Simple, Homemade Granola

Have you read the package of a granola product recently? My goodness there are so many ingredients. And the ones that don’t? Better bring your credit card because that is gonna cost you. Not that is isn’t worth it, but what if you could save a few bucks and make your own delicious granola right at home? Well it’s definitely possible and often what I do, mostly because the store bought ones inevitably have some ingredient that I can’t have. There are a ton of granola recipes online, but I just keep coming back to this simple one I learned years ago from a friend in Australia. What I’ve noticed from other recipes online is that most contain some type of oil. This one does not. Who needs the extra grease if it’s not necessary? You won’t even miss it, I promise you.

Special thanks goes out to Heather, my friend whom I met in Australia many moons ago and taught me this recipe, amongst other invaluable cooking tips. I’m not sure if I’m following it the same way anymore as it’s been so long, but the principles remain: Oats, nuts, maple syrup, bake, add fruit.

SIMPLE GRANOLA

Ingredients:

• 2 cups oats (you can use GF, regular or quick cook)
• 1 cup chopped nuts of your choice
• 1/4 cup maple syrup or honey
• 1 cup chopped, dried fruit of your choice (fun combinations: dried pineapple & coconut, raisins & dried apples, dates & cranberries, apricots & currants)

Procedure:

• Preheat oven to 300F.
• Mix oats, nuts and maple syrup or honey together using your hands so that oats and nut are evenly coated. Spread out on a baking sheet.
• Place in oven. Every five minutes, take out oat mixture and stir so that oats and nuts get even toasting. Continue this pattern for 20-25 minutes or until oats and nuts are a light, golden brown.
• Once cooled, place oat mixture into a bowl. Mix in dried fruit. Serve over yogurt or in a bowl with milk. Or, as I often do, eat it dry as a mid afternoon sack. Enjoy!