Maple Nut Granola

By Taste of Lime

Making granola takes a little bit of time, but the results are well worth it. You don’t have to worry about artificial flavors, high fructose corn syrup, or any other additives. It’s full of healthy ingredients like nuts, oatmeal, and dates and simply flavored with pure maple syrup and vanilla.

Nuts

Nuts, for example, are a nutrient-rich food and a good source of protein and heart-healthy fats. Along with vitamins and minerals, they pack a lot of nutrition in a small serving size. We’ve chosen some of our favorites such as walnuts, pecans, and cashews, but if you have other varieties that you love, you can swap those in.

Old-Fashioned Rolled Oats

Old-fashioned rolled oats are high in fiber and have more protein than most grains. According to WebMD, the soluble fiber in oat bran can help reduce total cholesterol by as much as 23%. It’s just one more reason to eat oatmeal for breakfast.

Dried Dates

This naturally sweet little fruit can add an energy boost to your morning, and because it’s an excellent source of fiber, it can also help you stay full longer. Dates are another one of those nutrient-dense foods with high nutritional value in relation to its size. It’s a nice addition to granola, not only for the health benefits, but also the taste. The flavor alone, combined with the maple syrup, is just delicious in this cereal.

I love this granola for breakfast with a bowl of milk, but it’s also good sprinkled over plain Greek yogurt with fresh berries, or just a handful eaten as a midday snack.

Tips for Making Granola

Add the dates, or any other dried fruit, after the granola comes out of the oven to keep the fruit from drying out.

Stir the granola twice during the cooking time to ensure even baking. Take a large spoon or metal spatula and pull the granola away from the edge of the pan towards the middle and redistribute it evenly. This keeps the granola near the rim from over-baking.

Use old-fashioned rolled oats for the granola and not the quick-cooking kind. Quick-cooking oats won’t keep their texture during the cooking process.

For best results, chop the nuts by hand. A food processor can crush the nuts too quickly, reducing some of them to powder.

Maple Nut Granola

Servings: About 6 cups Granola
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Ingredients

3 1/2 cups old-fashioned rolled oats (not quick-cooking oats)
1 cup walnuts, coarsely chopped
3/4 cup pecans, coarsely chopped
3/4 cup unsalted cashew nuts, coarsely chopped
2/3 cup pure maple syrup
1/3 cup canola oil
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
1 teaspoon cinnamon – Explore The Spice House | Shop Now
3/4 teaspoon table salt
3/4 cup pitted dates, coarsely chopped

Directions

Preheat the oven to 300 degrees. Lightly spray a large, rimmed baking sheet with cooking spray.

In a large bowl, combine the rolled oats and nuts.

In a separate bowl, whisk together the maple syrup, oil, vanilla, cinnamon, and salt. Pour over the oat mixture and stir well to coat.

Spread the granola evenly onto the prepared pan and bake for 35 to 40 minutes, until the oats are lightly browned, stirring twice during baking.

When the granola comes out of the oven, stir in the dates. Let the mixture cool before serving. It will continue to crisp as it cools.

Place the granola in an airtight container or resealable plastic bag. At room temperature, it will last about a week. It can be stored for about 2 weeks in the refrigerator and up to 3 months in the freezer.