Easy Granola

This granola recipe is easy, when you don't have a ton of ingredients on hand.  It's great with yogurt or in a parfait, great with milk or as an ice cream topping.  So much better and cheaper than store bought!

Ingredients:

• 5 cups old fashioned oats (don't use quick oats)
• 1 cup raw almonds (chopped)
• 1/4 cup maple syrup
• 1/4 cup brown sugar
• 1/4 cup vegetable oil
• 2 tablespoons warm water
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• Optional ingredients - raisins, dried apricot bits, chopped walnuts, coconut, sunflower seeds, raw pumpkin seeds (really anything you like!) 1-2 cups of one or more.

Preheat oven to 250 degrees F.  Lightly grease cookie sheet with sides (I lined cookie sheet with foil for easy cleanup)

In a large bowl, toss together the oats, brown sugar, almonds, (walnuts, coconut, etc).  In a separate bowl, whisk together the maple syrup, oil, water and salt.  Pour the liquid over the oat and nut mixture, and stir until evenly coated.  Spread out on the prepared cookie sheet.

Bake 1 hour to 1 hour and 15 minutes in the preheated oven, stirring occasionally until evenly toasted.  I would stir every 20 minutes or so.  Cool, and store in an airtight container at room temperature. 

Note:  If adding raisins or other dried fruit, add after it's cooked and cooled already. 

Here's what you need:

In a large bowl, add the oats

Almonds

Brown Sugar

Mix well

In a separate bowl, add syrup

oil

salt and water

Whisk until well blended

Pour liquids over the oat mixture

Mix well

Spread evenly on a cookie sheet

I had enough for 2 batches so two cookie sheets, depends on the size of cookie sheet

Bake for 1 hour to 1 hour and 15 minutes, stir every 20 minutes or so.  It's done when it's golden brown.  Store in an airtight container at room temperature.