Granola sounds healthy but the store-bought variety is often high in refined sugars. Avoid this by baking your own! It’s surprisingly easy to bake and simple to store. We keep our granola in a mason jar on the counter. The kids love it as a breakfast cereal, as a dessert topped with yogurt and fresh fruit or by the handful as a healthy snack.
INGREDIENTS
5 cups rolled oats
1 tsp salt
1 tsp cinnamon
1/3 cup olive oil
3/4 cup pure maple syrup
1 tablespoon vanilla
1 cup slivered raw almonds
1/2 cup walnuts
1/2 cup pumpkin or sunflower seeds
1/2 cup shredded coconut
optional:
1/3 cup dried fruit (cranberries, raisins, currants, cherries)
DIRECTIONS:
Preheat the oven to 325 degrees.
Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper. In a large bowl, combine the dry ingredients except for the dried fruit. In a separate bowl, mix the maple syrup, oil and vanilla. Pour the wet mixture over the dry mixture and combine, either with your hands or a spatula. Spread the granola evenly onto the baking sheet. Bake for 20 minutes, then stir. Bake for another 20 minutes, or until golden brown. Remove from the oven. Stir in the dried fruit, and serve.
