Easy Fruit and Nut Granola

As it turns out, granola is one of those things so easy to make, that once you learn you’ll wonder why anyone would ever feel the need to buy it. Once you get the basic recipe down, you can experiment with spices, nuts, and dried fruit to find your favorite flavor combination. Enjoy Easy Fruit and Nut Granola served with a scoop of stevia-sweetened yogurt (plant-based or dairy) for a light, easy, and super-healthy breakfast, or pack some to go for a midday or lunchbox snack.

INGREDIENTS

• 3 cups steel-cut oats (or any blend of rye, barley, or spelt flakes can be substituted)
• 2 cups raw mixed nuts: pecans, walnuts, almonds, cashews, or pumpkin seeds are good choices
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 2 teaspoons cinnamon
• ½ teaspoon ground ginger
• ½ cup walnut oil
• ½ cup honey or maple syrup
• 1 teaspoon vanilla
• ¾ cup raisins or dried cranberries

DIRECTION:

Preheat oven to 350°. In a large mixing bowl, combine oats, nuts, salt, and spices. Stir to combine. Add in oil and honey or maple syrup and vanilla, and mix thoroughly. Pour the mixture onto a baking sheet (rimmed if you have it) and bake for 30 to 40 minutes, stirring every 15 minutes or so to ensure even cooking. Remove from the oven and stir in dried fruit. Let cool for at least 15 minutes before serving.

Store in an airtight container for up to 1 week.

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