Tropical Fruit Granola

I never buy granola in the supermarket as I am always surprised at how many calories it contains. I really prefer to make my granola at home so I know exactly what is going into it and I can also decrease or in this case eliminate all added fat. By using applesauce to help bind and coat the ingredients in place of oil, the granola ends up with the same texture and crunch, without the added fat calories. For this particular granola blend I wanted to go tropical so I used coconut flakes, sliced almonds, and dried mango, papaya, and pineapple. To sweeten the mixture I used honey but agave would work as well if you prefer. I find the dried fruit itself is pretty sweet, so you really could probably even decrease the sweetener if you wanted to.

As well as simply eating this granola on its own for breakfast, I like to also use the granola in yogurt parfaits layered with fresh fruit. This granola would be a great holiday gift for a health conscious friend, or as a thank you gift for a special teacher.

This granola would make a great holiday or thank-you gift for someone special.

In additional chopped fresh tropical fruit really makes this a special breakfast treat.

Layer the granola with fresh cubed fruit and fat free Greek yogurt for a special weekend brunch idea.

• Oats contain a good amount of protein, are high in fiber, and rich in thiamine, folate, B5, iron, magnesium, zinc, copper, and manganese.
• Nuts are a good source of protein and are rich in phytosterols which help to lower cholesterol. Also rich in fiber and vitamin E.
• Making your own granola allows you the ability to decrease the amount of fat used by replacing it with applesauce.