DIY Cinnamon Brown Sugar Granola

This is another variation on how to make a basic granola. This one reminds me of fruit crisp topping. No one besides me ever seems to get bored with our basic peanut butter granola I make most of the time. But I like variety sometimes and have heard of other houses where they get tired of eating regular old granola everyday. This is one way to vary the taste of granola more than just changing the additions.

Homemade Cinnamon Brown Sugar Granola Recipe

• ½ cup brown sugar
• 1 cup butter, oil, or even peanut butter
• 6 cups oatmeal
• 1 tsp cinnamon
• ½ tsp nutmeg
• 1 cup or more of additions (such as raisins, dried fruit, nuts, or seeds) (optional)

1. In a large non-stick or cast iron pot, melt the butter, coconut oil, or peanut butter, stirring frequently. If you are using liquid oil, you can obviously omit this step.
2. Turn off heat, and stir in brown sugar, cinnamon, and nutmeg.
3. Add oatmeal, and stir to coat evenly with the butter (or oil) and sugar mixture. If you wish to add unroasted nuts or seeds to the granola, do so now.
4. Spread on cookie sheets and bake at 350 F for 10–15 minutes. Check granola at this point to see if it has browned lightly. Stir, and bake for another 10–15 minutes, if necessary.
5. Allow the granola to cool before mixing in other additions and transferring to an airtight container for storage.

DIY Chocolate Peanut Butter Granola

Chocolatey Granola Chunks

The cocoa doesn't add nutrition to this otherwise completely healthy recipe, but it does add a lot of fun. If you are trying to transition from high sugar, store bought cereal or are having a hard time convincing kids to eat granola, this is a great this is a great way to start. I just make it once in a while for variety or an extra special breakfast.

Chocolate and Peanut Butter Granola

• ½ cup honey (maple syrup, or pancake syrup can be substituted)
• 1 cup peanut butter (or regular butter)
• ¼ to ½ cup cocoa powder
• 6 cups oatmeal
• 1 cup or more of additions (such as raisins, dried fruit, nuts, or seeds) (optional)

In a large non-stick or cast iron pot, melt the peanut butter, stirring frequently. Turn off heat, and stir in honey. If you want the entire mixture to be chocolatey, add ½ cup cocoa powder now. If you want a half peanut buttery and half chocolatey mixture, mix half of the peanut butter mixture with 3 cups of oatmeal. Then add ¼ cup cocoa powder to the other half of the peanut butter mixture, and mix in remaining oatmeal. Spread on cookie sheets and bake at 350F for 10–15 minutes. Check granola at this point to see if it has browned lightly. Stir and bake for another 10–15 minutes if necessary.

Chocolate and Peanut Butter Granola

Allow the granola to cool before mixing in other additions and transferring to an airtight container for storage. I usually  make the half peanut butter and half chocolate version and don't bother adding extra additions to this tasty recipe.

DIY Easy Peanut Butter Granola

This recipe is super easy to make. It saves a lot of money even in the States. Here, where cereal is so expensive that I have heard of cereal being requested as a Christmas gift, it really cuts breakfast costs. Especially, when I buy the ingredients in bulk.

Peanut Butter Honey Granola

½ cup honey (maple syrup, or pancake syrup can be substituted)
1 cup peanut butter (or regular butter)
6 cups oatmeal
1 cup or more of additions (such as raisins, dried fruit, nuts, or seeds) (optional)

Truth be told, I usually don't bother to measure this recipe anymore, but this is the basic ratio.

In a large non-stick or cast iron pot, melt the peanut butter, stirring frequently. Turn off heat, and stir in honey. Add oatmeal, and stir to coat evenly with the peanut butter and honey mixture. If you wish to add unroasted nuts or seeds to the granola, do so now. Spread on cookie sheets and bake at 350F for 10–15 minutes. Check granola at this point to see if it has browned lightly. Stir and bake for another 10–15 minutes if necessary.

Allow the granola to cool before mixing in other additions and transferring to an airtight container for storage.