Vanilla Berry Granola

Making your own granola is fun and easy!  Not only that, it fills your home with the most heavenly aroma, and you can choose what ingredients you want to go into it.  Many commercial granola brands have a lot of sugar, but I like to add maple syrup to mine and use a little less.  The recipe I am sharing with you today is high in fiber thanks to the oats, coconut and walnuts, and I have included freeze dried berries for little sweet bursts of flavor.  This keeps well in an airtight container for a few weeks, or a month if kept in the refrigerator. It is good for snacking, or for breakfast with yogurt, or even as a crunchy topping for fruit!

Author: Amy Lyons O’Neil

Amy has worked for Fresh and Natural Foods since 2006 contributing to the variety of healthful foods we offer. She graduated with a degree in studio art from Bethel University in 2007, but in her senior year of college, found that her passion was with the art of food. She later used her photography and culinary skills to create a vegan food and recipe blog, Fragrant Vanilla Cake. She has also written 3 cookbooks. She specializes in vegan and vegetarian recipes. Local, fresh and organic food has always been her focus in whatever she creates.

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Servings: 12 | Prep Time: 15 minutes | Cook Time: 35 minutes | Ready in: 1 hour

Ingredients

• 6 cups organic gluten free old fashioned rolled oats
• 2 cups raw walnuts
• 2 cups finely shredded, dried unsweetened coconut
• 1/2 cup coconut oil, warmed to liquid
• 1/2 cup maple syrup
• 1/2 cup almond butter
• 1 tsp sea salt
• 2 tsp pure vanilla extract
• 1 cup freeze dried strawberries
• 1 cup freeze dried blueberries

Instructions

1. Line a large baking sheet with non-stick foil, and spray with cooking spray.
2. Preheat the oven to 350 and set rack at the medium position.
3. In a large bowl, combine oats, walnuts, and coconut, and set aside.
4. In another bowl, whisk together oil, maple syrup, almond butter, sea salt, and vanilla extract until well combined, then pour over oat mixture and toss to coat until completely blended.
5. Pour out onto prepared baking sheet, and spread out evenly.
6. Bake for 35 minutes, stirring about every 10 minutes or so until the granola is evenly browned. Remove from oven and let cool. Stir in dried berries, and enjoy!