Rolled oats
Good morning. Here’s a different kind of blog today, don’t you think?
In January Tammy over at Agrigirl’s Blog offered a fabulous recipe for making Granola with Apple Juice Concentrate. (Please read Starting Fresh to enjoy the recipe she shared.)
Perhaps you have always enjoyed this healthy cereal, but shuddered to realize how much fat and sugar often constitutes some varieties.
Here is the recipe that I have tweaked a little bit, mostly because I am not a fan of wheat germ and sunflower seeds, and wanted to experiment with lowering the fat a little.
Apple juice concentrate, maple syrup and Canola Oil
Low-fat Granola with apple juice concentrate
(makes 1 big pan–about one quart. Double recipe for about two quarts)
1/3 cup frozen apple juice concentrate
1/4 cup maple syrup
2 T. canola oil (Tammy suggests sunflower or almond oil)
1 t. vanilla
1/2 T. cinnamon
1/4 t. sea salt
3 cups rolled oats (not the quick cooking type)
1/2 cup almonds, cashews or pecans (or other nuts or seeds that you like)
1/2 to 3/4 cups dried fruit
handful of natural coconut
Preheat oven to 325. Oil or spray a baking sheet with no-stick spray.
Stir together apple juice concentrate, maple syrup, oil and vanilla in a sauce pan over medium heat. Add cinnamon and salt.
In separate bowl mix rolled oats and nuts.
Combine wet and dry mixture in large bowl, and then spread out on baking sheets.
Bake for 15 minutes at 325, stir, turn off oven and leave in for 5-10 minutes until mixture is crispy. Remove. Stir in dried fruit and coconut.
Cool.
Store in mason jars in refrigerator.
Cashews, almonds, pecans (not too many--nuts are high in fat content)
I really enjoy this granola. Not only is it good with almond milk and fresh raspberries, it also tastes delicious with yogurt.
Thank you so much, Tammy, for taking the time to find and share this apple juice concentrate recipe.
Perhaps some of you other healthy eaters might enjoy this as well!
Coconut and dried cranberries
So yummy
Time for breakfast
Mason jars make good storage containers
On goes the milk
Topped with raspberries--you won't miss the extra calories, sugar or fat, I promise!
Lake Superior Spirit 
seee now that makes me want to have some!
Yummy looking. I love granola and probably need to begin making my own. I imagine it’s not only healthier but also more affordable.
Hope you have a great day, my friend.
Hugs,
Kathy
1. Your kitchen is waaaaaaaay too clean. In fact, it’s spotless.
2. I was doing just great until we got to the coconut (I’ll substitute)
3. Adore that you use Mason jars as storage containers, we do too
4. Fantastic photos!
5. It’s clear (at least to me) that you need to start a food blog!
Oh my!! Now I want to make this recipe! Gosh the pictures are lovely….yep..I agree with Laurie…this is your new assignment, a food blog 🙂 yummmy
Sounds great! I don’t eat a lot of grains but this one I could do. Did I ever share with you about my recipe for my non-cereal cereal? It’s cut up banana, berries (I use blueberries) walnuts and in lieu of any milk I use acai berry or pom juice. It’s quite filling and I’ve found it refreshing on hot days – we’ve actually had some of those! 🙂
Hugs
SuZen
Ooooh, yumm! This looks di-viiiiine, and – even more amazingly – totally 100% healthy! 😉
I was only so-so on the granola, but then you had it as cereal, and it looks fabulous! Might have to try this one 🙂
This is just gorgeous, in all ways! And thank you for sharing the recipe. I see you also make maple syrup in Michigan, my appreciation of your lovely state is steadily growing 🙂
*Foresfae wonders if she could get away with just picking out all the lovely nuts without anybody noticing 😉 *
I hang my head in shame at my lack of creativity and health consciousness every time you write about food. Your organs must love your brain.
You healthy granola lovers will not be sorry to try this recipe. Of course, feel free to improvise! I adore that we can use apple juice concentrate as a substitute for oil and extra sugars. I’m sure you do, too. John, let go of the shame. Forestfae, yes, pick out the nuts. Colleen, buy some maple syrup. Heather, give it a try. Reggie, oh yes, you’d like this as you travel. Susan, your non-cereal sounds fabulous! Brenda, do you have oats in your cupboard? Laurie, feel free to ditch the coconut. Kathy, it’s definitely more affordable–good point! Elisa, it’s calling your name. (Did I miss anyone?)
Oh no, I’m late for breakfast; you started without me! This sounds very yummy and something I would like to try. I wouldn’t substitute anything, not when trying it the first time at least.
Okay, off to breakfast I go!! 🙂
Make granola ?! Heck — I don’t even EAT granola ! lol
It looks delicious, I really like your granola version:)
I’m a sucker for great recipes, Kathy– thank you so much for sharing! (The coconut would make it SUBLIME!)
I had to eat leftover quinoa for breakfast this morning but am eager to return to the granola tomorrow for breakfast! Dana, be a sucker and make some! Katy, it IS delicious! Sybil, leap out of your box and into the granola arena! Joanne, you wouldn’t substitute a thing? Can you actually do that? I can hardly make a recipe without substituting six things. I will send you an award if you succeed. 🙂 Thank you everyone!
Sounds yummy! Will save the recipe in the box with all the other saved recipes to try when I learn to cook.
This recipe is a cinch! Even you non-cooks (you know who you are, Linda) can do this! I should make some more.
I have pineapple concentrate.. think I’ll try that in place of apple juice concentrate.. hmmm.. maybe I’ll grate some apple into my concentrate???
I think that would be great!