Maple Date Granola

this one is good!

6 Medjool dates 
3/4 cup maple syrup 
2 tablespoons olive oil 
2 cups oats 
1/2 cup raw sliced or chopped almonds 
2 tablespoons hemp seeds 
1/4 cup flax seeds 
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon 
1/2 teaspoon salt 
1/4 teaspoon pure vanilla extract 

Preheat oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Line a rimmed cookie sheet with parchment paper and spray lightly with cooking spray. 

In a small saucepan, heat maple syrup and date pieces over medium heat to boiling, reduce slightly, stirring occasionally until liquid has reduced and dates have softened, about 8 minutes. Remove from heat. 

Mash dates a bit with the back of a spoon to break them down. I pureed them with my immersion blender. Add olive oil and stir to combine. Add vanilla extract and stir to combine. 

In a large bowl, add oats, almonds, hemp seeds, flax seeds, cinnamon, and salt. Stir to combine. 

Pour maple-date syrup over oat mixture. Stir until dry ingredients are completely coated. Transfer mixture to prepared cookie sheet. 

Press granola into an even layer.  Bake for 25 minutes, stirring every 10 minutes. Place pan on a wire rack and allow to cool almost completely. When mostly cool, break up granola into pieces. 

Store in an airtight container.