Reviewed: Sep. 16, 2009

I did everything as written, except used Craisins instead of dates. It was pretty good! Crunchy and mildly sweet.

Was this review helpful? [ YES ]
0 users found this review helpful

Reviewer:

HARTMR

Cooking Level: Intermediate

My Profile | Cooks I Like | Reviews
Photos | Recipes | Blog

Reviewed: Mar. 18, 2009

This is a very easy and tasty homemade cereal to make. This is a great (and cheaper) alternative to today's commercial cereals that are processed and loaded with bad sugar. I have made this 5 times and all turned out great, using slightly different mixings dried fruits and nuts. You may also want to half the nutmeg so it’s not overpowering. To be totally organic (if that's a worry), then you may want to buy your own coconut and shred it (if used) and also buy a natural brown sugar (like muscavado). And if using some kind of blend of dried fruit, buy some that not artificially "sweetened". I estimated the cost to make this was $0.23 per serving (even using all natural ingredients as above). Furthermore, I estimated on a 2,500 calorie diet, if this was all you ate (not recommended), it would cost $1.84 per day to live off of (and buying a generic version of Oats)!

Was this review helpful? [ YES ]
0 users found this review helpful

Reviewer:

chefanator

My Profile | Cooks I Like | Reviews
Photos | Recipes | Blog

Reviewed: Feb. 23, 2009

Wow. This is really good. I used slivered almonds and it came out really delicious. I only used 6 cups of oats though and left the other amounts the same. I am wondering if you can get good results if you cut the oil back to 1/4 cup. I may try that next time.

Was this review helpful? [ YES ]
1 user found this review helpful

Reviewer:

BTSYLYNN

Cooking Level: Intermediate

Home Town: Toledo, Washington, USA

Living In: Portland, Oregon, USA

My Profile | Cooks I Like | Reviews
Photos | Recipes | Blog

Reviewed: Sep. 1, 2008

Before I made this, I wish I had read deeper into the reviews to discover that this doesn't clump at all. The only thing I changed was to substitute applesauce for oil to cut down on fat. It didn't stay as crunchy as I had hoped in milk, either. Other than the fact that this is a healthy choice, I was disappointed and won't make this again.

Was this review helpful? [ YES ]
0 users found this review helpful

Reviewer:

JANNIECAT

Cooking Level: Intermediate

Living In: Maricopa, Arizona, USA

My Profile | Cooks I Like | Reviews
Photos | Recipes | Blog

Reviewed: Aug. 30, 2008

Awesome recipe -we have been giving this to our son since he stopped having "baby cereal". Its great hot or cold, with yogurt, or just as a snack. I've put currants, cranberries, blueberries, and raisins in it - its a great recipe to modify. However, I always use my coffee grinder to grind up pecans, almonds, and banana chips into the cereal. I've mixed up bunches to give to folks as presents and they RAVE about it.

Was this review helpful? [ YES ]
0 users found this review helpful

Reviewer:

JakesMom

Cooking Level: Intermediate

My Profile | Cooks I Like | Reviews
Photos | Recipes | Blog

Reviewed: Jun. 16, 2008

Granola is so expensive at the store that I thought I'd try making some myself. I added the listed spices, left out the nuts and coconut, and substituted raisins instead of dates. Overall, this was an alright granola, but not nearly as good as store-bought. Just my oppinion.

Was this review helpful? [ YES ]
0 users found this review helpful

Reviewer:

Wiley

Cooking Level: Intermediate

Home Town: Newport, Pennsylvania, USA

Living In: Middletown, Pennsylvania, USA

My Profile | Cooks I Like | Reviews
Photos | Recipes | Blog

Reviewed: Sep. 14, 2007

This is absolutely delicious. If I could give it more stars, I would! I always bump up the vanilla, cinnamon, & nutmeg a bit, and leave out the coconut. The last time I made it, I added bran flake cereal to it, and I am super-satisfied with the results. Here are the measurements I used: 3.5 cups oats, 3.5 cups bran flake cereal, .75 cup wheat germ, & .75 cup wheat bran.....everything else the same. Thanks for sharing this gem of a recipe, Cheryl!

Was this review helpful? [ YES ]
0 users found this review helpful

Reviewer:

Springchick

Cooking Level: Expert

Home Town: Mason, Ohio, USA

Living In: Springboro, Ohio, USA

My Profile | Cooks I Like | Reviews
Photos | Recipes | Blog

Reviewed: Jul. 31, 2007

this is good but my family did not really care for the flavor, they like another ganola recipe better.

Was this review helpful? [ YES ]
0 users found this review helpful

Reviewer:

shawn

Cooking Level: Expert

Living In: Reardan, Washington, USA

My Profile | Cooks I Like | Reviews
Photos | Recipes | Blog

Reviewed: Jul. 10, 2007

This is a good start. The texture is a little chewy for my taste, but the flavor is really good. I used walnuts and cherries instead of the other nuts and dates. I also added some ground flax meal for an omega-6 boost. I will definitely be making this often, and plan to experiment with different variations.

