granola I’ve ever tasted. Any chance I could steal the recipe? 

    DSC_0053

    Well, DAAAAAAAMN!  Best granola she’s ever tasted?  

    Also, there’s a secret ingredient.  Coconut.  Typically I am NOT a coconut fan.  But I promise, you don’t taste it.

    It just makes the whole thing better.

    So, do it!

    DSC_0063

    Alright my friends, dive in!  Take the granola plunge.  Play around with the ingredients and make it your own. Maybe put it on an Acai Bowl!

    You can thank me later.

    Print
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    Sweet & Simple Crunchy Granola

    ★★★★★ 4.9 from 18 reviews
    • Author: Laney Schwartz
    • Prep Time: 5 minutes
    • Cook Time: 20-30
    • Total Time: 25 minute
    • Yield: 6
    • Category: Dessert
    • Method: Oven baked
    • Cuisine: American
    Print Recipe
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    Description

    This Sweet & Simple Crunchy Granola is the perfect addition to your yogurt or simply as a snack. It also makes a great gift!


    Ingredients

    Scale
    • 1/2 cup brown sugar
    • 1/2 cup honey, (plus a little extra for love and stickiness)
    • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
    • 1/4 cup vegetable oil, (or coconut oil)
    • 1/2 teaspoon salt
    • 3 cups old fashioned oats, (not instant or quick cooking)
    • 3/4 cup shredded unsweetened coconut
    • 3/4 cup almonds, (chopped)

    Instructions

    1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.  In a large bowl whisk together the brown sugar, honey, vanilla, oil, and salt.
    2. Add the old fashioned oats and stir.  Add the coconut and chopped almonds.  At this point if the mixture looks a little loose, like its falling apart, then add a tablespoon at a time of honey until the mixture starts to look sticky.
    3. Spray a cookie sheet with cooking spray and spread the granola on the sheet.  You can also use parchment paper.
    4. 4) Bake at 350 degrees for about 20-30 minutes.  Stir it around every 7-10 minutes to make sure it cooks evenly.  Keep an eye on it so it doesn’t burn!

    Notes

    If you choose to add chocolate chips or dried fruit, do so once the granola has cooled.

    Did you make this recipe?

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    Filed Under: Breakfast, Quick & Easy, Snacks, Vegetarian Tagged With: Crunchy, Granola, Life is but a Dish, Sweet

    Reader Interactions

      Leave a comment & rate this recipe Cancel reply

      If you love this recipe, please consider giving it a star rating when you post a comment. Star ratings help people discover my recipes online. Your support means the world and is greatly appreciated!

      xo, Laney

      Recipe rating ★☆ ★☆ ★☆ ★☆ ★☆

      Comments

    1. Chance

      May 03, 2022 at 2:34 am

      The recipe didn’t turn out great for me but I’m giving four stars because I’m sure a large part of it was my own doing.

      The positives:
      Perfectly crunchy! The only other homemade granola I’ve tried came out gummy, so this was a win. Doesn’t get soggy fast either.
      Easy to customize if you’d like, which I may try next time

      The negatives:
      I can’t tell if the end result has too much honey or is burned. It doesn’t look or smell burned, and I took it out on time, but the taste was overwhelmingly burnt-ish in a too sweet way.
      Next time I’ll alter my ingredient amounts and bake for less time. I’m not dissuaded from trying again yet since the texture was perfect!

      ★★★★

      Reply
      • Laney Schwartz

        May 09, 2022 at 1:22 pm

        Thank you for your review, Chance. It’s definitely a honey heavy recipe which provides that great crunch, but yes, play with it and see!

    2. Micha

      March 30, 2022 at 1:23 pm

      I’ve made this many times, each a bit different! But it comes out amazing each time. Best granola recipe EVER! Thank you so much Laney!! I used golden syrup, cashews and dipped chunks in chocolate this time. Made it for a friend who just had a baby… she definitely deserved this jazzed up version!

      ★★★★★

      Reply
      • Laney Schwartz

        March 31, 2022 at 1:42 pm

        Oh wow that sounds amaaaaaazing!!!

