So over the past few years I’ve really been striving to live and eat better and you may remember me posting about my weight loss on my blog a while back.  In the past year, I’ve really wanted to get away from processed foods and a friend of  me told me about eating the Paleo lifestyle.  I won’t go into details, google has lots of info on the Paleo diet, but it really differs from person to person.  For example, some people on Paleo eat dairy, some do not.  All in all, my goal was just to eat healthier and less processed foods. I also LOVE to cook.  My hubby went to college for culinary arts and it’s something we really enjoy doing together!

I had tried two different Paleo granolas, I like the taste of the apple pie one better, but I liked the texture of the regular granola.  This granola is grain free and dairy free!!  After many trials,here is my recipe!

Paleo Apple Pie Granola

Dry Ingredients 

2 cups nuts (I like a mixture of Almonds, Walnuts and Pecans)

1/2 cup pepitas (pumpkin seeds)

2 T chia seeds

1/2 cup almond meal

1 cup desiccated coconut (unsweetened-dry)

7 medjool dates dates chopped

1 T cinnamon

1 tsp nutmeg

1 tsp allspice

1/4 tsp cloves

1/4 tsp ginger

1 tsp sea salt

Wet Ingredients 

1 tsp vanilla

4 T honey

1/3 cup coconut oil

1/2 cup apple sauce

 Directions:   Pre-heat your oven to 350 degrees.  In a food processor pulse all your nuts, pepitas and chia seeds until they are smaller chunks.  Usually about 5 pulses. If you don’t have a processor just give the nuts a rough chop on a cutting board.  Pour nuts in a bowl, add in almond meal, dates, coconut, spices & salt.  Mix together.  In a small sauce pan add all your wet ingredients.  Stir until coconut oil is fully melted.  Pour into the bowl and stir till everything is coated.  Line a large cookie sheet with parchment paper and spread mixture over the paper.  Press out to the edges and bake for 15 minutes, then rotate the pan and bake another 10 minutes or till edges are lightly golden brown.  Pull parchment paper off pan with the granola on it and let it completely cool on the counter.  Once cool break into small chunks.  Store in a container or plastic bag on counter.  If you want it to last longer I like to store it in my fridge or freezer!