Down-to-Earth Granola

I have been making this granola for years and can't even remember where I got the recipe.  I like it because it is just a basic recipe...no fancy ingredients and not expensive to put together.  It is also a wonderful way to use up a LOT of oats that are going out of date in my food storage.

I always double the recipe...since if I make just one batch, it is literally gone in about 2 days!

Here's what you need:

4 c. oats
1 1/2 c. sliced almonds (I double everything except the almonds--I think this is enough for 2 batches)
1/2 c. brown sugar
1/2 tsp. salt--go a little easy, I think it can tend to be too salty...I use about 3/4 tsp for a double batch
1/2 tsp. cinnamon
1/4 c. cooking oil
1/4 c. honey
1 tsp. vanilla

1 cup craisins, optional

***Here are some additions I have started doing since posting this.  It is really good with about 1/3-1/2 cup of raw sunflower seeds added in with the nuts. And I have started doing 1/2 almonds and 1/2 pecans.  I've started tripling the recipe when I make it and I now use 1/2 cup oil, 1/2 cup honey, and 1/2 cup applesauce.  It really holds it together a little better and you are eliminating a good amount of fat and sugar in the process.***

As far as the oats...you can use either quick or old-fashioned.  I use half and half because my food storage was all quick oats and I need to use them.  But if I were buying oats for this, I think the old-fashioned is better because they are bigger pieces and I like the texture better with the bigger flakes.

Preheat oven to 300*.
Combine oats, almonds, brown sugar, salt and cinnamon in large bowl.  Let the kids break up the little chunks of brown sugar!

Warm cooking oil and honey in saucepan.   Remove from heat and stir in vanilla.  Drizzle over oats mixture and GENTLY stir.  Try to leave some clumps together.  If it seems too dry, you can always drizzle a little more oil or honey into it.  Spread onto cookie sheet(s).

Bake for 35-40 minutes, stirring every 10 minutes.  Cool completely.  Stir in craisins, if desired.

Your house will smell AMAZING...I made this yesterday, and all my kids were asking what I had made the moment they walked in the door!

You could add wheat germ, or flax seed, or any other mix in you would like.  I would just increase the oil/honey mix to compensate for the added bulk.

This is so delicious on top of vanilla yogurt...that is my all-time favorite way to eat it!