Once you have made and tasted homemade granola you will never buy store bought again.  This is the BEST homemade granola recipe and so easy to make.  The basic granola recipe combines quick rolled oats, coconut and wheat germ.  You then add your favorite nuts and dried fruit, a honey mixture, toss and bake for 30 minutes, it’s that simple.  Granola is perfect topped on yogurt, layered in a parfait or mixed in your favorite pancake recipe.  I store it in glass canning jars and have in my kitchen ready just to grab as a snack.

Fruit & Nut Granola
6 cups Bob’s Red Mill Quick Cooking Rolled Oats
2 cups shredded coconut
1 cup wheat germ
1 cup chopped almonds, sliced
1 cup walnuts, roughly chopped
1 cup pecan, roughly chopped
1 cup dried cranberries
1 cup dried apricots, chopped
½ cup canola oil
¾ cup honey
2 teaspoons vanilla extract

Preheat oven 250 degrees. In large bowl combine the rolled oats, coconut, wheat germ, nuts and dried fruits and toss to combine. In small microwave safe bowl combine the oil, honey and vanilla and microwave for 1 minute.  Stir honey mixture into dry ingredients and mix well. Spread mixture onto two greased baking pans.  Place in oven for 30 minutes, stirring every 10 minutes. Cool on rack and store in airtight container.

Pacific Northwest Granola
6 cups Bob’s Red Mill Quick Cooking Rolled Oats
1 cup wheat germ
2 cups chopped hazelnuts, roughly chopped
2 cups dried cranberries
½ cup canola oil
¾ cup honey
2 teaspoons vanilla extract

Preheat oven 250 degrees. In large bowl combine the rolled oats, wheat germ, hazelnuts and dried cranberries and toss to combine. In small microwave safe bowl combine the oil, honey and vanilla and microwave for 1 minute.  Stir honey mixture into dry ingredients and mix well. Spread mixture onto two greased baking pans.  Place in oven for 30 minutes, stirring every 10 minutes. Cool on rack and store in airtight container.

Once the Pacific Northwest Granola is cool you can add some chopped chocolate covered hazelnuts to give the granola another layer of flavor.