This vegan Apple Granola recipe brings on the apple flavor with the help of both apple chunks and apple sauce. Cashew butter forms it's base which also packs nutmeg, allspice and cinnamon for maxiumum apple flavor. Chopped walnuts and pecans add a welcome nutty crunch.
1 cup chopped apples (about 1 ½ apples)
¾ cup sugar
¾ cup apple sauce, chunky
½ cup canola oil
½ cup cashew butter
1 Tablespoon vanilla extract
1 ½ teaspoon cinnamon
½ teaspoon nutmeg
½ teaspoon allspice
½ teaspoon salt
5 cups rolled oats (aka old fashioned)
1 cup oat bran
½ cup chopped walnuts
½ cup chopped pecans
½ cup raisins
1)
Preheat the oven to 300F (149C). Chop enough apples to make 1 cup and set them aside.
2)
In a large bowl, whisk together the sugar, apple sauce, canola oil, cashew butter, vanilla extract, cinnamon, nutmeg, allspice and salt.
3)
Stir in the rolled oats, followed by the oat bran, followed by the nuts. Stir in the chopped apples.
4)
Place the mixture on a baking tray and spread it out flat. Bake for 45 minutes, or until the granola starts to dry. If using two baking sheets, switch racks halfway in between baking time. Remove from the oven and let cool.
5)
Break up the bunches of granola into smaller pieces, transfer to a large bowl and stir in raisins. Transfer to a covered container.
Makes about 8 cups of granola.
