Granola really fell from grace during the era when fat was considered a naughty word. But now that we've realized there is 'good fat' and 'eating clean' (whole foods) is back in food fashion, homemade granola appears to be making a comeback. Yay! There is nothing like making granola yourself and it's so superior to store-bought granola! I incorporate brown butter into my version, as it lends a rich flavor. This healthy Brown Butter Pecan Granola recipe is chock-full of lots of healthy stuff, minus the preservatives and it's by far, the best granola!
This homemade granola recipe doesn't take long to make, is the perfect breakfast food, stores well, and is versatile in that it can be eaten straight up, sprinkled on all kinds of things (most notably yogurt), or simply eaten with some milk.
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🥘 Ingredients
Brown butter is pretty old school but has also come back into food vogue over the last couple of years. And rightly so. It's easy to add to recipes and lends a delicious caramel flavor to whatever it's paired with. If you're not familiar with brown butter, well, it's just that-butter that's been browned. But you need to be careful not to overcook it. There are plenty of video guides online that teach you the proper technique for browning butter. (See video below)
For this brown butter granola recipe, you'll need:
- rolled oats * I use quick oats
- raw unsalted sunflower seeds
- chia seeds
- sesame seeds
- coconut (finely shredded) * I use unsweetened
- pecans
- dried cranberries
- wheat germ
- brown butter (see video: how to brown butter) * I use unsalted butter
- milk * I use 1%
- honey * I have used both creamed honey and liquid honey for this recipe
- salt
*See recipe card for quantities
🎥 Video
Video: How to make brown butter
🍽Equipment
You will need baking sheets (affiliate link) a mixing bowl and 2 small pots for this recipe.
📖 Variations and Substitutions
Nuts: You can substitute slivered blanched almonds for the pecans
Honey: You can use creamed honey or liquid honey or maple syrup
Dried fruit: You can substitute chopped dried apricots, dried cherries,, or raisins.
Chia seeds: You could substitute flax seeds
- Dairy-free: use dairy-free (soy or almond) milk and vegan butter. Vegan butter doesn't brown like regular butter, so you could add about ¼- ½ teaspoon of caramel or English toffee extract to mimic the brown butter flavor, as well as a little butter extract if you wish.
- WW Friendly: use non-fat milk and light butter. Since light butter doesn't brown like regular butter, so you could add about ¼- ½ teaspoon of vanilla extract with caramel or English toffee extract to mimic the brown butter flavor, as well as a little butter extract, if you wish.
- Add-ins - chocolate chips, raisins or dried apricots
💭TOP TIP
When you add the brown butter mixture to the honey mixture, do it SLOWLY and be careful, as it can splatter.
👪 SERVING SIZE
This homemade butter pecan granola recipe serves 10. However, you can also cut this recipe in half by adjusting the serving size on the recipe card. Just click on the serving size (it's highlighted in blue) and select the number of servings you’d like, then the ingredient quantities will adjust accordingly.
But you'll probably end up wanting to double the recipe because it's seriously that good! Then you can freeze this recipe for quick busy morning breakfasts!
🌡️STORAGE
- Store the granola in an airtight container at room temperature or in the refrigerator for up to two weeks or freeze for longer storage
- This recipe freezes well, in sealed container or Ziplock bag, for up to 3 months.
And if you love granola, you're going to want to try my Watermelon Granola Trifle too!
This Pecan Brown Butter Granola recipe won the "Farmer's Almanac's Readers Best Recipes and their Stories-25th Anniversary Edition Cookbook" contest. The book was published September 2016 and this recipe was used in their marketing campaign as well. If you're looking for homemade granola recipes with honey and nuts, you'll love this one! And I hope it becomes your new favorite granola recipe!
📋 Brown Butter Pecan Granola Recipe
Equipment
Ingredients
- 2 cups rolled oats * I use quick oats
- ½ cup raw, unsalted sunflower seeds
- 2 tablespoon chia seeds
- ½ cup sesame seeds
- ⅓ cup finely shredded coconut * I use unsweetened
- ⅓ cup chopped pecans
- ½ cup dried cranberries
- ½ cup wheat germ
- ⅓ cup brown butter (see video in NOTES) * I use unsalted butter to make this
- 2 tablespoon milk
- ½ cup honey * I have used both liquid and creamed honey
- ¼ teaspoon salt
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 300 degrees F.
- In a large bowl, mix oats, chia, sunflower seeds, sesame seeds, coconut, pecans and cranberries together.
- Brown butter in a small pot over medium heat, until it's golden brown (see Video)
- In a separate saucepan, heat milk, salt and honey to boiling, remove and cool.
- When butter is brown (see video below in Notes on how to brown butter), add to honey mixture. Cool for a minute or so, then pour over dry ingredients (oat mixture) and stir. Stir in wheat germ.
- Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper or spray with non-stick cooking spray and spread mixture on sheet.
- Cook for about 15 minutes, cool and store in Ziploc bag.
Notes
- Store the granola in an airtight container at room temperature or in the refrigerator for up to two weeks or freeze for longer storage
- This recipe freezes well, in sealed container or Ziplock bag, for up to 3 months.
chef mimi
Brilliant recipe! You must love browned butter as much as I do!!!
Food Meanderings
Thanks! Yes, I do love it-am putting it in all kinds of dishes the last couple of years. So versatile!
Sue Slaght
Looks so easy and never would have thought of the brown butter!
Food Meanderings
Thanks- yes, I was sort of going through a brown butter obsession. But it pairs so deliciously with so many ingredients!
Denise | Sweet Peas & Saffron
I love brown butter! This granola looks like the most delicious way to start the day 🙂
Food Meanderings
Thanks- hope you enjoy!
Becky K
Is the milk necessary, could you sub maple syrup?
Terri Gilson
Hi Becky: If you have a dairy allergy or aversion, I'd try a non dairy drink like almond milk. I don't think maple syrup would be a good substitute. Hope you enjoy it!