Raisin and Pecan Granola is a breakfast and snack staple that is constantly in our pantry. This granola is slightly sweetened with maple syrup, crunchy with chopped pecans and chewy with plump raisins. A touch of Grapeseed oil and a mix of nutmeg, cinnamon, and vanilla enhance the flavor to give you a healthy and bright granola that is so simple to make.
I have found that as my day gets busy and my stomach begins to rumble, this granola is a great midday pick me up, and an ideal snack when I’m out and about. Dried fruit and nuts provides energy while the rolled oats satisfy my hunger. As a breakfast, this granola completes yogurt like no other! Or enjoy it by the handful alongside a warm mug of Apple Cider.
If you have ever taken a look at the nutrition information on store-bought granola boxes, you may have noticed that it’s usually filled with extra sugar and fat that cancels out the nutritional value. Homemade granola, on the other hand, has so much less sugar and fat. While this recipe uses pecans and raisins, you can change it up as you would like. Dried cherries, dates, coconut, walnuts, almonds, chocolate chips, to name a few, all make delicious additions or substitutions to this granola base.
One of the unique ingredients of this raisin and pecan granola recipe is the use of Grapeseed oil. I change the cooking oils I use depending on the recipe I am working on. With a mild flavor, I love how grapeseed oil goes with the ingredients in this recipe. Grapeseed oil boasts a lower cholesterol and high Vitamin E content. If you want to learn more on Grapeseed Oil, take a look at this article, Grapeseed Oil: Is it Healthy or Not?
Let’s Bake!
The Prep:
Making Granola is so simple that even a toddler can do it! As you can see, Tilly added oats to a big bowl. The main component of granola is of course oats, so start with that. Add in your chopped pecans and stir it up just like Tilly.
In a separate small bowl, mix together your spices, grapeseed oil, brown sugar, maple syrup, and vanilla extract. I like to use a whisk to get it fully incorporated.
Then pour this mixture on top of the oats and pecans.
And mix it until your oats and nuts are coated.
On a baking sheet lined with parchment paper, spread the mixture out evenly in a single layer.
The Baking:
This granola only takes 45 minutes to bake on a lower temperature setting. During this time, it will get mixed every 15 minutes. After the first 15 minutes, you will notice how the granola has begun to stiffen up and the oats are now starting to stick together. The smell of toasting nuts and warm spices are all blending together to give you a nutty aroma.
After you give this a quick stir on the sheet put it back into the oven and bake for another 15 minutes. After this, rotate the pan in your oven and bake for the last fifteen minutes.
Once it is out of the oven sprinkle on your raisins.
This mixture will then be ready to eat or stored in an airtight container. Look how bright and tasty this granola is!
Voila! Homemade Raisin and Pecan Granola!
Raisin and Pecan Granola Recipe
Ingredients:
- 1.5 Cups Oats
- 3/4 cup pecan pieces
- 2 Tablespoons Grapeseed Oil
- 1 Tablespoon Brown Sugar
- 2 Tablespoons Pure Maple Syrup
- 1/4 Teaspoon Vanilla Extract
- 1/2 Teasoon Cinnamon
- 1/4 Teaspoon Nutmeg
- 1/4 Teaspoon Salt
- 1/2 cup raisins, reserved for the end
Directions:
- Preheat oven to 275 degrees. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- In a large bowl, mix oats and pecan pieces.
- In a small bowl, combine the rest of ingredients from Grapeseed oil to Salt, setting aside the raisins until baking is completed.
- Pour the maple syrup and oil mixture onto the oats and nuts. Toss to coat.
- Spread granola mixture out onto a parchment lined pan.
- Every fifteen minutes, mix granola and spread out evenly.
- At 30 minutes, rotate pan in the oven.
- Bake for a total of 45 minutes.
- After baking is completed, stir in raisins.
- Store in an airtight container.
Notes: Be creative and make this granola your own! Use your choice of dried fruits and nuts. Swap out the maple syrup for honey or agave.
Helpful items for this Recipe:
And be sure to check out some of my other spiced up recipes!
https://ritzymom.com/2017/11/29/cinnamon-rolls-with-cream-cheese-frosting-video/
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