Extreme Granola With Dried Fruit Food

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.

COCONUT MAPLE GRANOLA WITH MIXED NUTS AND DRIED FRUIT

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 300 degrees F and line 2 sheet trays with parchment paper.
• In a large bowl, combine the oats, almonds, coconut, pecans, pistachios, maple syrup, coconut oil and brown sugar. Divide between the lined sheet trays.
• Bake the granola for 1 hour, stirring every 15 minutes. Remove the granola to a large mixing bowl and allow to cool slightly, about 5 minutes. Add the dried apricots, dried cherries and golden raisins and stir to combine. Allow to cool completely, then store in an airtight container for up to two weeks.

GRANOLA WITH PECANS AND DRIED FRUIT

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 300 degrees, with racks in upper and lower thirds. Lightly coat two rimmed baking sheets with cooking spray. In a large bowl, combine oil, sugar, honey, vanilla extract, cinnamon, and salt. Add oats and pecans; stir to combine. Divide mixture between sheets. Bake 15 minutes, stirring occasionally. Add 1/2 cup coconut to each sheet; bake until mixture is golden brown, 15 minutes. Let cool completely on sheets. Stir in dried fruit and chocolate chips, if desired.

EXTREME GRANOLA WITH DRIED FRUIT

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 375°F. Line a large shallow baking sheet with foil. Spread the pecans and almonds on the sheet and roast for 8 to 10 minutes, until lightly toasted. Transfer the nuts to a board, let cool, and chop the nuts. Set aside.
• Reduce the oven temperature to 300°F. Pour the oats and sesame seeds, if using, in a mound on the same baking sheet. Melt the butter in a small bowl in the microwave; stir in the maple syrup and salt, and drizzle on top of the oats. Stir well with a rubber spatula and then spread out the oats in an even layer. Bake the oats for 30 minutes, stirring once with the spatula halfway through, until the oats are lightly colored. Let cool; the mixture will crisp as it cools.
• Add the dates, dried fruit, and reserved nuts to the oats and toss. Store the granola in covered glass jars at room temperature for up to 1 month.

CRUNCHY GRANOLA WITH NUTS AND DRIED FRUIT

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 300 degrees, with racks in upper and lower thirds.
• Lightly coat two rimmed baking sheets with cooking spray.
• In a large bowl, combine oil, sugar, honey, vanilla extract, cinnamon, and salt.
• Add oats and nuts; stir to combine. Divide mixture between sheets.
• Bake 15 minutes, stirring occasionally.
• Add 1/2 cup coconut to each sheet; bake until mixture is golden brown, 15 minutes more.
• Let cool completely on sheets.
• Stir in dried fruit and chocolate chips, if desired.
• Note - Store in airtight containers, up to 3 weeks. Also can be frozen for longer storage.