Super-Chunky Granola

New and improved!!  I recently found this amazing recipe for granola that out shines my other granola recipe by a mile!  Not only does this one have more flavor and more crunch, but there is no stirring, so I can put it in the oven and walk away.  Life is so good...

1/3 cup maple syrup (or honey)
1/3 cup packed brown sugar
4 tsp vanilla extract
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 cup vegetable oil
5 cups old-fashioned rolled oats
2 cups raw almonds, chopped coarse
2 cups raisins or other dried fruit, chopped if necessary

Adjust oven rack to upper-middle position and heat oven to 325 degrees.  Line rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper or lightly spray with cooking spray.

Whisk maple syrup (or honey), brown sugar, vanilla, and salt in a small mixing bowl.  Whisk in oil. 

In a large bowl, combine oats and almonds.  Pour maple syrup mixture over oats and stir until oats are thoroughly coated. 

Transfer oat mixture to prepared baking sheet and spread across sheet into thin, even layer.  Using stiff metal spatula, compress oat mixture until very compact.  Bake until lightly browned, 40 - 45 minutes, rotating pan once halfway through baking.  Remove granola from oven and cool on wire rack to room temperature, about 1 hour.  Break cooled granola into pieces of desired size.  Stir in dried fruit.  Store in airtight container.


Note:  I like to substitute unsweetened coconut for 1/4 of the nuts. You can also substitute sesame seeds or sunflower seeds for some of the nuts if you prefer. 

Variations:  Pecan-Orange Granola with Dried Cranberries
Add 2 TB finely grated orange zest and 2 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon to maple syrup mixture.  Substitute coarsely chopped pecans for almonds.  After granola is broken into pieces, stir in 2 cups dried cranberries.

Tropical Granola with Dried Mango
Reduce vanilla extract to 2 tsp and add 1 1/2 tsp ground ginger and 3/4 tsp nutmeg to maple syrup mixture.  Substitute coarsely chopped macadamias for almonds and 1 1/2 cups unsweetened shredded coconut for 1 cup oats.  After granola is broken into pieces, stir in 2 cups chopped dried mango or pineapple.