Oh, granola!  Most of us LOVE granola! Maybe that’s because granola is made with so many sweet coatings we can’t help but love it.  Unfortunately, all of those sweet coatings (honey, syrup, etc.) really help add up calories and sugars.  I can tell you that it is pretty dang hard to find ANY type of granola where the calories aren’t a bit high for the amount you can eat in a serving.  That being said . . . I knew I had to figure out how to make a granola that still had a delicious taste, but with fewer calories.

This granola is AWESOME!  Of course, the original version tastes even more awesome . . . but, I prefer this one for the fewer calories.  I was able to make a substantial reduction without sacrificing much of the flavor.  My cute husband started munching on this batch of granola and ended up telling me to put it away because it was so addicting and good.  It had a nice maple and brown sugar taste and the toasted oats, coconut, and almonds make it that much more delicious.  Oh, and the house smells incredible while it’s baking!

This stuff is DELICIOUS!  I’m warning you now . . . if you don’t have self control, then making this could ruin your diet.  It really is hard to stop eating once you start.  It’s that good!  (And, if you can afford extra calories, I love stirring in come raisins or dried cranberries.  Yum!)

Fit Granola
Adapted from Mel’s Kitchen Café

3 cups old-fashioned rolled oats
1 cup slivered almonds
3/4 cup shredded sweetened coconut
1/4 cup brown sugar
6 tablespoons sugar-free maple syrup
1 tablespoon molasses
3 tablespoons canola oil
3/4 teaspoon salt

Preheat oven to 250 degrees.  In a large bowl, combine the oats, almonds, coconut, and brown sugar.  In a separate bowl or liquid measuring cup, combine maple syrup, oil and salt.  Combine both mixtures by slowly pouring the liquid over the oatmeal mixture and stirring well.  Divide in half and pour onto two 11×17-inch rimmed baking sheets, spreading out into an even layer on each sheet.  Cook for 1 hour and 10 minutes, or until golden.  Remove from the oven, cool slightly, and then transfer into a large bowl, slightly breaking up the clumps.

Make about 7 Cups of Granola.

Nutritional Information (Per Serving = 1/3 Cup)
Calories:  134.9
Protein:  2.9g
Carbs:  15.8g
Fat:  7.8g
Fiber:  2.2g
Sugar:  6.1g