Crunchy and Delicious Granola

After searching for a healthier granola recipe, I tweaked a few to lessen the sugar. I use seeds instead of nuts due to allergies. Still very crunchy, delicious, and satisfying! Change the dried fruit to fit your tastes (blueberries, cherries, cranberries, apricots, etc.).

• Preparation Time: 15 mins
• Cooking Time: 35 mins
• Total Time: 50 mins
• Calories: 272 Calories

Ingredients

• ½ teaspoon salt
• 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
• 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
• 2 tablespoons sesame seeds
• 1 tablespoon wheat germ
• 2 tablespoons flax seeds
• ½ cup hulled sunflower seeds
• ⅓ cup pure maple syrup
• ⅔ cup unsweetened applesauce
• 3 cups thick-cut oatmeal
• ⅓ cup hulled pumpkin seeds
• 1 cup chopped dried cherries

Recipe Instructions

Step 1

Preheat the oven to 325 degrees F (165 degrees C).

Step 2

Line 2 baking sheets with parchment paper.

Step 3

Combine oatmeal, sunflower seeds, pumpkin seeds, sesame seeds, flax seeds, wheat germ, chopped dried cherries, salt, and cinnamon in a large bowl.

Step 4

Mix applesauce, maple syrup, and vanilla in a separate bowl.

Step 5

Pour applesauce mixture over the oatmeal mixture; mix until evenly coated.

Step 6

Spread the mixture onto the prepared baking sheets; smooth into a single thin layer.

Step 7

Bake in preheated oven 20 minutes, stir gently to turn, and continue cooking until crisp and golden brown, another 15 to 20 minutes.