Maple Granola

So delicious and easy! This is a recipe that comes together start to finish in an hour or less and is very versatile for breakfast, snacks, dessert topping and gifting.

Preheat oven to 300 degrees and get out a cookie sheet.

In a large bowl, mix together 1/2 cup neutral oil (canola, corn, sunflower) and 1/2-3/4 cup dark Couching Lion maple syrup.

Add 1/2 teaspoon each of salt and cinnamon and 1 teaspoon of vanilla.

Stir in 3 cups old fashioned rolled oats (not quick cooking).

Add the nuts and seeds! I add 3/4 cup each unsalted pecans, walnuts, cashews, sliced almonds and then 1/4 cup each pepitas and sunflower seeds. If you are using raisins or other dried fruit, add them in the last 10 minutes of cooking. Get creative and add your favorite nuts and dried fruits, using about 3-4 cups total add-ins.

Pour onto cookie sheet and bake 20 minutes. Stir gently and cook another 30 minutes. Monitor for crisping and brownness of the oats and nuts. Cooking time will vary based on how moist the mixture is. When you remove the granola, it will be browned but still moist in areas. Let sit until cool and the oats will crisp up perfectly. Enjoy with milk, over yogurt and fruit, sprinkled on ice cream or salads. Granola is also a lovely gift, presented in a Ball Jar with a bow. Enjoy!