I just love granola! It is such a tasty and filling breakfast food, and it also makes a delicious snack. It can be expensive at the store and I have always wanted to try to make my own, so while playing in the kitchen last weekend, I came up with this Homemade Granola Recipe. It’s very easy (if you know me at all- you know easy is my mantra…) It has my favorite things- coconut, orange, ginger…. chocolate…. (chocolate is optional!) Obviously, this is not “diet food.” However, I added Rice Krispies cereal to the recipe- it adds volume without adding a lot of fat or calories. If you find that this granola is too rich and sweet, you can also add some more Rice Krispies to it when it’s all done. I usually just put half granola and half Rice Krispies in my cereal bowl in the morning.

I used flake coconut because that is what is available at my local supermarket. But I’ve also had granola with those lovely large pieces of dried coconut, which is really good. This has crystallized ginger in it, which is also sometimes called candied ginger. You can find it at bulk food stores or at Trader Joe’s. You can also make your own- my recipe is here. If you don’t like crystallized ginger, you can substitute a dried fruit such as dried apricots or pears.

And….. If you really want to get ridiculous- add some miniature chocolate chips! Sprinkle it on ice cream, yogurt…. delicious!

Finally- This makes a wonderful gift- put it in pretty jars with some ribbon and a little gift tag and give it to all of your friends!

Homemade Granola Recipe

• 3 cups old fashioned oats
• 1 cup chopped walnuts
• 1 cup coconut
• 1 1/2 cup Rice Krispies cereal
• 3 tablespoons finely chopped orange peel
• 1/2 cup brown sugar
• 3/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 cup vegetable oil
• 1/2 cup maple syrup
• 1 egg white
• 1 cup crystallized ginger (if pieces are large, dice into small pieces), OR dried apricots or pears
• optional- 1 1/2 cups miniature chocolate chips

Preheat oven to 250 degrees. Stir together oats, walnuts, coconut, Rice Krispies, orange peel and brown sugar.  In a separate bowl, whisk together salt, oil, maple syrup and egg white. Pour over dry ingredients and stir well.

Place mixture on 2 large jelly roll pans or baking sheets (with low sides.) Spread into an even layer.

Bake 1- 1 1/4 hours, stirring every 20-30 minutes. Granola is done when it’s golden brown. Remove from oven, stir and allow to cool.

When cool, toss in ginger and chocolate chips, if desired. Store in an airtight container.