Why buy granola in the store when you can make a lightened-up version from your own kitchen? This “healthified” version takes advantage of ingredients you probably already have in your pantry, and won’t make you question just how good for you it really is like some of the brands you see in the “health food” aisle.
Using only sweeteners such as ripened bananas, honey, and unsweetened applesauce, this granola is a guilt-free way to add a little extra crunch to your life! Enjoy it in a yogurt parfait, with a glass of cold milk, or just as a snack on its own!
What you’ll need:
2 cups old-fashioned oats
1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
3/4 cup chopped nuts of your choice (I used a mixture of cashews, walnuts, almonds, peanuts, and sunflower seeds)
Pinch of salt
1 cup unsweetened applesauce
1 very ripe banana
1 tsp vanilla extract
2 tbsp honey
1/2 cup dried fruit (I used raisins and some banana chips)
Preheat oven to 325 deg. Mix dry ingredients- oats through salt- in a large bowl. Set aside.
In a blender, purée applesauce, banana, and vanilla. Add to oats mixture and mix well. Batter will be moist and thick.
Spread on a lightly greased cookie sheet. Bake in 15 minute increments until toasted.** For the last 10 minutes of baking, add fruit. Raisins will become puffy and moist.
Cool for 10 minutes, then store in an airtight container.
**For me, this took about an hour, as the mixture was very moist and I enjoy my granola very crunchy.
Claire Tastes 
