Mooooove on over store bought granola! (Doesn’t this picture just make you smile?!!)
Start your mornings with a bowl of fresh HOMEMADE granola- it’s easier than you think and soooo much better than store bought. I always split my batch up and send it off with my kids or you can freeze it as well. You can make this granola to exactly the way you like it- add dried fruit; omit the nuts, add mini chocolate chips …. The options are endless! Make some yogurt parfaits to go, top it on ice cream or fill a snack baggie to munch on!!!
Revised 2/26/16
- ½ cup extra virgin olive oil
- ½ cup pure maple syrup
- 1 cup brown sugar
- A good sprinkle if cinnamon
- 6 cups old fashioned oats
- 1 cup walnuts
- ½ cup pecans
- ½ cup sliced almonds
- 1 cup toasted wheat germ (leave out if gluten free)
- 1 cup shredded unsweetened coconut-slightly packed
- Optional- 1 cup raisons, cranberries or cherries and/or 1 cup mini chocolate chips
Place the oven racks in the two center positions. Preheat oven to 325⁰. Cover the bottom of two roasting pans with parchment paper and spray with Pam spray. In a large bowl combine oats, nuts, wheat germ & coconut; set aside. In a 1 quart microwave bowl combine oil, maple syrup, brown sugar & cinnamon- microwave for 3 minutes. Whisk out any lumps & immediately pour over oat mixture- stir to coat. Pour equally onto the two prepared pans. Bake for 9 minutes- take out & stir carefully. Put back in the oven (I switch the pans positions for equal baking) Bake for another 8-9 minutes. Cool completely then add your optional dried fruit and/or mini chocolate chips. Freeze immediately in freezer baggies or in covered container. Enjoy!!
