Homemade Apricot + Almond Granola

Most store-bought granolas have so many mysterious, unnecessary ingredients in it, so I recently decided to take matters into my own hands by making my own homemade granola. While you might think it is complicated to make your own granola, it actually couldn’t be easier. And when you make your own granola with simple, natural ingredients, you can feel so much better starting your day off with a bowl of it. I like making a big batch of granola on a Sunday so that I can enjoy it throughout my hectic work week.

I’ve seen some recipes that call for a full cup of sweetener and massive amounts of oil, but I find that unnecessary. Maple syrup is so concentrated and sugary that you really don’t need much, plus the apricots add some sweetness. The almonds, walnut oil and pinch of salt are a great contrast to the sweet granola.

I couldn’t stop nibbling on this while I was mixing it, and it was even more tempting when it came right out of the oven. I especially recommend mixing the granola with some vanilla yogurt for a healthy breakfast. You’ll never want store-bought granola again!

Homemade Apricot + Almond Granola

 

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Ingredients

• 3 cups oats
• ¾ cup chopped apricots
• ½ cup sliced almonds
• ½ cup maple syrup
• 2 tablespoons walnut oil (or any other light, mildly-flavored oil of your choice)
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 teaspoon cinnamon
• Pinch of sea salt

Instructions

1. Pre-heat oven to 300 F.
2. Combine all ingredients in a large bowl, making sure oats are well coated in the maple syrup and walnut oil.
3. Spread mixture in a thin layer onto a baking sheet (I recommend using a silicone baking mat too), and bake for 45 minutes. Stir every 15 minutes to ensure the granola is baked evenly.
4. Let cool completely and store in an airtight container.

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