Homemade Maple Granola

I used to omit the vanilla extract and add orange oil and coconut to the first version of this recipe. I like this one even more.

Maple granola
4 cups gluten free rolled oats
1 cup raw sliced almonds
1 cups raw pecan pieces
1/2 cup raw sunflower seeds *shelled
1 cup raw peppitas (pumpkin seeds, shelled)
2 tsp vanilla extract
2 tbsp water
1/2 cup maple syrup (grade b is great here)
1/2 cup canola oil
1 tsp salt (I used sea salt, go 3/4 tsp if you use table salt)
1/2 tsp Vietnamese cinnamon
parchment paper
2 sheet cookie sheet or jelly roll pans with lip all the way around
1 cup dried tart cherries
1 cup dried golden raisins
1 cup dried apricots, quartered

1. Mix all ingredients except the fruit together in a bowl.
2. Spread out over parchment lined cookie sheets and bake at 325F
3. Bake at 325 for about 30 minutes, flipping the mixture at least once. You are looking for golden brown, but really watch the edges, they will burn quickly.

Once cooled, add the dried fruit.
Store in air tight bag/container.