Low-fat Granola

Are you a “Granola Girl?”
Well, meet mine! Our youngest daughter grows her own wheat grass, eats very carefully, avoiding fats, and is constantly working to improve her health. I’m really proud of her good choices and appreciate her husband’s support. They are avid hikers and when they come our way, they always head to the mountains for serious back packing trips.
We live in the shadows of the Grand Tetons, of course on the Idaho side. We never tire of seeing them and especially enjoy several trips a year to Yellowstone Park and Jackson Hole. We planned a day trip with a picnic and a hike to “The Park,” and had a glorious time together.
For the first time ever we saw a bear, across the river from us, without a ranger or crowd of people around. He was magnificent and just watched us as we watched him. It was a thrill!
A Pelican posed in the middle of the Yellowstone River for me on his own grassy island!
On our hike, the colorful wildflowers were everywhere and so spectacular.
We hiked 4 miles on the Slough Creek Trail, in a fairly remote part of the park. It was just breathtaking everywhere we turned. It was one of the most renewing days I’ve had in a long time; lots of fresh air, sunshine, amazing scenery and the best company!

So, now back to my granola girl…
My daughter challenged me to share more of my healthy recipes…scolding me (a little) for posting too many sugary treats. She’s right, so here’s to turning over a new leaf!

Low-fat Granola
will rock your world! It is so delicious and can be used in many ways. In the future I will share some fun and healthy ways to use it! It keeps for 1 month in an airtight container and in every 3/4 cup serving there are 297 calories.
I begin with 6 grain rolled cereal, composed of wheat, rye, oats, barley and sunflower seeds. I can highly recommend my source, Honeyville Grain . I have been using their food storage products for years. This is my favorite cereal that I buy in 50 pound bags. It’s makes a wonderful hot cereal, gives beautiful texture to homemade bread, and we love to turn out vats of our granola. It stores well for years in a cool, dry space, and is very well priced.
Mix grain-oats, brown sugar, and unprocessed bran well…
combine oil, honey and vanilla and heat till bubbly. Pour over the oat-grain mixture and mix together. Now pour in onto a jelly-roll pan (18×12), spread it out and pop it in the oven.

Note: When I make it, I four times my recipe and bake it in 2 (18×12) double cake pans. It takes longer to bake, but is just as easy to make it in quantity for gifts, company, and other recipes. Each time I stir it, I switch the pans from top to bottom.

Stir it in 10 minute intervals till it starts to get brown and crunchy.

When you think it’s almost done, add cut up fruit. You can use whatever kind of dried fruit you like, cherries, raisins, cranberries, apricots, apples, peaches…I used a mixture of these and added slivered almonds to each pan. Now bake for 10 more minutes.
You should have a pan of gorgeous granola, healthy and yummy, all rolled into one! Now let it cool and it will get crunchier as it cools.
Put it in an airtight container…and enjoy all month long. If you want to be a granola girl (or guy), it’s pretty enough to be out on your counter! I love these fabulous glass jars…
This is as “granola,” as I get, invigorated and windblown at the top of our hike. Oh, we had fun! Our little family left this morning, and the nest is empty again…we are feeling “sweet misery” as we tidy it up. We made some amazing memories and sure love the three of you!

We are planning our hike for next week and won’t forget our bear bells this time!


Low-fat Granola

  • 8 cups 6 grain cereal
  • 3/4 cup brown sugar
  • 1/2 cup unprocessed bran
  • 1/4 cup canola oil
  • 1/4 cup honey
  • 2 tsp. vanilla
  • 1 cup chopped dried apples, apricots, peaches, pears or prunes
  • 1/2 cup dried cranberries, raisins, or cherries
  • 1 cup chopped raw almonds

Mix oat-grain mixture, brown sugar, and bran well. Add to a large roasting pan. Mix honey, oil and vanilla in a saucepan and heat till bubbly. Pour over oat-grain mixture and mix well. Bake uncovered at 350 for 10 minutes and then stir. Bake 10 more minutes and stir again…then repeat. Stir in fruit and nuts and bake for 10 more minutes. Cool and stir again. Store in a airtight container for 1 month. Makes about 4 quarts.

Take a hike, my friends!

About The Author

Renée

Renée is passionate about making and sharing ALL things delicious! Her happy place really is her kitchen where she loves whipping up memories with her family and friends. Raised in sunny Southern California she's spent her adulthood in Idaho, both sides of her great state. She's married to an amazing man, and together they have 5 children, who gave them five more, and now they have 28 grandchildren. So there’s always a reason to cook and celebrate around their place!

