I am in a seasonal flavored granola hyperfixation phase right now, and this is the October granola! This one came from buying a caramel apple for my daughter and recalling a sourdough recipe with bits of apple and caramel. I am not generally a caramel apple fan, but I love this granola!
My favorite thing about it is the apple cinnamon granola base. I used applesauce to create a caramelized apple cinnamon coating that is one of the most delicious things I’ve ever tasted. It will be the base for all future apple pie flavored items. I could eat this whole sheet of granola as is, -but the apple and caramel bits make it a bit more fun!
Caramel Apple Granola
Ingredients
- 6 cups oats
- ½ cup apple sauce
- ½ cup brown sugar
- ½ cup pure maple syrup
- 6 tbsp butter
- 1 tsp cinnamon
- 2 tsp vanilla
- ½ tsp salt
- 1 cup chopped freeze dried apples
- 1 cup caramel bits
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 250°F and place parchment paper or silicone baking mat on sheet pan, spread oats, nuts, and flax meal evenly on sheet, bake for 20 minutes.
- In small pot cook applesauce on medium low to reduce water content, about 5-7 minutes.
- Add brown sugar, maple syrup, and butter, mix to combine.
- Allow to simmer on low, stirring frequently until oats are done toasting in the oven.
- Add cinnamon, vanilla, and salt, mix well.
- Add warm toasted oats and stir well to coat evenly.
- Gently into parchment lined sheet pan all the way to the edges to form a smooth, even layer.
- Bake for 75 minutes at 250°F (do not overcook!) place on cooling rack, allow to cool completely, then break up and place in airtight container with apples and caramel bits.