Apricot, Cherry, Blueberry Homemade Granola

I have my go-to snacks that I eat almost daily – My favorites being Smoothies, Fruit, and Yogurt and Granola.  I love eating fresh and healthy foods throughout the day, and these definitely are very healthy snacks; especially because I make most of these items from scratch.  My smoothies are always from scratch.  They are one of my favorite things to eat during the day and they always leave me feeling full and rejuvenated. 

I also love making my granola from scratch.  I feel that most store-bought granola has unnecessary added ingredients.  Because of this, I think it’s the best and healthiest for you to just make granola from scratch.  And what’s great about homemade granola is that it couldn’t be easier.  You make it once and it lasts for quite some time!

To make granola, all you do is combine rolled oats with any types of nuts you like (I used sliced almonds in this recipe).  Toss that together with some honey, water, and oil, and then bake in the oven until nice and toasted.  Once its finished, add your dried fruit, such as apricot, cherries, and blueberries, and your done!  It’s really that easy.  

Feel free to add your own twist on this granola recipe, by adding your favorite nuts, dried fruits, and any other ingredients you think would work.  Top on your favorite yogurt and enjoy! 

{PS- It's my husband and I's 3rd Year Wedding Anniversary today!  We are celebrating by going to Disneyland all day today!}

Apricot, Cherry, Blueberry Homemade Granola

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Makes: About 5 cups Granola

3 cups Rolled Oats (Not Quick-Cooking Oats)

1 cup Sliced Almonds

¼ cup Water

1/3 cup Canola Oil

½ cup Honey

½ teaspoon Pure Vanilla Extract

1 cup Chopped Dried Apricots

½ cup Chopped Dried Cherries

¼ cup Dried Blueberries

Preheat the oven to 300 degrees F.  Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicone mat.  Set aside until needed.

In a large bowl, toss together the rolled oats and almonds.

In a small bowl, whisk together the water, canola oil, honey, and vanilla.  Add the wet mixture to the rolled oats and almonds and toss to coat.  Continue tossing until all the almonds and rolled oats are completely coated in the wet mixture. 

Transfer the mixture to the prepared baking sheet. Bake the granola until the rolled oats and the almonds are completely toasted and almost all the liquid has been soaked up.  Remove from the oven and add the apricots, cherries, and blueberries to the baking sheet.  Toss together and place back in the oven for 5 minutes.  You just want to dried fruit to soak up some of the liquid. 

Remove the granola from the oven and allow it to cool completely on the baking sheet.  Transfer to a sealed container.

This granola lasts quite some time.  We have always finished the whole batch within 1 month and it has tasted great each time. 

Recipe adapted from Cooking with My Kid.