This award-winning healthy Brown Butter Pecan Granola gets its nice caramel flavor from the brown butter, is chock-full of healthy stuff like sunflower seeds, honey oats, wheat germ, sesame seeds, chia, and coconut, minus the preservatives. This homemade granola doesn't take long to make and is the perfect busy morning breakfast!
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
📖 Variations and SubstitutionsNuts: You can substitute slivered blanched almond for the pecansDried fruit: You can substitute chopped dried apricots, dried cherries or raisins.Dairy-free: use a a 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 a non-fat milk and a light butter. Since light 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.💭TOP TIPWhen you add the brown butter mixture to the honey mixture, do it SLOWLY and be careful, as it can splatter.👪 SERVING SIZEThis 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. 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.