I change up my ingredients all the time; the beauty of this recipe is that it is totally customizable, so feel free to make your own or follow one of mine.
You'll need a larger crockpot for this recipe, if you have a small cooker, then reduce the amounts. This can also easily be doubled in a large crockpot. Spray crock with spray oil. Add all dry ingredients to the crockpot, stir it.
Add melted butter (or oil) and honey (or maple syrup) and stir well. Turn crockpot on high, venting the lid with a wooden spoon. Stir well every 15 minutes, cooking for 1 - ½ hours. Watching close at the end as it can burn.
Turn onto wax or parchment paper or onto a cookie sheet to cool. Add any after cooling mix-ins (such as chocolate chips/chunks). Package in quart size freezer baggies and freeze any unused portions.
For Yogurt Bowls or Parfaits
Place a small portion of granola on the bottom of the bowl/glass. Next layer the majority of your yogurt, reserving a generous dollop for the top. Add seasonal berries on top of the yogurt (reserving 2-3 berries for top). Add the rest of your granola, finish with final dollop of yogurt and reserved berries or pomegranate arils. Serve immediately or place in refrigerator until ready to serve, but not much longer than a couple hours, unless you don't mind the granola really soft.
Notes
MAPLE PECAN GRANOLA Basic Granola Recipe 1-2 teaspoons cinnamon ½ teaspoon nutmeg ¼ teaspoon cloves ⅓ teaspoon ginger (optional) above spices may be replaced with 2 rounded teaspoons of pumpkin pie spice 1 cup chopped pecans 2 Tablespoons light brown sugar Reduce honey to ¼ cup and add ¼ cup pure maple syrupCOCONUT-PECAN GRANOLA Basic Granola Recipe ½-1 cup unsweetened coconut, shredded or flakes 1 cup toasted pecan pieces (toast in 350 oven for 5-6 minutes) 1 handful whole pecans (optional) 2 Tablespoons dark brown sugar (optional) After it's cooled slightly, sprinkle on some additional sea salt, toss to combine, I like Flaky Sea Salt.HAWAIIAN GRANOLA Basic Granola Recipe ½ - 1 cup unsweetened coconut, shredded or flaked ½ - 1 cup roasted (salted ok) macadamia nuts, rough chopped Replace butter with ½ cup melted coconut oil (or just ¼ cup oil and ¼ cup butter)DARK CHOCOLATE GRANOLA (my husband's favorite) Basic Granola Recipe ⅓ cup cocoa powder ½ cup dried cranberries or cherries (optional) 1 cup dark chocolate chips or chunks *mixed in after granola has cooled)TRAIL MIX GRANOLA Basic Granola Recipe ½ cup cashews (raw or roasted/salted) rough chopped if desired ¼ cup roasted pumpkin seeds ¼ cup roasted sunflower seeds ½ cup walnuts, rough chopped ½ cup pecans, rough chopped ½ cup dried fruit (raisins, dried cranberries, dried cherries, dried mango, etc) Additional ¼ cup honey or maple syrup ½ cup chocolate chips, added after granola has cooled (optional)YOGURT PARFAITS 1 cup vanilla yogurt (or your favorite, I love Noosa Vanilla Bean yogurt or try making your own yogurt ¼ cup prepared granola ¼ cup berries of choice (blackberries, blueberries, strawberries (sliced), pomegranate arils, etc.)