Our New Favorite Granola

I've made homemade granola for years, finding quite a few varieties that we enjoy. I wanted to try something different and tried a recipe from Gimme Some Oven with a few variations. Dave has been devouring this by the handful, as well as topping vanilla yogurt for dessert. It's solid for breakfast, snacks or dessert. It's not overly sweet or spiced, just right, as long as you don't mind picking chia seeds out of your teeth.

We're on our second batch in two weeks, and I'm still not sure it'll last long enough to photograph it in the light of day.

Granola
4 cups whole oats
1 cup salted pecan pieces
2/3 cup unsweetened coconut flakes
1/4 cup chia seeds
1/2 tsp. cardamom
1/4 tsp. salt
1/2 cup coconut oil, melted
1/3 cup maple syrup
2 tsp. vanilla
1/2 cup dark chocolate chips

Preheat oven to 350°F. Combine dry ingredients through salt together. Melt coconut oil, and combine with maple syrup and vanilla. Stir into oat mixture until thoroughly coated. Spread evenly on a lined baking sheet.

Bake 20 minutes. Stir, and bake another 5 minutes. Remove from oven, and sprinkle with chocolate chips. Let them melt into the granola, and then cool completely. Store in an airtight container. Makes approximately 6-7 cups.