Quick Granola

INGREDIENTS:

• 2 cups old-fashioned oats
• ½ cup walnuts, roughly chopped
• 1 teaspoon cinnamon
• ½ cup unsweetened applesauce
• 3 tablespoons honey or maple syrup
• 1 tablespoon canola oil
• 1/3 cup raisins

To serve (makes 1 serving):
½ cup plain, nonfat Greek yogurt
¼ cup granola
½ cup fresh fruit, such as berries or sliced banana

DIRECTIONS:
1.    Preheat oven to 325oF. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and spray with cooking spray.
2.    In a large bowl, add the oats, nuts/seeds, and cinnamon. Stir to combine and set aside.
3.    In a small bowl, whisk together the applesauce, honey or maple syrup, and canola oil. Pour this mixture over the dry ingredients and toss together, making sure all the dry ingredients are coated with the wet ingredients.
4.    Spread in an even layer on the baking sheet and bake for about 40 minutes total, or until golden brown. Stir about every 10 minutes. Add the raisins in the last 10 minutes of baking. 
5.    When fully baked, allow granola to cool for at least 20 minutes. Granola will become crunchy as it cools.
6.    To serve, top ½ cup of yogurt with ¼ cup granola and ½ cup of fresh fruit.

VARIATIONS AND TIPS

• Instead of walnuts, you can use whatever nuts or seeds you prefer. Or even try mixing several types of nuts and seeds!
• Feel free to use whatever dried fruit you prefer – dried cranberries or cherries would be delicious!

NUTRITION FACTS
YIELD: 12 servings
Nutrition facts for ¼ cup granola*:
Calories: 124 per serving, Carbohydrates: 18g, Fiber: 2.1g, Sugar: 7.1g (3g added sugar), Protein: 2.6g, Fat: 5.4g, Saturated fat: 0.6g, Cholesterol: 0mg, Sodium: 1.4mg

*Nutrition facts will change as variations and substitutions are included. Above nutrition facts are based on including walnuts, maple syrup, and raisins.

Nutrition facts for ¼ cup granola, plus ½ cup plain, nonfat Greek yogurt, plus ½ cup blueberries:
Calories: 226 per serving, Carbohydrates: 33g, Fiber: 3.8g, Sugar: 17.5g (3g added sugar), Protein: 13.7g, Fat: 5.6g, Saturated fat: 0.6g, Cholesterol: 7.6mg, Sodium: 44mg

SOURCE: adapted from HealthmeetsFood