Dried Fruit & Granola Mix

Ingredients

• 5 cups old-fashioned oats
• 1 cup sliced almonds
• 1/2 cup sunflower kernels
• 1/2 cup ground flaxseed
• 1/2 cup packed brown sugar
• 1/4 cup maple syrup
• 1/4 cup honey
• 2 tablespoons canola oil
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1/2 cup dried cranberries
• 1/2 cup dried banana chips
• dried apricots1/2 cup , halved

Directions

1. In a large bowl, combine the oats, almonds, sunflower kernels and flax. In a small saucepan, combine the brown sugar, maple syrup, honey, oil, salt and cinnamon.
2. Cook and stir over medium heat for 2-3 minutes or until brown sugar is dissolved and mixture is heated through.
3. Remove from the heat; stir in vanilla. Pour over oat mixture and toss to coat.
4. Transfer to a 15x10x1-in. baking pan coated with cooking spray. Bake at 350° for 20-25 minutes or until golden brown, stirring every 8 minutes.
5. Cool completely on a wire rack.
6. Stir in dried fruits.
7. Store in an airtight container.

Health tip: Granola typically has healthy whole grains and nuts, but added sugar and sweetened dried fruit, too. Eat this calorie-dense cereal in relatively small portion sizes.

Nutrition Facts

1/2 cup: 253 calories, 10g fat (2g saturated fat), 0 cholesterol, 86mg sodium, 38g carbohydrate (18g sugars, 5g fiber), 6g protein.