Ingredients

  • 3/4 cups pecans
  • 1/2 cup natural almonds
  • 4 cups old-fashioned rolled oats
  • 1/4 cup sesame seeds (optional)
  • 1 stick (8 tablespoons) unsalted butter
  • 1/3 cup pure maple syrup, cane syrup or honey, at room temperature
  • 1/4 teaspoon fine salt
  • 3/4 cup chopped dates
  • 1/2 cup dried blueberries or raisins

Method

  • Preheat the oven to 375°F. Line a large shallow baking sheet with foil. Spread the pecans and almonds on the sheet and roast for 8 to 10 minutes, until lightly toasted. Transfer the nuts to a board, let cool and chop the nuts. Set aside.
  • Reduce the oven temperature to 300°F. Pour the oats and sesame seeds, if using, in a mound on the same baking sheet. Melt the butter in a small bowl in the microwave; stir in the maple syrup and salt and drizzle on top of the oats. Stir well with a rubber spatula and then spread out the oats in an even layer.
  • Bake the oats for 30 minutes, stirring once with the spatula halfway through, until the oats are lightly colored. Let cool; the mixture will crisp as it cools. Add the dates, blueberries, and reserved nuts and toss.