Healthy and Delicious Granola

I've been perfecting my recipe for granola for quite a while now and I think I have it down. I eat granola every morning. I like it because it's quick, tasty and healthy. There are many different brands of granola out there and it can be expensive, so I thought I'd try and make it myself. The thing about granola is, you can make it so many different ways, I like walnuts and dried cranberries but you could also add coconut or sunflower seeds, etc...

Step 1: Ingredients

You will need whole grain oatmeal, do NOT use quick oats. I used an 18 ounce container.

3 cups total unroasted nuts. I used 2 cups walnuts and 1 cup sliced almonds

1 cup dried fruit, chopped: cranberries or raisins.

1 teaspoon cinnamon

1/4 cup vegetable, sunflower or olive oil

1/4 cup honey

1 teaspoon real vanilla

Step 2: Mix Oats and Nuts

Place the whole grain oats in a large bowl. Add the nuts and 1 teaspoon cinnamon. Stir well.

Step 3: Mix Oil and Honey

In a small bowl, mix 1/4 cup vegetable oil with 1/4 cup honey. Blend well. Add 1 teaspoon real vanilla.

Pour this mixture over the oatmeal/nuts and stir well.

Step 4: Bake

Preheat oven to 325 degrees. Spread mixture evenly onto 2 cookie sheets and bake for 15 minutes. Stir granola around on the cookie sheets and bake for an additional 10 minutes. Remove from oven and allow to cool for about 1 hour.

Step 5: Dried Cranberries

When the Oat/nut mixture has cooled, stir in the dried cranberries and/or raisins. Mix well and place in food storage bags or canning jars. My recipe made 2 quarts. Store in a cool dry place.

Making your own granola will save money and you will have a little peace of mind, knowing exactly what ingredients went in. You can also put the granola in smaller pint jars and tie a ribbon around it and give it as gifts to friends and family who are trying to eat healthier.

Enjoy!