Preheat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper.
In a large mixing bowl combine the oats, nuts, cinnamon, and salt. Stir until they are all mixed together. Set to the side.
Next, in a small bowl mix honey and/or maple syrup, oil, and vanilla until blended.
Pour mixture into the large bowl with nuts and oats. Mix really well until everything is coated.
With the help of a spatula or large spoon, pour the granola on lined baking sheet and evenly spread out across the pan.
Bake for about 18 – 23 minutes or until lightly golden. Stir halfway if you do not want a clumpy granola. If you are wanting your granola to be more clumpy, at the hallway mark after stirring, press the granola down – it will combine the granola more as it bakes.
Once the granola is lightly golden, pull it out of the oven and let it cool completely. Do not mix or move the granola for 50+ minutes. Afterwards, break the granola apart with your hands to sized granola pieces of choice.
Next, add the dried fruit and optional chocolate chips or coconut flakes to the baked granola and mix with your hands before storing.
For Parfait
For the vanilla whipped cream, in a chilled large bowl add heavy whipping cream, sugar, and vanilla paste/extract. With a hand mixer or kitchen aid, whip on low speed for 1 min, then increase speed to high setting and continue mixing for 3-5 min or until the whipped cream is stiff and you get peaks at end of mixer. Don't over mix or else you'll start to get butter!
In a container of choice (jars, mugs, bowls, etc) - layer some whipped cream at the bottom, then a small layer of fruit, then granola. Continue this pattern until you've filled container to desired height (we did 2 layers in small mason jars)
Top container with one more layer of whipped cream and some fruit for garnish.
Serve immediately
Notes:
To store the granola – place in an airtight container at room temp or in the fridge. It will last for up to 2 week. You can also place in the freezer for 2-3months but please let it come back to room temperature when you serve it as the dried fruit will be hard to chew.
You can pack containers a bit more if you slightly press down when you get to the granola layers.
