Give a healthier gift this year! This homemade granola is lower in sugar and added fat than most recipes. The gingerbread flavor and the colors, red cranberries and green pistachios, make this a festive treat. Substitute pumpkin puree for the applesauce for pumpkin gingerbread granola. One batch will fill about 2-3 standard size mason jars, which make a great gift! Recommended serving size is 1/4 cup. Try this granola over plain yogurt or with a little bit of milk or milk alternative.
If you need this recipe to be gluten-free, look for gluten-free oats.
Holiday Gingerbread Granola
Print recipe| Serves | 18 |
| Prep time | 10 minutes |
| Cook time | 30 minutes |
| Total time | 40 minutes |
This holiday granola has less added fat and sugar than most traditional recipes, and is made with whole, natural ingredients. The red cranberries and green pistachios make it a festive gift that would look beautiful in a decorated mason jar!
Ingredients
- 2 cups old-fashioned rolled oats
- 1/2 cup unsweetened coconut flakes
- 1/2 cup slivered almonds
- 1/2 cup organic unsweetened applesauce (or substitute with pumpkin puree)
- 2 tablespoons virgin coconut oil, or other oil (melted)
- 1 1/2 tablespoon molasses
- 3 tablespoons maple syrup (or more to taste)
- 1 1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 cup dried cranberries
- 1/2 cup shelled pistachios
Directions
| Step 1 | |
| Preheat oven to 325° F. | |
| Step 2 | |
| In a large bowl, combine oats, coconut flakes, and almonds. Sprinkle ginger, cinnamon, and salt in the bowl and toss. | |
| Step 3 | |
| Over the oat mixture, pour coconut oil, applesauce, molasses, maple syrup, and vanilla, then stir to until oat mixture is well coated. | |
| Step 4 | |
| Spread granola mixture evenly on a baking sheet and bake for about 30 minutes, stirring every 10 minutes and watching carefully and stirring every few minutes for the last 10 minutes to prevent burning. Remove from oven when granola is golden brown and almost completely dry. | |
| Step 5 | |
| Let cool, then add pistachios and dried cranberries. | |
