Mornings can be hectic, but having a ready-to-eat breakfast makes life much easier. Today we're making Granola in Jars—a crunchy, flavorful, and healthy breakfast packed with oats, nuts, dried fruits, and a touch of honey.

These jars are perfect for busy mornings, quick snacks, or sharing with friends.

The beauty of this recipe is that it's flexible. We can choose our favorite nuts, fruits, and spices, adjusting sweetness or crunchiness to our taste. This step-by-step guide ensures every jar comes out perfectly golden, crunchy, and full of flavor.

Ingredients for 4–5 Jars

- Old-fashioned oats: 2 cups

- Almonds (roughly chopped): 1 cup

- Walnuts or pecans (chopped): ¼ cup

- Dried fruits (raisins, cranberries, apricots): 1 cup

- Shredded coconut (optional for aroma): ¼ cup

- Honey or maple syrup: ¼ cup

- Plant-based oil: ¼ cup

- Brown sugar (optional for extra sweetness): 2 tablespoons

- Vanilla extract (optional): ½ teaspoon

- Ground cinnamon (optional): ¼ teaspoon

- Pinch of salt

Tip: Nuts and dried fruits can be swapped depending on what we have. Granola is forgiving, and creativity is encouraged.

How To Make It

Step 1: Preheat the Oven

Preheat the oven to 150°C (300°F). Line a baking tray 2–3 cm deep with parchment paper or foil. This prevents sticking and ensures even baking. A slightly deeper tray helps the granola form clusters instead of spreading too thin.

Step 2: Combine Dry Ingredients

In a large bowl, mix:

- 2 cups oats

- 1 cup almonds

- ¼ cup walnuts or pecans

- ¼ cup shredded coconut

- Pinch of salt

Make sure everything is evenly combined.

Important: do not add dried fruits yet—they will burn during baking.

Step 3: Prepare the Wet Mixture

In a smaller bowl, mix:

- ¼ cup honey or maple syrup

- ¼ cup plant-based oil

- 2 tablespoons brown sugar (optional)

- ½ teaspoon vanilla extract (optional)

- ¼ teaspoon cinnamon (optional)

If the mixture is thick, add 1 teaspoon of water. Warm gently to dissolve the sugar and help the liquid coat the oats evenly.

Step 4: Combine Wet and Dry Ingredients

Pour the wet mixture over the dry oat-nut mix. Use a spatula to stir thoroughly, making sure every oat and nut is coated. This ensures the granola bakes evenly and achieves a crunchy texture.

Step 5: Bake the Granola

Spread the mixture evenly on the prepared tray, about 2 cm thick. Bake for 30–35 minutes, stirring every 10 minutes. This helps prevent burning and ensures even golden color. Watch carefully in the last 5 minutes, as ovens vary and granola can go from golden to burnt quickly.

Step 6: Cool and Add Dried Fruits

After baking, let the granola cool for 5–10 minutes. Then fold in 1 cup of dried fruits. Chop the fruits smaller if preferred. Cooling completely is important to maintain crunchiness.

Step 7: Jar the Granola

Transfer the cooled granola into clean glass jars with airtight lids. Optionally, we can layer the granola with yogurt or fresh fruits for a ready-to-eat breakfast. These jars stay fresh for up to 2 weeks, making mornings effortless and tasty.

Tips for Perfect Granola in Jars

- Toast nuts separately to enhance flavor.

- Press the mixture slightly when spreading on the tray for chunkier clusters.

- Customize with seeds like pumpkin, chia, or sunflower for extra texture.

- Use small jars for snacks, large jars for family breakfasts.

- Adjust sweetness by reducing honey or sugar if preferred.

Enjoy Every Crunch

Lykkers, "Granola in Jars" turns breakfast into a little moment of joy we can look forward to. Each jar is full of crunchy nuts, sweet dried fruits, and hearty oats that fuel our day. These jars make mornings easier, snacks tastier, and healthy eating simple. Let's scoop a jar, enjoy the flavors, and start the day with a smile!

GRANOLA | how to make homemade granola on the stovetop in 15 minutes

Video by Clean & Delicious