    3. Rachel

      March 24, 2022 at 7:26 am

      This is delicious! Very yummy and crunchy. I only had sweetened coconut, so I halved the brown sugar, and it was still very sweet – I may try it with no brown sugar next time. (Trying to be healthy!) I ate it with fresh fruit and Greek yogurt, and my kids gobbled it up with milk.

      ★★★★★

      Reply
      • Laney Schwartz

        March 28, 2022 at 3:27 pm

        Glad you and the family enjoyed it!

    4. Kara

      February 02, 2022 at 6:18 am

      This is the most amazing homemade granola I have ever made!! Thank you for the amazing recipe!!!!

      ★★★★★

      Reply
      • Laney Schwartz

        February 02, 2022 at 3:24 pm

        aaaaaah! Yay!!! We love it too!

    5. Kathyrn HOLT

      December 14, 2021 at 12:51 pm

      This makes the best granola ever. Easy, quick, with most ingredients on hand in anyone’s kitchen. It’s crispy, without being clumpy and hard. I did make a minor change. I used a full cup of brown sugar because I prefer the taste, but added a little honey for some stickiness. I added a half cup of Craisins, half cup of finely chopped crystallized ginger, and 3/4 cup chopped cashews…all my favorites. I’m sure it’s very tasty without them because I tried it before I added them. Add any of your own favorites, it’ll be great. I’m very picky about granola and only tried this because I couldn’t find a brand I really liked. Put it on yogurt, ice cream, with milk, or as a snack alone. You can’t go wrong. I’m making some for friends for Christmas.

      PS. I prefer crispy to chunky, so I stirred it several times. If you like it chunky, just don’t stir it as much. The few chunks I had had a lovely caramel flavor to it.

      ★★★★★

      Reply
      • Laney Schwartz

        December 14, 2021 at 12:56 pm

        This is amazing Kathryn! Thank you for sharing all you swaps and for the awesome review! I hope your friends love it for Christmas!

    6. Ethan Vickery

      November 10, 2021 at 9:38 am

      As a young guy in the Army, I’ve found it hard to find quick, lightweight, easy to carry, quickly filling, good tasting, stick it in my camo pant pockets, long lasting snacks. This granola checks all the boxes for me! Keeps for a long time, which allows me to make alot at once, and really crunchy! Thanks for the recipe, honestly extremely impressed. (Definitely a time/energy saver in my book)

      ★★★★★

      Reply
      • Laney Schwartz

        November 10, 2021 at 11:40 am

        I’m so happy this is a great find for you Ethan! Thanks for your review.

    7. Jrs101

      November 05, 2021 at 7:44 am

      Best granola recipe I’ve tried. Like a granola brittle. Was worried to about the coconut going in at beginning, but it didn’t burn. So impressed. I used coconut oil and walnuts. Thank you.

      ★★★★★

      Reply
      • Laney Schwartz

        November 08, 2021 at 7:40 am

        SO happy you loved it!

    8. Yumi

      September 02, 2021 at 5:11 pm

      OMG this is BAD…I CANNOT STOP EATING IT! It’s still sitting on my counter cooling & I keep taking a bite to “check” the taste or if it got crunchier…yep still tastes as delicious as the last bite. 5 minutes later…I need to check it again…and again…and again…lol! So glad I pretty much reached my weight loss goal because I’d be totally doomed if I made this 4 months ago! Thanks for sharing this recipe…I’m gonna “check” it again. 😜

      ★★★★★

      Reply
      • Laney Schwartz

        September 02, 2021 at 5:21 pm

        Omg Yumi, I FEEL YOU!! I am known for checking on my food waaaaaaaaay more than necessary. But so glad you love it!!! Makes a great gift if you need to get rid of it!

    9. Shelley Wykoff

      September 02, 2021 at 7:08 am

      Would flavored almonds work? The cocoa dusted?

      Reply
      • Laney Schwartz

        September 02, 2021 at 1:57 pm

        Yes!! That would be delicious!

