Mocha Granola

Yes that's right...it's another granola recipe. You would think that by now I would have stopped posting such recipes because really they're all quite the same. The concept is simple: mix some oats with desired nuts, add some sort of binding sweetner, bake in the oven (mixing often), and then mix in any dried fruit at the end. Easy, right?

Well the truth of the matter is that there are actually many flavor combinations out there, some on the healthier side and others more like a dessert. This particular granola is more of a dessert granola due to the mini chocolate chips that get mixed in the end. It also uses quite a bit of coffee so I wouldn't recommend it as a late night snack, though it's a great pick-me-up in the morning. Of course the chocolate chips can be omitted all together...but then again, who would want to do that?

Mocha Granola

• 3 cups old-fashioned oats
• ¼ cup ground flax seed
• ½ cup sliced almonds
• ½ cup sunflower seeds
• ¼ tsp salt
• 3 tbsp dry instant coffee granules
• 3 tbsp hot water
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• ½ cup canola oil
• ½ cup honey
• ½ cup mini chocolate chips 

1. Dissolve the instant coffee granules in the hot water. Add in the vanilla and set aside.
2. In a large bowl, combine the oats, ground flax seed, almonds, sunflower seeds, and salt. 
3. Add the oil to the dissolved coffee mixture and combine with the oats. Mix well.
4. Add the honey to the oats and stir until everything is evenly coated.
5. Spread the oats in an even layer onto a large baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Bake for 30-45 minutes at 300 degrees Fahrenheit, stirring every 10-15 minutes, until the oats are golden.
6. Allow the granola to cool completely before mixing in the mini chocolate chips and breaking into clumps. Store in an airtight container.