Wednesdays are the only day of the week that I have all my boys in school. After I drop them off and before I need to go back and pick them up, I have about 2 hours and 15 minutes where I am HOME ALONE. For an introverted girl like me who is rarely alone, this is GLORIOUS.
Now I feel like I need to do a little disclaimer here: Of course I love my boys to death and they are the cutest things ever, even sweeter than my Triple Layer Brownies. And yes, I know someday I will miss the noise, dirt, stinky socks, and Lego booby traps.
Okay, now can I go on with my rant?
I love my alone time, and I actually find myself in a complete state of panic when I walk into my house after returning from preschool drop-off.
The silence is so shocking.
Now what do I do?
In an effort to make the most of this precious time, I’m almost paralyzed with indecision.
- Should I clean up the house?
- Put the laundry away?
- Get some exercise?
- Organize my junk drawer?
- Test out a new recipe?
- Take a shower?
- Go grocery shopping?
- Iron that pile of shirts on the ironing board?
- Take a nap?
- Dust my ceiling fans?
- Pin some recipes?
- Read a book?
- Meet up with a friend?
- Go get a pedicure?
- Water my flowers?
- Get lost at Target?
- Listen to a podcast?
- Write my grandma a letter?
- Go to the MVD to update my driver’s license picture?
SEE WHAT I MEAN?
My time always goes by really fast, but I’m amazed at how much I can accomplish when someone else is attending to the constant needs of my children. They aren’t extra needy or anything, but kids just need a lot of attention.
So last week, I used a tiny portion of my Wednesday alone time to make this granola. Granola is very easy to make. After making this off and on for the last few years and tweaking it a little each time, this recipe is now perfection to me.
My favorite thing about it is the finely ground almonds that coat each little oat. But I also like to leave some almonds chopped up more coarsely for extra crunch. It’s wonderfully sticky and clumpy.
A bowl full of this Homemade Coconut Oil Honey Almond Granola topped with juicy, sweet strawberries and a splash of ice cold whole milk is the way to go my friends. You can feel free to add your favorite granola type mix-ins, but I like mine a little on the plain side.
I hope you get a day this week to do whatever it is that makes your heart happy, whether it’s gathering with friends, watching a favorite show, or going to a nice long walk. Or maybe making granola?
Print
Homemade Coconut Oil Honey Almond Granola
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: Makes 4 cups 1x
- Category: Breakfast
- Method: Bake
- Cuisine: American
Description
Wonderfully sticky and clumpy, this Homemade Coconut Oil Honey Almond Granola will make your day!
Ingredients
- 1 cup whole almonds, divided
- 3 cups old fashioned oats
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/3 cup brown sugar
- 1/3 cup honey
- 3 tablespoons coconut oil
- 1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/4 teaspoon almond extract
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
- In a food processor or blender, pulse half of the almonds until they are very finely chopped. Pour them into a large bowl. Then chop the other half of the almonds coarsely, and pour them into the same bowl.
- Pour the oats, salt, and brown sugar into the bowl with the almonds and stir to combine.
- In a small microwaveable bowl, combine honey and coconut oil, and heat for 40 seconds. Stir to dissolve the coconut oil, and add the vanilla and almond extract.
- Pour the honey mixture over the oats, and stir so that they are evenly coated.
- Pour the oat mixture evenly onto a Silpat or parchment lined baking sheet (helpful if it has sides).
- Bake for 5 minutes, and then stir and spread back to an even layer. Return to the oven for 5 more minutes, or until golden brown around the edges.
- Pour the granola and onto a piece of wax paper to cool. Spread it out into a thin layer – about 1/2 inch thick.
- After it cools completely, break the granola into clusters and store in an airtight container.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 672
- Sugar: 40g
- Sodium: 445mg
- Fat: 32g
- Saturated Fat: 10g
- Unsaturated Fat: 19g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 86g
- Fiber: 10g
- Protein: 15g
- Cholesterol: 0mg
Michelle says
Hi there! This looks delicious and would love to make some and send as part of a Christmas gift package. Would you know how long the shelf life would be? Thanks š
Julie says
I’m not sure exactly how long but I think 1-2 weeks to be on the safe side. I live in a really dry climate so things don’t get stale very easily here. It helps to be sure the granola is completely cooled before sealing it in an airtight container.
Kim says
Thank you for this lovely recipe, I added Raisins, Sultana’s, Banana chips, coconut shavings and Papya chunks. Tastes wonderful in the morning.
Julie says
Kim that sounds excellent! You are very welcome.
Danae says
I live overseas where granola is very expensive, so I am so grateful for a delicious, easy recipe! I just threw a batch of this in the oven, and I can tell it will be delicious. You have a lovely blog and a lovely family! I can totally relate to your excitement of an empty house! xoxo
Julie says
Thank you so much Danae. I’m so glad it worked for you, and that you can save by making your granola at home. Love the smell of it baking away in the oven!
