Homemade Granola

homemade granola

Recipe by Ashley Smith

Ingredients:

-2 bananas, mashed
-1 cup unsweetened applesauce
-1/2 cup natural PB
-1tsp cinnamon
-1tsp vanilla extract (watch for sugar)
-1/4 tsp salt
-6 cups old fashioned rolled oats
-1 cup unsweetened shredded coconut
-1 cup banana chips (optional)
-Any other add-ins you like! Chopped almonds, large coconut flakes

1)Preheat the oven to 300 degrees. Mash the bananas with a fork until they are mostly smooth. Measure the banana mash, then add enough unsweetened applesauce to make 2 cups total (about one cup of each).

2)Place the bananas and applesauce in a small saucepan with the natural PB, cinnamon, vanilla extract, and salt. Stir and cook over low heat for about 5 mins, or until the mixture is evenly mixed and warmed through (this makes it more runny and easier to mix with the oats).

3)Add the dry oats and shredded coconut to a very large bowl. Pour the banana, applesauce and PB mixture over the oats and coconut, then stir well until all of the ingredients are incorporated. There should be no clumps of dry oats left.
4)Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper, then spread the oat mixture in an even layer over the parchment, no more than one inch thick, If there is too much for one baking sheet, divide the mixture between two sheets.

5)Bake the granola in the 300 degree oven for one to one and a half hours, stirring once after 30 mins, then every 15 mins after that. Baking time will vary depending on whether you use one or two baking sheets. Keep an eye on the granola so it doesn’t burn. It’s finished when it is crisp and golden brown. Allow the granola to cool completely. Crush the banana chips into small pieces, then stir in the granola. Store the cooled granola in an air tight container.

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