Honeylicious Crunchy Granola 

Makes: ~5 ½ cups
Ingredients:

• 4 cups rolled oats (NOT instant)
• 1 cup cereal of choice (I use Special K)
• ½ cup mashed banana, applesauce or pumpkin puree
• ¼ cup Sunbutter or other nut butter of choice
• ¼ cup brown sugar
• ¼ cup honey
• ¼ cup almond milk or milk of choice
• 1¼ tsp cinnamon
• 1 pinch nutmeg
• ½ tsp salt
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• ¼ tsp baking soda
• Optional Add-ins of choice: Sliced almonds, dried cranberries, pumpkin seeds, chocolate etc.

 
Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 300 degrees F. Spray cookie sheet with nonstick spray.
2. In a large mixing bowl, combine oats and a desired add-in of choice.
3. In a medium pot, add banana, applesauce or pumpkin puree and cook over medium heat. Stir in nut butter, brown sugar and honey, and cook until bubbling, stirring constantly. Add in milk, cinnamon, nutmeg and salt, stirring to combine.
4. Remove from heat, add vanilla extract and baking soda, and mix until foamy, about 10 seconds.
5. Carefully pour hot honey mixture over oats and stir very well to combine. The mixture will seem dry at first until fully mixed. Spread in an even layer on prepared baking sheet. Cook for 30 minutes, turning halfway through. Check at 25 minutes and remove if becoming too dark. Remove from oven and allow to cool completely for 45 – 60 minutes, as it will become crunchier as it cools. 
6. Toss in optional add-ins at the very end. 

 
Note: If you want super crunchy granola, after the first 30 minutes of cooking, reduce heat to 250 F and continue cooking for an additional 15 - 20 minutes before cooling.