    10. Leanne Pearson

      July 29, 2021 at 11:32 am

      This has become our favourite home made granola recipe. My whole family loves it so much, I have made several batches of it. My husband loves to take it to work and eats it on his berries with yogurt. It has the best crunch and taste and keeps very well, if you can stop eating it before you put it away. It’s unbelievably addictive if you like seriously crunchy granola! I like to use pecans half’s sliced in half lengthwise and leave it in the oven for around23-25 minutes for mine to be the way I like it. I have also made it with maple syrup instead of honey as maple syrup is found locally where I live, with the same incredible results. Thanks for sharing this elegantly simple recipe.
      L.Pearson

      ★★★★★

      Reply
      • Laney Schwartz

        July 29, 2021 at 1:44 pm

        Oh Leanne I’m SO happy you love the granola as much as we do! I love your small tweaks as well. I’ll have to try it with maple syrup!

    11. Cas

      April 28, 2021 at 12:35 pm

      Made this today and it is delicious!! I used EVOO as my oil, a mix of slivered almonds and pecans. Added a dash of cinnamon/nutmeg based on previous reviews. Baked at 350F for 20 minutes. Stirred at 10 min and at the 20 min mark. Turned off oven and left in the oven with door 1/4 open for approx 15 min. Moved pan to cooling rack to finish cooling. Crunchy and sweet with a little savory taste with the EVOO/spices. I plan to add dried blue berries and dark chocolate cocoa nibs when cooled. I loved that it broke up into big chunks. I also made sure that I pressed the mix out evenly in the pan and when mixing at 10 min of cooking pressed back down as well. This is a keeper! Glad I found this recipe when I googled.

      ★★★★★

      Reply
    12. Maria

      April 14, 2021 at 5:40 pm

      350F or C?

      Reply
      • Life is but a Dish

        April 15, 2021 at 2:31 pm

        F

    13. Lauren H

      December 21, 2020 at 8:11 am

      Laney, I made this last night for the first time and it’s AMAZING!!!!!

      ★★★★★

      Reply
      • Life is but a Dish

        December 27, 2020 at 9:38 am

        So happy you loved it!

    14. Devon

      December 08, 2020 at 12:25 pm

      A favorite in our house.

      ★★★★★

      Reply
    15. Jessica

      September 30, 2020 at 6:33 pm

      Excellent! Easy. Delicious! Thanks

      ★★★★★

      Reply
    16. Jill Schwartz

      August 31, 2020 at 9:53 am

      I love this recipe but have tried to make different granola recipes and mine always turn out soft. I’m not sure what I am doing wrong. I stir it constantly so it doesn’t burn. I cook it on 300-350….I’ve tried both ways….and still ,……soft. Please HELP!!!!!

      Reply
      • Life is but a Dish

        September 28, 2020 at 6:43 pm

        Hmmm, it should harden after it cools completely!

    17. Elizabeth Hudson

      July 28, 2020 at 5:55 am

      AMAZING. Thank you so much for sharing this recipe. It’s much better than King Author and they’re usually pretty good. I’m not a coconut fan at all, but I tried it and can’t taste it. Ran out of honey so used half honey and half maple syrup. I like chunks of granola, so pressed firmly onto the parchment before baking, then every 7-10 minutes chopped it and gently stirred around until all were deep brown and crunch. Best EVAH!!! thank you SO MUCH!!!

      ★★★★★

      Reply
      • Elizabeth Hudson

        July 28, 2020 at 5:56 am

        ooops. King Authur.

      • Life is but a Dish

        July 30, 2020 at 1:24 pm

        Thank you so much for this review Elizabeth! I’m so glad you loved it!

    18. Linda

      July 20, 2020 at 12:07 pm

      If I mix while in the oven to make sure and cost the oats, will the granola be loose not chunky? I like chunks of granola…

      Reply
      • Life is but a Dish

        July 30, 2020 at 1:27 pm

        They should still be chunky

    19. Veronica

      May 21, 2020 at 4:21 am

      I loved this recipe, so simple! But next time I will leave the coconut out as I could definitely taste it and I found it detracted from my overall enjoyment.

