Crunchy Granola

Photo by Lauren Kaplan

Granola is essentially the perfect food. As a whole grain, and with antioxidant-packed add-ins, it's satisfying and a great snack to have stocked in your pantry. Plus, it's customizable to your taste. Have it for breakfast, take it to go on a hike, or to class and even eat it when you have the drunchies.

Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes
Total Time: 30 minutes

Servings: 4

Ingredients:
1 1/2 cups oats
2 tablespoons vegetable/canola oil or melted butter
1/3 cup apple juice (apple cider is best! Odds and ends including coffee, white wine or rum can also work if that's all you've got in your college pantry)
3 tablespoons agave, honey, jam or maple syrup
Pinch of salt

Optional add-ins:
Nuts: almonds, cashews, pistachios, hazelnuts, walnuts – your call!
Seeds: chia, flax, sunflower
Spices: cinnamon, ginger, cocoa, cardamom
Nut butters: peanut, almond, hazelnut  (PB2 works especially well)
Extracts: vanilla, almond, mint
Dried fruit: raisins, cherries, coconut, goji berries
Chocolate: dark, milk, white – whatever your sweet tooth craves!

Here are a few flavor combinations that work especially well:
- Cinnamon, cardamom and maple
– Dark chocolate, pistachio and sea salt
– PB&J: peanuts, jam, peanut butter, dried cherries

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Photo by Lauren Kaplan

Directions:
1. Preheat the oven to 375°F.
2. Combine dry ingredients – oats, spices, nuts.
3. Add in wet ingredients – juice and agave.
4. Bake for about 15 minutes, check the granola and stir it around so it bakes evenly. Put the granola back in the oven for another 5 to 10 minutes. Be sure to keep an eye on your granola – depending on add-ins, it could take more or less time.

Baked granola 2

Photo by Lauren Kaplan

5. Add in extras like dried fruit and chocolate. Be sure to add chocolate immediately so it melts and coats the granola.

Chocolate & cherries 5

Photo by Lauren Kaplan

To be granola about your granola, store in a recycled glass jar.

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Photo by Lauren Kaplan

Enjoy with Greek yogurt, berries and honey.

granola & yogurt 6

Photo by Lauren Kaplan

And don't forget your milk from the Cornell Dairy!

granola & milk 5

Photo by Lauren Kaplan

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