Slow Cooker Peanut Butter Granola with Pure Sesame Oil and Honey

Categories : breakfast, desserts & sweet snacks, easy peasy, pulses & grains, Recipes, Slow Cooker @en, vegetarian or vegan

Easy granola made in the slow cooker. Because summer is on its way and I still want to make granola even when it’s too hot for the oven. This version has peanut butter, pure sesame oil (from raw sesame seeds) and honey for sweetness. Just add your favourite nuts and seeds and you’re all set.

I adore granola and I’ve shared recipes in the past; there is this one with olive oil and honey, and this one with chocolate and tahini. Both are seriously delicious, and both are cooked in the oven. But since summertime and heatwaves are just around the corner, and my oven will be taking its annual holiday, I thought it’s time I shared a slow cooker granola recipe!

Slow Cooker Peanut Butter Granola with Pure Sesame Oil and Honey www.thefoodiecorner.gr Photo description: A ¾ view of a bowl of granola, yogurt, kiwi fruit, strawberries and blueberries, on white linen. In the background a mason jar with granola inside.

Did you know you can cook oats in the slow cooker? I don’t mean in porridge (here is a slow cooker porridge in case you were wondering!) I mean cook them so they stay dry and go a nice golden colour. Yup, slow cooker granola is a thing.

Slow Cooker Peanut Butter Granola with Pure Sesame Oil and Honey www.thefoodiecorner.gr Photo description: A side view of a mason jar with granola inside, sitting on a small white chopping board.

I have to be honest and say that I haven’t mastered the clumps with this method. The granola does turn fairly crispy but not as crispy as the oven baked version and it’s hard to get pieces to stick together. Is that a problem? Not for me. It’s tasty, so easy to throw together, and very practical. You can just plop all the ingredients in the pot, give it a good stir and you’re good to go.

Slow Cooker Peanut Butter Granola with Pure Sesame Oil and Honey www.thefoodiecorner.gr Photo description: An overhead view of a mason jar with granola inside. In the top left corner a jar with peanuts, next to it a small wooden chopping board with a halved kiwi. Further down a small bowl of strawberries and blueberries. At the bottom of the photo a bunched up linen napkin.

You might say the oven method is just as easy. Well, it’s not difficult that’s for sure. For some reason though I find myself making much more granola now I’ve turned to the slow cooker. I can’t explain it really, so try it for yourself and see which you prefer.

Slow Cooker Peanut Butter Granola with Pure Sesame Oil and Honey www.thefoodiecorner.gr Photo description: An overhead view of a pretty ceramic bowl with granola, yogurt, kiwi fruit, strawberries and blueberries on top. The bowl is on a linen tablecloth and some granola is scattered around it.

One last thing about this recipe. It’s not a set-and-forget one. You don’t have to stand guard over it of course, just check it every so often and give it a stir so it browns evenly. Leaving the lid propped open for some of the time helps the oats to crisp up. In terms of cooking time, every slow cooker works a little differently so keep your eye on it the first time you make it.

Slow Cooker Peanut Butter Granola with Pure Sesame Oil and Honey www.thefoodiecorner.gr Photo description: A close up view of a small bowl with strawberries and blueberries. A mason jar with granola in the background and a couple of spoons to the right of the photo.

Oh and another last thing… haha! I can’t not remind you that my absolute favourite way to eat granola is with buttermilk or kefir, and fruit. If you’ve never tried this combo, please do. The sourness of buttermilk (or kefir) is balanced out beautifully by the sweetness and the hint of saltiness of granola. So much flavour!

If you make this granola make sure to snap a pic and tag me (@thefoodiecorner and #thefoodiecorner) on Instagram. I love seeing your creations and sharing them on my stories!

Ingredients

For the granola

250 gr (2 ¼ cups) rolled oats

60 ml (1/4 cup) pure sesame oil (made from raw sesame seeds, not toasted)

60 ml (1/4 cup) natural peanut butter (100% peanuts)

60 ml (1/4 cup) honey (or vegan alternative)

1/2 tsp salt

1/2 tsp cinnamon

60 ml (1/4 cup) seeds (sunflower, pumpkin, flax, sesame, or a combo)

Extra ingredients to add after cooking (if desired)

Nuts

Chopped dried fruit

Dried cranberries or golden berries (physalis)

Raisins or sultanas

Coconut chips or flakes

To serve

Buttermilk or kefir (or plant based milk for vegan)

Fresh fruit (banana, apple, kiwi, pomegranate, strawberries, blueberries or mixed berries – frozen also work)

Step 1

Mix the oats, sesame oil, peanut butter, honey, salt, cinnamon and seeds in the slow cooker insert. Be careful if you have a non-stick coating so you don’t scratch it.

Step 2

Cook on high for 1 ½ hours. Prop the lid open with the handle of a wooden spoon and continue cooking on high for another 1 ½ hours stirring every half hour. The granola is ready when the oats are a nice deep golden colour.

Step 3

Turn the slow cooker off, mix in any extra ingredients (see list for suggestions) and let the granola cool completely (without the lid) before transferring to a large jar.

Step 4

Serve with buttermilk or kefir, and fruit.