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
  1. Preheat oven to 350°F.
  2. Line a large, rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper.
  3. In the meanwhile, using a large mixing bowl, combine the oats, nuts and seeds, along with the salt and cinnamon.
  4. Stir to blend.
  5. Pour in the oil, maple syrup and vanilla and mix well until all the ingredients are coated with the maple syrup.
  6. Pour the granola onto your prepared pan and using a large spoon, spread it in an even layer.
  7. 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.
  8. Let the granola cool completely, undisturbed for about an hour.
  9. Top with the dried fruit and coconut flakes.
  10. 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.
  11. Store the granola in an airtight container at room temperature.