Preheat the oven: Set it to 250°F (120°C) so it’s ready when you are.

Prepare the baking sheet: Line it with parchment paper for easy cleanup.

Mix the dry ingredients: In a large bowl, combine rolled oats, nuts, seeds, and shredded coconut. Give it a good toss to ensure everything’s mingling nicely.

In a medium bowl, whisk together: honey, oil (canola or coconut oil), vanilla extract and Optional spices (cinnamon or nutmeg)

Stir until it forms a thick, aromatic syrup.

Coat the dry ingredients: Pour the syrup over the oat mixture and stir until every piece is perfectly coated.

Spread evenly: Lay the mixture out on the prepared baking sheet in an even layer.

Bake to golden perfection: Place in the oven and bake for 1 hour and 15 minutes, stirring every 15 minutes to ensure even browning.

Cool it down: Let the granola cool completely on the sheet—it’ll crisp up as it cools.

Mix in the cherries: Stir in the dried cherries for that sweet, tangy pop.

Store for freshness: Keep your granola in an airtight container at room temperature for weeks or freeze it for months.