Yummy Vanilla Coconut Granola

2 cups old fashioned oatmeal (not instant or quick)
3/4 cup shredded sweetened coconut
3/4 cup walnuts, chopped
1/4 cup pecans, chopped
1/2 cup slivered almonds
2 TBSP dark brown sugar
1 tsp cinnamon
1/4 tsp nutmeg
1/4 tsp sea salt
4 TBSP coconut oil, melted
1/2 cup pure maple syrup
1-1/2 tsp vanilla extract
1 tsp. vanilla bean paste or scrapings from vanilla bean pod

Pre-heat oven to 350 degrees F.  Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicone baking mat.

In a large bowl, mix together oatmeal, nuts, brown sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt.

In a 2 cup glass measuring cup, melt coconut oil for about 1 minute in microwave. Add the remaining ingredients to the melted oil and mix together.  Pour over dry ingredients and mix until well coated.

Spread mixture onto baking sheet into a single layer.  Bake for 30-45 minutes, checking every 10 minutes to stir around and ensure it doesn't burn.  You'll know it is ready when it is a light golden brown, and the kitchen smells delicious.

Allow to cool completely on the baking sheet once removed from the oven.  I suggest pre-portioning small packages and handing them out to only your very best friends.  That's why I'm sharing the recipe with all of you.

***Notes  Add or hold back any of the nuts you like (or dislike).  This is just what I had in the freezer at the time.

The first time I made this, I didn't have vanilla paste, so I used the scrapings from a vanilla bean pod (yep, I had those...don't judge).  Since the first batch was so yummy, I decided to buy vanilla paste from Amazon when I didn't find it in my local grocery store.

I used organic where practical.  The organic pure maple syrup was actually on sale at my grocery store and cost less than non-organic.