Homemade granola doesn’t get much better than this. This fall-inspired Apple Cinnamon Granola is a cozy, aromatic blend of oats, warm spices, crunchy nuts and seeds, and sweet dried apples. It’s naturally vegan and can be gluten-free if you use certified gluten-free oats.
If you enjoy making granola at home, this apple cinnamon version is a seasonal favorite. The combination of maple syrup, cinnamon, nutmeg, and dried apple creates a fragrant, slightly sweet granola perfect for breakfasts, snacks, or topping yogurt and smoothies.
What You Need for Apple Cinnamon Granola
This recipe showcases classic fall flavors while remaining straightforward and adaptable. The base ingredients and add-ins include:
- rolled oats
- walnuts (or other nuts)
- pepitas (pumpkin seeds)
- melted coconut oil (or another neutral oil)
- maple syrup
- ground cinnamon
- ground nutmeg
- ground ginger
- chopped dried apples
- dried cranberries or cherries
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Easy Ingredient Swaps
- Rolled oats: Use quick oats for a softer texture or a coarser oat for a chewier bite; if you need gluten-free, choose certified gluten-free oats.
- Walnuts: Swap with almonds, pecans, or cashews depending on your preference.
- Pepitas: Sunflower seeds or chopped almonds work equally well.
- Melted coconut oil: Substitute with melted butter, ghee, or a neutral oil like canola or avocado oil.
- Maple syrup: Use honey or agave as alternate natural sweeteners, or a light brown sugar if preferred.
- Spices: If you’re short on one spice, increase another—cinnamon is central, while nutmeg, ginger, or a pinch of allspice add warmth.
- Dried fruit: Dried pears, apricots, raisins, or dried cherries are great alternatives to dried apples and cranberries.
- Baking surface: Line your sheet with parchment paper or a silicone mat if you don’t have nonstick spray available.
Easy
Apple Smoothie
Try serving this apple cinnamon granola over an apple smoothie or a bowl of Greek yogurt for a satisfying breakfast. The granola adds crunch and autumnal flavor to creamy bases.
FAQs
Press the oat mixture firmly onto the baking sheet before baking and avoid stirring too often while it cooks. For extra clusters, you can gently press the granola with a spatula after drizzling the sweetener and oil. Some recipes use a small amount of beaten egg white as a binder, but omit that for a vegan version.
Fresh fruit’s moisture prevents it from staying crunchy when baked into granola. Instead, add fresh fruit at serving time. To bake fruit into the mix, choose dried or freeze-dried fruit so the granola remains crisp.
When fully cooled and stored in an airtight container in a cool, dry place, homemade granola typically stays fresh for about two weeks. For longer storage, freeze portions in freezer-safe bags for up to three months.
Storage
Store granola in an airtight glass jar or container in a cool, dark cupboard. Let the granola cool completely before sealing the container to prevent condensation and sogginess. Properly stored, it should remain crunchy for about two weeks.
Serving Suggestions
This apple cinnamon granola is delicious simply poured over milk, but here are a few ways to turn it into a heartier meal or snack:
- Stir into Greek yogurt with fresh apple slices and a sprinkle of cinnamon for a protein-packed breakfast.
- Top warm steel-cut oats or cooked porridge for added crunch and seasonal flavor.
- Sprinkle over apple cinnamon muffins or baked fruit for texture contrast.
- Eat by the handful as a quick snack on the go.
Homemade Apple Cinnamon Granola
This homemade apple cinnamon granola is made with chopped dried apple, warm spices, nuts, and seeds. It toasts to a crunchy texture and makes a perfect topping for smoothies, yogurt, or oatmeal.
Prep: 15 mins • Cook: 20 mins • Total: 35 mins • Servings: 8
Ingredients
- 2 cups rolled oats
- 3/4 cup chopped walnuts
- 1/2 cup pepitas (pumpkin seeds)
- 2 tablespoons melted coconut oil
- 3 tablespoons maple syrup
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 1/4 teaspoon ground ginger
- Pinch of salt
- 1 1/2 cups chopped dried apples
- 1/2 cup unsweetened dried cranberries
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or lightly grease it with oil.
- Spread the rolled oats, chopped walnuts, and pepitas on the prepared baking sheet and toss together to combine.
- Drizzle the maple syrup and melted coconut oil over the oat mixture and toss until everything is evenly coated.
- Sprinkle the cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, and a pinch of salt over the mixture and toss once more to distribute the spices.
- Bake at 350°F for 10 minutes, then remove and gently toss to promote even browning. Return to the oven for another 10–15 minutes, watching closely so the oats don’t burn. The granola should be golden and fragrant.
- Take the granola out of the oven and let it cool for about 5 minutes on the baking sheet. Once slightly cooled, stir in the chopped dried apples and dried cranberries. Allow the granola to cool completely before storing or serving.
Nutrition
Calories: 294 kcal • Carbohydrates: 34 g • Protein: 6 g • Fat: 16 g • Fiber: 6 g • Sugar: 14 g
Nutrition information is automatically calculated and should be used as an approximation.
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