Apple Cinnamon Granola

Homemade Apple Cinnamon Granola is a crunchy fall treat that's perfect for breakfast or a snack right out of the jar!

Why You'll Love This Recipe

Though this granola is made with all those fall flavors, I love making it all year long. It's a great way to start your day, filled with whole grains. Enjoy it for a quick and easy breakfast, lunchbox snack, or afternoon pick me up.

Granola is perfect for meal prep, because you can make it on Sunday to enjoy throughout the week. It's easy to make, simply mix everything together in a large bowl, then bake!

Are you looking for more fall recipes? I've got plenty!

Apple Cinnamon Granola Ingredients

It's made with vegan pantry and kitchen staples, including all those warm fall flavors like cinnamon, maple and apple.

Oats: Be sure to use old fashioned rolled oats, and not quick oats.
Almonds: Sliced almonds. You can swap out for your favorite kind of nuts.
Spices: Warm spices complement the apple flavor including cinnamon, ginger, and nutmeg.
Salt: To balance out the flavors.
Maple Syrup: Pure maple syrup. You could substitute for honey if you aren't making it vegan, though I love the flavor the maple syrup gives to this granola.
Applesauce: Unsweetened applesauce.
Coconut Oil: Melted, refined coconut oil makes this granola nice and crispy. You could substitute for your favorite neutral-flavored oil.
Vanilla Extract: Pure vanilla extract for extra flavor.
Dried Apples: Choose either soft or crispy dried apples. I like to use these Bare Apple Chips and break them up into smaller pieces.

Step-By-Step Instructions

Homemade granola is simple to make and tastes so much better than store-bought.

Preheat the oven to 300°F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
In a large bowl, combine the oats, almonds, cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg and sea salt. Set aside.
In a medium bowl, whisk together the maple syrup, applesauce, coconut oil, and vanilla extract until combined. Pour over the oat mixture and stir until coated.
Spread the mixture evenly onto the prepared baking sheet. Bake for 30 minutes, rotating the pan halfway, until golden brown.
Cool completely, the granola will crisp up as it cools. Stir in the dried apples. Store in an air tight container at room temperature for up to 1 week.

Homemade Granola Tip: If you prefer larger crunchy clusters, don't stir it too much when adding in the dried apples and gently pour it into a storage container. This way you won't break up the clusters.

Apple Cinnamon Granola in a glass jar with a wooden spoon.

Variations

I love this apple cinnamon granola as it is, however if you want to make some adjustments, here are some suggestions.

Make it gluten free by using certified gluten free oats.
For a nut free granola, just leave out the almonds and add a little more oats. Or you can substitute for pepitas or your favorite seeds.
Swap out the almonds for pecans, walnuts, or your other preferred nut.
Add more dried fruit like dried cranberries or raisins. Stir these in once the granola has cooled.
Stir in chocolate chips or M&M's to the cooled granola for more of a trail mix flavor.

Serving Suggestions

My favorite way to eat this granola is like cereal in a bowl with a splash of almond milk. You can use whatever dairy milk or plant-based milk you like.

Other great ways to enjoy it are straight from the jar, on top of yogurt, or layered into a yogurt parfait.

Apple Cinnamon Granola in a bowl of milk.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ's)

Can I use quick oats instead of old fashioned oats in homemade granola?

Though you can use quick oats in granola, old fashioned oats are best since they retain their texture and shape. Quick oats will take much less time to bake, so if you do use them, you will have to adjust your recipe accordingly.

Can I add dried fruit to granola before baking it?

You should add dried fruit to granola after baking it. If you add it before baking, it could burn.

More Granola Recipes

If you love this Apple Cinnamon Granola Recipe, then you'll love these other homemade granola recipes.

Apple Cinnamon Granola

Author: Nicole | Fresh Apron
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 30 minutes
Total Time: 40 minutes
Yield: about 4 cups 1x
Category: Breakfast & Brunch
Method: Bake
Cuisine: American

Print Recipe

Description

Homemade Apple Cinnamon Granola is a crunchy fall treat that's perfect for breakfast or a snack right out of the jar!

Ingredients

Scale

3 cups old fashioned oats
¾ cup sliced almonds
1 teaspoon cinnamon
⅛ teaspoon ground ginger
⅛ teaspoon nutmeg
¼ teaspoon fine sea salt
3 tablespoons pure maple syrup
¼ cup unsweetened applesauce
3 tablespoons coconut oil, melted
½ teaspoon vanilla extract
1 cup dried apples

Instructions

Preheat the oven to 300°F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
In a large bowl, combine the oats, almonds, cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg and sea salt. Set aside.
In a medium bowl, whisk together the maple syrup, applesauce, coconut oil, and vanilla extract until combined. Pour over the oat mixture and stir until coated.
Spread the mixture evenly onto the prepared baking sheet. Bake for 30 minutes, rotating the pan halfway, until golden brown.
Cool completely, the granola will crisp up as it cools. Stir in the dried apples. Store in an air tight container at room temperature for up to 1 week.