Maple Spiced Granola

This recipe comes from our Vermont friends at Top Acres Farm where the very best maple syrup is made every March! Ginger lovers should definitely add in the candied ginger too.

Prep Time: 15 minutes    Bake Time: 30 minutes

WHAT YOU NEED:

3 cups old fashioned rolled oats (ie, 5-minute variety)

½ cup unsalted pepitas (pumpkin seeds) OR sunflower seeds OR sesame seeds

½ cup coarsely chopped nuts (any unsalted variety)

½ tsp. salt

1½ tsp. cinnamon

1½ tsp. ground ginger

½ cup maple syrup

1/3 cup vegetable oil (eg, canola, sunflower, coconut oil etc)

Optional Stir-Ins: after baking add: diced candied ginger; dried fruit (eg, raisins, dried cranberries, dried diced apricots etc), shredded coconut, chocolate chips (about ¼ - ½ cup each)

 MAKING IT:

Heat oven to 300°F.  Combine first 6 ingredients in a mixing bowl. Stir well; set aside.

 In a small saucepan, heat maple syrup and oil over high heat just until mixture bubbles. Carefully pour warm maple syrup mixture over oat mixture. Stir until everything is well coated.

 Spread onto baking sheet so mixture is in an even layer. Bake for 30 minutes, stirring after about 15 minutes (re-spread evenly in pan after stirring). After removing from oven, let mixture cool before adding in any Optional Stir-Ins.  Makes about 5 cups.

NUTRITION:

Nutrition Information per serving (about ½ cup, no stir-ins): 270 Calories; 16g Total Fat; (1.5g Sat Fat; 0g Trans Fat); 0mg Chol; 95mg Sodium; 28g Total Carb; (3g Fiber; 10g Total Sugars; 10g Added Sugars); 6g Protein; 10% DV Iron