How To Make Microwave Granola

Granola can be a tasty and healthy snack, perfect for your lunch box or evening munching. But purchased granola can be expensive or full of unhealthy additives, or it just may include something your family doesn't like or is allergic to. By making your own, you have more control.

A standard recipe for microwave granola includes:

• 2/3 cups chopped nuts (mixed or single variety)
• 2 cups oats
• salt to taste, about a pinch
• 1/3 cup wheat germ
• 1/4 cup honey
• 1/4 cup brown sugar
• 1/3 cup raisins, dried cranberries or other dried fruit
• Optional: cinnamon to taste

By using this microwave recipe, you can make several batches quickly and easily. The easiest approach it to prepare several batches at once, and then cook them one after another in your microwave. Microwave granola can be just as good as baked granola, but is made in much less time.

1. First, toast all the nuts together in a glass baking dish for about 3 minutes on high. While these are toasting, measure all of the other dry ingredients. If you're making multiple batches, measure one recipe's worth of ingredients for each container. (For two batches, you'll measure once into one dish, then a second time into a second dish.) After the nuts have finished toasting, divide them approximately equally among your batches.
2. Put the first batch of dry ingredients in a glass baking dish. Stir in honey and cook according to the recipe. Put the finished mixture into a large container. Repeat the steps for each of the following batches, putting each into the same container. Once you have all the batches combined, you can add any soft ingredients such as raisins or dried cranberries. Store in an airtight container.
3. If you prefer granola bars to lose granola, you can also make these in your microwave. For this option, you'll need to add 1/2 cup softened butter and 1/2 teaspoon vanilla. Toast the nuts as described above, then grease or butter your glass pan. Mix all of your ingredients together, including your dried fruit, then press firmly into the greased pan. Microwave on Medium for 7 to 9 minutes or until the bars are set. If you do not have a turntable microwave, rotate pan every 3 minutes during the cooking process. Let cool, then slice into bars.

In addition to being a healthy snack, microwave granola or granola bars also make a great addition to a holiday gift basket, perfect for all those teacher, neighbor, or office gifts.