A couple of years ago, I posted a recipe here on itsagreatdayto.com for Homemade Granola. The original recipe comes from the Martha Cook Building at the University of Michigan, the dorm I lived in when I was in school. I make this quite frequently and decided it needed a revamp recently to include more nuts and seeds so it includes more protein. I have made it twice in the last week. You may agree! Here you go!
Updated Granola Recipe
INGREDIENTS
dry ingredients to prepare first
-3 cups old fashioned oats (not quick oats)
-1 cup sunflower seeds
-1 cup pumpkin seeds
-1 cup walnuts (or your favorite nuts)
-1 cup sweetened coconut
-1/2 cup wheat germ
-1/4 cup sesame seeds
Ingredients to heat on stove top
-1/2 cup coconut oil
-1/2 cup of EITHER pure maple syrup or honey (I have used both, so what you have on hand)
-2/3 cup peanut butter
-1 teaspoon vanilla
Ingredients to add after baking 15 minutes
-3 Tablespoons Chia seeds
-1/2 cup total of dried fruit (I like a combination of apricots
and cranberries or cherries)
METHOD
1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Line your baking sheet with parchment paper. Measure out all dry ingredients and pour into a large mixing bowl. Set aside.
2. Blend with a spatula or wooden spoon all dry ingredients.
3. Place coconut oil maple syrup OR honey and peanut butter in a sauce pan to heat. DO NOT over heat or let boil. You want ingredients to be blended, all of coconut oil should be melted and mixture should be smooth. Once mixture is smooth, turn off heat and add the 1 teaspoon of vanilla.
4. Fold heated mixture into the dry granola ingredients in the mixing bowl. Make sure all of granola is coated and then pour this mixture onto the parchment lined baking sheet. Bake for 15 minutes.
5. While mixture is baking, chop dried fruit and measure out Chia seeds. After the `15 minute baking time, remove baking sheet from oven, add the chopped dried fruit and 3 Tablespoons of Chia seeds. Fold into mixture with a spatula. Place baking sheet back into the oven for about 3 more minutes for a chewier granola, 6 more minutes for a crunchier granola. SET YOUR TIMER AGAIN SO GRANOLA DOES NOT BURN.
6. Let granola cool in baking pan and then store in a glass jar/container. Enjoy !!
