The search for the perfect granola recipe is a unique search for everyone. For some, their priorities are cheap ingredients so they can make a big batch for their large family. For others, it’s one that has low sugar. For me, it’s one that doesn’t have oil, but is still clustery. Are you team cluster or no cluster? Either way, you can make this just the way you like granola to be! But I love me some clusters.
Granola made without oil is obviously lower-calorie and low-fat. Oil is a controversial topic. Fat is important, but oil is not a good way to get fat. It is full of empty calories and should be avoided when possible. (For more on this topic, see this article which links to more research). Not that I’m very good at avoiding oil completely…but I try. And with this oil-free granola you won’t even know what you’re missin’.
If you’re not digging the lower fat granola idea, try my peanut butter granola, coming soon!
Super Simple Granola (No oil!)
Ingredients
- 3 cups old-fashioned oats
- 1 cup (or more!) chopped nuts and seeds of choice (almonds and sesame seeds are my favorites)
- 1 tsp cinnamon
- 3/4 tsp sea salt
- 3/4 cup maple syrup (or honey) (the maple flavor is delicious!)
- 1 cup dried fruit of choice (cranberries, coconut, raisins, dried apricot, dried cherries)
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Line a cookie sheet with parchment paper. (The parchment paper is important, since there is no oil to prevent sticking. If you don't have any, grease your cookie sheet well.)Stir dry ingredients together. Stir in honey or maple syrup until it seems every oat has some honey on it.
- Press mixture onto parchment paper. If you like clusters, press this mixture together firmly. If you like your granola more loose, spread the mixture out thin and do not press down.
- Bake for 12-15 minutes, or until golden brown and fragrant. Remove from oven and let cool completely before touching it. Once completely cool (at least 30 minutes), break apart into clusters and stir in dried fruit. Stores well in jars or zip lock bags at room temperature.
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