Awesome Granola
Homemade granola always tastes better than store-bought varieties, and you can add whatever you like to customize it. Start with this easy recipe, then swap in your own favorite nuts, seeds, and dried fruits–walnuts or almonds, sunflower or sesame seeds, dried blueberries or cherries-in place of what's here.
2½ cups old-fashioned rolled oats
1 cup chopped pecans
½ cup unsweetened flaked coconut
½ cup pepitas (pumpkin seeds)
1/3 cup firmly packed golden brown sugar
¾ tsp ground cinnamon
¾ tsp salt
½ cup coconut oil or canola oil
1 tsp pure vanilla extract
1 large egg white
2/3 cup dried cranberries or golden raisins, or 1/3 cup each
Preheat the oven to 350°F. Line a rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper.
In a large bowl, combine the oats, pecans, coconut, pepitas, sugar, cinnamon, and salt and stir to mix well. In a small bowl or cup, whisk together the oil and vanilla. In another small bowl, beat the egg white with a fork until frothy. Pour the oil mixture over the oat mixture and stir to coat evenly. Then pour the egg white over the oat mixture and stir gently until evenly mixed.
Pour the mixture onto the prepared baking sheet, spreading it evenly over the entire surface. Bake the granola, carefully removing the pan from the oven to stir once or twice during baking, until the mixture is nicely toasted, about 35 minutes.
Remove from the oven and let cool. Stir in the dried fruit just before serving or storing. Store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 1 month.
Makes about 6½ cups