I have no problem declaring myself an expert, even when I don’t have the credentials to back it up.
Credentials, smedentials.
Which is why I’m dubbing myself a Granola Goddess. It seems fitting, yes?
Good, I think so too and I like it when we’re on the same page. It makes me feel all warm and fuzzy.
Sure, sure, we could pretend I earned my degree at the University of Oats and Nuts, along with all the other granola loving hippies out there. I’m certainly not opposed to living in some mental fantasy land, complete with unicorns, rainbows and kittens. Heck, blissful ignorance is one of my favorite defense mechanisms. (Really I’m not pregnant; I’m just big-boned).
The truth is though I attended the School of Hard Knocks, also known as Catholic School. Those nuns knew how to use a ruler, and I don’t mean for measuring; hard knocks indeed. They also didn’t teach me a thing about granola. I feel gypped.
Thankfully, my baby brother picked up some tools of the granola making trade in the most unusual of locations, which is neither here nor there and his story to tell, not mine. The important thing though is he shared his tips and techniques, and in exchange I gifted him with my wit and charm, pretending of course he doesn’t already ooze both in spades. Everybody loves my little brother; he’s one of those people.
Whatever the case may be, I took the lovely lad’s basic granola recipe, got comfortable and ran with it quicker than a one-legged man in a pie eating contest. I realize my analogy makes little to no sense; again, I hold those nuns responsible.
Since that fateful moment years ago, I’ve crafted and created at least ten of my own granola recipes of various flavors and textures, Peanut Butter Banana Chocolate Chip, Lemon Blueberry, Savory Parmesan Rosemary to name just a few. This newest addition to the family though, well it might be my most eclectic one yet. It might be one of those granolas.
Quite simply, it’s a party in your mouth.
It’s also a clean out your pantry type recipe too, which for us OCD folks makes this a party in your mind as well.
It was born out of my need to reduce the amount of clutter in one of my food drawers, which was suddenly running rampant. I’m not sure when he got so unwieldy (of course it’s a He), but I knew it was time to put him in check, so I surveyed the multitude of supplies with a skeptical eye. I had nuts and oats galore (Costco sized bags will do that to you), pretzels, pepitas, brown rice cereal, sesame seeds, dried fruit and chocolate up the ying-yang, not literally, of course.
After a quick study, I came to one conclusion: I needed to make the ultimate batch of granola: a Sweet and Salty Trail Mix Granola designed to knock your socks off, or at least give you piece of mind with a whole ‘lotta mouth feel. This recipe does just that. It has a bit of bite, a toss of chew, and a crisp of crackle. It’s sweet one second and salty the next. Oh and did I mention it’s ridiculously healthy?
Yep, it’s the cats pajamas, and there I go again with the strange analogies. Pfft, those nuns.
- 3 cups Rolled Oats
- 1/2 cup unsalted Sunflower Seeds
- 1/2 cup unsalted Pepitas (pumpkin seeds)
- 1 cup unsalted Almonds, roughly chopped
- 1 cup unsalted Walnuts, roughly chopped
- 1/4 cup unsalted Pistachios
- 1 cup salted Pretzels, roughly chopped
- 1 cup crispy Rice Cereal (I used Brown Rice Cereal)
- 1/2 cup sweetened Coconut
- 4 Tbsp. Flax Powder or Wheat Germ
- 1/2 tsp. Salt
- 1 tsp. Cinnamon
- 1 Tbsp. Vanilla Extract
- 1/3 cup Olive Oil or Canola Oil; I used organic Canola Oil.
- 1/2 cup Maple Syrup
- 1/2 cup Raisins
- 1/2 cup Cranberries
- 1/2 cup dried Pineapple, roughly chopped
- 1/2 cup Dark Chocolate Chips
- 1/2 cup White Chocolate Chips
- Preheat over to 350, and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Combine dry ingredients into a bowl and mix thoroughly (from the rolled oats through to the cinnamon).
- Add in vanilla extract and your oil of choice. Mix to coat everything. Add in the maple syrup, stirring to coat everything once more.
- Once combined, spoon mixture onto a baking sheet. Leave clumped together. Do not spread out on the baking sheet.
- Bake at 350 for 20 minutes, stirring halfway through. Remove from oven and let cool for at least 30 minutes and up to overnight.
- Once cool, add in dried fruit and chocolate.
- Will keep in an airtight container for several weeks.
- This granola is not an exact science so feel free to mix and match your ingredients. The idea is to get a variety of flavors, tastes and textures so make whatever substitutions your pantry dictates.
What’s your most beloved recipe, and where did you originally learn to make it?
