Ultimate Fruity Granola

Name: Ultimate Fruity Granola
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 20 min
Total time: 35 min
Yield: 9 cups.
Ingredients: 5 cups old-fashioned oats; 1 cup sliced almonds; 1/2 cup sunflower kernels; 1/2 cup ground flaxseed; 1/2 cup packed brown sugar; 1/4 cup maple syrup; 1/4 cup honey; 2 tablespoons canola oil; 1/2 teaspoon salt; 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon; 1 teaspoon vanilla extract; 1/2 cup dried cranberries; 1/2 cup dried banana chips; 1/2 cup dried apricots, halved

Honey, maple syrup and vanilla coat this wonderfully crunchy treat that's fantastic no matter how you serve it—on its own, with cold milk, or in a yogurt parfait. —Sarah C. Vasques, Milford, New Hampshire

Ingredients

5 cups old-fashioned oats
1 cup sliced almonds
1/2 cup sunflower kernels
1/2 cup ground flaxseed
1/2 cup packed brown sugar
1/4 cup maple syrup
1/4 cup honey
2 tablespoons canola oil
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/2 cup dried cranberries
1/2 cup dried banana chips
1/2 cup dried apricots, halved

Directions

In a large bowl, combine the oats, almonds, sunflower kernels and flax. In a small saucepan, combine the brown sugar, maple syrup, honey, oil, salt and cinnamon. Cook and stir over medium heat for 2-3 minutes or until brown sugar is dissolved and mixture is heated through. Remove from the heat; stir in vanilla. Pour over oat mixture and toss to coat.
Transfer to a 15x10x1-in. baking pan coated with cooking spray. Bake at 350° for 20-25 minutes or until golden brown, stirring every 8 minutes. Cool completely on a wire rack. Stir in dried fruits. Store in an airtight container.

Health tip: Granola typically has healthy whole grains and nuts, but added sugar and sweetened dried fruit, too. Eat this calorie-dense cereal in relatively small portion sizes.

Nutrition Facts

1/2 cup: 253 calories, 10g fat (2g saturated fat), 0 cholesterol, 86mg sodium, 38g carbohydrate (18g sugars, 5g fiber), 6g protein.

Originally published as Ultimate Granola in Healthy Cooking February/March 2010

Reviews

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Average Rating:

lm6793

Jan 1, 2012

I make this granola all the time. It is delicious with greek yogurt. I like the banana chips and dried california apricots, but great with dried cherries and prune bits. Substitute pumpkin seeds or another nut. The maple syrup is the key, it smells great. This one is a winner.
kbroaddrick

Apr 13, 2011

this is amazing! I omitted banana chips and apricots because I didn't have them on hand, although I bet they still would've been tasty. instead I doubled the cranberries and added a 1/2 cup of chopped pecans. so good with yogurt and fruit. definitely will make again, and try all sorts of nut and fruit variations!
smbrenny

Nov 29, 2010

I forgot to mention that I've made it several times with palm sugar (low glycemic-index sugar) and it was just as good as with the brown sugar.
smbrenny

Nov 29, 2010

I'm addicted to this stuff. I've made it at least 10 times and have it every day with yogurt. The recipe makes a lot, so every time I make it I put some in jars which I decorate and give away to someone.
Louise.Hooper

Oct 10, 2010

Just making my second batch of this now. I usually get bored with breakfast foods like this but I loved it. I have it with fruit/berries and yoghurt most mornings.
graybook

May 18, 2010

Because I am a diabetic I did modify the recipe a little. In place of 1/2 cup of packed brown sugar I used 1/4 c. of packed brown sugar and 1/4 c. of Splenda. I used sugar free maple flavored pancake syrup in place of maple syrup. The result was perfect.
graybook

May 18, 2010

I have made it several times. My husband eats it with yogurt three to four times a week for breakfast
sulynn051467

Mar 30, 2010

This is very very good! Had it with cereal and it was great although apricot were a little tough and did not soften even with milk! Already request for more!