Grandma's Granola

I am calling this recipe Grandma’s Granola because it reminds me of the type of granola that my paternal grandmother used to make me. Although there is nothing fancy about it, it is comforting in flavor and easy to make. Put in on top of yogurt or your smoothie bowls (as shown above), or just simply take with you as a small snack on your next hike. Its easy to change the recipe to your liking. Don’t like/can’t have nuts? Take them out! Eating less sugar maybe, or you want to add more oil - tinker with it until you are satisfied. Let me know in the comments below what your favorite granola combination is!

Ingredients

2.5 cups old-fashioned oats

1/3 cup of maple syrup, agave or honey (I wouldn’t use dry sugar, it doesn’t absorb as well into the oats)

1/4 cup coconut oil (you can use any neutral oil)

1/3 cup golden raisins

1/2 tsp salt

1 tsp pure vanilla extract

1/2 cup chopped walnuts

1/2 tsp of cinnamon

Turn oven to 300, grab a large sheet tray and large bowl. Put the oats, chopped nuts, cinnamon, and salt into the large bowl. In a smaller heatproof bowl mix the coconut oil and maple syrup. If the coconut oil is solidified, warm in the microwave for a couple of seconds. Pour oil and sugar over oat mixture. With clean hands massage everything all together so the oats absorb the other ingredients well. Place granola onto sheet pan and spread out evenly. Bake for 20-25 minutes, or until golden grown. You might want to stir the granola halfway through to encourage even browning. Add any dried fruits after baking. Let the granola sit on the sheet pan for 15 minutes after baking, the granola will crunch up more. Store at room temperature for 5-6 days.