Gorgeous granola

Granola is so expensive in the shops and the ingredients in it some seems to be of variable quality too, I have often hunted for the solitary pecan nut in maple, pecan granola !

So I decided I would have a go at making my own and wow can you taste the difference, plus you are in control of the ingredients in your mix, so you can ensure it has more of the things you like in it (in my case maple syrup and cinnamon) and less of the things you don't (in my case gluten, some commercially produced brands contain wheat flour to bind the ingredients). It also works out much more economical too as a box of quality granola often retails for more than £2.50 and this mix makes probably twice as much than in contained in a box.

So if you are on a health kick for the new year why not start by making your own granola, its healthy and very very tasty.

What you need

• 3 cups oats (check gluten free if necessary)
• 1 cup of chopped nuts (almonds, walnuts, hazelnuts, etc)
• 1 cup of seeds (pumpkin, sunflower, sesame, chia, flax, etc)
• 1 tsp sea salt
• 1/4 tsp ground cinnamon
• 1/2 tsp cardamon
• 1/2 cup of melted coconut oil
• 1/2 cups of maple syrup or honey
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 3/4 cup of dried fruit chopped (any you like)

What you do

• Pre heat the oven to 180c
• Mix the oats, spices, salt, maple syrup and seeds and coconut oil in a large bowl.
• Tip onto 2 large baking trays and level off gently, bake for 15 minutes or so and then turn the oats over.
• Bake for another 15 minutes or so until golden and the mixture is drying out and turning crispy (do not burn)
• Mix the warm oats with the chopped nuts and dried fruit in a large bowl and then empty back on to the trays to cool.
• Store in an airtight jar once fully cool.
• Serve with yogurt or fruit, delicious .....

I am linking up to Credit Crunch Munch for this frugal yet wonderful granola recipe hosted over at Fuss Free Flavours and co hosted by Camilla at Fab Food for all.