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Happy Monday to all!
Who could live off of granola? Especially the cluster-y kind? Everyone? I thought so!! But have you ever read the ingredients list in store-bought granolas? They should make you want to leave them right there on the shelf. Nearly every health food store-bought ones, too, unfortunately. They’re often packed with multiple kinds of sugars and oils.
We should definitely all start making your own, especially since it’s super easy! I’ve always wanted to make an oil free + sugar free granola, a few months ago I tried and I already loved the first test! So here it is. At the very last minute I decided to throw one tablespoon of brown sugar in, to give it some crunch, but feel free to leave it out. It’s already naturally sweet on its own (I tried a bit without sugar).
P.s. you already have your own recipe for applesauce? Go for it! We don’t use it in Italy so I made my own and threw some sweet spices in, while I know the usual recipe should only call for apples and little more. Also feel free to sub any nuts and seeds of your choice. Happy breakfast-ing!
APPLESAUCE GRANOLA {vegan + sugar free + oil free}
by Marta Giaccone
Recipe
1 + ¼ cup applesauce
4 cups granola
prep time: 10 mins, cooking time: 1 hr 10 mins, total time: 1 hr 20 mins
Applesauce
3 cups / 400 gr apples (peeled, cored + chopped) (approx. 4 apples)
cinnamon
vanilla (I added the seeds from a pod)
pinch salt
juice of ½ a lemon
Method
- Prepare apples. I find it convenient to keep a bowl with water and lemon juice nearby and put the chopped apples in it so that they don’t oxidize.
- Add all ingredients except for the sweetener to a medium pot. Reserve the lemon water and add ½ cup of it to the pot. Bring to a boil, then reduce the flame to a gentle simmer.
- After 20 minutes the apples should be very soft. Puree them with a hand blender (vanilla pod included). If the mixture is too liquid keep cooking it on low for another 10 minutes or so to reduce further.
Granola
¾ cup / 200 gr applesauce
1 + ½ cup / 180 gr oats
1 cup / 130 gr nuts of choice (I used almonds and cashews)
½ cup / 65 gr seeds of choice (I used pumpkin)
optional: 1 tbsp sugar (I used brown) or liquid sweetener
½ cup / 75 gr dried fruits (I used raisins)
Method
- Preheat oven to 350°F/160°C.
- Combine all ingredients, except for dried fruits, and spread out onto a large baking tray lined with parchment paper.
- Bake for 30 minutes, take out, flip/break the granola up, add dried fruits, then put back in the oven and bake for another 10 minutes.
- Let cool completely, it will get firm and crispy.
