It’s an addictingly delicious blend of oats + quinoa flakes, cereals, pecans, pumpkin seeds and dates, coated with coconut oil + maple syrup + cinnamon + vanilla and just the teeniest amount of nut butter.
Add 2 cups oats, quinoa flakes, cereals, nuts and seeds to a large mixing bowl.
Remove pits from dates and add them to the bowl of a food processor. Pulse 8 - 10 times to break them apart, then add remaining 1 cup of oats and process until oats are ground and dates are cut into even pieces, about 30 seconds.
Add date-oat mixture to the bowl, followed by cinnamon, vanilla (unless you're using extract) and salt. Toss to combine.
In a small saucepan, melt coconut oil, syrup, nut butter and water together. If you're using vanilla extract, add that to the pan as well. Whisk until smooth.
Pour wet ingredients over dry and mix until everything is evenly coated. Transfer to a baking sheet and bake on the center rack for 30 - 40 minutes, stirring the granola around a few times so as not to burn it.
Once golden brown, remove from oven and let cool completely before storing.