This Date Sweetened Nutty Apple Granola is crunchy, nutty and perfectly sweetened with dates and apples alone!
The importance of healthy ingredients
Ever since I met my husband Brett I've known him as someone who makes conscious decisions on what he eats. In fact, when I first started to get to know Brett I remember thinking, "Yes! A guy who actually cares about eating healthy!" He ate yogurt and granola for breakfast, drank fruit and veggie juices instead of soda, and had frozen fish in his freezer. Most of the guy friends I had at the time scoffed at the idea of granola and either skipped breakfast or grabbed McDonalds on their way into work.
Yeah, it was love at first sight...or, uh, grocery list.
Yet as I've continued along my vegan/plant-based journey, I've learned so much more about what actually constitutes as healthy (at least in my opinion). Now I don't care about the nutritional claims that packages make, such as low-fat, sugar-free, zero carbs, but instead I care about ingredients.
To be honest, I ideally like to eat whole foods that don't even require ingredients labels. You know, foods like sweet potatoes, apples, carrots, spinach, rice, oatmeal, etc.
Brett, however, still has some favorites that he'd rather not give up anytime soon.
Granola is one of those things. He loves it and eats in most mornings on top of greek yogurt and sometimes even with milk before bed.
Let me be clear in the fact that I don't think there is anything wrong with granola. But certain brands of granola can have quite a bit of processed sugar, and that's something both Brett and I like to stay away from.
Enter in: Date Sweetened Granola!
Dates are amazing aren't they? Chewy, sweet, sticky, and straight from the earth. They are a dessert on their own in my opinion and can be jazzed up so easily with your favorite nut butter drizzled on top.
Or...you can sweeten granola with them!
I'm so happy with how this Date Sweetened Granola turned out! I was worried it would be chewy and not crunchy -- which is how Brett and I like our granola -- but it hardened up beautifully and is just sweet enough for my taste.
You can easily personalize this granola by choosing your favorite nuts or dried fruit to add in.
Get creative!
Date Sweetened Nutty Apple Granola
This Date Sweetened Nutty Apple Granola is crunchy, nutty and perfectly sweetened with dates and apples alone!
Ingredients
- 6 cups oatmeal
- ¼ cup ground flaxseed
- ½ teaspoon sea salt
- 1 cup chopped medjool dates (about 8)
- 1 apple chopped
- 1 cup water
- 2 teaspoons cinnamon
- pinch nutmeg
- 1 ½ cups nuts, chopped*
- ½ cup raisins**
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 325 degrees and line two baking sheets with silicone baking mats or parchment paper.
- In a large bowl mix together the oatmeal, flaxseed and salt. (Don't add in the nuts!)
- In a saucepan over medium-low heat combine the chopped medjool dates, chopped apple, water, cinnamon and nutmeg. Heat the date mixture until the dates practically dissolve and the apple becomes soft, stirring often. Place the date and apple mixture into a food processor or blender and process until a smooth paste forms.
- Pour the date/apple mixture over the oats and stir well to make sure all of the oats are coated.
- Spread the oat mixture evenly over your two prepared baking sheets and bake for 15 minutes. Stir, rotate the pans, and bake for 10 more minutes.
- After 25 minutes of baking, remove the pans and add in your chopped nuts. Stir. Bake 20 more minutes, stirring half way through.
- Remove the pans and allow the granola to cool. Add in the raisins and store in an airtight container.
Notes
*I used ½ cup walnuts, ½ cup almonds, ½ cup pecans.
**Use whatever dried fruit you like best!
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Nutrition Information:
Yield:
16Serving Size:
½ cupAmount Per Serving: Calories: 98Total Fat: 7gSaturated Fat: 1gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 5gCholesterol: 0mgSodium: 102mgCarbohydrates: 8gNet Carbohydrates: 0gFiber: 2gSugar: 5gSugar Alcohols: 0gProtein: 3g
Nutrition information is a rough estimate provided by Nutrionix and should be used for informational purposes only.
Anna Marie says
I’m interested in making this, but wondered if this can be frozen? Otherwise I need to cut it way down. Thanks 😊, Anna Marie
Faith VanderMolen says
Hi Anna Marie! Thanks for your comment and question. Unfortunately, I'm not sure how well this freezes as it's an old recipe and I've never frozen it. If you try to freeze it and it works out, please let us know!
sophie wong says
Hii May I ask how long the granola can be kept?😆🙏🏻🙏🏻
Faith VanderMolen says
Hi Sophie! I'd say this could last for about 1 week. Since it has a higher water content and doesn't use oil, it won't stay crispy as long as other granolas:)
Rossella says
Hello! Do you think I can use apple sauce instead of the apple? since it gets blend up at the end anyway..and if yes how much apple sauce would you add in place of the apple? thank you, love your receipes!:)
Faith VanderMolen says
Yes, that should work! I'd say use about 1/2 cup of applesauce instead of the apple. I hope it works out! This is an older recipe, so I'd love to hear your results!
Shade says
This is the first time I made my own granola. It turned out great!! I never buy granola because of all the added sugar but now I'll probably eat it every day in stead of plain oats (wich is okay but not as great as granola) It's just sweet enough with the dates and I love the crunch. Thanks for sharing this!
Faith says
I'm so happy that you enjoyed this recipe Shade! I love that this is a date sweetened recipe too. Thanks for commenting!
Nathan says
I love that this recipe uses dates but I’m confused how there is no oil or fat. How can you get the nice crisp or crunch? Is there any substitution or addition where I can add fat or oil?
Faith VanderMolen says
This is an old recipe that makes granola in a dehydrator! I would check out my other granola recipes here: https://theconscientiouseater.com/category/breakfast/vegan-granola-recipes/
Arlene says
Wow this looks great! I love granola but never never eat it because of the crazy things added to it (even the homemade versions) but yours looks perfect. Thank you and I love your Blog.
Arlene
Faith says
Thanks Arlene!! I know, I feel ya. I try not to eat it too much either, but my husband loves it so this was my attempt at a healthier version;) So glad you stopped by and said hi! Thanks!
Liv @ Healthy Liv says
I love that you made granola with no oil OR added sugar! That's pretty incredible. And I love the pour action shot at the end 🙂
Faith says
I didn't even realize it was oil free 'til after I posted this recipe! A little added bonus! Thanks Liv:)
h a n n a H says
I make my own granola every week! I'm a big coconut fan and so I add some shredded and some coconut oil. I also throw in a bit of almond meal to coat the sticky oat mixture and give it the protein I want. Using dates I've not tried! I go the honey route. Next chance I get for dates, I'll be anxious to give this a spin! Thank you for sharing!
Faith says
Hannah! It's so fun hearing from you on here! That's awesome you make your own every week. I love shredded coconut and coconut oil in granola. Great idea on the almond meal! I'll have to try that! Brett's favorite granola that I make is sweetened with honey too. Let me know if you try this out!