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Fruity Granola Crunch

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Fruity Granola Crunch

raw gluten-free Fruity Granola Crunch served in a wooden bowl

~ raw, vegan, gluten-free ~

I am never one to waste or throw away food.  Unless of course, it is wearing a furry coat.  :)  If that’s the case, compost pile… here we come!

Yesterday, as I was tooling around my kitchen when I spied some darkened fruit on what I call my fruit stand.  Oh dear!  My bananas were on their last leg!  Their coats were beyond just being covered in brown spots; they were just about to pull on that furry coat and call it good!

I grabbed the bananas and put them on the counter, what to do, what to do?  I opened the fridge and started rummaging through the shelves… ACK!  Bottom shelf, tucked in the very back… strawberries!  Oh dear, how did I forget about those!?  I pulled them out and put them on the counter.  What to do, what to do?

First thing first… washed, sliced, and dehydrated the strawberries.  With bananas in mind and strawberries drying I walked into my pantry looking for inspiration.  Do you ever watch the Food Network?  You know how Rachael Ray walks around in a 3×3 foot space and piles all the bowls and ingredients in her arms before she turns around to place them on the counter?

Well, that was me,  I just started grabbing stuff; coconut flakes, dried apples, hazelnuts, spices, etc.  With my arms fully loaded I made my way back into the kitchen and spread everything out before me.  Hmm, I sense a granola recipe brewing.  Granolas are so easy to make.  It just takes a little bit of this and a little bit of that and voila!

a close up over view of raw gluten-free Fruity Granola Crunch served in a wooden bowlIngredients:

Sauce:

Preparation:

  1. To start the recipe, soak the oats and hazelnuts according to the links provided above.
    • Drain and discard the soaking water and rinse well.  Especially the oats, this will take a few minutes.
    • If you already have soaked and dehydrated nuts and oats on hand, use those. No need to soak them again. You just might need to add a little water to the batter at the end.
  2. Place the oats, nuts, dried strawberries, raisins, dried apple, and coconut in a large bowl.
  3. In a food processor, fitted with the “S blade, combine the bananas, date paste, caramel sauce, cinnamon, and stevia.  Process until creamy. Set aside.
    • If you aren’t able to make the raw caramel sauce, use 1 cup total of the date paste.
  4. Pour the wet sauce over the other ingredients in the mixing bowl. Using your hands, get in there, and mix everything together until it is all evenly coated.
  5. Drop the granola batter on the reflex sheets that come with your dehydrator in clusters.  I used 3 trays (Excalibur brand).
  6. Dehydrate at 145 degrees (F) for 1 hour, then reduce to 115 degrees (F) and continue to dry for 10+ hours… until dry.
    •  Dry times will always vary depending on the climate, humidity, machine model, and how full it is.
  7. Allow the granola to cool, then store in an air-tight container on the counter for 1 week, fridge for several weeks, and in the freezer for several months.

The Institute of Culinary Ingredients™

Culinary Explanations:

  • Why do I start the dehydrator at 145 degrees (F)?  Click (here) to learn the reason behind this.
  • When working with fresh ingredients, it is important to taste test as you build a recipe.  Learn why (here).
  • Don’t own a dehydrator? Learn how to use your oven (here). I do however truly believe that it is a worthwhile investment. Click (here) to learn what I use.

15 thoughts on “Fruity Granola Crunch

  1. Millie says:

    VERY NICE!!!

  2. Millie says:

    VERY NICE!!! I was looking for a healthy granola for the summer and I am glad I found it! Thank you

    • amie-sue says:

      Your welcome Milli. I hope you enjoy the end result as much as we did. Please keep me posted if you make it!

  3. Catherine says:

    Quick question – am I the only one that gets a funky smell and nasty taste when I dehydrate oats?!? They taste great cooked but whenever I throw them in a raw recipe they are disgusting!!!!

    • amie-sue says:

      Hi Catherine,
      Goodness, a funky smell and nasty taste? I can’t say that I experience that at all. Do you soak in raw apple cider? Do you rinse them really well at the end? Have you tried different brands? Your body just may not like them that way. But would love to hear if anyone else experiences this.

  4. Christina says:

    Before I make the granola with stevia, I have a question. I made some raw chocolate chips using stevia, and like some comments by others, the stevia tasted good for about 3 days, then it tasted like soap in the chocolate and I threw it out. I used NuNaturals as recommended. I am wanting to try the “Raw Fruity Granola Crunch”, but do not want to throw any of it out. Since I am the only one eating this, it will last more than 3 days and I am concerned it will taste like soap. Any suggestions? Thanks.

    • amie-sue says:

      Hello Christina,

      I am sorry for the delay in getting to your question. I have had a house full of guests this past week… and my time has been distracted. :)

      Hmmm, I haven’t ever experienced this “soap” taste or even an odd after taste when using Stevia and I use it ALL the time. I really don’t know what to say other than using a different sweetener in future recipes. For this batch of granola that is already made, all I can recommend is to try storing it in the freezer… I freeze granolas all the time. Maybe this will slow down that process of changing the flavor for you.

      Blessings and good luck! amie sue

      • Christina says:

        Hi Amie-Sue,
        Thanks for the suggestion of freezing it. I will do that. I made this recipe using a small amount of honey to taste, no stevia, and Millet. It was fabulous! Thank you so much for all your hard work on this wonderful website. I love it! Christina

        • amie-sue says:

          Sounds awesome Christina, thank you for coming back and letting me know. :) Blessings and joy, amie sue

          • Christina says:

            Hi Amie-Sue,
            I am unable to eat oats and some other “grass” related foods, which is why I am trying other things. This recipe is especially good with Buckwheat as well as Millet.
            Thanks again!
            Christina

            • amie-sue says:

              Thank you for sharing Christina… it will help others who come along with the same dietary restrictions. Buckwheat is quite versatile… I don’t eat Millet but good to know! Have a wonderful day, amie sue

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