Almond Butter Granola

Check out those clusters!!  Whenever I open a bag of store bought granola, I pick out all of the clusters because they are definitely the best part.  I'm always disappointed when I can't create those clusters with my homemade granola recipe... until now.

I kind of just threw this combination together and the results were perfect.  The taste is nutty and not-too-sweet and the texture is super crunchy.  I even got to use my homemade Honey and Sea Salt Almond Butter.

Almond Butter Granola
Yields:  4 cups (sixteen 1/4 cup servings)

Ingredients

2 cups rolled oats (not quick cooking)

1/4 cup raw almonds, chopped

1/4 cup raw pumpkin seeds

2 tablespoons sesame seeds

2 tablespoons flax seed meal

2 tablespoons almond meal

1/2 cup almond butter 

1 tablespoon pure vanilla extract

1/2 teaspoon cinnamon

1 tablespoon brown sugar

Pinch of salt

Directions

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.  In a large bowl, combine oats, chopped almonds, pumpkin seeds, sesame seeds, flax seed meal and almond meal.  Soften almond butter in microwave for 15-30 seconds.  In a small bowl, combine melted almond butter, vanilla extract, cinnamon, brown sugar and salt.  Pour almond butter mixture over oat mixture and mix well.  I actually found it easiest to combine using my hands and the result was nice big granola clusters.

Spread evenly over parchment lined baking sheet.  Bake for 10-15 minutes, stirring every 5 minutes, until golden brown (watching closely at the end so granola doesn't burn!!).  Allow granola to cool before storing in airtight container.