Jeanne B says
I chose your recipe for making Christmas gifts for friends and neighbors. I added a few items, just to make it “fancier”: shredded coconut; walnuts; roasted, salted sunflower seeds; raisins; and dried cherries, chopped.
I have some pumpkin seeds leftover, but wasn’t sure about adding those. I’ll try the pumpkin seeds when I’m not making gifts.
Anyway, it is delicious and very easy. Love it. Thank you and Merry Christmas!!!!!
Julie says
Sounds like a wonderful gift! So glad you loved it!
Carolyn says
We just made this…I LOVE it! My 8 year old has been eating it with plain greek yogurt, which he usually hates! I used 1/2 the coconut oil and 1/2 the sugar, and it’s still SUPER delicious.
Julie says
I’m so glad you love it. Makes a mom’s heart happy when her kids eat a good breakfast! Good to know that you can get away with half the oil and sugar too – I’ll have to try that!
Shelly says
Julie, I like your blog. I also a food blog but I was looking for a different granola recipe and your granola’s picture got my attention. Good recipe, thank you!
Ann Marie B. says
Pinned this last night and made it today. It is so delicious! My 4-yr-old LOVES it! So it’s a keeper recipe. š
Julie says
Wonderful! Always good when the little ones approve!
Monique says
It’s my first time to visit your blog. I love it!
I know exactly what you meen by; -Iām almost paralyzed with indecision- š
I am inspired to make my first granola, thank you.
Regards,
Monique
Julie says
Welcome! Thanks for saying hi!
Meredith says
I made this yesterday after the first 5 minutes of baking I added toasted coconut flakes for the last 5 minutes. It is AMAZING!!! I love it over greek yogurt and fresh (or frozen) berries.
Julie says
That sounds great Meredith. Glad you love it!
Sabrina says
I make this granola every 2 weeks. Love it!!
Julie says
I’ve been on a granola kick too, and just tried making a peanut butter version. Oh so good! Glad you love it!
Chris says
This sounds just like the granola I’ve been looking for! I already have ground almonds for other balking I do regularly. So I was wondering if you could tell me approx measurements on the 2 types of almonds in the recipe?
Thanks!
Julie says
Should be good with about 1/3 cup ground almonds and 1/2 cup roughly chopped. Enjoy!
Carrie says
delicious! My boss loved it. He was practically licking out the dish that I had given to him in
Julie says
Haha! Glad it was a hit!
Dominika says
Seems to me like pure perfection as well. Can’t wait for others to come home and taste it. Yet I might be needing to make more once that happens.
Thank you. Super easy and extremely tasty!
Julie says
You are very welcome, Dominika. Hope you all enjoy!
J. Jacob says
The pictures are just as awesome as the recipe itself. š Can’t wait to try this out after I get home from work.
Julie says
Thanks! Hope you enjoy!
Angela T. says
Pinned it, made it, just got it out of the oven, having a hard time leaving it alone, love it.
Julie says
I totally know what you mean! Glad you love it too!
Shelly says
Just made this for the first time and my family couldn’t stop eating it, especially my husband. He told me that I definitely have to make this recipe again. Thanks for sharing!
Julie says
That’s awesome Shelly! So glad everyone liked it, and I agree – it’s hard to stop eating!
Audrey says
I think this is my new favorite granola recipe! Yummy!
I have six children and we just devoured the “test the recipe regular batch” though…. So now I am going to need to make a triple batch! Thanks for sharing. I found your recipe when I searched Pinterest for granola.
Julie says
So glad you all like it!
Nicole says
the recipe is delicious. Although I used walnuts, added cinnamon and used all vanilla extract instead of almond. After the recommended bake time, I broke it up lightly and baked it an extra five minutes just for a little more crisp. It’s still relatively soft compared to the store bought versions I’ve had, but my husband likes it with that soft texture. This recipe makes much more than I’ve ever bought in a single package. Homemade always tastes so much better.
Julie says
Wonderful Nicole, love that you made it your own!
Ann Graham says
Have you a bar recipe for the Homemade Coconut Oil Honey Almond Granola my son loves this but would rather have granola bars do you have any suggestions?
Julie says
Not yet, but I’ll work on it! Granola bars would be super convenient. I do have a couple of different granola bars on Lovely Little Kitchen. Type granola bars in the search box to see them. Thanks for your question!
Rita Rios says
I ended up making two batches of this granola today because the first one didn’t last! This has been the tastiest granola recipe I have ever tried!! It’s now our new family favorite!
PS. I added pecan pieces, chopped hazelnuts, flax seeds, chia seeds, and sesame seeds just for variation but still came out great!
Julie says
Sounds so good! Glad everyone enjoyed!