Healthy Oil-free Cinnamon Applesauce Granola (vegan, gluten-free, low sugar)
This healthy oil-free cinnamon applesauce granola is crunchy, easy to make, lower in fat, and lower in sugar compared to store bought and homemade granola. I am obsessed with homemade granola and I wanted something that was a little healthier to indulge on.
Granola is already filled with good for you healthy fats from the nuts and seeds so I sometimes like to opt for oil-free granola, especially when I want to eat more of it. This applesauce granola is also not very sweet and is mostly sweetened by the applesauce. If you do prefer a slightly sweeter granola, feel free to add 1-2 more tablespoons of maple syrup.
I love the hint of cinnamon and the subtle apple flavor. I used my homemade applesauce in this so it added a really yummy flavor. Using a high quality applesauce will yield a more flavorful granola.
I literally could eat this all day and be perfectly content. Granola has always been a must in my breakfasts and a snack that I can just grab a handful of. Because this granola is lower in sugar and fats, I don’t have to worry about eating a larger quantity of it. Most store bought granola servings are only 1/4 cup and are loaded with added oils and sugar. This healthier granola is super easy to make and will satisfy all your granola cravings.
If you make this healthy oil-free cinnamon applesauce granola, tag me @nutsaboutgreens on Instagram so I can see your creations!
Healthy Oil-free Cinnamon Applesauce Granola
Ingredients
- 3 cups rolled oats
- 1 1/2 cups chopped nuts/seeds (I used walnuts, pecans, pumpkins seeds, and almonds)
- 2 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
- 1/4 tsp sea salt
- 1/2 cup applesauce (I used homemade. I highly recommend homemade or a high quality one.)
- 3 Tbsp pure maple syrup
- 3 Tbsp tahini (or any nut/seed butter)
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 325 degrees F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicone mat.
- In a large mixing bowl, combine all the dry ingredients together. Mix well.
- In a small saucepan, combine the applesauce, maple syrup, and tahini on medium-low heat. Whisk continuously until heated through, just until it starts to simmer. Turn off the heat and whisk in the vanilla.
- Pour wet mixture into the large mixing bowl with the dry ingredients. Use a spatula and stir until everything is evenly combined.
- Place mixture onto the pan and spread it evenly throughout, patting down the granola with the back of the spatula. Bake for 15 minutes, then take it out of the oven and give it a quick stir, patting it down again. Return to the oven and bake for 18-20 more minutes. Check the granola and see if it has a golden color and is mostly dry. Don’t worry if it seems slightly wet and not perfectly crisp yet because it will crisp up even more when it cools. You don’t want burnt granola. Let it cool completely on the pan and enjoy! Store it in an airtight container.
