These chewy, crunchy granola clusters make an irresistible snack and tasty morning breakfast with yogurt and fruit. I add additional chopped dried apples and golden raisins after breaking the homemade granola into clusters.
Evenly spread the oatmeal on a sheet pan in an even layer. On another baking sheet, spread the walnuts into a single layer. Bake for 10 minutes until lightly toasted.
Reduce the oven temperature to 300°
In a large bowl, combine the oatmeal, walnuts, wheat germ flax seed, 1 cup of dried chopped apples and raisins. Toss to combine.
In a small saucepan combine the almond butter, honey, brown sugar, canola oil and cinnamon. Heat just to boiling and cook, stirring constantly for about 1 minute until the brown sugar has dissolved. Remove from heat and stir in the vanilla.
Pour the almond butter mixture into the oatmeal mixture and work with a rubber spatula or your clean hands until thoroughly combined.
Transfer the granola to the baking pan and use your fingers to press the mixture firmly and evenly into the pan. Bake for 25-30 minutes.
Allow granola to cool for an hour before breaking into clusters. Chop the remaining 1/2 cup of apples and toss them with the granola clusters. The apples baked into the granola will firm up in the oven, while the freshly chopped ones stay soft.
Store at room temperature in an airtight container.