20 Comments

  1. Julie Harward

    I love granola…and your girl is such a pretty gal with such a handsome husband..darling little one! I LOVE Jackson Hole and the Tetons…my very favorite place to go…the boots on my side bar, thats where i bought them! Thanks for the recipe! 😀

    Reply
  2. KatiePerk

    Thanks for sharing! This recipe looks delicious. Those pictures are gorgeous!

    Reply
  3. Julie

    I love granola. Funny I think the last time I made homemade was last summer when we went on our vacation to Yellowstone & The Tetons. What beautiful country!!! I am envious of your scenery!!! The wildflowers are amazing!!

    Thanks for a great post. Reminded me of a great vacation last summer.

    Reply
  4. Natasha

    I have never made granola before because I always thought it was too rich and fattening but if your daughter likes this recipe then I will give it a try.

    Best wishes and happy Friday,
    Natasha.

    Reply
  5. Debbie

    That looks absolutely delicious!! We’re not quite as granola as your daughter -I’m impressed, BTW- but the husband and I have been considered “crunchies” by our friends since college.

    I have location envy right now of the beautiful area in which you live. I would want to be outside all of the time!! (Strike that: I mean all of the time EXCEPT when there is a grizzly around.)

    Reply
  6. LDH

    You have such beauty all around you! The photos of the places you saw and the dear family you spent time with were all so enjoyable to view!

    As always ~ so nice stopping by!

    Reply
  7. Gypsy Heart

    I haven’t investigated many granola recipes as I thought most were sugar laden, high fat. I appreciate your sharing this one and will plan to make it. Like someone else said, if it’s good enough for your daughter, then we can totally enjoy it too. 🙂

    Oh, how I’d love to be in your area right now! It’s so hot & humid here, you can hardly stand to be outside for a few minutes ~ definitely no long walks, etc. A totally beautiful area and makes me want a vacation.

    Have a wonderful weekend! Your family is adorable ~

    Pat

    Reply
  8. Pam

    First of all let me say that you have the cutest granddaughter! I want to reach in those pictures and give her a squeeze!:-)
    You are so fortunate to live so close to such beauty! It is on my family’s “Bucket List” to visit Yellowstone Park. Hopefully in the next couple of years we will be able to.
    I would love to try your granola recipe. Looks yummy! ALL of your recipes look/are yummy!:-)

    Reply
  9. suzitee

    What gorgeous photos Gnee…and what a stunning part of the world you live in!
    Good luck with your Christmas quilts…sounds like a HUGE job!

    Reply
  10. Stephanie Lynn @Under the Table and Dreaming

    This looks delicious! TFS the recipe – I really would like to try it! What beautiful pictures…the views are amazing! Thanks so much for joining the Sunday Showcase – I greatly appreciate it! Hope you have a wonderful week! ~ Stephanie Lynn

    Reply
  11. Bernie

    Marvellous photos … you have some stunning views. I simply adored your mosaic of wildflowers … they are just gorgeous. Thanks for sharing that wonderful recipe … can’t wait to try it!

    Reply
  12. A Garden of Threads

    Thanks for the recipe. Your daughter and family are gorgeous, you are so blessed. I am glad you had a wonderful visit with them. Take care.

    Reply
  13. eileeninmd

    Wow, I would love to live near the Tetons. It is a gorgeous place and my favorite. Also the place where I saw my first Grizzly bear. It was so cool. I loved your photos.

    Reply
  14. Jacqueline

    The granola looks so yummy. What beautiful pictures of such a beautiful part of the country. Your family is beautiful. Thanks for the gorgeous collage of flowers. The pictures are fabulous. How fun, glad you had such a great time.

    Reply
  15. ☺lani☺

    Priceless Photos! The granola really looks yum! Have a nice day!

    Reply
  16. SnoWhite

    Awesome recipe!

    I make granola almost weekly. We make it plain and add the dried fruits to each serving that way we can choose what dried fruits we want in each bowl. We enjoy dried cherries, craisins, apples and blueberries the most!

    Reply
  17. the cape on the corner

    wow! that bear (and those distant mountains) are amazing. i am definitely not a granola or hiking type of girl, but to each his own. i am impressed by those that are.

    glad you stopped by, and thanks for your comment on my table!

    Reply
  18. Cheryl

    Looks tasty good. Thanks for linking to Craftastic Monday:)

    Reply

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We're Alison and Renée, and we're so glad you've joined us! Our kitchens are our happy place, where we're whipping up memories. Get comfy and check things out. We hope you find inspiring dishes and ways to better your life. Feeling optimistic, trying new things and sharing with those we love brings joy in all we do. It's time to cook, create and celebrate. CHEERS! Read More…

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