Great Granola

When I get tired of regular hot oatmeal for breakfast or it's too hot to eat hot cereal , I like to bake up a batch of granola. I've tried lots of recipes and none has been bad, but our all-time favorite is below. It may not be the healthiest (thank you, butter), but it is definitely the best (thank you, butter).

Homemade Granola

Recipe from EricaLea on TastyKitchen

4 cups Old Fashioned Rolled Oats
1 cup Shredded Or Chipped Coconut
1 cup Nuts Of Choice, Chopped Coarse
¼ teaspoons Sea Salt
½ cups Butter Or Coconut Oil
¼ cups Honey
¼ cups Maple Syrup
½ teaspoons Pure Vanilla Extract
1 cup Dried Fruits (cranberries, Cherries, Apricots, Raisins, Etc.), Optional


1. Preheat oven to 300° F and place the rack in the center of the oven. Either grease or line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
2. In a large bowl, combine the rolled oats, coconut, nuts, and salt.
3. In a small saucepan set over medium low heat, melt the butter. Remove from heat. Stir in the honey, maple syrup, and vanilla. Pour this mixture over the dry ingredients and toss together, making sure all the dry ingredients are coated with the butter mixture.
4. Spread onto the prepared baking sheet and bake in the preheated oven for 20-30 minutes or until golden brown, stirring every five minutes. Do not over bake.
5. Place on a wire rack to cool. You will notice that the granola is still sticky when you remove it from the oven, but it will become crisp and dry as it cools. Once the granola has completely cooled, stir in your choice of dried fruits if desired. Store in an airtight container or plastic bag. It will keep for several weeks.