This amazing sweet and salty, almost crack granola comes from the best restaurant in the world. I may never be able to afford to go there, but I can afford to make this amazing granola!
At home Manservant does not allow this amazing, sweet and salty, crack granola on the counter. Why crack granola? Because it truly is addicting. One handful after another, with or without milk, it's hard to stop eating this stuff. Made with maple syrup, brown sugar and olive oil, this incredible oat granola, filled with fruits of your choice is hard to stay away from. You may think it odd that it contains salt. Think again. The combination of salty and sweet is what puts this sweet and salty granola so over the top. I kid you not. You could decrease the salt, but then it tastes like all the other granolas. Ordinary. Just granola. At least in my humble opinion, which is very humble indeed.
Throw in your favorite combo of dried fruit (of which mine are apricots and cherries) and you have granola that is fit for a king and queen. In my humble opinion... as the queen of this space, this granola with the sweet and salt thing going for it, is hard to resist. I never thought I'd be sharing a recipe for granola; but I guess one can't have a blog without a recipe for granola. At least from what I've seen. It seems everyone who's anyone has a recipe for granola and many have more than one.
So what finally made me cross the bridge into granola land? I have no idea. But I'm glad I did. And anyone that has tasted this, is glad I did, too! A few weeks ago, which seems like forever, I brought this up to the mountains to eat for breakfast. We had been invited to spend a weekend with friends and I offered to bring breakfast. I did bring some awesome scones, which I'll supply you with later, and some great homemade jams. Plus this granola. Which we ate for breakfast. And which we ate by the handful while walking out the door, with another handful when walking in the door. It's good granola and I'm not one to wax eloquently about oats, but these are worth it.
I remember when making granola and homemade yogurt used to be part of everyone's repertoire- at least the repertoire of college campuses in the 70's. I never got into it back then and always partook of the few ready made varieties. Of course I could have gone into the few health food stores and dipped the scoop into a bin and probably met a few granola heads on the way. But I didn't. I liked pizza and beer too much; which meant I didn't eat breakfast too early. But I did make a pretty good gorp with lots of M and M's for our weekend hikes; probably using Quaker Oats granola out of the box.
It's been a busy month; I mean the one that is over-though this one shows no sign of letting up. August found me helping my folks get ready for the big move and then the in laws arrived pulling the 5th wheel. At the age of 82 they are still enjoying the ride-so to speak. Well, they pulled out today and now I feel like I'm 82. I apologize for not keeping up with all my buds in cyberspace and plan on relaxing and reading about some good food in the next few days.
Of course, there's nothing like relaxing without a big bowl of this amazing sweet and salty granola by my side. Add a huge glass of milk and truly, I way prefer these over granola bars!
More ways to get some oats:
Banana Blueberry Baked Oatmeal
Pumpkin Baked Oatmeal
Oatmeal Crunch (Perfect as an Ice Cream or Yogurt Topping!)
Coconut Oil Granola with Pineapple and Cashews
The Best Oatmeal Cookies
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(This is an updated post from 2014)
Recipe
Almost Crack Granola
- Prep Time: 15 Minutes
- Cook Time: 45 Minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour
- Yield: 5-6 Cups 1x
- Category: Breakfast/Snack
- Method: Bake
- Cuisine: American
Description
This amazing sweet and salty, almost crack granola comes from the best restaurant in the world. Sweet and salty makes this incredibly addicting!
Ingredients
- 2 ¾ c oats
- 1 c nuts (I use sliced almonds)
- ⅓ c pepitas or green pumpkin seeds
- ¼ c chia seeds
- 2-3 t coarse kosher salt (I use Morton's) Do not use table salt. It will be way too salty!
- ⅓ c brown sugar
- ⅓ c maple syrup
- ⅓ c olive oil
- ½ c sliced dried apricots
- ½ c dried cherries
- ½ c golden or dark raisins
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 300.
- Stir oats, nuts, pepitas, chia seeds and salt in a large bowl.
- Heat brown sugar, maple syrup, and olive oil in a large measuring cup in microwave for about 1 minute or until the sugar dissolves. Pour over oat mixture in mixing bowl and stir well.
- Place on a parchment lined 15 x 10 jelly roll pan and pat into one layer. Bake at 300 for about 30-40 minutes, stirring as necessary until light to dark gold, (your choice) however the less you stir the more clusters this will make. When baked to your liking, remove from oven.
ellen says
Wondering if I can leave out the chia seeds? if so, what could I replace it with or just leave it out?
Abbe says
Just leave them out! Or just increase the nuts by 1/4 cup. I love this recipe and hope you do also!
Susan says
I love making homemade granola. Mine is pretty much throw in every seed and nut possible and I love all of the dried fruit in yours, Abbe!
sippitysup says
My blog doesn't have a recipe for granola and now it looks like it doesn't need to! The bar has been set too high! GREG
Easyfoodsmith says
We love granola and I am in love with this sweet and salty version
Lea Ann (Cooking On The Ranch) says
I need more granola in my life. I have a recipe I've been wanting to make from a famous restaurant in Sedona. It will be fun to compare the two.