      Reply
    20. Chloe

      May 07, 2020 at 5:59 pm

      I freaking love this granola. It’s like crack. Whenever I make it, I tend to eat the entire batch myself in the span of 2 days. This is dangerous stuff! I swapped brown sugar for coconut sugar and it was delicious.

      ★★★★★

      Reply
    21. Moira

      March 27, 2020 at 4:51 pm

      I love this recipe – Its a great base and I throw in whatever I have on hand. I like to add the raisins in about four minutes before it is done to make them plump and juicy. It’s a great gift also!

      Many thanks!

      ★★★★★

      Reply
      • Life is but a Dish

        April 06, 2020 at 4:28 pm

        I’m so glad you love it as much as we do!

    22. Tanya

      December 19, 2019 at 12:17 pm

      Hi Laney, I see that this recipe makes 6 servings. I want to possibly make this as a gift for Christmas and package in a cute jar like you recently did. How many jars does one portion make? I’m assuming you used half pint jars?

      Reply
      • Life is but a Dish

        December 19, 2019 at 8:08 pm

        Yes! It makes about 4 gifts!

    23. Noell

      September 19, 2019 at 6:53 am

      I there! I’m gonna make this soon, but all I have are quick cook oats — what will the difference be? Should I go and purchase regular oats instead?

      Reply
      • Life is but a Dish

        September 21, 2019 at 10:11 pm

        I’ve never tried this with quick cook oats, so Im not sure how it will change it

    24. Jessica

      September 16, 2019 at 8:26 am

      This looks amazing! How far in advance can I make it?

      Reply
      • Life is but a Dish

        September 16, 2019 at 3:41 pm

        At least a couple days!

    25. Patsy Ingram

      June 15, 2019 at 7:19 pm

      A great simple recipe. Played just a little and added some pure maple syrup and a touch of cinnamon. Your recipe is so good and simple and you can easily add to make your own. Thank you.

      ★★★★★

      Reply
      • Life is but a Dish

        June 17, 2019 at 1:32 pm

        So glad you love it!

    26. Arvah Rana

      March 16, 2019 at 11:40 am

      This is so super good and I don’t even like coconut! You can just eat this plain. I made berry yogurt parfait and almost wept with joy. It’s seriously the most perfectly crunchy granola recipe ever! THANK YOU

      ★★★★★

      Reply
      • Life is but a Dish

        March 16, 2019 at 2:25 pm

        I feel the same way! SO glad you like it!!

    27. Ang

      May 21, 2018 at 8:42 pm

      Planning to make this for an end of school year teacher gift. If I make over Memorial Day can we gift the jar on June 12th?

      Reply
      • Life is but a Dish

        May 22, 2018 at 11:17 am

        I don’t think it will be nearly as fresh as making it just a day or two in advance…

    28. Rachael

      March 11, 2017 at 10:24 am

      This is delicious and so easy! So glad I made it! Thank you for sharing!

      Reply
    29. Rosaura

      November 01, 2014 at 11:39 am

      Hi there I just wanted to say hi. The text in your article seem to be running off the screen in Safari. I’m not sure if this is a format issue or something to do with web browser compatibility but I figured I’d say this to let you know. The design look great though! Hope you get the problem solved soon. Cheers!

      Reply
      • Life is but a Dish

        November 01, 2014 at 1:45 pm

        Hello! Thank you for pointing this out, I will look into it!

    30. Toby Kirsch "aka" Gaga

      October 28, 2014 at 9:30 am

      Love the pictures and the copy is amazing your way with words makes food look and I bet taste better. Thanks for the amazing recipes. Keep it up I love reading your blog.

      Reply
      • Life is but a Dish

        October 28, 2014 at 9:36 am

        Thank you Toby! 🙂

    31. Stephen

      October 28, 2014 at 8:30 am

      The husband was mentioned after the kids, but before the dog, I am ok with that… 😉

      Reply
      • Life is but a Dish

        October 28, 2014 at 9:28 am

        🙂

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