Was this review helpful? [ YES ]
0 users found this review helpful

Reviewer:

karessa

My Profile | Cooks I Like | Reviews
Photos | Recipes | Blog

Reviewed: Jun. 27, 2007

I used raisins, walnuts, and sliced almonds instead of the dates and pecans. Followed the recipe step by step other than that. I would recommend using at least 3 large jelly roll pans to spread the cereal out on. I put mine on 1, and it didn't evenly brown (the cereal along the edge browned faster than that in the middle). Also, I wish there was some way to make this "clumpier." I like the crunchy clusters you get sometimes in cereal and granola-- this was all one consistency. Perhaps more honey next time? We really love this, though, and will make again. It lasts a very long time because it makes a big load of cereal.

Was this review helpful? [ YES ]
1 user found this review helpful

Reviewer:

ANNALOU18

Cooking Level: Expert

My Profile | Cooks I Like | Reviews
Photos | Recipes | Blog

Reviewed: May 13, 2007

Makes a tasty breakfast. I used dried cranberries and almonds instead of dates and pecans. Also reduced the sugar by 1/3 because it was plenty sweet with that.

Was this review helpful? [ YES ]
1 user found this review helpful

Reviewer:

Danotoyoutoo

My Profile | Cooks I Like | Reviews
Photos | Recipes | Blog

Reviewed: May 7, 2007

This is really good. Probably will replace dates with crasins (the dates were a bit difficult to find and work with), but other than that, it's delicious. I tend to eat it as oatmeal.

Was this review helpful? [ YES ]
1 user found this review helpful

Reviewer:

The Nightingale

My Profile | Cooks I Like | Reviews
Photos | Recipes | Blog

Reviewed: Apr. 21, 2007

This recipe is excellent. It is a very nutritional breakfast cereal without all of the sugar. Very filling and my 2 year old loves it!

Was this review helpful? [ YES ]
2 users found this review helpful

Reviewer:

A. Sorrell

My Profile | Cooks I Like | Reviews
Photos | Recipes | Blog

Reviewed: Apr. 15, 2007

Great recipe! I add dried blueberries and walnuts. I also followed the other reviewer and subbed applesauce for the oil. It has come out great every time!

Was this review helpful? [ YES ]
1 user found this review helpful

Reviewer:

Brenda

My Profile | Cooks I Like | Reviews
Photos | Recipes | Blog

Reviewed: Mar. 1, 2007

This is very tasty as well as simple to make. I made it as described and will halve the nutmeg next time as it seemed to somewhat overtake the other flavors. Great nutrition -- and it's nice to skip the preservatives and fillers of commercial cereal!

Was this review helpful? [ YES ]
6 users found this review helpful

Reviewer:

SCHNICKELFRITZ

Cooking Level: Expert

Living In: Bloomington, Illinois, USA

My Profile | Cooks I Like | Reviews
Photos | Recipes | Blog

Reviewed: Jan. 23, 2007

This was a good base recipe for granola- I substituted unsweetened applesauce for the oil, unsweetened apple juice for the water, omitted the dates and coconut, added pine nuts, slivered almonds, raisins, dried cranberries, sunflower seeds and dried apricots. I also used all wheat bran instead of the mix of wheat germ and bran and it turned out fine! Very good hot like oatmeal, cold with milk, or mixed with applesauce.

Was this review helpful? [ YES ]
17 users found this review helpful

Reviewer:

Giraffecat

Cooking Level: Expert

Home Town: Youngsville, Pennsylvania, USA

Living In: Clarion, Pennsylvania, USA

My Profile | Cooks I Like | Reviews
Photos | Recipes | Blog

Reviewed: Jan. 11, 2007

This cereal is so good! I've made it several times. I use raisins and only 1/2 teaspoon of nutmeg because 1 teaspoon seems overpowering. Very good recipe!

Was this review helpful? [ YES ]
2 users found this review helpful

Reviewer:

ny1329

My Profile | Cooks I Like | Reviews
Photos | Recipes | Blog

Reviewed: Dec. 20, 2006

This has been one of my favorite recipes from this site! I make this all the time for my family and as gifts for friends. Everyone I've given it to has beeged for the recipe. My boys put it on yogurt or applesauce, and I just love it in a bowl with milk for breakfast. When making it I include the optional cinnamon and nutmeg, but I also include ½ - 1 cup of flax seeds. I sometimes splurge on the vanilla too and add up to 2 tablespoons. As for the nuts I have found that I like chopped hazelnuts and almonds. I cook the nuts throughout the entire baking cycle to give them a nice toasted taste. Then I just add the dates for the last 15 minutes and skip the coconut. Super easy! Super good!

Was this review helpful? [ YES ]
7 users found this review helpful

Reviewer:

blessedmommy

Cooking Level: Intermediate

Home Town: Groton, New York, USA

Living In: Rochester, New York, USA

My Profile | Cooks I Like | Reviews
Photos | Recipes | Blog

Reviewed: Oct. 20, 2006

i changed the dried fruit to raisins and dried cranberrys. it came out great. i'm making this my #1 granola recipe

Was this review helpful? [ YES ]
6 users found this review helpful

Reviewer:

Tamar Shen-Orr

My Profile | Cooks I Like | Reviews
Photos | Recipes | Blog

Reviewed: Oct. 12, 2006

We LOVED this cereal. It is so yummy!!! I added some crasins, sunflower seeds, and walnuts to it and they are a nice touch. We will be making this recipe a lot!!!!

Was this review helpful? [ YES ]
3 users found this review helpful