How is it already time to be thinking about fall? It just doesn’t seem right. I feel like we were just talking about summer being around the corner. Phew, it has flown by. I try really really hard not to rush the seasons. I personally don’t think we should be talking pumpkin recipes for at least a few weeks. What’s the hurry? Let’s enjoy the summer weather and produce while we still can.

I am going to try my hardest to hold off on pumpkin recipes at least until October. Let’s see if I can do it.

With that being said, we did get some apples in our CSA box this past week, so I was inspired to create something a little bit autumney. This granola is so simple to make and it is wonderful with your favorite dairy or non-dairy milk as cereal, it’s great over yogurt or ice cream or just on it’s own by the handful, as a snack.

With this being our first fall on the west coast, I think the warmer temperatures and the lack of fall foliage is definitely something that will take some getting used to. I will likely miss the east coast autumns more than any other time of the year. I plan to savor every bit of fall through my food, though. That is something you can definitely count on around here.

What are your favorite flavors of fall? Are you excited for fall or do you want summer to stick around a little longer?

This recipe was originally shared on the Free People blog BLDG 25 as part of my ongoing series. 

[print_this]Apple Spice Granola (Gluten-Free+ Vegan)

• 3 cups certified gluten-free rolled oats
• 1/2 cup unsweetened coconut flakes
• 1 cup slivered almonds
• 2 teaspoons cinnamon
• 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
• 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
• 1/4 teaspoon ground ginger
• 1 teaspoon sea salt
• 1 apples, diced small
• 1/4 cup coconut oil, melted
• 1/2 cup unsweetened applesauce
• 1/4 cup honey (or maple syrup to make vegan)
• 1/3 cup raisins (or other dried fruit)

Preheat oven to 350ºF.

Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper. You can also just use a roasting pan, which is nice since you can just mix all of the ingredients right in it, without losing things over the edge.

Combine all of your dry ingredients with all of your spices, and the diced apples, in a large bowl (or right in your roasting pan). Mix well. In a small bowl stir together all the wet ingredients: coconut oil, applesauce and honey (or maple syrup). Pour the wet ingredients evenly over the dry ingredients and stir until everything is well coated. Let sit 5 to 10 minutes.

If you aren’t using a roasting pan, spread the granola from the bowl onto the baking sheet(s).  Bake for about 35 to 40 minutes, stirring about every 10 minutes or so, for even cooking/toasting. You want it to be a nice golden brown.

Let the granola cool completely – it will get crispier as it cools. Keep in a large, airtight container.[/print_this]