Favorite 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.

CLASSIC GRANOLA

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 300 degrees F. Line 2 rimmed baking sheets with parchment paper.
• Melt the butter in a small saucepan over low heat. Add the sugar, honey, vanilla, cinnamon and salt and stir to combine. Let cook until the sugar has dissolved, 1 to 2 minutes. Remove from the heat.
• Combine the oats and almonds in a large bowl. Add the butter mixture and toss well to coat. Spread the mixture on the prepared baking sheets in a single layer.
• Bake for 15 minutes, then stir in the raisins. Bake until crisp and golden brown all over, another 10 to 15 minutes. Transfer to a bowl. The granola will keep in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 weeks.

HOMEMADE GRANOLA

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
• Toss the oats, coconut, and almonds together in a large bowl. Whisk together the oil and honey in a small bowl. Pour the liquids over the oat mixture and stir with a wooden spoon until all the oats and nuts are coated. Pour onto a 13 by 18 by 1-inch sheet pan. Bake, stirring occasionally with a spatula, until the mixture turns a nice, even, golden brown, about 45 minutes.
• Remove the granola from the oven and allow to cool, stirring occasionally. Add the apricots, figs, cherries, cranberries, and cashews. Store the cooled granola in an airtight container.

BASIC GRANOLA RECIPE

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 300 degrees F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
• In a large bowl, mix together the oats, light brown sugar, cinnamon and salt. Stir the honey, oil and vanilla extract into the dry ingredients. Use your hands if necessary to make sure it's well combined.
• Spread the mixture in an even layer on the prepared baking sheet. Bake for 20 minutes and then remove from the oven and stir; add the chopped almonds. Return to the oven and bake until everything is toasted and evenly browned, an additional 10 minutes.
• Allow the granola to cool on the baking sheet, then add the dried cranberries and toss to distribute. Store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 weeks.

GRANOLA

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 250 degrees F.
• In a large bowl, combine the oats, nuts, coconut, and brown sugar.
• In a separate bowl, combine maple syrup, oil, and salt. Combine both mixtures and pour onto 2 sheet pans. Cook for 1 hour and 15 minutes, stirring every 15 minutes to achieve an even color.
• Remove from oven and transfer into a large bowl. Add raisins and mix until evenly distributed.

MY FAVORITE RAW GRANOLA

Steps:

• Rinse the buckwheat groats under running water.
• Let them soak in a jar covered with 2-3 times as much fresh water for about an hour.
• Rinse them well in a colander and let them stand for 2 days, rinsing 2-3 times per day.
• After one day of sprouting, put the pumpkin seeds and hazelnuts in a jar covered with water and let them soak for 8 hours until the sprouts are ready.
• Rinse the buckwheat, the pumpkin seeds and the hazelnuts and let them dry as much as possible.
• Chop the hazelnuts roughly and put all of the ingredients in a bowl.
• Stir well.
• Spread the mixture in a thin, even layer on a baking sheet.
• Dry them in a dehydrator or at the lowest temperature in the oven 105F for 10-12 hours or until crunchy.