the BEST homemade granola

Granola is one of my favorite snacks to serve the kids.  It's very healthy and very packable.  Great for a beach day or to send off with the kids as they head to school (which sadly is in a few short weeks)!  My girls are no longer capable of eating store bought granola.  Luckily, this recipe is super easy and makes a TON.  You can customize it however you choose, adding and subtracting whichever ingredients your family likes or dislikes.  I think this recipe is just right in terms of sweetness but reducing the amount of sugar is definitely an option.  You really can't mess this up!

Ingredients

• 8 cups rolled oats
• 1 1/2 cups wheat germ
• 1 1/2 cups oat bran
• 1 cup sunflower seeds
• 1 cup finely chopped almonds*
• 1 cup finely chopped pecans
• 1 cup finely chopped walnuts
• 1 1/2 teaspoons salt
• 1/2 cup brown sugar
• 1/4 cup maple syrup
• 3/4 cup honey
• 1 cup vegetable oil
• 1 tablespoon ground cinnamon
• 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
• 2 cups raisins or sweetened dried cherries(or any dried fruit)

*I buy all of the nuts pre-chopped

Directions

1. Preheat the oven to 325 degrees F (165 degrees C). Line two large baking sheets with parchment or spray with cooking spray.
2. Combine the oats, wheat germ, oat bran, sunflower seeds, almonds, pecans, and walnuts in a VERY large bowl. Stir together the salt, brown sugar, maple syrup, honey, oil, cinnamon, and vanilla in a saucepan. Bring to a boil over medium heat, then pour over the dry ingredients, and stir to coat. Spread the mixture out evenly on the baking sheets.
3. Bake in the preheated oven until crispy and toasted, about 20 minutes. Stir once halfway through. Cool, then stir in dried fruit before storing in an airtight container.