Juliana says
Oh Abbe...I love the salty and sweet version of this granola...looks great with all the dry fruits...something that I would munch all day long. Have a wonderful weekend!
Holly says
Looks good! I think handfuls of granola are addicting too. Load mine up with those dried cherries!
angiesrecipes says
I could snack on those crunchy granola all day long!
Gin says
This looks yummy!! I love all the fruit, definitely addictive! This would make a nice gift too.
Paula @ Vintage Kitchen Notes says
Apricots in mine for sure! I wish I didn't have to work today and go straight into the kitchen to make this! Sounds sensational, can't wait to try it Abbe.
Cheri Savory Spoon says
Hi Abbe, I take granola with me when we hike, love this recipe.
kumars kitchen says
what a delicious granola recipe...and we loved those beautiful,artistic bowl and spoon,thanks 🙂
Bam's Kitchen says
I think I would love this as a snack mid-day. I find granola addictive, don't you? Great little recipe and I hope life slows down a little bit for you. Take care, BAM
sprinklesandsauce says
this granola looks super healthy and filling!
SavoringTime in the Kitchen says
This reminds me - I need a fix! Granola fix, of course 🙂 I love granola and this sounds like a great recipe. Seems I eat more of it in the cooler months for whatever reason!
Biz says
I make my copycat Nature valley granola bars every week - and I call them crack too - but for no other reason than my husband will actually eat it with yogurt and fruit, which I am thrilled - he will actually let me know when he's getting low!
http://www.mybizzykitchen.com/2014/03/27/copycat-nature-valley-crunchy-granola-bars/
Have a great weekend!
bellini says
Granola has to have copious amounts of dried fruit. I have granola often on top of yogurt which is usually from a box. This must change.
Daniela Grimburg says
This granola looks absolutely addictive.
Your bowls and the spoon are so pretty, Abbe.
Amy (Savory Moments) says
I love homemade granola and yours looks terrific!
Abbe Odenwalder says
Thanks, Amy. give it a try and let me know what you think!
Maureen | Orgasmic Chef says
This is so aptly named. Maybe remove almost. 🙂
Abbe Odenwalder says
It wasn't to tough, Maureen! But you can remove almost if you want!
Guru Uru says
I need this granola - if it is addictive, I want it 😀
Cheers
Choc Chip Uru
Abbe Odenwalder says
Be careful! Addictions can be dangerous!
chefmimiblog.com says
I love the name of your granola! Darn, now I have to do a granola post! Great recipe!
Abbe Odenwalder says
Thanks Mimi! It is really good, but you can vary it is so many ways. Can't wait to see your version!
Sharon D says
This looks so good - I could munch on it all day, I think! I really love the bowl and the spoon. It's beautiful. Thanks for taking time out to write this post, Abbe. You must be tired! xo
Abbe Odenwalder says
Aw Sharon, you are so sweet. The little spoon was from my mom's house. She is trying to give a lot to us kids. And I believe this may have been part of my grandmother's spoon collection. I love it, too!
Angie Schneider says
o granola...so addictive! My husband loves it a lot, esp. if I made them into energy bars. Your muesli bowls are so pretty.
Abbe Odenwalder says
Thanks, Angie! Moroccan bowls from a friend in Israel. I love them-and her!
Ansh says
I might just make this because you say this is crack granola. This looks like something I would be addicted to.
Abbe Odenwalder says
Well, I've never had crack so I guess this will have to do! And it is addicting for people like me with no willpower!
Ansh Dhar says
Making this today, Abbe. Will keep you posted 😀
Kitchen Riffs says
I think granola is the new bacon. 😉 Well, OK, nothing will ever replace bacon, but it sure is popular. Although maybe a granola bacon? Is that even possible? I guess not, so we'll have to settle for plain old crack granola, and yours sure qualifies. This looks terrific -- thanks.
Abbe Odenwalder says
Sure makes you wonder, John! Maybe not bacon granola, but perhaps bacon maple granola bars. now that's a thought!
Karen Harris says
Oh my gosh, so funny! And after spending a week in Texas with my mother, I am laughing with you not at you. She wore me out! I guess I need to get my granola recipe up on my blog because you made me realize that is one recipe I haven't covered. Yours looks wonderful. Love the dried fruit.
Abbe Odenwalder says
Let's get together again soon, Karen. I bet we have a lot of tales to share. And I bet your granola is great!
Liz Berg says
Yup, it will be apricots and cherries for me, too! Can't help but make some crack granola here, too!
PS...we would have been fast friends in college...pizza and beer was a given!
Abbe Odenwalder says
i have no doubt we would have been fast friends. Com back to Denver soon, Liz!