Slow Cooker Monday: Granola

Today we can celebrate meatless Monday and slow cooker Monday with the same thing: granola. Unfortunately this isn’t one of those recipes where you toss the ingredients in the Crock Pot and walk away for 8 hours recipes; instead, you have to stir occasionally. It’s a good project for an afternoon when you’re home and you can still get other things done around the house.

This recipe makes a more cereal-like granola – if you like really clumpy, trail-mix granola, add more sweetener and butter. As with any granola recipe, you can play around with flavors and add different nuts, seeds, dried fruit, and even fruit puree to replace some of the butter. I added maple syrup, walnuts, raisins, sunflower seeds and butter to oats to make a slightly sweet granola with the perfect toasted and nutty flavor.

What are your favorite granola ingredients?


Recipe:

Slow Cooker Granola

I made this in a 3 1/2 quart slow cooker. If you have a larger one, you can double the recipe.

  • 2 1/2 C oats
  • 1/2 C nuts, chopped
  • 1/2 C dried fruit
  • 1/4 C sweetener (honey, maple syrup, etc.)
  • 1/4 C seeds (sunflower, pumpkin, etc.)
  • 2 T butter (or nut butter)
  • 1 t cinnamon

Place all ingredients in slow cooker and set to high for 3 hours. Place a chopstick or other utensil under the lid so it doesn’t close all the way. Check and stir the granola around every 30 minutes, or when it becomes fragrant. Once it looks a bit browned and toasted, it’s ready to go. Turn off slow cooker, let granola cool, then store in airtight bag in fridge.

34 Comments on Slow Cooker Monday: Granola

  1. Heidi
    May 9, 2011 at 1:01 pm (13 years ago)

    I had no idea you could make granola in a slow cooker. That is awesome! Yours looks so yummy.) I haven’t had granola in so long and I love it 🙂
    Heidi recently posted Hazelnut Butter Two Ways

    Reply
  2. Jennifer (Delicieux)
    May 10, 2011 at 2:51 am (13 years ago)

    Like Angie, I had no idea you could make granola in a slow cooker. What a great idea though! I have a friend with a slow cooker, so am sending this to her.
    Jennifer (Delicieux) recently posted Mother’s Day Menu Ideas

    Reply
  3. Amanda
    May 10, 2011 at 12:22 pm (13 years ago)

    Granola in a slow cooker? Incredible! I need to invest in a slow cooker…
    Amanda recently posted a good wife

    Reply
  4. Lindsey@Lindselicious
    May 10, 2011 at 2:54 pm (13 years ago)

    You are the slow cooker queen! I love that this recipe hardly uses any sweetener and so little butter. I will have to give this a try after I finish the batch I made earlier.
    Lindsey@Lindselicious recently posted Gaji Namul- Korean Eggplant

    Reply
    • Stephanie
      May 13, 2011 at 12:52 pm (13 years ago)

      Lindsey – thank you! You’re so sweet. I will gladly accept my new title 🙂 I liked that I was able to keep it pretty healthy too. When you try it, let me know what you think.

    • Stephanie
      May 13, 2011 at 12:51 pm (13 years ago)

      Emily – give it a try and let me know what you think!

    • Stephanie
      May 13, 2011 at 12:51 pm (13 years ago)

      The Mom Chef – thank you! It’s not much of a hassle if you’re home anyway, and worth the result I think.

  5. Andrea
    May 10, 2011 at 6:07 pm (13 years ago)

    Crazy! I didn’t know granola could be made in a slow cooker! Must try.

    Reply
    • Stephanie
      May 13, 2011 at 12:50 pm (13 years ago)

      Andrea, definitely try it! Slow cookers are surprisingly versatile and it’s fun to find different things to make in them.

  6. Joy
    May 10, 2011 at 8:04 pm (13 years ago)

    That looks wonderful.
    Joy recently posted Kinda Working

    Reply
  7. Sarah Schiffman
    May 10, 2011 at 10:09 pm (13 years ago)

    Slow Cooker Granola? This just kind of blew my mind. I think I’ll have to try it this weekend!!

    Reply
    • Stephanie
      May 13, 2011 at 12:50 pm (13 years ago)

      Sarah, I love that this blew your mind 🙂 Aren’t slow cookers amazing?!

    • Stephanie
      May 13, 2011 at 12:49 pm (13 years ago)

      Hester, I meant to add coconut and I simply forgot! Thanks for the reminder, I need to try that next time.

  8. Annie
    May 11, 2011 at 5:08 am (13 years ago)

    I absolutely love a good slow cooker recipe. What a great idea!
    Annie recently posted Berry Shortcake

    Reply
    • Stephanie
      May 13, 2011 at 12:49 pm (13 years ago)

      Thanks Annie!

  9. Eda
    May 12, 2011 at 10:03 am (13 years ago)

    Tried this today and doubled it up a I love granola and I have a huge slow cooker. It is delicious, the next batch is already in for a friend. Thanks!

    Reply
    • Stephanie
      May 13, 2011 at 12:48 pm (13 years ago)

      Eda – that’s great! I’m so glad you enjoyed it.

    • Stephanie
      May 13, 2011 at 12:48 pm (13 years ago)

      I was surprised too, but it definitely works. Slow cookers are more versatile than their reputation implies!

  10. kita
    May 16, 2011 at 3:13 pm (13 years ago)

    My favorite granola ingredient is dried cranberries. I love those little suckers and can never get enough of them. I love that this is made in a crock pot and I have plenty to do at home so it should be an easy afternoon task for me 🙂

    Reply
  11. Tara
    June 9, 2012 at 4:52 pm (12 years ago)

    Just wondering how long the granola will keep for? 🙂

    Reply
    • Stephanie
      June 10, 2012 at 9:09 am (12 years ago)

      @Tara – it keeps for a long time. I think I had mine in the fridge for a month or two before I ate it all.

  12. Chance
    January 9, 2013 at 9:44 am (11 years ago)

    What kind of oats are these? I mean, are they at all pre-cooked or is it old fashined steel-cut style? need some clarification.

    Reply
    • Stephanie Nuccitelli
      January 9, 2013 at 1:20 pm (11 years ago)

      Chance, they’re not pre-cooked, just old fashioned oats (not steel cut).

  13. Brittany
    March 1, 2015 at 8:55 am (9 years ago)

    I’m wondering if the pumpkin seeds should be raw of iif they can be roasted(baked) already? I know it probably just depends on our taste, but I wondered what you suggest as you listed pumpkin seeds as a possibility.

    Reply
    • Stephanie Saunders
      March 2, 2015 at 5:12 pm (9 years ago)

      I think either way would work, Brittany.

2Pingbacks & Trackbacks on Slow Cooker Monday: Granola

  1. […] I tried the granola recipe from 52 Kitchen Adventures. We didn’t like it as much as our regular granola recipe.  The dried fruit (cherries) became […]

  2. […] with this slow cooker granola, your fav cereal, some nuts and some fresh […]

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