Homemade Granola with Cherries and Almonds
Sarah McMinn/ My Darling Vegan
16 Servings
Ingredients
- 4 cups gluten-free oats
- 1 cup shredded coconut, unsweetened
- ½ cup flaxseeds, ground
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ cup + 2 tbsp. coconut oil, melted
- ¾ cup maple syrup
- 2 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 cup almonds
- 1 cup walnuts
- 2 cups dried cherries or dried apricots, raisins, cranberries
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 300F. Line two baking sheets with parchment paper and set aside.
- In a bowl combine oats, coconut, ground flaxseeds, and salt. In a separate bowl combine melted coconut oil, maple syrup, and vanilla extract.
- Slowly pour wet ingredients over the oat mixture, mixing while adding, until the dry and wet ingredients are fully mixed together. You may need to use your hands to ensure the oats are evenly hydrated. Mix in almonds and walnuts and spread evenly over both baking trays, pressing the granola tightly together.
- Bake for about 40 minutes, rotating halfway through. Do not mix the granola! Remove from oven and let sit for at least 30 minutes.
- Gently break apart the granola into large chunks. Once it’s cool completely, stir in the cherries (or fruit of choice)
- Eat immediately or store in an airtight container for up to 1 month.
Serving and Storing – Once your granola has cooled, it can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 1 month.
- Make sure the wet and dry ingredients are well mixed. The oats should be evenly and fully hydrated.
- Pack the granola tightly on the baking sheet. It’s okay if the granola doesn’t fill the baking sheet but try and prevent empty spaces between the oats.
- Don’t over-handle the granola when baking. Turn the tray halfway through the baking so that the granola evenly bakes but do not mix.
- Let the granola cool at least 30 minutes (60 is better) before gently breaking into large chunks.
Variations – There are endless variations of homemade granola. Nearly anything can be added for a different granola recipe every time. Here are a few of my favorite combinations. Add:
- Chocolate chunks for a Chocolate Cherry Granola
- Sunflower seeds, pumpkin seeds, or chia seeds. Omit the cherries for a Seedy Nut Granola
- Ginger and nutmeg. Swap out cherries for dried pear for a Ginger Pear Granola
- Ginger and cinnamon as well as 2 tablespoons of molasses. Swap cherries for cranberries for a festive Gingerbread Granola
Print