Ingredients

• 3 cups old-fashioned rolled oats
• 1 cup mixed nuts (such as almonds, walnuts, pecans, and pistachios), roughly chopped
• 1/2 cup mixed seeds (such as sunflower seeds, pumpkin seeds, chia seeds, and flaxseeds)
• 1 cup dried fruit (such as dried cherries, blueberries, apricots, and cranberries), chopped if large
• 1/2 cup unsweetened coconut flakes
• 1/2 cup honey or maple syrup
• 1/3 cup coconut oil or olive oil
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
• 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
• 1/4 teaspoon ground cardamom
• 1/4 teaspoon sea salt
• 1/2 cup dark chocolate chips or chunks (optional)
• 1/4 cup crystallized ginger, finely chopped (optional)
• 1/4 cup cacao nibs (optional)
• 1/4 cup hemp seeds (optional)

Here’s how you make it!

1. Preheat the Oven:
   • Preheat your oven to 300°F (150°C). Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper.
2. Mix Dry Ingredients:
   • In a large bowl, combine the rolled oats, mixed nuts, mixed seeds, coconut flakes, cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, cardamom, and sea salt. Stir well to mix.
3. Combine Wet Ingredients:
   • In a small saucepan over low heat, combine the honey (or maple syrup) and coconut oil (or olive oil). Stir until the coconut oil has melted and the mixture is well combined. Remove from heat and stir in the vanilla extract.
4. Mix Wet and Dry Ingredients:
   • Pour the wet ingredients over the dry ingredients. Stir well until the dry ingredients are thoroughly coated.
5. Spread on Baking Sheet:
   • Spread the granola mixture evenly on the prepared baking sheet, pressing down lightly to form an even layer.
6. Bake:
   • Bake in the preheated oven for 25-30 minutes, stirring halfway through to ensure even baking. Keep an eye on the granola to prevent burning; it should be golden brown and fragrant when done.
7. Cool and Add Extras:
   • Remove the baking sheet from the oven and let the granola cool completely on the baking sheet. The granola will crisp up as it cools.
   • Once cooled, stir in the dried fruit, dark chocolate chips (if using), crystallized ginger (if using), cacao nibs (if using), and hemp seeds (if using).
8. Store:
   • Transfer the granola to an airtight container. It can be stored at room temperature for up to two weeks.

Tips:

• For extra clumpy granola, press down on the granola with a spatula after stirring halfway through the baking time and again after removing it from the oven.
• Customize this granola recipe by adding other spices like allspice or cloves, using different types of dried fruit, or adding a touch of citrus zest.
• Serve your fancy granola with Greek yogurt, drizzled with honey and fresh berries for an elegant breakfast or snack.