Fruit And Nut Granola

Sweet, crunchy, and healthy, this fruit and nut granola is a great way to start the day.  Eat it as a cereal with milk, layered with yogurt and fruit as a parfait, or by the handful as a snack.

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I received this recipe from the owner of a B&B in Salem, Massachusetts.  I adored the granola she made so much that on my last morning there, she gifted me a jar of the granola to bring home and the recipe.  Both the Inn and its sweet owner have passed on, but I still make her granola and remember her fondly.

WHAT DO I NEED FOR THIS RECIPE?

Whenever I buy a box of granola, there’s always some weird, unidentifiable bits that taste off to me.  But by making your own granola, you can tailor it to your specific tastes.  No weird bits.

When making granola, you will need the following:

• Oats – Old fashioned or rolled oats are the base of granola.  Don’t use steel cut oats or instant.
• Oil or butter – this helps to toast the oats and nuts and allows the spices to adhere to the oats and nuts.  For this recipe, I’m using coconut oil.
• Sweetener – honey, agave syrup, maple syrup, brown sugar, or granulated sugar will work well.  Brown or white sugar will add more texture to the granola.  The syrups will coat the oats and nuts and help to brown them.  I like the taste of maple syrup and honey.
• Nuts and seeds – think flavor, texture, and crunch.  You can use walnuts, pecans, almonds, sunflower kernels, flax seeds…you get the idea.  This granola recipe uses pecans, sliced almonds, and sunflower kernels.
• Dried fruits – again for texture, flavor, and sweetness.  Raisins, dried cranberries or blueberries, dates, or chopped bits of fruit leathers.  Use what your family enjoys.  I’m using dates and raisins for this recipe.
• Flavorings – Salt is important in granola.  It enhances the flavors of the nuts and the sweetness of the fruits.  Spices will give a hint more flavor – nutmeg, cinnamon, apple pie spice or pumpkin pie spice are some of my favorites.  Also, extracts can be used to enhance and add another layer of flavor.  I like using cinnamon and vanilla.

VARIATIONS OF THIS RECIPE

• Unsweetened coconut, macadamia nuts, dried pineapple, and dried mango for a tropical granola.
• Walnuts, dried apples, flaxseed, brown sugar, and apple pie spice for a great Autumn granola.
• Almonds, orange zest, dried cranberries, dried apples, cinnamon, and nutmeg come together to make a festive, warming granola that is lovely on Christmas morning.

Here are a few more suggestions for healthy breakfasts:

• Overnight Banana Nut Oatmeal
• Cherry Vanilla Granola
• Dragon Fruit Smoothie Bowl
• High Fiber Banana Almond Smoothie