Olive Oil Granola
There are a lot of things that I just prefer to make at home versus buy at the grocery store – seasoning mixes, salad dressings, dips, and granola.
Now, don’t get me wrong – sometimes grabbing a couple of those things from the store to save time is just what I need. However, granola is a completely different story. I love making homemade granola for many reasons – I can control the ingredients, the flavors, the amount of sugar and fat, oh, and it just tastes better!
Have you ever started making something at home, only to go back to your previous store-bought favorite and realize that it’s not so much your favorite anymore? That happened to me recently with granola. I bought an over-priced bag of granola, got it home, grabbed a handful, only to be disappointed in the flavor. It was just too sweet and they didn’t put any pepitas in!! They are my favorite granola ingredient but they don’t show up in any store-bought varieties.
At that point, I resolved to just continue making it at home, with the flavors and ingredients I prefer, and at a much lower price, too! And then STAR Fine Foods asked me to create a recipe using their California Extra Virgin Olive Oil. I use olive oil every single day but I wanted to come up with something a little different than an everyday dish so I created a simple, classic granola that really allows the smooth flavor of the California Extra Virgin Olive Oil to shine through. And you better believe I added pepitas!
Find the recipe for this Olive Oil Granola and many other recipes at Star Fine Foods’ website!
And enter to win one of five sets of their Balsamic Glazes. I have tried them all and you will love them – they are so versatile!
Olive Oil Granola
Yield: 5 cups
Cook Time: 30 min 2
Simple homemade granola with olive oil, walnuts, pepitas, coconut and brown sugar.
Ingredients:
3 cups old-fashioned oats
1 cup walnuts, toasted (see note)
1 cup pepitas
1/3 cup unsweetened coconut
1/2 cup brown sugar
2 Tbs. ground golden flax seed
1/4 tsp. salt
1/2 cup STAR Fine Foods California Olive Oil
1 Tbs. honey
1 tsp. vanilla extractDirections:
Preheat the oven to 300 degrees. Line a 10x15 rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper.
In a large bowl, combine the oats, walnuts, pepitas, coconut, brown sugar, flax seed and salt and mix well.
Over medium heat, combine the olive oil, honey and vanilla extract in a small saucepan. Stir well until warm.
Gently pour the olive oil mixture over the oat mixture and stir well until combined.
Spread the mixture out into an even layer onto the prepared baking sheet. Bake in the 300 degree oven for 30 minutes, stirring every 10 minutes. At the end of 30 minutes, the granola should be slightly browned and very fragrant.
Remove from the oven and let the granola cool on the baking sheet for 20 minutes. Small clusters will form as the granola cools.
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I have an ongoing relationship with STAR Fine Foods in which I develop recipes using their products. All opinions expressed are my own.
You know… I was on a granola kick for a while and then I was like, “Eh… I don’t need to make it for a while.” But now I’m kind of getting back into it. I haven’t used olive oil yet in a recipe, so now I’m totally intrigued to try it!
I love using olive oil and honey to make granola!! So easy. I haven’t made some in a couple weeks – I think that’s going to change today. 🙂
I agree, nothing is better than homemade granola and yours looks awesome!! Love that you used olive oil!
I love making granola and have made it with a variety of oils (canola, veg, and coconut) but never with olive. Good thinking!
I have never used olive oil with granola! Going to next time – Thanks!
I would never have thought to use olive oil in granola, but it’s a terrific idea! I was making granola once a week for a while, but it’s been months since my last batch. I’m due for one soon!
Totally agree Cassie–you just cannot beat homemade granola. Plus, it makes your house smell amazing and I’m obsessed with eating it right outta the oven.
And yes–why no pepitas at the store? Good thing you have us covered 😉
Cassie, this is such a unique recipe! I love it!
Homemade granola is the best!!! This recipe looks so wonderful too – cheers to olive oil! 🙂
This sounds fabulous, Cassie!
Now this is something I’ve never seen before!! Sounds so interesting!
I never would have thought to add olive oil to granola – what a great idea. Sound so good!
I eat granola every day for breakfast but have yet to make my own. This looks so good, love the pepitas!
I don’t make homemade granola nearly enough! And you know I love olive oil!
my stomach is seriously growling looking at that! I’ve made a lot of granola but never with olive oil!!
I completely agree. I often like homemade stuff much better than store bought. That same thing happened to me with macaroni and cheese a while back. The box stuff just does not cut it anymore. And homemade granola is the best! Although Ive never had it with pepitas. I need to change that 😉
There is absolutely nothing like homemade granola. I’ve never thought to make it with olive oil! I bet this is delicious!
I’ve actually never really gotten into granola, probably because I don’t like the storebought versions very much but perhaps it’s time I made my own and gave it a go! Love the flavor the olive oil must give!
My daughter just asked the other day if we had any granola to put in her yogurt, and we did not. I use GrapeOla all natural grape seed oil in all my cooking and baking…… I will go make myself a batch of granola right now with it! I do not have pepitas but I will sub with sunflower seeds instead. Thanks for the recipe!
Cassie replied: — April 25th, 2013 @ 12:56 pm
Grapeseed oil is what I usually use in my granola…and in tons of other cooking and baking. It’s a stove-side staple, like olive oil is, for me.
I love granola! This recipe looks so easy!
I made the granola this afternoon and it is very good! Mine didn’t clump up very much, like really only about 3 small clumps in the whole pan but it’s still very good.I’m not a coconut fan, so I just used 1/3 cup more oatmeal. This will definitely be my “go to” granola recipe! 🙂
For as many batches of granola I go through, I have NEVER made it with olive oil. Forgive me Cassie – I feel like I haven’t lived til I try it!!
I’m a granola snob. I can’t eat the packaged stuff! Now I need to try this version with olive oil!
What a great idea! I use coconut oil constatnly when making granola, how did I NEVER think to use olive oil? I bet that flavor is awesome! Definitely trying it!
I make my own granola at home as well. I usually use coconut oil but will have to give your recipe a try.
WOW… olive oil in your granola… what a healthy treat. The good oils are olive and coconut. I would think good organic coconut oil would also taste so good.
This is such a simple recipe! I don’t make my own granola nearly enough but you’ve inspired me!
i’ve recently started making all my granola with applesauce, which gives a little bit of fruity sweetness but i love the idea of olive oil too! gotta try that next 🙂
I was just thinking about making some granola. I do love Star Olive Oil and I will have to try this.
I’m kind of the opposite with granola. I never want to use much sweetener, and so I’m with some not so great granola. And of course the stuff from the store is just loaded with sugar, so I love it.
I bet if I’d just add a little more darned sweetener I’d be crazy about the homemade kind too!
This looks great and I love that you used olive oil. 🙂
And so I’m *stuck* with some not so great granola.
Your comment form is acting up today. I’ll email you about it a little later!
I so prefer homemade granola too 🙂 I haven’t made one quite like this, excited to try!
I love making granola from home! Never did it with olive oil – definitely need to try that next time!
I really need to make my own granola one of these days. I love that you made this with olive oil!
I just made olive oil ginger granola last week! It was so fabulous I’m already eager to make another batch! Yours looks amazing, Cassie 🙂
Granola in my morning yogurt is always a special treat and this recipe will be the next one I make!