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
Carol says
Just found this when looking for a granola recipe on Pinterest. Pinned and trying! And right there w/ you on the introvert thing. Those moments of solitude are golden!
Julie says
Thanks Carol, I hope you love it!
Carol says
Made it yesterday and posting about it today on my blog! Love it.
Julie says
Thank you so much! Checking it out now!
Antonela says
Love this granola! My youngest doesn’t like some add ins, but this one she likes. I use this as a staple in my house. We love yogurt with granola in our house!! It’s a perfect-anytime- snack 😊
This granola is my favourite !!
Antonela
Carol says
Best Granola I ever made!! I eat this with my yogurt of with milk!!!!
Julie says
Thank you so much Carol!
LORI says
this is AMAZING granola, and we make it all the time. But we also have a hard time getting it to clump together, and we use organic rolled oats–not quick oats. Any tips would be appreciated!
Julie says
Try letting it cool completely right in the pan before breaking it up, or adding a little more honey and oil. Glad you enjoyed!
Kristine Mueller says
Tried your granola recipe tonight and it is a keeper. I have been making granola for many years and this one outshines any previous one. I made one batch with almonds and the next with walnuts. Both outstanding! I did bake a little longer than 10 minutes to get the texture we desire, but other than that I wouldn’t change a thing. We couldn’t resist have a bowl right away. My hubs said it was like a dessert. Yum!
Julie says
Oh yay! Thank you so much!
Lynn says
Hi
How would you alter this recipe to make into bars?
Rachel says
Holy MOLY, this is good. I’ll have to stock up on honey just to keep up with the demand in my house. Truly outstanding. A winner with both picky eaters and mom and dad, too!!! Great with the cashews I had on hand… everything else I followed to the letter. Just great.
Deana says
This is my favorite granola! I’ve probably made it half a dozen times and am always so pleased with it. We usually add unsweetened shredded coconut as well.
Michelle says
My family loves this granola and it easy to make and so good for you! Thank you for sharing this recipe. I add unsweetened coconut and some ground flax seed as well.
Julie says
Love that you made this recipe your own! Sounds wonderful with the flax and coconut.
Verletta Massey says
I make this so much that when I do I must make a double batch because we have it almost daily.
Thank you for the recipe,
Julie says
You are very welcome! Glad you all enjoy!
Emily says
I added some cinnamon too and it was perfect.
Lisa says
Hi Julie,
I absolutely love this recipe. I’ve never been able to find a granola that I actuslly enjoy. Now I have, thank you! I’ve made it several times already. Quick question, if I was to add hemp hearts, would I need to adjust the wet ingredients or can I just add in maybe 1 cup of hemp hearts? Thanks in advance.
Amanda says
This is so delicious! Love love love this recipe and it is flexible to make it what you want it to be with different add-ins
Jennifer says
I am wondering if you have ever tried making this with maple syrup? My son is vegan and I would like to make this recipe vegan friendly. I realize the flavor would be different, but I woner if the nice texture would be effected? Any thoughts?
Julie says
I have made it with maple syrup – it was delicious but didn’t clump together as much and took a bit longer to bake.
Susie says
Best granola recipe!!! I doubled it and added raisins as it was cooling. Hard to give it away, which is why I made it, but did save a little for us to enjoy. Thank you for sharing your recipe!
Julie says
Thank you! So glad you love it too.
Catherine Roberge says
My go-to granola recipe! Love it
Sarah J. says
I have made this a few times and it is super tasty!!! Thank you :)) Do you have a nut free version?
Emma says
Is this degrees C or F?
Thank you!
Ruth J says
This was an awesome recipe all my siblings said that it was addicting I’ll definitely make it again!!
Carol says
Hi
Just curious all other almond honey granola Cooks from 20 to 45 mins. Why is yours only 10mis.
Julie says
Usually oven temp is lower for a longer bake. You can do it that way as well. This is just what works for me. Enjoy!