Elevate your breakfast game with "Granola for the Skinny," a wholesome, lightly sweetened recipe designed for health-conscious eaters. Packed with nutrient-dense ingredients like old-fashioned rolled oats, raw almonds, ground flaxseed, and unsweetened shredded coconut, this homemade granola is naturally sweetened with pure maple syrup and unsweetened applesauce, making it a low-sugar alternative to store-bought varieties. Delicately spiced with cinnamon and rounded out with chewy dried cranberries, this recipe strikes the perfect balance between flavor and nutrition. Ready in just 40 minutes, it's baked to golden perfection for a crisp, satisfying texture. Whether enjoyed with yogurt, almond milk, or straight out of the jar, this versatile granola makes a perfect breakfast or snack that's both light and energizing.
Preheat your oven to 325°F (165°C) and line a large baking sheet with parchment paper.
In a large mixing bowl, combine the rolled oats, almonds, sunflower seeds, ground flaxseed, shredded coconut, cinnamon, and salt. Stir until evenly mixed.
In a smaller bowl, whisk together the applesauce, maple syrup, and vanilla extract until smooth.
Pour the wet mixture into the dry ingredients and mix thoroughly, ensuring that all the dry ingredients are evenly coated.
Spread the granola mixture onto the prepared baking sheet in an even layer.
Bake in the preheated oven for 25-30 minutes, stirring halfway through, until the granola is golden brown and crisp.
Remove from the oven and allow the granola to cool completely on the baking sheet. It will crisp up further as it cools.
Once cooled, stir in the dried cranberries or your preferred dried fruit.
Store the granola in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 weeks.
Calories |
1835 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 86.6 g | 111% | |
| Saturated Fat | 19.4 g | 97% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 8.7 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 0 mg | 0% | |
| Sodium | 613 mg | 27% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 242.3 g | 88% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 43.4 g | 155% | |
| Total Sugars | 97.2 g | ||
| Protein | 47.2 g | 94% | |
| Vitamin D | 0.0 mcg | 0% | |
| Calcium | 391 mg | 30% | |
| Iron | 12.9 mg | 72% | |
| Potassium | 1817 mg | 39% | |
*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.