Maple-Orange Granola

I've been making homemade granola since the 1970's when I was literally a granola-munching (and vegetarian) college student. Over the years, my granola recipe has evolved, but now it's settled quite nicely into this maple-orange version. And I eat a lot of this stuff--almost every morning, in fact--with yogurt and fruit.

I'm posting the recipe now because I think granola is a tasty and healthy food gift for the holidays--an alternative to all the sweets and other rich food.  Just pack it up into a pretty container or wrap it up in some decorative cellophane. You could include the recipe on a hand-written recipe card.

You can go directly to the printable recipe--or I'll show you how to make it step-by-step...

Most of the ingredients we purchase at our local food coop or at Costco. It is amazingly less expensive to make granola at home vs. buying it prepared. And, as you'll see, it is also amazingly easy.


 
~ Preheat oven to 275° F. ~

Start by adding 6 cups old-fashioned rolled oats in a large mixing bowl. It is important to use old-fashioned oats, not quick-cooking or instant.

Add 1 cup roasted unsalted soy nuts...

...1 cup raw sunflower seeds...

 
...1 cup raw pumpkin seeds...

...2 to 3 cups coarsely chopped walnuts...



... and 1/4 cup dried orange peel. Dried orange peel can be hard to find; we purchase ours at Whole Foods in the bulk section.



Stir the dry ingredients together thoroughly.



Into a 4-cup measuring cup, add 1/3 cup canola oil...




...2/3 cup maple syrup...



...1 teaspoon cinnamon...



...and 2 teaspoons orange flavor. We use the Simply Organic brand that is available at our Food Coop.



Stir to combine liquid ingredients.



Add the liquid ingredients to the dry...




...and stir.



Transfer to a 9" by 13" pan.



~ Bake at 275° F for 2 hours, stirring every 20 minutes. ~





Some Suggestions...

• If you can't find dried orange peel and orange flavoring, add 2 teaspoons of vanilla extract to the wet ingredients instead.
• Mix in 2 cups of dried cranberries to the baked granola--festive for holiday eating and giving.
• My morning breakfast is 3/4 cup non-fat yogurt, 3/4 cup frozen mixed berries (thawed in the microwave for 30 seconds), 2 teaspoons maple syrup, and 1/3 cup Maple-Orange Granola.
• Sprinkle granola on top of muffins before baking (takes about 3/4 cup granola per dozen of muffins). A great alternative to a streusel topping.
• Substitute granola for chopped nuts in cookie recipes.

Maple-Orange Granola

Makes about 12 cups.

Dry Ingredients
6 cups old-fashioned oats (not quick-cooking or instant)
1 cup raw sunflower seeds
1 cup raw pumpkin seeds
1 cup toasted (unsalted, unflavored) soy nuts
2-3 cups walnuts, coarsely chopped
1/4 cup dried orange peel

Wet ingredients
1/3 cup canola oil
2/3 cup maple syrup
1 teaspoon cinnamon
2 teaspoon orange flavor (we use Simply Organic brand)

Preheat oven to 275° F. In a large bowl, combine dry ingredients. In a 4-cup measure, combine wet ingredients. Add wet ingredients to dry. Stir to combine thoroughly. Transfer to a 9" by 13" pan. Bake at 275° F. for 2 hours, stirring every 20 minutes.

I hope you enjoyed this recipe! To view more step-by-step recipes, see the complete recipe index.

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Comments

[raj]

i've never even thought of making my own granola, but this recipe has made me decide i will!
but can i halve/quarter the recipe?

[heidi]

Raj, the recipe can easily be halved or quartered.

- Heidi

[Elana]

I probably eat TOO much granola (as if that's possible)! I really like this recipe. It's full of grains and flavor. Probably the best granola recipe I ever made.