Best Homemade Granola Ever

So I think my search for an amazing granola recipe is over. This one is not as "healthy" as the banana granola recipe because it has brown sugar in it. But I like it better because this recipe creates a nice crunchy granola that goes great with my daily 1/2 cup of Greek yogurt. Mmmm... it is a must try and so easy to make!

2/3 cup packed brown sugar
1/4 cup apple cider (I juiced half an apple and it turned out great)
2 cups rolled oats
2/3 cup chopped/sliced roasted almonds or pistachios
2/3 cup cereal nuggets (like grape-nuts but I didn't have any so I used some corn flakes to add more crunch)
2/3 cup dried fruit (I don't like dried fruit but cherries, raisins, apricots are some good ideas)
1/2 cup sunflower seed kernnels
1/2 tsp cinnamon
1/4 tsp salt

In a large non-stick skillet, combine sugar and cider. Cook on medium-high heat about 3 minutes or til sugar dissolves, stirring frequently.

Stir in oats and remaining ingredients. Continue to cook in skillet 5 minutes or until granola is lightly browned, stirring frequently.

If you want extra crunchy granola, bake on 325 for about 15 minutes stirring frequently to keep edges from burning.

Cool completely. Store in air tight container up to a week.

Banana Granola

So a couple Fridays ago I was brain storming ways to eat healthier and cheaper. After much deliberation, I decided that making my own granola would be a good way to start. I went searching for recipes and found some great ideas that I mixed and matched to come up with my own healthy granola.

This is the granola recipe that I came up with.

2. cup rolled oats
1 ripe banana
3/4 cup water
1 Tbs honey/syrup
1 tsp cinnamon
1 tsp vanilla
1/4 tsp salt
1/4 cup roasted almonds, sliced
1/4 cup sunflower seeds

First,  blend banana, water, syrup/ honey, cinnamon, vanilla and sea salt.

In large bowl, toss wet ingredients with oats, and nuts.

Lay out on baking sheet and bake for about 40 min stirring every 10 minutes.