Crunchy Maple Fruity Granola...

I love granola-- the homemade crunchy crispy toasty kind with oats and all sorts of nuts, seeds and dried fruit. Skies the limit what you want to mix in but make it go a longer way nutritionally focusing on a chock-full of healthy ingredients with added goodness such as flax and/or hemp seeds. I made a big batch early in the week and it served the family well all times of the day- over breakfast, as a portable toteable snack and a quick go-to when the munchies struck. You can use honey to tie it altogether or like I did here, with maple syrup to make it maple-ly sweet delicious! That's my Canadian way, eh?

Crunchy Fruity Granola
Makes about 12 1/2 cup-servings

2 cups rolled oats
1 cup mixed seeds (ie; sunflower, pumpkin, sesame)
1-1/2 cup mixed nuts (ie; walnuts, almonds, pistachios, hazelnuts, pecans)
1 cup assorted dried fruit (ie; cranberries, raisins, black currants, apricots, blueberries, cherries)
1/4 cup flax seeds, chia seeds or hemp seeds (or a combination)- optional
1/2 tsp. salt
1/2 cup maple syrup
1/3 cup canola oil

Great Substitute: Replace maple syrup with 1/2 cup honey and 1 Tbsp. vanilla extract

Preheat oven to 350F. Combine oats, seeds, nuts, dried fruit and salt in a bowl. Whisk together maple syrup (or honey and vanilla) and oil, and stir into dry ingredients. Spread granola in one layer on baking tray lightly greased with cooking spray or spread on parchment paper-lined baking tray for easy clean up. (A thin layer creates a crunchier and more toasted result).

Bake 15 to 18 minutes, or until golden brown, stirring once or twice during baking. Cool on tray until dry and crunchy. Break granola into bite-size pieces. Store in airtight container.

Let it cool completely to crisp up for a crunchier break-apart granola.

A perfect snack to tote for a nutritious energy-booster after yoga, work-out or a run.

A healthful energy-sustaining breakfast of yogurt and a hearty topping of crunchy granola.

Or whenever the snacking attacks-- go for a longer lasting nutritious packed snack instead!

This is a fantastic recipe for your kids of all ages to get hands-on (measure, mix, pour, spread, and break) while creating their own customized granola with ingredients they like. Consider also coconut shreds, dark or bittersweet chocolate chips and sugar-free cereal. Skies the limit but keep it mainly chock-full healthy!

Food Revolution Community Cooking Event at Sobeys