3 cups old fashioned extra thick oats (Bob’s Red Mill)
1 cup chopped walnuts
½ teaspoon kosher salt
1½ teaspoons ground cinnamon
¼ cup butter
1-2 large ripe bananas, mashed
¼ cup maple syrup
3 Tablespoons brown sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1½ cups dried strawberries (or dried cherries or cranberries)
Recipe directions:
Preheat oven to 350. Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper. In a large bowl, combine oats, walnuts, salt and cinnamon and stir to combine. In a small saucepan, melt butter and heat on medium until butter begins to caramelize, turn golden and turn fragrant (it takes a few minutes; watch carefully to prevent burning). Turn heat to low, add mashed banana, maple syrup and brown sugar. Remove from heat and add vanilla. Pour liquid mixture over oat mixture and stir until oats are coated. Spread evenly on prepared baking sheet. Bake granola for 25-30 minutes, stirring occasionally. Remove from oven and cool granola completely on baking sheet. Once cooled, stir in berries. Store in an airtight container or glass jar with lid and serve over your favorite yogurt with fresh fruit.