When you don’t have much in your pantry, this 5-ingredient granola fits the bill! It comes together in about 20 minutes. And did I mention that it’s healthy? Woo-hoo!
Also: Make sure to ENTER THE GIVEAWAY for “HOW TO COOK EVERYTHING” at the end of this post!
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I recently did a pretty big cross-country move. And the first couple of weeks, I was definitely out of my kitchen element. Like meaning, I was seriously going crazy. Since it was just a temporary move, I left most of my kitchen gear behind. And there was no room to bring my pantry either. So I was like bone dry. I think we had take-out like three times the first week – that’s A LOT for us!
When I was still trying to get in order and make sure we weren’t eating totally junky, I remembered this fantastic little granola recipe that my friend gave me years ago. It’s 5 simple ingredients: oats, vanilla, brown sugar, water, salt. That’s it. Simple ingredients, but great flavor!!!
One modification that I have made (totally optional though) is to add just a touch of neutral oil (like canola) because it does brown up a little nicer in the oven when you use it. I use this granola for a bowl of healthy cereal. Or you can serve it on yogurt (Honey Greek Yogurt is my fav) or with fresh fruit…..or by the handful straight down the chute! Easy and delish!
And then you know what I did with the leftovers a week later? I took 15 more minutes and made peanut butter granola bars. Recipe for these will be coming soon! They were great and sooooo much healthier than the granola bars that you would buy in the store. I’m hooked and I don’t think I’ll ever go back.
If you need someone to save your breakfast, and quick, definitely give this easy simple granola a try!
This recipe first appeared as a contributor post on Capturing-Joy.com.
Easy and Healthy 5-Ingredient Granola
Ingredients
- 4 cups rolled oats old fashioned or quick
- ¾ cup brown sugar packed
- ¼ cup water
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 1 tablespoon neutral oil optional, such as canola or vegetable
Instructions
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Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
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Measure oats and place in large mixing bowl.
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In a smaller microwave-safe bowl or sauce pan, combine remaining ingredients (oil optional).
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Heat for 30-60 seconds in microwave, or over medium heat on stove top until sugar has dissolved.
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Pour mixture over oats and toss to coat evenly.
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Spread mixture on lightly oiled cookie sheet.
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Bake at 350 for about 18-20 minutes or until golden brown, tossing once halfway through for even baking.
Recipe Notes
The purpose of the oil in this recipe is to help is golden up a little better. It may be omitted (the original recipe had no oil).
Also, FOOD APPAREL IS HAVING A BIRTHDAY! PARTY TIME!
Tammy and I have been having sooooo much fun sharing our recipes and cooking and baking tips with you. And you guys keep coming back so it makes it worth it for us to keep writing and developing more and more. We have some really cool projects in the works. I wish I could just tell you all of them because they are OH SO MUCH FUN and I hope that you will enjoy them all as much as we do!
So anyway, help us celebrate good food by entering to win this cookbook: HOW TO COOK EVERYTHING by Mark Bittman.
Why this cookbook? Well, it actually has a history with me. You see, I got this cookbook from my sister, Rebecca, when I first moved out on my own and it holds a dear place in my heart. If you don’t own it, YOU SHOULD. Why? The title says it all. HOW TO COOK EVERYTHING. This book has it all. And it explains a lot of the mechanics of what makes a good meal. And how to take a few simple ingredients and turn it into something great. It will always have a place in my kitchen. In fact, a lot of times, when I am looking for recipe inspiration, I can find a great starting place with something from this book. I KNOW YOU WILL LOVE IT. (And you even get the updated version!)
Just a quick FYI, Mark Bittman also has a few other cool cookbooks that are part of this series that I think I might just have to get my hands on in the future:
How to Cook Everything Vegetarian – The book covers the whole spectrum of meatless cooking-including salads, soups, eggs and dairy, vegetables and fruit, pasta, grains, legumes, tofu and other meat substitutes, breads, condiments, desserts, and beverages.
How to Cook Everything The Basics – Bittman reveals how truly easy it is to learn fundamental techniques and recipes. From dicing vegetables and roasting meat, to cooking building-block meals that include salads, soups, poultry, meats, fish, sides, and desserts, Bittman explains what every home cook, particularly novices, should know.
How to Cook Everything Fast – Homemade wonton soup in 30 minutes. Chicken Parmesan without dredging and frying. Fruit crisp on the stovetop. The secret to cooking fast is cooking smart—choosing and preparing fresh ingredients efficiently.
Also, am I weird for still liking a physical cookbook? It just feels so right still……
So enter here below, and cross your fingers, and if you don’t win, don’t worry (I feel your pain – I never win). We will be doing more giveaways in the future with a minimum monthly drawing for our email list subscribers. (So that means if you enter today, you will automatically be entered into our monthly drawings forever-more! Nice, huh? Your odds just went up!)
What is something that you would like to learn how to cook better? Let us know in the comments below!
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I would like to make bread pudding better. Every time it is a fail!
I just had the most amaaaazing sweet potato bread pudding at a restaurant last night. Tammy also makes a fine bread pudding. I’m inspired now. Let’s figure it out! 😉 (-C)
Overall, I need to learn to LOVE to cook! I’d like to be more creative with my dinners. I get in a rut too easily.
Even with all of my recipes, I still have “What Do I Cook for Dinner” syndrome! We are working on some mix and match stuff for our posts to help create complete meal ideas. Maybe that will help you (and me!) in the future.
I need to improve my dough and bread baking skills. Also, pizza from scratch!
Oh yay – so excited! We actually have a really fun “bready” project that we’re working on. We’ll make sure to keep you posted!
Well, everything! 😀
Charul, absolutely! There’s always something new to try! 😉
I very seldom deep-fry anything, so it would be good to get better with that. Yeah, it’s not the healthiest way to cook, but still … if I’m going to do it, I want to do it right. Hello, doughnuts!
Ooooh yum! I love frying stuff. All in moderation, I say! 😉
I would love to learn to bake bread better! And cook a mean steak!
We love bread! We’ll keep you up-to-date with our bread project that’s in the works! And I love steak! Have you ever heard of Meatopia?
Im always looking for new techniques to improve the flavors in my favorite dishes.
Amen to that Alice! I love using fun spices and cooking techniques to flavor my dishes. And I discovered a really fun book lately called The Flavor Bible that is all about pairing flavors. You should check it out!
Great giveaway, I would love to be able to cook more beef recipes. My family loves beef!
Yes, yes, yes! It seems like there’s so much vegan and just TONS of chicken recipes floating around, but not enough beef!
I need to learn how to make a great pie crust!
Pie is great! We have a few different versions on here (shortening, butter, combo) with some tips if you wanna try ’em!
i need to learn how to make the simplest of dishes. i’ve never learned.
Sometimes a few simple ingredients makes something absolutely amazing! This book has some really great stuff like that.