This recipe idea came from weelicious.com which is a great resource for family recipes.  I used the same basic proportions but put my own spin on it.  If you don't like chocolate chips and cherries, you can certainly use other chips or dried fruit to put your own spin on it.  Even a dash of cinnamon and some raisins would make a great version.

I priced a batch of these at about 4 dollars (using organic old-fashioned oats and dried cherries from the bulk bins).  The batch makes 20-30 bars (my kids are young so I cut them on the small side and got about 30). This is a CONSIDERABLY lower price than the store version and has a lot more wholesome ingredients.

INGREDIENTS

1/2 cup canola oil

1 tsp. vanilla extract

1/2 cup honey

4 cups oats (old fashioned, NOT quick)

2 tablespoons flaxmeal

2 tablespoons wheat germ

1/2 cup shredded coconut

1/3 cup brown sugar

1/2 cup chocolate chips

1/2 cup dried cherries

1/2 tsp salt

DIRECTIONS

Preheat oven to 325 degrees. Whisk canola oil, vanilla, and honey in a small bowl. In a larger bowl combine remaining ingredients. Pour wet ingredients into dry and stir until combined. Place granola on a baking sheet with parchment paper and shape into a rectangle about 9x 13 inches and one inch thick pressing down any loose granola on the ends (a scrap piece of wax or parchment paper can be used for this part).  Bake about 35-40 minutes. Cool 10-12 minutes and cut into bars, roughly 3 x 1 inch. Cool an additional 5 minutes before handling to allow granola to harden further.  Wrap separately in wax paper and store in a cool dry container.

For more kid-tested recipes visit doctoryum.com.