Kids play hard when they’re camping and that means they get hungry, a lot! You can provide a healthy snack for them that won’t ruin their dinner by offering them some of your homemade granola.
The best granola comes from the list you keep in your head of what foods your family likes best. There really is no limit to the variety of granola you can make at home with just a little experimentation. Cook up a batch or two before your trip and bring it along with you. The kids will enjoy the snack and they may not even know it’s good for them.
The basic recipe for granola is 6 parts dry ingredients to 1 part wet ingredients. You toss it all together until well coated and spread on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Spread the granola out well so it will cook evenly and then bake at 300 degrees for 30 minutes.
You’ll need to begin with oats as the base of your dry ingredients but the rest can be whatever you choose. Some ideas for adding flavor and personality to your granola are nuts, seeds, and other grains that you like. You can add coconut flakes, chocolate chips, or dried fruit. For a nice ratio of ingredients you can combine 1 part oats, 1 part nuts, 1 part seeds, and 1 part anything else you love.
Combine your wet ingredients separately and add them to the dry. This can be coconut oil, olive oil, grapeseed or canola oil. Sweeten it to taste with your favorite sugar or syrup. Then season it with vanilla, cinnamon, nutmeg, or any spices you choose. Be sure to add a little salt to balance things.
Spread it on a cookie sheet and bake. Let it cool on the counter and put it in sealed bags for your camping trip. It’s really that easy to make and take for your next camping adventure. You can read the details for making your own granola at Granola is Better and Easier to Make Without a Recipe.