Crunchy Granola

A quick and easy granola.  Great for breakfast or snacking on the go.

4 cups Only Oats™ Rolled Oats (1 L)
1/2 cup ground flax (125 mL)
1/4 cup dark brown sugar (60 mL)
1/2 tsp salt (2 mL)
1 tsp cinnamon (5 mL)
1/2 cup chopped almonds (125 mL)
1/4 cup chopped pecans (60 mL)
1/2 cup pure maple syrup (125 mL)
1/3 cup canola oil (75 mL)
2 Tbsp water (30 mL)
1 tsp vanilla (5 mL)
1/2 cup dried cranberries (125 mL)

1. Preheat oven to 275°F (135 C).
2. Line a cookie sheet with parchment paper or coat lightly with canola oil.
3. In a mixing bowl, combine Only Oats™ Rolled Oats, ground flax, dark brown sugar, salt, cinnamon, almonds and pecans.  
4. In a small saucepan, bring maple syrup, canola oil and water to a simmer. Remove from heat. Add vanilla.
5. In a separate bowl, combine 2 teaspoons (10 mL) of syrup mixture with the cranberries. Set aside. Drizzle the remainder over oat mixture. Stir to combine. Place on cookie sheet. Working a handful at a time, squeeze mixture to form small clumps. Bake for 30 minutes.
6. Remove from heat. Add cranberries to partially baked granola on side of pan in order to leave the granola in chunks. Continue to bake until golden brown for another 15 minutes. Remove from oven and let cool. Stir cranberries and granola together. Break granola into small chunks.
7. Enjoy as a cold cereal, in yogurt, as a fruit topping or a snack. Store for up to two weeks in an air-tight container.

Last updated on November 8, 2011 by Avena Foods