Simple, Satisfying Granola

Once you taste this granola made with Janie's Mill Organic Oat Flakes (or Barley, Rye, or Wheat Flakes, or a combo!) you'll never go back to store-bought again! In addition to the superior flavor, you can control the amount and type of sweeteners and oils you use, and know that you're eating something wholesome, not something akin to a candy bar, filled with bad sugars, fats, and additives. Use this simple granola recipe as a starting point, adding in whatever dried fruit, nuts, and seeds you have on hand to make your own flavor variations! 

 Yield: approximately 8 cups of granola

Ingredients

• 4 cups Janie's Mill Oat Flakes (or Wheat Flakes, or Rye Flakes, or Barley Flakes or all 3!)
• 1 cup chopped raw nuts (pecans, walnuts, almonds)
• 1/2 cup seeds (pepitas, chia, flax, quinoa, sunflower seeds)
• 1 cup chopped dried fruit (cranberries, raisins, apricot, cherries, dates)
• 1/2 cup additional mix-ins (dark chocolate chips, coconut flakes)
• 1/2 cup oil (melted coconut oil, olive oil)
• 1/2 cup maple syrup or honey
• 1 teaspoon sea salt
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

• Large mixing bowl
• Small mixing bowl
• Spatula
• Measuring cups and spoons
• Baking sheet lined with parchment paper

Instructions

1. Preheat the oven to 325°F.
2. Mix together the flaked oats or other flaked grains, nuts, and seeds (and coconut flakes if using) in a large mixing bowl.
3. In a separate mixing bowl, combine the oil, maple syrup or honey, vanilla, salt, and cinnamon and stir until well-blended. 
4. Pour the oil mixture over the oats. Mix well until the oil is evenly disbursed. 
5. Place parchment paper on a large baking sheet. Evenly spread the granola mixture over the baking sheet with a spatula. Press the granola down with your spatula to create clusters of granola. 
6. Bake for 12 minutes. Gently stir the granola to ensure even baking and again press the granola down with your spatula.
7. Bake for 12-15 more minutes until golden-brown. Shut off the oven and crack the oven door, allowing the granola to completely cool undisturbed. 
8. After the granola is cooled, mix in your choice of dried fruit and chocolate. Break the granola into your desired consistency. 
9. Place in airtight container to store. If you would like to store the granola for longer than 2 weeks, place in the freezer.

Theme and Variations

Here are a few points of inspiration and adaptation:

• Use whatever nuts, seed, or dried fruits you have on hand. Try different variations to find your favorite combinations. One of my personal favorite flavor combinations includes walnut, dried cherries, pepitas, and dark chocolate. 
• To make this recipe nut-free, substitute seeds instead of nuts. 
• To make granola bars, add a little more maple syrup or honey. For even firmer granola bars, add some almond butter or peanut butter. Press the granola mixture firmly into a 13 x 9 pan lined with parchment. Bake at 350 until the granola is golden around the edges, 25 to 30 minutes. Remove from oven, loosen the edges, and cool for about 5 minutes. Use a sharp knife or bench scraper to cut the bars while they are still in the pan. Remove carefully, and cool completely on a wire rack.