Monday, May 27, 2013

SRC: Crockpot Granola

Ever since giving up store-bought cereal, granola has become a staple in our house.  In the past 5.5 years, we have made at least one batch of granola weekly in our house.  Our recipe is tried and true, but it does have one downfall in the summer – it requires the oven. 

This month for the Secret Recipe Club I was assigned to Erin’s beautiful blog - Table for Seven.  Her recipes look amazing – including this delectable Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Quick Bread, and this savory Taco Pizza!

But, what really caught my attention was a recipe for granola, made in the crockpot!  If it worked, this could be huge.  No hot oven during the middle of July?!  Sounds like a winner to me. 

I adjusted the recipe a bit, and the first time I made it made just the ingredients listed below.  Time number two through, I doubled the ingredients.  The third time (yes, I’ve made more the 20 C of granola this month), I used our favorite brown sugar granola recipe and cooked it in the crockpot. 

All times – it was a success. 

Crockpot Granola – Adapted from Table for Seven

Ingredients

  • 5 C Old Fashioned Oats
  • 1/4 C packed brown sugar
  • 2 tsp. cinnamon
  • 3/4 C applesauce
  • 2 T honey
  • 1 tsp. vanilla
  • 1 tsp. olive oil
  • pinch of salt

Directions

In the base of your crockpot, combine 5 C oats, 1/4 C packed brown sugar and 2 tsp. cinnamon.  Add a pinch of salt and stir well.

In a medium-sized bowl, mix together 3/4 C applesauce, 2 T honey, 1 tsp. olive oil and a splash of vanilla.  Stir well. 

Pour over the oat mixture and stir well to coat. 

Don’t give up stirring too soon!  I found a wooden spoon was really the best for stirring and it took a good couple of minutes before it was fully moistened. 

Turn the crockpot onto low and cover, but leave the cover ajar. 

Cook on low/medium for 5-7 hours, stirring every 30-45 minutes. 

Remove the cover and allow the granola to cool completely. 

Add mix-ins, if desired: craisins, dried apples, chocolate chips/chunks, coconut, dried cherries! 

Store in an airtight container. 

Enjoy!

32 comments:

  1. Ooh, brilliant!! Is it absolutely necessary to stir it so often?? I don't often find myself near a crockpot for 5-7 hours.....

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    1. I would recommend stirring it at least that much early on (first hour or so), after that, you can likely get by with stirring it less frequently.

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  2. I love how you posted granola and the person who had your blog did too :) Crockpot seems like it would be so much easier than oven-baked.

    Happy Reveal Day.

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  3. So glad you enjoyed it! We eat a bunch too and the crock pot is a lifesaver :)

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    1. It was so delicious and I am thrilled with how it worked out. Thanks so much for an energy-efficient way to make granola.

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  4. YUMM!! Granola is one of my favorites - and in the crock pot?? That is awesome! Great SRC pick!!

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  5. We make granola so much in our house, I never realized you could make it in the crockpot. So cool!

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    1. Yes, and so much more energy efficient than the oven(which is the equivalent to a hummer in your kitchen!).

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  6. This is fantastic! We've given up store bought cereal too and always on the lookout for new recipes. Definitely giving this a go. Great pick for SRC!

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  7. YUM! I've yet to try homemade granola. I should though.

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  8. This sounds fantastic! I love granola, but I know I won't want to turn my oven on this summer either, so this version sounds great!

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  9. Ahhh granola! It is truly the BEST. Such a great choice for your SRC recipe to make and share with all of us!! :-)

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  10. Oh this makes me really want a crock pot! Will have to try it in the oven - great one for SRC!

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    Replies
    1. you'll love a crockpot... put it on a birthday present list :)

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  11. What a great idea! I'm trying this soon!

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  12. Great pick! I'd never thought to use a slow cooker to make granola. I'll have to give it a try. :)

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  13. So you mentioned you used your Brown Sugar recipe the third time . . . did you notice any difference in flavor/consistency? Which did you prefer? I'm totally making some tomorrow and did not know if I should add the extra stuff (vanilla and things) or just go with the normal recipe with the new method :-)

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    1. Here's what I did for the brown sugar granola:

      9 C oats
      1 C brown sugar
      2 T honey
      1/2 C water
      1 T butter
      Cinnamon, to taste.

      Mix the water, honey, butter and brown sugar together and warm until sugar is dissolved and butter melts. Stir in as above.

      Both are good -- it's fun to change it up every once and a while though :)

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    2. I just stumbled across this in one of your menu plans and really want to try this in the crockpot this weekend. About how long did this version take in the crockpot? I looked at the original too. It really only takes about 10 minutes in the oven?

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  14. Two quick questions:
    -Do you need to grease/butter the inside of your crockpot? I know I spray my baking pan with Pam when I make it in the oven - wondering if the same applies to the crockpot?
    -Second...do you need to / do you ever store yours in the fridge? The recipe I usually make contains milk, and seems to stay much more crispy in the fridge - thoughts?
    Love this idea for the middle of summer - that is, if it ever gets really warm :)

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    1. Hi Liz --

      I thought about greasing the crockpot too since I do all other times. And, each time I made it I forgot. Alas, no sticking, so perhaps it doesn't need it (and maybe that is why we need frequent stirring). I don't think it would hurt to spray it though.

      I don't store my granola in the fridge, but my recipes don't require milk. I have tossed some in the freezer for longer-term storage, but we have small air-tight containers from IKEA that we enjoy and store our granola in.... but I've honestly never thought to store it in the fridge ;)

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  15. I chose your recipe as the SRC Editor’s Choice this week SnoWhite! My daughter and I love granola, and I am so glad this is a no-bake version. Congrats! :)

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  16. How long will it keep stored in air tight container?

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    1. Ours never lasts very long, but you could easily store it airtight at room temp for 2-3 weeks, longer than that - I might recommend tossing it into the freezer.

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  17. Haley @ Cheap Recipe BlogDecember 31, 2013 at 9:38 AM

    You're killing me! Granola in the crockpot?! This sounds awesome.

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  18. Is there something you can trade the brown sugar for? Stevia maybe?

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    1. I'd try honey. But, go with less honey since it's sweeter than the brown sugar.

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  19. We are allergic to nuts and seeds at our house, so I have never made this granola with them. However, I would think you could add them at the beginning, just like everything else.

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  20. Is there any substitute for the apple sauce? I want to make this today, but am all out of my homemade apple sauce.

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    1. You could try another "plain" fruit puree -- like pear or maybe even banana, although I would expect that banana would leave a strong flavor in the granola. I bet pumpkin, sweet potato or carrot would be tasty!

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Thanks for stopping by! I'd love to hear from you; especially how you're finding JOY in your kitchen.

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