Chestnut School Orange Granola

Chestnut School Orange Granola

I had the privilege of working with some of the 4th and 5th graders at Chestnut  Elementary  School in Painesville today. The kids were great. I was asked to come up with some healthy snack ideas for kids.  We did a couple of dishes but the winner was the fresh fruit and yogurt cups with orange granola. The kids picked from several fresh fruits and diced them up and folded with yogurt. Then they topped the yogurt with some of the granola.  I made this granola recipe just for this event and a lot of the kids- and adults- wanted the recipe so here it is.

Chestnut School Orange Granola*

3 c. rolled oats

1 t. cinnamon

1 t. orange peel

1/2 t. nutmeg

1/4 c. oil

2 T.  honey- or add a little more if you like a sweeter granola

2 T. orange juice concentrate

2 t. vanilla

Dried fruit to equal 1 -1 1/2 cups. Some choices could include: raisins, dried cranberries, cherries, pineapple, dates, figs, apricots, bananas, blueberries etc. I used raisins.

 In large bowl combine oats with seasonings. Heat together oil, honey, orange juice  and vanilla and pour over oat mixture, tossing to coat evenly. Spread on a cookie sheet and bake in a 300 degree oven for 30 minutes. Halfway through the baking time stir mixture so the edges won’t burn. Remove from oven and return to large bowl. Toss with the dried fruit and allow to cool before storing in an airtight container in a cool, dry place. Use in 1 month or store in freezer or fridge to keep longer. Makes 4-5  cups.

 * We didn’t use nuts because of potential food allergies in some of the kids, but feel free to add nuts and seeds with the oatmeal.