Simple Granola (no added sugar or oil)

Granola is simply delicious, no doubt about it. Unfortunately, it is actually HARD to find a healthy granola! Even though the name evokes images of health-conscious crunchy-granola eaters, commercial granolas tend to be loaded with either lots of sugar, oil, or both.

So here is a simple recipe that will make your whole house smell like heaven, taste yummy and give you another option for healthy and maybe even on-the-go breakfast.

ENJOY!

Ingredients:

12 cups rolled oats

1/2 cup chopped walnuts

1 cup chopped pecans or sliced almonds

2 cups pitted dates

2 to 3 pureed ripe bananas

1 cup water

3/4 tsp salt

1 tsp vanilla extract

1 tsp maple extract

In a big bowl, mix rolled oats, walnuts and half of the pecans (1/2 cup). Blend the rest of the ingredients in a high-speed blender. If no high-speed blender is available, blend the water, 1/2 cup pecans, dates, salt, and extracts, adding more water if necessary. Then incorporate this mix to the banana puree and stir well.

Add the banana mix to the dry ingredients. Mix together well until all the oats are moist. Spread over two baking sheets lined with parchment paper or a silicon mat.

Bake at very low temperature (200 to 250°F) for at least 2 1/2 to 3 hours, although baking time will depend on your oven. Convection ovens bake much faster, so use a lower temperature and check sooner to prevent burning. The granola will be ready when it's dry and crunchy but not burned.

Remove from the oven and allow it to cool down before storing in an airtight container. Serve with raisins or fruit of choice.