Crunchy Cherry-Pistachio Granola

1. Preheat Oven

Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). This will ensure that your granola bakes evenly and achieves that irresistible crunch.

2. Mix Dry Ingredients

In a large mixing bowl, combine 3 cups of rolled oats, 1 cup of shelled pistachios, 1 teaspoon of cinnamon, and a pinch of salt. Stir these dry ingredients together until they are well mixed.

3. Melt Honey and Coconut Oil

In a small saucepan over low heat, melt 0.5 cups of honey and 0.25 cups of coconut oil together. Stir continuously to prevent burning and to ensure that the two blend seamlessly. Once melted, remove the saucepan from the heat and stir in 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract.

4. Combine Mixtures

Pour the honey-coconut oil mixture over the dry ingredients in the mixing bowl. Use a spatula to gently fold everything together until every oat and nut is lightly coated.

5. Bake Granola

Spread the mixture evenly on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Bake the granola in the preheated oven for about 20-25 minutes. About halfway through, take the granola out of the oven and gently stir it around to ensure an even bake.

6. Cool Granola

Once the granola is a beautiful golden brown, remove it from the oven and let it cool completely on the baking sheet. This cooling step is crucial as it allows the granola to set and become crunchy.

7. Add Dried Cherries

After the granola has cooled, stir in 1 cup of dried cherries. The cherries add a pop of color and a chewy texture that complements the crunchy granola perfectly.