Advertisements
I don’t usually post anything that has nuts but I absolutely love love love granola!!! I don’t really know anyone who doesn’t like it, come to think of it. It’s so versatile – have it with yogurt or sprinkle some on your favorite dessert or just eat it on its own as a snack on the go. The trick to making a good granola is using the right ingredients. I like to incorporate a good mix of nuts and dried berries with some coconut flakes and even some semi sweet chocolate nibs every once in a while. Just go with the flow – use what you really like.
- 4 cups old-fashioned rolled oats
- 1-1/2 cup raw pecans (Or nut of your choice)
- 1/2 cup pumpkin seeds
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
- 1/2 cup melted coconut oil or olive oil
- 1/2 cup maple syrup
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1/2 cup dried fruit, chopped if large (I used dried Goji berries)
- 1/3 cup coconut flakes
- Preheat oven to 350°F.
- Line a large, rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper.
- In the meanwhile, using a large mixing bowl, combine the oats, nuts and seeds, along with the salt and cinnamon.
- Stir to blend.
- Pour in the oil, maple syrup and vanilla and mix well until all the ingredients are coated with the maple syrup.
- Pour the granola onto your prepared pan and using a large spoon, spread it in an even layer.
- Bake until lightly golden, about 25 minutes, stirring halfway (for extra-clumpy granola, press the stirred granola down with your spatula to create a more even layer). The granola will further crisp up as it cools.
- Let the granola cool completely, undisturbed for about an hour.
- Top with the dried fruit and coconut flakes.
- Break the granola into pieces with your hands if you want to retain big chunks, or stir it around with a spoon if you don’t want extra-clumpy granola.
- Store the granola in an airtight container at room temperature.