Nut Free Granola

Ingredients

4 cups rolled oats
1 cup toasted wheat germ
2/3 cup of ground flax
1/2 cup flaked coconut (optional)
1 1/2 tsps cinnamon
1 1/2 tsps ginger (optional)
1 cup sunflower seeds
1 cup pepitas (pumpkin seeds)
1/3 cup maple syrup, molasses or honey (or a combination)
1/3 cup olive oil
1/3 cup water
1 cup dried fruit (apricots, cranberries, cherries, blueberries, banana chips, etc)

Directions

Preheat oven to 275°. In a large mixing bowl combine the oats, wheat germ, flax, coconut, cinnamon (and ginger if using), and seeds. In a smaller bowl, whisk together your choice of sweetener, oil, and water.

Stir the liquid ingredients into the dry ingredients and mix until well combined. Spread on baking tray lined with parchment paper. Bake for 45 minutes to an hour, stirring every 15 minutes. Watch to ensure edges don’t get too brown. When it’s nearly done, turn off the oven and leave the tray inside until completely cooled.

Add the dried fruit and store in an airtight container.