Homemade Granola

This is my recipe for homemade granola, adapted from Smitten Kitchen's recipe which was adapted from Ina Garten's recipe. Isn't it nice to tweak recipes to make it your own?

Anyway, I prefer loose granola crumbled on top of yogurt verses granola bars.
These really are healthy, with no butter or oil and I reduced the sugar content even more, but you would never know!

Here it goes:

2 cups old-fashioned oats
1 cup sliced almonds
1 cup sweetened shredded coconut
1/2 cup sunflower seeds
1/3 cup agave nectar or pure maple syrup
1 tsp. vanilla extract
1 1/2 cup dried fruit, any kind (I love using cranberries, raisins and cherries)
cinnamon for shaking

Preheat oven 350 degrees. Place oats, nuts, seeds and coconut on a large baking sheet and toast in oven about 10-12 minutes.
Transfer the mixture to a large bowl and reduce oven temp to 300 degrees.
While the mixture is still warm, stir in the agave nectar (or syrup) and vanilla until thoroughly mixed. Next, add the dried fruit.
Spray your cookie sheet with non-stick spray and dump your granola on top. Spread evenly and sprinkle with cinnamon.
Bake for 20-25 minutes, until light golden brown.
Once cooled, crumble into pieces and store in air-tight container*.

*Best stored in fridge.