I love the clatter of chunky granola toppling into my breakfast bowl. All those chunks of slightly sweet oats and nuts and fruit! For years, hubby and I have been making homemade granola – altering the recipe to suit the seasons (apples for fall, berries for summer, etc.). What I love best about granola is how you can throw anything into the mix, and it tastes yummy. Here’s the basic crispy steel cut oats granola recipe I start with. You can modify it to your taste!
The secret to fabulous homemade granola
This is a sponsored post. Opinions are my own.
Okay, it’s not a secret really, but I cannot stress enough: the oats you choose to make granola with can make or break your granola experience! I am always using steel cut oats these days. Why? Because when you buy steel cut oats like McCann’s Irish Oatmeal, there is minimal processing, no additives, no artificial anything! Making your granola clean eating!
Plus, McCann’s Steel Cut Irish Oatmeal, made from 100% whole grain Irish Oats, have a delightful, nutty taste that goes perfectly with our nut-packed granola recipe.
Another benefit of McCann’s Steel Cut Irish Oats is that three of their products were just awarded Non-GMO Certification from the Non-GMO Project:
- McCann’s Steel Cut Irish Oatmeal in the 28 oz. Tin– perfect for my granola recipe!
- McCann’s Quick & Easy Steel Cut Irish Oatmeal® in the 24 oz. Canister and McCann’s Steel Cut Irish Oatmeal Quick Cooking Rolled Oats® in the 16 oz. Box – best for a delicious and warming bowl of hot oatmeal in the mornings!
Did you ever wonder why some oatmeal is “Irish” and what difference that makes? I learned something about McCann’s Irish Oats – climate and topography play a huge role in the quality of oat growing. And guess where the best growing conditions for oatmeal are found? Ireland! So always look for McCann’s Irish Oats!
Crispy Steel Cut Oats Granola Recipe
Mix together:
- 1/2 cup brown sugar
- 1/4 cup maple syrup
- 1/4 cup honey
- 4 T light cooking oil (lately have been using coconut)
Granola:
- 4 cups McCann’s Steel Cut Irish Oats®
- 2 1/2 cups nuts (almonds are my favorite, but a mix of almonds, pecans, and walnuts is also good)
- 1/3 cup shredded unsweetened coconut
- 1/3 cup seeds (sunflower, pumpkin, etc.)
- 1/4 wheat germ
- 1 cup dried fruit, chopped if not already small like cranberries (reserve)
In a small saucepan, heat first four ingredients until blended. Don’t boil or overcook. Meanwhile, toss dry ingredients EXCEPT fruits in a large bowl. Stir in melted sugars and mix well.
Spray two baking sheets with non-stick spray (or coat with coconut oil or butter).
Divide granola mix evenly on trays. Be sure the layers are very shallow and even to promote good crisping.
Bake at 325 for 10 minutes. Stir in fruits at this point, and spread evenly. Bake for 10 more minutes, or until granola is golden brown. Be sure not to overcook or granola will be too hard to eat.
Cool.
Crumble (granola will be stuck together), and store in an air-tight container. Should make about 8 cups.
Serve with milk as cereal or with yogurt for a breakfast or lunch treat. Use as a topping for ice cream too!
Find out more about where you can purchase McCann’s Steel Cut Irish Oatmeal to make your own crispy steel cut oats granola recipe: click here.
Buy the ingredients:
What’s your favorite way to use oats in your cooking?
From sweet to savory (even in a stir fry!), there are so many ways you can add the goodness of oats! Great oat recipes here!
This crispy steel cut oats granola recipe was sponsored by McCann’s Steel Cut Irish Oatmeal and The Motherhood. All opinions are my own.Disclosure: Affiliate links have been used in this post. Purchases made after clicking the links may generate a small commission for me.
Thanks for sharing! Do they freeze well?
This looks so good! What a great snack for the whole family!
Thanks for sharing! Do they keep longer in the fridge?
This looks so good! What a great breakfast meal prep for the whole family!
Best granola EVER. My favorite. Thank you so much for this recipe. Healthy and very tasty 😋
Could you use a mix of regular oats and steel cut?
Delicious granola! I was out of regular oatmeal so I found your recipe using steel cut oats, which I had. So I made your recipe using dates, almonds, pecans. Amazing! Never going back to regular oats. Thanks!
I am so very grateful for finding this recipe. Haven’t had cereal in years due to ingredient problems. This stuff is AMAZING. I eat it with my homemade pecan milk and sometimes just plain. It has become a staple in my diet. Thank you so much for sharing!!!
I’m so grateful you returned to share your recipe success with us! I love your enthusiasm for this recipe, because it matches mine! I had no idea I would love this kind of granola above regular oat granola!! Thanks again!
WOW! And Thanks! This is a divine and quite purrfect recipe for reintroducing “cereal” with nut milk and fresh fruit back in to my diet. So grateful to have come upon your recipe. Namaste!
Substituted flaxmeal for the wheat germ. Used pine nuts, pecans, walnuts, cashews, and pepitas for nuts and poppy seed, sesame seed and and black sesame seed for seeds.
How would omitting the wheat germ change the outcome of this recipe? I have everything else, and want to try it out. I may just give it a go and share the results 😊
I have a package of Bobs Red Mill Red Bulgar. Do you think I could substitute it for the steel cut oats?
This granola is so good perfect for the coffee Greek yogurt I just made. Will definitely be making them again
Sounds delicious! I just discovered steel cut oats and like them better than rolled oats bc they are less mushy.
I am not a fan of maple syrup though. What can I put in its place?
I used agave nectar instead
This turned out amazingly delicious. Perfect sweetness with the right crunch.
What would be a good substitute for the wheat germ (since I am gluten free)?
You could leave the wheat germ out – it would not change the crisp-ness of the recipe. I just put it in there for extra protein!
You could try maple syrup which has, I think, less glycemic index?
Or a sugar substitute like Stevia… Although that could change the flavor….
I have oatmeal for breakfast everyday and sometimes before bed. My favorite lately has been adding diced apple, candied pecans, raisins, cinnamon, nutmeg and maple syrup. I also have twists on carrot cake, pear crumble and one with banana, dried cranberries and walnuts.
These all sound DELIGHTFUL!
Oatmeal for breakfast every morning topped with fresh fruit
I love the idea of granola – I’ve made plenty too, but we are so bad at EATING granola in a timely manner. I think I need to mix it up like you said!