I'm a granola girl this morning. Due to an entire day off from anything until 5:00 pm yesterday, I had plenty of time on my hands to bake (and catch up on quite a few season finales I've missed). I've been wanting to make granola for quite some time now, and with all the necessary components handy, I thought I'd give it a shot. It was incredibly easy to do, and I don't think I will ever buy commercial granola again. Making your own is just too simple, too fun, and too delicious! Not to mention the endless amount of possibilities and ingredients you could throw in. Your granola can be as simple and minimalist or as creative and abstract as you like- use your imagination!
This recipe was inspired by Green Kitchen Stories. Here's what I used:
1 cup multigrain hot cereal from Trader Joe's (you can use rolled oats, rolled rye, etc. instead)
1 cup pecans, roughly chopped
1/2 cup almonds, roughly chopped
1/2 cup walnuts, roughly chopped
3/4 cup pumpkin seeds
3/4 cup sunflower seeds
2 Tbsp. chia seeds
1 cup raw flaked coconut
2-3 Tbsp. maple syrup
2 Tbsp. water
cinnamon (tons of it)
dried apricots, figs, and prunes, roughly chopped
Preheat the oven to 350. In a large bowl, toss nuts, seeds, and coconut together to combine. Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper and spread this mixture on it.
Drizzle with maple syrup and water, then sprinkle with cinnamon. Do not toss yet.
Place in the oven for about 17-20 minutes, maybe more and maybe less. Keep an eye on things so you don't over-toast, making sure to toss and stir at least twice throughout baking.
Meanwhile, place chopped dried fruit in the large bowl. Once the toasted ingredients have cooled completely, mix it all together and add more cinnamon if desired. Store in a large glass jar or similar container.
Important note: When you open the container the morning after you make this, it will smell like Christmas.
This recipe was inspired by Green Kitchen Stories. Here's what I used:
1 cup multigrain hot cereal from Trader Joe's (you can use rolled oats, rolled rye, etc. instead)
1 cup pecans, roughly chopped
1/2 cup almonds, roughly chopped
1/2 cup walnuts, roughly chopped
3/4 cup pumpkin seeds
3/4 cup sunflower seeds
2 Tbsp. chia seeds
1 cup raw flaked coconut
2-3 Tbsp. maple syrup
2 Tbsp. water
cinnamon (tons of it)
dried apricots, figs, and prunes, roughly chopped
Preheat the oven to 350. In a large bowl, toss nuts, seeds, and coconut together to combine. Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper and spread this mixture on it.
Drizzle with maple syrup and water, then sprinkle with cinnamon. Do not toss yet.
Place in the oven for about 17-20 minutes, maybe more and maybe less. Keep an eye on things so you don't over-toast, making sure to toss and stir at least twice throughout baking.
Meanwhile, place chopped dried fruit in the large bowl. Once the toasted ingredients have cooled completely, mix it all together and add more cinnamon if desired. Store in a large glass jar or similar container.
Important note: When you open the container the morning after you make this, it will smell like Christmas.