Cinnamon Granola with Walnuts & Raisins

I went a little overboard a few months back, and purchased an absurd amount of gluten-free baking items.  One of which, was Bob’s Red Mill Extra Thick Gluten-Free Oats.  They’re great, and I’ve used them in cookies and slow-cooked oatmeal.

Yesterday, I decided to clear some pantry space and whip up a batch of homemade granola.  Your kitchen will smell fabulous while this is baking.

I like making granola when I have the time, because it’s healthier than what you buy at the market, you know exactly what its made of and you can customize it with your favorite mix-ins.  You could use dried cranberries, sliced almonds, chocolate chips, peanut butter chips, pecans or whatever you like in your granola.

It is SO good.  Ate it by the handful last night and had it for breakfast this morning with a yummy bowl of greek yogurt, peach and banana!  I’d like to give this a try over some vanilla ice cream, too… 🙂

In a large bowl, combine oats, flaxseed, raisins and chopped nuts.

In a small bowl, whisk together the light brown sugar, oil, honey and cinnamon.  Microwave for about 30 seconds and once you see the mixture bubbling, remove from the microwave and stir in the vanilla.

Pour over the oat mixture, and stir until fully combined.  Mix in a pinch of salt.  It’s already tasty at this point… I suggest sampling before you pop it in the oven!

Spread the mixture onto two baking sheets so it’s thinly spread and all of the little oat nuggets get a chance to toast evenly in the oven.

Bake for 15 minutes in a 275 degree oven.  Stir everything around with a spatula, and return to the oven for another 20 minutes, or until the oats are toasted.  Keep an eye on it because you don’t want to burn or over-do the granola.  Cool granola and store in an air-tight container.  Serve over yogurt, ice cream, or just plain with a big spoon and cold glass of milk.

Cinnamon Granola with Walnuts & Raisins

Ingredients

• 3 1/2 cups rolled oats (I used Bob’s Red Mill Extra Thick Gluten-Free Oats, but you can use whatever you have on hand)
• 1/2 cup ground flaxseed
• 1 cup walnuts, chopped
• 1/2 cup raisins
• 1/4 cup light brown sugar
• 1/4 cup grapeseed oil (or olive oil)
• 1/3 cup agave nectar (or honey)
• 1/2 Tablespoon cinnamon
• 1/2 Tablespoon vanilla
• pinch of salt

Steps

1. Preheat oven to 275 degrees.
2. In a large bowl, combine oats, flaxseed, raisins and chopped nuts.
3. In a small bowl, whisk together the light brown sugar, oil, honey and cinnamon.  Microwave for about 30 seconds and once you see the mixture bubbling, remove from the microwave and stir in the vanilla.
4. Pour over the oat mixture, and stir until fully combined.  Mix in a pinch of salt.
5. Spread the mixture onto two baking sheets so it’s thinly spread and all of the little oat nuggets get a chance to toast evenly in the oven.
6. Bake for 15 minutes.  Stir everything around with a spatula, and return to the oven for another 20 minutes, or until the oats are toasted.  Keep an eye on it because you don’t want to burn or over-do the granola.
7. Cool granola and store in an air-tight container.
8. Serve over yogurt, ice cream, or just plain with a big spoon and cold glass of milk.

Hugs, kisses & yummy dishes… xoxo
Lauren