Off grid granola recipe

We love homemade granola, and when I make it, I make a lot. I just finished making a gallon of it for just 2 of us here. You only need about 1/2 cup per serving. Add some fresh cold milk and you have the best cold cereal around. In cold weather cook it up like oatmeal for a hot and satisfying breakfast or as a snacking trail-mix type treat anytime. I have also mixed some into muffins or quick breads for a special taste treat. I have been making my own granola since the early 70s and we have always loved it!

To be perfectly honest, my granola turns out differently every time I make it because I might have slightly different things to add to it. But, here is an approximate recipe of how I made granola today. Since I don’t have a conventional stove right now, I made this granola in a skillet and cooked it on a small butane emergency stove. (This is a single burner stove that is safe to use indoors.) You could also do this over an open fire, on a wood cook stove, on a rocket stove, or any other way you want to cook outdoors or indoors. Normally, I would put this into a roaster and bake it in the oven, stirring 2 or 3 times till it’s toasty and brown.

Besides the ingredients I listed and used in my latest version of this granola recipe, I have also added 1/2 cup or so of wheat germ, sesame seeds, chopped nuts such as pecans or walnuts, chopped prunes, dried chopped apricots, pine nuts, and many other nuts and dried fruits, locally made sorghum molasses, brown sugar. Add things you and your family like. Let your imagination and personal tastes guide you.

Ann’s Granola

Step 1

• 2 quarts old fashioned oats
• 2 cups flaked coconut
• 1 cup unsalted sunflower kernels
• 1/4 cup wheat bran
• 1 cup raw honey
• 1/2 cup cooking oil (use a neutral flavored oil)
• 1 tablespoon cinnamon
• 1 teaspoon salt

Mix these together well in a large bowl, being sure all oats are at least touched by the oil and honey. They don’t need to be heavily coated by either. Put half of this into an iron skillet, set on a medium-low fire. Let it toast about 30 minutes, stirring frequently. Remove to clean bowl and toast the other half of the oat mixture. Remove that to a bowl and allow both bowls of oat mixture to cool thoroughly.

Dates, raisins, honey, banana chips, cinnamon, coconut, salt.

 Oat mix in skillet

Untoasted on left; toasted on right.

Step 2

• One cup raisins
• 1/2 to 1 cup chopped dates
• 2 cups banana chips (I dehydrated these myself.)
• 1 cup chocolate chips

Mix together, then toss together with the cooled oat mixture. (Adding to warm mixture will result in rock-hard fruits and melted chocolate chips!) Store in tightly covered container.

After the fruit is added

A serving in my bowl.

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