When you want a cookie, but it’s 8 am – or you’re looking for a healthier option – this will be your new go-to. I prefer to skip store bought granola and make my own because a) it’s cheaper, b) healthier, c) tastes so much better and d) is so easy to make. You have the benefit of adding as many nutritionally dense ingredients as you’d like (chia seeds, pumpkin seeds, hemp hearts, any kind of nut) and adjusting the amount and type of fat and sweetener you use. Feel free to sub out any of the listed ingredients with a seed or nut you already have on hand. I prefer to bake mine undisturbed and allow it to cool a bit before gently breaking it into larger chunks for easy snacking.

Happy baking!

Ingredients

1/4 cup + 2 tablespoons avocado oil (or other neutral oil)

1/4 cup maple syrup

3 tablespoons brown sugar

2 teaspoons vanilla

3 1/2 cups rolled oats (or gluten-free oats)

1 cup chopped pecans

1 1/2 cups raisins

3 tablespoons ground flax seed

2 teaspoons cinnamon

1/2 teaspoon nutmeg

1/2 teaspoon salt

Instructions

Preheat your oven to 325° F and line a large baking sheet with parchment paper.
In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the oil, maple syrup, brown sugar and vanilla.
Add the oats, pecans, flax seed, cinnamon, nutmeg and salt, mixing until evenly coated.
Press the granola mixture onto your prepared baking sheet and bake for 30 minutes, undisturbed, or until golden brown.
Let rest for 15 minutes, then sprinkle the raisins on top of the granola. Gently fold the granola over the raisins, leaving large pieces of granola intact.
Cool completely before storing in an airtight container.

The Best Oatmeal Raisin Cookie Granola