I love the sweet and salty combo! It hits all the spots. I like the PB with added salt, it’s so good with sweet jelly or chocolate. My special recipe is chickpea brownies. I love them and so does everyone else. I really need to stop snap chatting them when I make them because then people think I’m going to share 😉
Ellie recently posted…WIAW: I’ve Got Some Explaining To Do
Uh oh, if snapchatting food means you’re going to share, then I’m in trouble.
Meghan recently posted…Sweet and Salty Trail Mix Granola Recipe
That looks awesome! Definitely on my to do list. Oh, and I went to Catholic School too, those Nuns were mean!
Some of the nuns were mean, but in all honestly, I loved them, granola skills or not. 🙂
Meghan recently posted…Sweet and Salty Trail Mix Granola Recipe
I LOVE homemade granola. It’s like crack. My most beloved recipe is the one on the back of the Chipits bag but it’s the MILK chocolate chip bag. And I add more butter, and more chocolate chips, and Skor bits.
Did you really go to Catholic school and were you really taught by nuns? That’s so cool!
Suzy recently posted…Woozy Wednesday: The Art of Laying
You can never go wrong with my Skor bits.
Yep, I went to Catholic schools from K through 12th grade and then I went to a Jesuit college so I’ve had nuns and brothers for teachers. Confession: they were some of my favorites.
Meghan recently posted…Sweet and Salty Trail Mix Granola Recipe
You can be anything you want and granola goddess seems pretty fitting! I have so many favorite recipes but the first thing I took charge of making myself way back in the day was deviled eggs when I was about 10. Even back then I was a major egg lover apparently 🙂
I loved making deviled eggs back when I was a kid too. I think this explains a lot about us actually. 🙂
Meghan recently posted…Sweet and Salty Trail Mix Granola Recipe
You know I feel you on the awesomeness that is getting rid of random leftovers that are hanging out in the pantry for way too long. Granola is so perfect for that, although it’s also my kryptonite and has given me more stomach aches than I wish to admit 😆 Also… your Catholic schools had nuns?! I went to Catholic school from 0-12 and never saw a single nun. I’m thinking we have a different system up here in the Great White North.
Amanda @ .running with spoons. recently posted…no bake almond fudge protein bars
You have to learn how to ration the granola. Maybe I should send it to you in single serving packets so you can’t go overboard. Of course, I need to do the same with me and bite sized candy bars. In my defense, those are only one bite; it’s not quite fair.
I had a handful of nuns, priests too in college. I even went to 7 a.m. mass with my mom every morning for a six month period or so. Crazy yes?!
Meghan recently posted…Sweet and Salty Trail Mix Granola Recipe
Of course this looks divine, of course it does. I’m a forever fan of anything sweet and salty. My brother is one of ‘those’ people too. He’s perfect in my eyes and I like to think I deserve some credit for his perfection. Just sayin.
My happy place recipe is my great grandmothers green onion pancakes. Life just don’t get better than that:)
Danielle recently posted…Week in Review: Snot Bubbles & High Tea
I need these green onion pancakes in my life. 🙂
Meghan recently posted…Sweet and Salty Trail Mix Granola Recipe
I claim to be a dessert expert which I think is perfectly acceptable and accurate. I am a great cookie maker, I slowly learned on my own how to make great cookie recipes. I always make them up and can eyeball ingredients real well! Not so great if I want to share the recipe though!
meredith @ Cookie ChRUNicles recently posted…WIAW- President’s Day
We should join forces. I’d be happy to be your taste tester. 🙂
Meghan recently posted…Sweet and Salty Trail Mix Granola Recipe
You are totally a PRO granola maker. I always rely on you! and school of hard knocks, ya for sure. You got them beat! those nuns need to step up. 😉 or rather, granola up
lindsay recently posted…Cashew Satay Spiralized Vegetable Stir Fry {Paleo, Vegan}
Granola is my happy place.
Meghan recently posted…Sweet and Salty Trail Mix Granola Recipe
Meghan,
I’ve been waiting on this granola ever since I spied those pretzel pieces in a photo.
It looks heavenly. I’m on a renewed granola kick and since we’re out of the Costco-sized box of oats due to the daily bowls for my son, I’m going to get busy when I stock up.
Lovely pour shot, too
Kirsten recently posted…Bacon, Egg, and Potato Pizza
Go stock up on oats because you’re going to want this granola in your life. I adore the texture and can’t stop eating it. 🙂
Meghan recently posted…Sweet and Salty Trail Mix Granola Recipe
Yay for salty sweet mixes! This looks SO good!
