Peanut Butter Granola

This  Cooking Light recipe caught my eye because we usually have a jar of granola on the counter (along with granola bars and usually one other oat-based snack). This is quick to make and quite delicious. It will move into our regular granola rotation.

Peanut Butter Granola
1 cup oats
2 Tbsp. chopped peanuts
1 Tbsp. brown sugar
1 Tbsp. toasted wheat germ
1/2 tsp. cinnamon
1/4 tsp. salt
1/4 cup maple syrup
2 Tbsp. peanut butter
2 tsp. canola oil
1 tsp. vanilla

Preheat oven to 450°F. Combine all the dry ingredients in a bowl. Heat syrup, peanut butter and oil together over high heat, stirring until smooth. Remove from heat, and stir in vanilla. Add to dry ingredients, and toss to coat evenly.

Spread mixture on a silipat-lined baking sheet. Bake 5 to 9 minutes, stirring after 5 minutes. Watch closely to avoid burning any edge pieces of granola. Remove from oven, and press granola together to create crunchy clusters. Allow to cool completely before storing in an air-tight container. Makes 6 snack-size portions.