Midweek Munchies: Protein-Packed Granola

I am always looking for more ways to incorporate oats into my life.  I think I might actually have a pillow with that on it somewhere, but anyway, besides the standard oatmeal (which is never really standard when there are so many ways to juge it up) and smoothie (usually Martha's with strawberries and no honey), I like granola as an option.  I'm always trying to incorporate protein into breakfast more (in lieu of just sugar-laden things), so I morphed some different ingredients and methods into a pretty decent protein-esque granola.  

Eat me, Seymour

Protein Granola
makes about 6-8 cups

Active preparation time: 20 minutes
Waiting time: 1 hour 15 min

Ingredients:
3 cups rolled oats
1 cup almonds (whole, chopped, or slivered)
1 cup pecans (whole)
1 cup coconut (unsweetened is a must, in bigger curls instead of shreds from a good source is a plus)
1/4 cup plus 2 tablespoons brown sugar
1/4 cup plus 2 tablespoons maple syrup (the real stuff)
1/4 cup coconut oil (or canola)
2/3 cup protein powder (I use an organic whey protein powder from Whole Foods)
3/4 teaspoon salt
2 teaspoons vanilla bean paste (or extract)
dried or freeze-dried fruit of choice (I used freeze-dried strawberries and bananas here)

Method:
1. Preheat the oven to 250 degrees. Place the protein powder, brown sugar, maple syrup, coconut oil, and salt in a saucepan and heat over medium heat until well combined and just coming to a bubble.
2. Add the vanilla and take off the heat to cool a minute.
3. Place the oats, nuts, and coconut in a large bowl and toss to combine.
4.  Pour the wet mixture onto the dry and mix thoroughly, getting some of the mix on every oat if possible, and spread the mixture evenly on a parchment-lined baking sheet.
5. Cook for 1 hour and 15 minutes, stirring every 15 minutes to achieve an even golden brown color (and avoid burning).
6.  Remove and let cool completely. Add whatever dried fruit, if any, and store in an airtight container for about 2 weeks (if it lasts that long).

I particularly enjoy this granola over Greek yogurt for a satisfying breakfast.  This is still on the sugary side of breakfast, but it gets some healthy protein and fats in there, too.  Hope you give it a try!