Maple Granola

I made this granola with raisins, cut up dates, almonds, and sunflower seeds.

A good ol' healthy snack for the trail, or in the morning as cereal with milk or yogurt. You can add many things to this granola, like cranberries, cashews, pumpkin seeds, hazelnuts, coconut flakes, chocolate chips, different dried fruits, basically whatever you think will go well. You can also switch the maple syrup to honey and add nutmeg or other spices.

3 cups Old-Fashioned Rolled Oats (Large Flake)
1/2 cup Sliced Almonds
1/3 cup Raw Sunflower Seeds
2 1/2 tsp Cinnamon
1/4 tsp Salt
2 tbsp Oil (vegetable, sunflower, canola, or other variety)
1/2 cup Pure Maple Syrup
1 cup Dried Fruit (dates, raisins, figs, currants, apricots, cranberries, and/or blueberries)

Preheat your oven to 325 F and grease or line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Make sure the rack is in the center of oven.

In large bowl combine all the dry ingredients, oats, nuts, seeds, and spices. In another bowl combine oil and syrup. Pour the wet mixture over the dry and toss until completely coated. Spread onto the baking sheet and bake for about 35-40 minutes, stirring occasionally to ensure even browning. Be sure to check and stir often closer to the end, as the granola will brown and burn quickly. The browner the granola, the crunchier it will be. Take out of the oven and cool. Once the granola has cooled completely, mix in the dried fruit(s). Store in an airtight container in the fridge for several weeks.

Makes about 4 cups.