Pumpkin Spice Granola
Granola is an awesome snack to carry with you for running errands, hiking or to munch on during a movie. But finding quality granola when you’ve chosen a lifestyle that avoids processed foods with a long list of ingredients, is a challenge.
I love making up my own granola & nut mixes. If you have a food dehydrator you can make this recipe exactly the same way, but follow the directions for the dehydration time in the instructions that came with your machine.
Fortunately, all you need is a little patience & you can enjoy this amazing Pumpkin Spice Granola with or without a dehydrator.
Want some other snackable nut mixes to enjoy? Try these savory spiced pecans or these salt & pepper nuts as well.
ingredients
1 cup raw cashews
1 cup raw pecan halves
1/2 cup raw pumpkin seeds
1/4 cup pumpkin purée {not pumpkin pie filling}
1/4 cup applesauce {no added sugar}
1 tablespoon granulated monk fruit sweetener
1 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice
1/2 teaspoon vanilla
1/4 teaspoon salt
3/4 cup dried cranberries {no sugar added or sweetened with fruit juice}
directions
step 1 - place the cashews, pecans & pumpkin seeds in a medium size bowl. cover with warm water & soak for 2 hours.
step 2 - preheat oven to 185.
remove the nuts from the water by pouring them into a fine colander. give them a good shake to get as much water off as possible. {just wipe the bowl from soaking the nuts dry because you will re-use it in just a minute}
place the nuts in a food processor, pulse until the nuts resemble the size of oats. this only takes a few pulses.
in the medium size bowl mix together pumpkin purée, applesauce, monk fruit, pumpkin pie spice, vanilla & salt. then scoop the nut mixture out of the food processor into the bowl. stir them together with the pumpkin mixture.
line a cookie sheet with parchment paper & pour the nut mixture onto it, spreading it out into the thinnest possible layer you can make.
bake 6 hours then turn off the oven but leave the granola in the oven for 4 more hours.
break apart the granola & add the cranberries to the mix.
serve or store at room temperature for up to 14 days in a glass jar.