Pantry Granola is the perfect healthy recipe that uses ingredients you have on hand. It's crunchy, filled with heart-healthy oats and walnuts and just the right amount of sweetness from dried fruit and brown rice syrup.
The best part about this pantry-friendly recipe is how easy it is to make. It's a great way to get young helpers active in the kitchen. My daughter loves helping me mix up a big bowl of pantry granola--almost as much as she loves stirring it into her morning yogurt.
We also made a fun video showing you how to make your own homemade granola:
Ingredients for Refined-Sugar Free Pantry Granola
As the name suggests, the ingredients for this simple granola are pantry staples that you probably already have on hand. Here's what you'll need:
- Old-fashioned or rolled oats, which are packed with filling fiber to keep you satisfied from breakfast straight through lunch.
- Chopped nuts. I love walnuts for their heart-healthy omega-3s and creamy flavor. But other nuts, like almonds, pistachios, hazelnuts and pecans would also work. Or, mix them up for a variety of flavors and textures.
- Dried fruits add a bit of sweetness and chew to this crunchy granola. My daughter and I love dried currants for their tang. However, you can use whatever fruits you love or have on hand. Raisins, dates, cherries, figs, apricots and other small pieces of dried fruit would be delightful.
- Rather than loading up this homemade granola with refined sugar, I use brown rice syrup. It has a lower glycemic index than refined white sugar. Therefore, it won't cause a big spike and crash in your blood sugar.
- A neutral oil, such as coconut or avocado oil is the key to crunchy granola that forms nice clusters. Don't worry, these oils won't add much of their own flavor to the cereal.
- Lastly, I like to flavor my granola recipe with cinnamon. It adds a nice subtle warming spice that's not overpowering. You could experiment with your favorite ground spices. Nutmeg, cardamom, or a dash of allspice would also be nice.
How to Make Pantry Granola
So what are the simple steps to put all of the above ingredients together to make this healthy granola? Let me show you.
First, combine all of the wet and dry ingredients in a large mixing bowl. Give everything a good stir, as it's important that everything gets fully coated in the liquid ingredients.
Next, turn out the granola mixture onto a parchment-lined baking sheet and bake in a 350°F oven for about 20 minutes. The granola is done when it's golden brown and crispy.
Finally, remove the granola from the oven and let it cool on the sheet pan. Though it's tempting, don't stir the granola until it's completely cool. This is the key to making sure your homemade granola has plenty of nice big oaty and nutty chunks.
How to Serve and Enjoy Healthy Homemade Pantry Granola
This granola tastes great served with your favorite milk, or on top of yogurt. Fresh berries can add a nice flavor. However, sometimes I just munch on a handful like trail mix!
After you try this recipe, be sure to let me know what you think in the comment section! I love hearing your favorite ways to mix up my recipes.
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Pantry Granola
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 6 cups 1x
Description
Pantry granola is the fun, kid-friendly baking recipe that features ingredients you already have on hand.
Ingredients
½ teaspoon cinnamon
½ cup barley flour (or other flour of your choice)
½ cup brown rice syrup (or ¼ cup brown rice syrup + ¼ cup maple syrup)
⅓ cup avocado oil (or coconut oil)
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
½ cup chopped walnuts
4 cups rolled oats
⅓ cup currants or other dried fruit of your choice
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F.
- In a large mixing bowl, combine all of the ingredients except the currants. Mix well.
- Prepare a baking sheet with parchment paper. Spread the granola mixture in an even layer on the prepared baking sheet. Bake for 10 minutes. Stir the granola. Bake for 10 more minutes.
- Once the granola is finished, remove it from the oven. Let the granola cool before breaking it up. Stir the currants into granola. Store granola in a glass mason jar for up to a week or two.
- Enjoy this granola with your favorite yogurt or milk.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
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