Name: Simple Homemade Granola
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 30 min
Total time: 40 min
Ingredients: 5 cups old fashioned oats (- I used Bob's Red Mill Gluten Free Oats); 1 1/4 cups maple syrup; 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon; 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves; 1/8 teaspoon ground ginger; 1 cup pecans (- chopped); 1 cup dates (- chopped)

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Simple Homemade Granola is a comforting breakfast meal that includes dates! A simple, healthy and delicious vegan granola cereal that just takes minutes to prepare and just happens to be gluten free and oil free.

Close up photo and cropped on each side of the bowl filled with cereal and milk.

In the old days, I had no idea I could make my own simple homemade granola. Not only have it homemade but where I could control all of the ingredients and at a fraction of the cost.

This recipe was inspired by one that is in my 'top ten most popular list' here on the blog. They are The Best Date Bars Ever!

It turns out that the same theme makes a wonderful cereal. This time pecans are used.

Have you ever read the labels on cereal packages? It is crazy! Sodium is a major culprit but there are also all the things that can't be pronounced.

Well, this simple homemade granola has nuts, fruit, oats spices and maple syrup. A delicious, filling and naturally gluten free breakfast.

Oh, hey! There is another granola on this blog too. This Nut Free Granola has only the oats in common. It is also gluten free. Oh, and it's even higher in protein!

You'll get 10 cups of this delicious cereal and 'they say' that there is one cup in a serving of cereal.

Sometimes they say a serving is less than a cup on a package but I think that's just to tweak the calories on their nutrition label. I'm not kidding!

So if they say ⅔'s cup is a serving then I don't think you're getting enough. Add it up in your mind how many calories you're really going to get.

You didn't know you were going to get a 'label reading lesson' did you? Ha!

I use to call this my Date Bar Granola because it has the same flavor. You have just got to try it.

HOW LONG DOES HOMEMADE GRANOLA LAST?

In an airtight container in your dark pantry or cupboard it will keep for about 6 months.
It also freezes really well for about about 6 months so you have an option if you need space in one place or the other.
You can use a freezer bag for the granola but I actually put it into another one just to ensure against ice crystals.

BENEFITS OF EATING GRANOLA CEREAL

There are lots of benefits when the granola is homemade. There is lots of chewing satisfaction.
Oats pack lots of fiber and iron and it will help you feel full for hours.
Nuts add lots of protein and so do oats by the way.
Because of the chopped dates, you get an extra oomph of sweetness that is nothing but good for you.
Maple syrup is a natural sweetener that helps meld all of the ingredients together when baked.
The calories aren't bad at all for this recipe especially since it can give you keep you going for a long time with lots of nutrients and vitamins included.

INGREDIENTS FOR VEGAN GRANOLA CEREAL

Old fashioned oats - also known as rolled oats and they are so very good. Buy organic, please.
Maple syrup - is one of my two favorite sweeteners (coconut sugar is the other) and it works perfectly with this recipe.
Cinnamon - spices it like a pie.
Ground cloves - adds more towards the treat appeal.
Ground ginger - tops the spices off so everything is just right.
Pecans - are a milder nut than walnuts in flavor and they blend really nice for a morning cereal.
Dates - make everything better!

HOW DO YOU MAKE SIMPLE HOMEMADE GRANOLA?

Cover two baking sheets with parchment paper. It's a lot so do two baking sheets. And the parchment paper makes it so much easier to clean u. Set aside.
Preheat the oven to 300 degrees.
In a large mixing bowl place the oats, maple syrup and spices. Mix well.
Spread on the prepared baking sheets.
Bake for 30 minutes.
Take out of the oven and mix in the pecans and dates.
Bake another 15 minutes.
Take out of the oven and let cool, completely. Pack in airtight containers.

HERE ARE A FEW MORE BREAKFAST RECIPES FEATURING DATES!

Date Pecan Cornbread Quick Bread is a surprise but , boy is it good!
Sometimes it's nice to have a breakfast you can eat in or grab as you're running out the door such as these Hawaiian Banana Date Muffins.
Healthy Breakfast Bars with Cranberries - and dates and more. Check out the ingredients!

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What Do You Think?

If you take a photo of your fruit and nut granola cereal I would love to see it. Follow me over on Instagram and tag me on your photo @vegan_in_the_freezer.