Granola

I have experimented with several recipes for making my own granola and have settled on this one as my favorite.  Like most of my recipes, this combines elements of two or three other recipes, modified and combined into something I like.  There is no oil in this granola.  Peanut butter and flax or chia seeds provide what little fat it contains.

Making homemade granola only takes ten minutes or so to prepare and 30 minutes to bake, so it is fairly easy.  Feel free to add or take out ingredients to suit your personal tastes.

Preheat oven to 300.

Put 1/4 cup creamy peanut butter in a large glass mixing bowl, and soften it in the microwave.  I start with 20 seconds and add more time, if needed.  It only needs to be soft, not melted.

When the peanut butter is soft, add the following and mix everything together well:

1/2 cup applesauce (unsweetened)

1/3 cup maple syrup

1 teaspoon vanilla

2 teaspoons cinnamon

2 Tablespoons ground flax and/or chia seeds

Stir in 3 cups rolled oats (not instant) and mix well.

Add any other raw ingredients you like.  I add 1/4 cup each of the following:

Sunflower seeds

Pumpkin seeds

Cashews

Sliced almonds

Spread mixture on a large baking sheet with edges.  (Cover first with parchment paper if the pan is not non-stick.)

Bake 25 to 35 minutes, stirring every 10 minutes or so and breaking apart clumps.

Cool and stir 1/4 cup each of any or all of the following:

     Raisins

     Craisins

    Dried apricots, chopped

    Coconut flakes

Store in an airtight container.