Crunchy Maple Fruit Nut Granola Food

HEALTHY GRANOLA

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit and line a large, rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper.
• In a large mixing bowl, combine the oats, nuts and/or seeds, salt and cinnamon. Stir to blend.
• 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.
• 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.
• 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.
• 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.

NUT-AND-SEED GRANOLA

Steps:

• Position an oven rack at the bottom of the oven, and preheat to 325 degrees F.
• Whisk the maple syrup and oil together in a large bowl. Add the almonds, pecans, coconut, sunflower seeds, sesame seeds, flaxseed and salt, and toss to coat.
• Spread the mixture out on a baking sheet, and bake for 20 minutes. Remove it from the oven, and scrape and toss the mixture around. Continue to bake until golden and still slightly sticky, 10 to 12 minutes more. Or, for a deeper, toasted version, bake until deeply golden (you may start to smell the toasted nuts), 13 to 15 minutes more. Let cool. (The granola can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days.)

CRUNCHY MAPLE FRUIT & NUT GRANOLA

Steps:

• 1. Preheat oven to 250 degrees. In a large bowl mix all ingredients well so all they are all evenly coated. Pour on to a large cookie sheet with sides and bake at 250 for 1 hour and 30 minutes.
• 2. This step is important because it insures the granola is evenly toasted and browned. Stir granola every 15 minutes while it is baking for even color. Cool and store in airtight container. Enjoy!

CRUNCHY GRANOLA

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 275 degrees F.
• Line 2 cookie sheets with parchment paper and reserve.
• Combine brown sugar and water in a 4-cup microwave proof glass measuring cup or bowl. Place in microwave on high for 5 minutes and cook until sugar is completely dissolved. Remove from microwave, add vanilla extract and salt.
• In a large mixing bowl, combine oats, nuts, and brown sugar syrup mixture. Stir until thoroughly mixed. Spread the granola onto cookie sheets and bake 45 minutes to 1 hour or until golden and crunchy.
• When the mixture comes out of the oven, it is still very pliable. You may choose to add in dried fruit as a finishing touch at this time. When granola has cooled completely, store in an airtight container.

MIXED FRUIT & NUT GRANOLA

Steps:

• Heat oven to 180C/160C fan/gas 4. Toss the jumbo oats with the cinnamon, mixed nuts and a pinch of salt in an oven tray. Stir through the melted unsalted butter or coconut oil and the maple syrup. Put in the oven for 35-40 mins or until golden brown, stirring halfway. Allow to cool down completely, then stir through the mixed dried fruit before storing (see tip, below). Serve with milk, yogurt or sprinkled on porridge.

CRUNCHY MAPLE WALNUT GRANOLA WITH DATES

Steps:

• Position racks in the upper and lower thirds of the oven and heat the oven to 300°F Spray two rimmed baking sheets with vegetable oil spray. In a large bowl, mix the oats, walnuts, whole-wheat flour, dry milk powder, and salt. In a medium bowl, combine the maple syrup, oil, and vanilla; stir well. Add the maple syrup mixture to the oats and mix to combine.
• Divide the mixture between the two oiled baking sheets, distributing it in 1- to 2-inch clumps. Bake for 20 minutes and then flip the clusters with a metal spatula and switch the positions of the pans in the oven. Bake for 20 minutes, flip the granola again, and bake until the granola has a very fragrant, toasty aroma and the nuts look well toasted, about another 15 minutes. (Watch carefully to ensure the granola doesn't burn.).
• Let cool completely in the pans. Break up any large clumps. When completely cool and dry, mix in the dates.

ULTIMATE FRUITY GRANOLA

Steps:

• In a large bowl, combine the oats, almonds, sunflower kernels and flax. In a small saucepan, combine the brown sugar, maple syrup, honey, oil, salt and cinnamon. Cook and stir over medium heat for 2-3 minutes or until brown sugar is dissolved and mixture is heated through. Remove from the heat; stir in vanilla. Pour over oat mixture and toss to coat., Transfer to a 15x10x1-in. baking pan coated with cooking spray. Bake at 350° for 20-25 minutes or until golden brown, stirring every 8 minutes. Cool completely on a wire rack. Stir in dried fruits. Store in an airtight container.