Greatest granola

8
Points®
Total Time
29 min
Prep
9 min
Cook
20 min
Serves
10
Difficulty
Easy
Our granola has no added oil or butter—and it contains a variety of healthful grains while maintaining a delicious flavor. Sprinkle it in yogurt, serve as a cereal with milk or take it along as a healthy snack. Hazelnuts and sesame seeds add an extra texture to this mixture, while the dried peaches and sour red cherries mix in additional flavor. We used honey mixed with pumpkin pie spice and vanilla to naturally sweeten the grains. Granola sold in supermarkets is often loaded with fat and sugar. Mixed rolled grains are available in health-food or natural-food stores and some large supermarkets.

Ingredients

Uncooked rolled oats

1½ cup(s), mixed, such as oats, wheat, or barley

Uncooked wheat bran

½ cup(s), unprocessed

Sesame seeds

¼ cup(s)

Shelled hazelnuts

4 oz, coarsely chopped (about 1/2 cup)

Honey

6 Tbsp

Vanilla extract

½ tsp

Pumpkin pie spice

¼ tsp, or cinnamon

Dried peaches

6 oz, or apricots, thinly sliced (about 3/4 cup)

Sour red cherries

½ cup(s), or golden raisins

Toasted wheat germ

¼ cup(s)

Instructions

  1. Arrange one rack on the middle rung of the oven. Preheat the oven to 350°F.
  2. Spread the rolled grains, bran, and sesame seeds on a baking sheet with a rim on all four sides. Bake, stirring with a metal spatula every 3 minutes, until the mixture is light golden brown, 9–10 minutes.
  3. Meanwhile, combine the hazelnuts, honey, vanilla, and pumpkin-pie spice in a medium bowl. Add the grain mixture and toss to combine. Return the mixture to the baking sheet and spread evenly. Bake, stirring every 3 minutes, until dark golden brown, 9–10 minutes longer. Transfer the mixture to a bowl and let cool.
  4. Combine the dried peaches, cherries, and wheat germ in a small bowl. Stir the dried fruit mixture into the toasted grain mixture. Yields 1/2 cup per serving.