Kristy @ Southern In Law recently posted…Banish Boring Dinners! The SIL Dinner Challenge
Thanks, it’s definitely up there on my granola loving list. So. Many. Textures. Swoon.
Meghan recently posted…Sweet and Salty Trail Mix Granola Recipe
Haha those nuns… David went to Catholic school too… The stories he tells me! Geez!
This looks amazing Meg, once again another granola that I just want to face plant into!
Jen @ Chase the Red Grape recently posted…5 Top Tips on a Tuesday – How to give yourself a pep talk!
Yep and it’s gluten free too if you use the right oats. 🙂 Score!
Meghan recently posted…Sweet and Salty Trail Mix Granola Recipe
This is beautiful!! What a lovely recipe, you’ve outdone it this time and I now want to hike. I correlate trail mix with hiking. Ohhh I swoon for the mountains.
Brittany recently posted…How Biking Differs from Running – Vol. 2
We still need to do a hike the next time you’re here. You come, I’ll make the granola.
Meghan recently posted…Sweet and Salty Trail Mix Granola Recipe
My most beloved recipe is for snicker doodles. I’ve been making them ever since I was a kid. Same recipe out of a battered junior cookbook.
I love the addition of pretzels here! Sweet and salty for the win!
Snicker doodles are fantastic. My mother used to make them all the time too, so much butttery cinnamony goodness. 🙂
Meghan recently posted…Sweet and Salty Trail Mix Granola Recipe
The most unlikely of places? I feel I need to poke you on that bit of information as the missing piece of information in the history of your granola maven skills.
It’s a – very welcome – coincidence you’re posting a new granola recipe just now I told a colleague I’d prepare a batch for her and had planned on using one of your recipes. Though maybe it’s not that good as this sounds amazing making my choice even harder. Hmm. Or: mmmh.
Miss Polkadot recently posted…Healthy Nut and Seed Brittle [vegan + paleo]
Oh yes, you should definitely make her this recipe. I’m making another round myself today because the Hubby ate it all or gifted it to his coworkers. 🙂
Meghan recently posted…Sweet and Salty Trail Mix Granola Recipe
What a bowl of gold. You’ve really earned your goddess title with this one.
My favourite accomplishment this week was clearing out and eating everything from my freezer. So I am totally with you in how fricken amazing it feels to lighten the load. Atleast to those OCD minds of ours. Love when I see someone making use of evvvverything.
Cora recently posted…Healthy Homemade Freezer Chocolate
Oh I’m envious you cleaned out the freezer. I think that will be my my new mission for this upcoming week, if only so I can restock it all over again. I think I’m going to need all the freezer meals I can get for when the baby comes. 🙂
Meghan recently posted…Sweet and Salty Trail Mix Granola Recipe
How about Granola Gorilla Goddess? Either way, I’ve had your granola and will give you my vote alllllll day long. Especially if you bribe me with more granola.
Laura @ Sprint 2 the Table recently posted…Sweet Potato & Spinach Breakfast Hash [Recipe]
Ain’t nothing but a G Thang, baby. I like it.
I’ll have to send you some of this granola. It’s amazing.
Meghan recently posted…Sweet and Salty Trail Mix Granola Recipe
I love this. I want this. I make this asap! I aim for this week, maybe I get it in tomorrow evening. Fingers crossed!
I need to make myself another batch too. This one is a definite keeper!! You’re going to love it.
Meghan recently posted…Week in Review: #19 Home Renovations, Bump Sitting and A Confession
Oh girl, this recipe sounds so good! I’ve been on a granola kick lately but have just been buying the sugar loaded store brands..:/
I think it’s time I get to work in the kitchen!
My fave recipe is one of my mom’s go to which is shepherds pie… It has everything so I try and tell myself that it’s “healthy” 😛
Depending on what’s in your mom’s Sheperds Pie (potatoes, veggies, peas, some meat), I’d declare it healthy too. Whole foods for the win. 🙂
Meghan recently posted…Week in Review: #19 Home Renovations, Bump Sitting and A Confession
How do I sign up for classes at the University of Oats and Nuts? Maybe I could be qualified to also teach there – the nutritional science behind oats and nuts 😉
So glad I came across this recipe. Sick boyfriend requested a bag of pretzels (of which he ate a only handful) and now I have a creative way to use some of them up. As if i needed another way to eat pretzels…
Melissa @ Mango About Town recently posted…How to Minimize Restaurant Food Waste
For the University of Oats and Nuts, just send your application to the squirrels of American and they’ll get back to as soon as they finish monkeying around. 🙂
Meghan recently posted…Baked Brie Bites with Raspberry Sauce