We really, and I mean really, love granola around here. But of course, it’s just not that great for you. All the oil that usually goes into a batch of granola makes it a pretty high calorie snack and let’s face it, no one can stop after just a handful of the tasty stuff.
I’ve made granola with applesauce instead of oil in the past but this is by far my favorite version. It’s loaded with nuts (I used walnuts and pecans) and sunflower seeds which makes it not only yummy but also filling. It’s sweet but not too sweet and you can adjust the dried fruit amount to make it even sweeter if it suits you.
Applesauce Granola
adapted from David Lebovitz
2 1/2 cups old fashioned oats
1 cup nuts (pecans, walnuts, almonds)
1/2 cup sunflower seeds
1/4 cup sesame seeds
1/4 cup brown sugar
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup unsweetened applesauce
1 tablespoon honey
1 tablespoon vegetable oil
1/3 cup raisins
Preheat oven to 300.
In a large bowl, mix together oats, nuts, sunflower seeds, sesame seeds, brown sugar, cinnamon, and salt. Set aside.
In a small saucepan, warm the applesauce with the honey and oil over low heat.
Mix the applesauce mixture into the oat mixture and stir to coat everything. Spread the mixture onto a 9 x 13 baking pan.
Bake for 45 – 50 minutes, stirring every 10 minutes, until the granola is a deep brown. Remove from oven and stir in raisins. Cool completely before enjoying.
That looks really good!
Looks great! Here’s my new favorite take on granola, with no oil either!
http://rathr.be/p
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I love this idea! Granola is one of my favorite things but I almost never buy it because it’s so high in calories and fat.
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Gorgeous – there really isn’t any comparison to homemade granola. I recently made applesauce-based coconut carrot cake granola, and the batch is almost gone. I’ll have to try this recipe next!
Homemade granola is the best. I can’t wait to try this one!
I made granola using applesauce before but I think I used too much because it never got a nice crispy finish. It was really good, but I did miss the crunch.
Great recipe.
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I’ve made granola dozens of times, but never with applesauce. This looks wonderful!
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Great granola recipe. I have a granola bar almost every day, but I know it would be better if I made my own. I’ve been looking around for yummy granola recipes, and I’m glad I came upon yours. This one seems tasty too! Guiltless Granola http://www.recipe4living.com/recipes/guiltless_granola.htm
Just made this and it was fantastic! Thanks for the great recipe!
Yay, so glad you enjoyed it! Thanks for coming back to comment!
what is the nutritional and caloric breakdown for the granola? thanks.
I’m really not sure as I don’t count calories but you could enter the recipe into this calculator to find out: http://recipes.sparkpeople.com/recipe-calculator.asp. Thanks!
I was so pleased when I found this recipe on your blog for granola made with applesauce, instead tons of oil like all the other recipes I was finding. I’ve made it several times and it’s now my go-to granola recipe–I just had to come back and say thanks for sharing!
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That’s awesome, I’m so glad you enjoyed it! You reminded me that I need to make it again soon. Thanks for coming back to let me know!
SO glad you posted this recipe. It’s my favorite and I’ve already made the granola about 4 times!
[...] granola for the granola bars instead of trying to find it in the grocery store. I especially like this recipe for low-fat granola. I don’t put in all the nuts/seeds but you could leave them in if you like that kind of stuff [...]