Ingredients:

  • 4 cups rolled oats
  • 1 ½ cups of your choice combination of raw nuts or seeds (I usually use sunflower seeds and walnuts)
  • ½ tsp salt
  • ½ tsp cinnamon
  • ½ cup melted coconut oil (olive oil, canola oil, or other neutral cooking oil works too)
  • ⅓ cup maple syrup or honey
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract (optional)
  • ⅔ cup dried fruit (optional)
  • Additional optional mix ins: chocolate chips or coconut flakes

Directions:

  1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit and line a large, rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper. (Parchment paper just makes it easier to clean up, but you can still do it without.)
  2. In a large mixing bowl, combine the oats, nuts and/or seeds, salt and cinnamon. Stir to blend.
  3. Pour in the oil, maple syrup and/or honey and vanilla. Mix well, until every oat and nut is lightly coated. Pour the granola onto your prepared pan and use a large spoon to spread it in an even layer.
  4. Bake until lightly golden, about 21 to 24 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.
  5. Let the granola cool completely, undisturbed (at least 45 minutes). Top with the dried fruit (and optional chocolate chips, if using). 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.
  6. Store the granola in an airtight container at room temperature for 1 to 2 weeks, or in a sealed freezer bag in the freezer for up to 3 months. The dried fruit can freeze solid, so let it warm to room temperature for 5 to 10 minutes before serving.