Apollonia Poilâne’s Sourdough Wheat and Rye Granola

Granola is a breakfast and snack food made with a base mixture of rolled, old-fashioned oats and sweetener (such as honey or brown sugar), then baked. You can add a range of mix-ins to granola—common options include pecans, dried apricots, dark chocolate chips, dried cranberries, chia seeds, cashews, pistachios, sunflower seeds, and pumpkin seeds. Apollonia’s version of granola calls for wheat loaf, rye, almonds, hazelnuts, and puffed rice.

Granola has a loose texture similar to breakfast cereal, and you can eat it served over milk or with yogurt or fresh fruit. For example, a parfait is a popular dessert of granola layered with plain or Greek yogurt and fruit in a tall, clear glass. You can also press granola with honey or corn syrup to form a granola bar, a common snack during outdoor activities like hiking, backpacking, and camping.

Many people view granola as a healthy snack because it contains oats (high in fiber and iron), nuts, and seeds (a good source of calcium, unsaturated fats, and protein). However, granola can also be high in calories—a serving size of a ½ cup can have 250 calories or more. Sweeter granolas can also be high in sugar (especially when made with brown sugar as its main sweetener). As with most foods, a small serving is best for healthy eating. Plain granola is naturally dairy-free and gluten-free. Unsweetened granola is a common vegan snack.

Homemade granola is simple to make—with a prep time of five minutes and an average cook time of twenty—and the recipe is flexible. To make your own granola:

1. 1. Mix the ingredients. Mix the honey (other sweeteners include maple syrup or agave), oil (olive oil or melted coconut oil are best, but canola oil is acceptable), salt, spices, old-fashioned rolled oats, and nuts or seeds.
2. 2. Spread the mix on a baking sheet. Spread the mixture onto a parchment paper–lined baking sheet in an even layer. Spread the granola out to toast it evenly—it should be touching enough so that it clumps properly.
3. 3. Bake the granola. Bake the granola until it’s golden brown, stirring halfway to retain its loose texture. If you like extra-clumpy granola, press down on the mixture with a spoon after stirring.
4. 4. Add mix-ins. Take the granola out of the oven and add any additional mix-ins (dried fruit or chocolate pieces). Let your granola cool completely before storing.