Simple Healthy Yummy Granola 🥣
Healthy Cinnamon Applesauce Granola
Prep time: 10 minutes
Cook time: 30–35 minutes
Total time: About 40 minutes
Ingredients
*3 cups free rolled oats
* 2 cups raisins
* 2½ tsp cinnamon
* ¼ tsp Celtic sea salt
* ½ cup applesauce
* 3 Tbsp organic honey
* 3 Tbsp butter
* 1 tsp organic vanilla extract
Step 1: Preheat the oven
Preheat your oven to 325°F. Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper.
Step 2: Mix the dry ingredients
Add the rolled oats, Ceylon cinnamon, and Celtic sea salt to a large mixing bowl. Stir until everything is evenly combined.
Step 3: Warm the wet ingredients
In a small saucepan, add the applesauce, maple syrup, and butter or coconut oil. Heat over medium-low heat, stirring continuously, until everything is melted and warmed through. Once the mixture just begins to simmer, remove it from the heat and stir in the vanilla extract.
Step 4: Combine
Pour the warm applesauce mixture over the oats. Stir well with a spatula until all of the oats are evenly coated.
Step 5: Spread onto the pan
Transfer the granola to your prepared baking sheet. Spread it into an even layer and gently press it down with the back of your spatula.
Step 6: Bake
Bake for 20 minutes. Remove the pan from the oven, gently stir the granola, then press it back down into an even layer.
Return it to the oven and bake for another 18–20 minutes, or until the granola is lightly golden and mostly dry.
Step 7: Cool completely
Let the granola cool completely on the baking sheet. It may still feel slightly soft when it first comes out of the oven, but it will become crispier as it cools.
Once completely cooled, break it into pieces and store it in an airtight container.
Tip: If you like bigger granola clusters, avoid stirring it too much while it cools. Let it cool completely before breaking it apart.
Making homemade granola not only lets you control the quality of ingredients but also allows customization to suit your taste and dietary needs. When I first tried this healthy cinnamon applesauce granola recipe, I was pleasantly surprised by how the natural sweetness from the applesauce and honey blended beautifully with the warm cinnamon and vanilla notes. Using Celtic sea salt added a subtle depth to the flavor, balancing the sweetness perfectly. I recommend sourcing organic rolled oats and using real, unsweetened applesauce to avoid added sugars. For a dairy-free alternative, substituting the butter with coconut oil works wonderfully and adds a mild tropical aroma. One tip I learned is to watch the baking time carefully since ovens differ; the granola should be golden and starting to crisp but not overly browned. For bigger granola clusters, I followed the tip of not stirring too much after the initial 20-minute bake, allowing larger clumps to form naturally. Once cooled, this granola keeps well in an airtight container for up to two weeks, making it handy for quick breakfasts or healthy snacks. To vary the recipe, I've occasionally added flaked unsweetened coconut or chopped nuts like almonds for extra texture and nutrition, inspired by similar organic ingredients mentioned in the OCR content. These additions made the granola even more filling and flavorful. Overall, this cinnamon applesauce granola is a simple, wholesome recipe I return to often. It’s a great way to start the day energized with fiber-rich oats, antioxidants from cinnamon, and natural sweetness without refined sugars. Plus, it’s versatile enough to enjoy with yogurt, milk, or just as a crunchy snack on its own.
where do you buy most of your ingredients? :)