Homemade Granola Lowfat Recipes

HEALTHY GRANOLA

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit and line a large, rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper.
• In a large mixing bowl, combine the oats, nuts and/or seeds, salt and cinnamon. Stir to blend.
• Pour in the oil, maple syrup and/or honey and vanilla. Mix well, until every oat and nut is lightly coated. Pour the granola onto your prepared pan and use a large spoon to spread it in an even layer.
• Bake until lightly golden, about 21 to 24 minutes, stirring halfway (for extra-clumpy granola, press the stirred granola down with your spatula to create a more even layer). The granola will further crisp up as it cools.
• Let the granola cool completely, undisturbed (at least 45 minutes). Top with the dried fruit (and optional chocolate chips, if using). Break the granola into pieces with your hands if you want to retain big chunks, or stir it around with a spoon if you don't want extra-clumpy granola.
• Store the granola in an airtight container at room temperature for 1 to 2 weeks, or in a sealed freezer bag in the freezer for up to 3 months. The dried fruit can freeze solid, so let it warm to room temperature for 5 to 10 minutes before serving.

SUPER LOW-FAT GRANOLA CEREAL

Steps:

• In a large bowl, combine the oats, raisins, apricots and cranberries; set aside. In a small saucepan, combine the brown sugar, water and salt. Cook and stir over medium heat for 3-4 minutes or until brown sugar is dissolved. Remove from the heat; stir in maple flavoring and vanilla. Pour over oat mixture; stir to coat., Transfer to two greased 15x10x1-in. baking pans. Bake at 350° for 25-30 minutes or until crisp, stirring every 10 minutes. Cool completely on wire racks. Store in an airtight container. Serve with milk or yogurt.

EASY, LOW-FAT GRANOLA

Steps:

• Heat oven to 300°F.
• In large bowl combine dry ingredients. Slowly stir in the vanilla, honey and applesauce until combined.
• Spread the mixture evenly on a lightly sprayed baking sheet.
• Bake for 20 minutes. Add in the cranberries, pressing them into the granola. (If you want the cranberries to cook and be a little firm, which the husband and I do, stir them in after 20 minutes. If you're like my brother, leave the cranberries out and add once the granola has cooked completely so they'll stay moist.) Continue cooking for a total of 30 minutes to an hour - stirring every 15 minutes - or until golden brown. If you stir less often, you'll have more clumps in your granola.
• Cool completely and store in an airtight container or divide into individual portions. I divided my batch into 2-ounce servings, 8 servings in all.

BAKED HOMEMADE GRANOLA (LOWER FAT)

Steps:

• Set oven to 300 degrees.
• Place oven rack to center position.
• Lightly oil two large baking sheets.
• In a large bowl stir together oats with nuts, seeds and spices.
• In a small bowl stir together the warm water with maple syrup and vanilla.
• Slowly pour the syrup mixture over the nut mixture; stir with a wooden spoon to combine.
• Spread out on the greased baking sheet/s.
• Bake (center oven rack) for about 30 minutes, stirring every 10 minutes to prevent burning, until granola is crumbly and golden.
• Remove from oven and immediately stir in the raisins and apricots.
• When the mixture is cool, store in an airtight container for up to 5 days or refrigerate for 1 month.
• Delicious!