Make sure one of your oven racks is placed in the center of your oven and heat oven to 275F degrees. Spray a 9 x 13-inch baking pan with nonstick cooking spray and set aside.
In a large mixing bowl mix the oats, wheat germ, brown sugar, salt, almonds and coconut with a wooden spoon until well combined and set aside.
In a small saucepan bring the maple syrup, oil, water, and cinnamon to a simmer over low heat.
Drizzle the syrup mixture over the oat mixture and stir until combined.
Pour the mixture onto the prepared baking pan. Squeeze the mixture a handful at a time to from small clumps.
Bake for 30 minutes.
Stir in the dried cranberries and apricots and continue to bake until golden, about 20 minutes more, or until a nice rich golden brown.
Remove from the oven and cool.
Once completely cool, store in an airtight container for up to 1 month.
Recipe Notes
Use Old-Fashioned Oats.
For the best results, use old-fashioned (not quick) oats so they bake into a nice crisp, golden granola. Quick oats will create a powdery texture with an unpleasant raw starchy taste.Use a Little Bit of Water.
It will help the cereal clump together. The water, when combined with the other liquid ingredients will mix with the wheat germ to create a tasty paste. Squeeze the cereal with your hands before baking to form small delicious clumps and clusters.Use a Combination of Liquid and Dry Sweeteners.
I'm not a huge honey fan so I prefer to use straight maple syrup. But if you like, use honey or a combination of honey and maple syrup. Mix the brown sugar with the dry ingredients to add great color and flavor.Use a Little Salt.
Just a little will help bring out the granola's flavors.Bake your Granola at a Low Temperature (around 275F).
At this oven temperature the cereal crisps up and browns evenly without burning.Add the Dried Fruit Part Way Through Baking.
Adding the fruit too early is likely to dry it out too much.Serving size: ¼ cupClick here to see your WW PersonalPoints for this recipe and track it in the WW app or site..5*SmartPoints (Green plan)5*SmartPoints (Blue plan)4*SmartPoints (Purple plan)3*PointsPlus (Old plan)
Nutrition Facts
Healthy Homemade Maple Granola Recipe
Amount Per Serving (1 /4 cup)
Calories 110Calories from Fat 35
% Daily Value*
Fat 3.9g6%
Carbohydrates 16.6g6%
Fiber 2.1g8%
Protein 2.9g6%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.