January 16, 2023
Review RecipeApple Cinnamon Granola
This simple, homemade granola recipe is bursting with flavors of apples and cinnamon -- so delicious!
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Table of Contents
We absolutely love this homemade apple cinnamon granola recipe, it’s so versatile! Whether you like it chewy or crunchy this homemade granola can be adapted to your specific taste, plus it’s super simple to make and can be transported easily.
Apple Cinnamon Granola Ingredients
You’ll need:
- 3 cups whole oats (not quick-cooking)
- 1 cup chopped walnuts (or pecans, almonds, pepitas, etc.)
- ⅓ cup canola oil
- ½ cup light brown sugar
- ½ cup applesauce
- 2 tablespoons honey
- ¾ teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 1 cup dried apples, chopped
- 1 cup peanut butter chips
- 1 cup yogurt raisins
PRO TIP:
The applesauce aids in binding the granola a little bit and also adds flavor. The flavor you choose is flexible based on your preference.
SUBSTITUTIONS AND ADDITIONS
ADD-INS: All add-in ingredients are optional and adjustable. Consider using other types of dried fruit, chocolate chips, and/or spices. Shredded coconut flakes would be great, too.
SWEETENER: Honey and brown sugar are used to sweeten this recipe – you can also use maple syrup and/or granulated sugar. Adjust the amounts for more or less sweetness.
How To Make This Apple Cinnamon Granola Recipe
STEP ONE: Preheat the oven to 350°F. Line a 9×13-inch baking dish with parchment paper and set it aside.
OUR RECIPE DEVELOPER SAYS
You can also use a sheet pan to cook the granola – this will allow more area to spread the granola out in and it will cook quicker. I personally like to use a baking dish with sides to contain the granola while I’m stirring it.
STEP TWO: In a large bowl, mix together whole oats, walnuts, and any other nuts or seeds you’d like to add.
STEP THREE: In a small bowl, mix together nutmeg, cinnamon, vanilla, oil, honey, salt, brown sugar, and applesauce. Stir to combine.
STEP FOUR: Combine the dry ingredients and the wet mixture. Stir well to distribute ingredients evenly.
STEP FIVE: Spread the oat mixture into the prepared pan. Bake for 30 to 40 minutes, stirring gently every 10 minutes.
PRO TIP:
Oven temperatures vary and may need to be recalibrated periodically to ensure they are accurate. Make sure to check your granola at the lower end of the recommended baking time.
STEP SIX: Granola is ready when it has dried out and turns a deep golden brown. Watch that you do not burn the granola.
STEP SEVEN: Allow the granola to cool completely. Toss gently with the apples, peanut butter chips, and yogurt raisins.
PRO TIP:
Don’t add the peanut butter chips or yogurt raisins until the granola is completely cooled; otherwise, they will melt.
How To Serve
One of the most common and delicious things to do with granola is to add plenty of fruit and yogurt to it. Plain natural Greek yogurt and fresh berries are the best matches in my opinion. Another good addition to baked granola is sweet cooked fruit. Adding baked fresh apples or our apple fries to your cinnamon apple granola will be like taking little bites of heaven.
Other things you could do with your cinnamon apple granola include:
- Roll bananas in the granola and freeze them for a delicious snack on a hot day.
- Add it to your salads.
- Put a handful of granola in your smoothies.
- Eat it as it comes with the addition of some nuts, seeds, and dried fruit. You could try sunflower seeds, almonds, raisins, craisins, pecans, M&M’s, cashews, dried apricots, dried apples, and dried pineapple. Or add fresh chopped apples on top.
Don’t miss our apple crisp and apple pie bites for two more tasty apple recipes.
MORE APPLE RECIPES
Storage
ON THE COUNTER: Store granola in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 weeks.
IN THE FREEZER: Granola will keep even longer if you store it in the freezer. Store it in smaller portions so you can just thaw what you will need for one serving and keep the rest frozen.
Make your own granola at home with this easy recipe. There are so many different ways you can enjoy granola, from a bowl for breakfast to a topping for yogurt or fruit. The flexibility of the ingredients also allows you to customize it to your personal tastes.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Can you use melted coconut oil instead of canola oil?
Any oil would work fine for this recipe. Coconut oil would give your granola a nice nutty flavor.
Should I use old-fashioned oats or quick oats for this recipe?
It’s important to use old-fashioned oats. Quick oats won’t give you the proper texture and will end up mushy in this recipe.
Can I use unsweetened applesauce?
You can use whatever type of applesauce you’d like. Even a fruit mix such as apple strawberry would be a tasty choice for your granola.
More Recipes You’ll Love
- Deep Dish Apple Pie
- Grandma’s Apple Betty
- Applesauce Cake
- Applesauce Donuts
- Caramel Apple Dip
- Christmas Granola
- Applesauce Cookies
- Strawberry Banana Smoothie
Apple Cinnamon Granola
This simple, homemade granola recipe is bursting with flavors of apples and cinnamon — so delicious!
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 40 minutes
Total Time 55 minutes
Servings 24
Ingredients
- 3 cups rolled oats, not quick cooking
- 1 cup chopped walnuts (or pecans, almonds, pepitas, etc.)
- ⅓ cup canola oil
- ½ cup light brown sugar
- ½ cup applesauce
- 2 tablespoons honey
- ¾ tablespoon ground cinnamon
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 2 teaspoons vanilla
- 1 cup dried apple, chopped
- 1 cup peanut butter chips
- 1 cup yogurt raisins
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F. Line a 9×13 baking dish with parchment paper and set aside.
- Mix together whole oats, walnuts, and any other nuts or seeds you’d like to add.
- In a small bowl, mix together nutmeg, cinnamon, vanilla, oil, honey, salt, brown sugar, and applesauce. Stir to combine.
- Combine oat mixture and wet mixture. Stir well to distribute ingredients evenly.
- Spread into prepared pan. Bake for 30 to 40 minutes, stirring gently every 10 minutes.
- Granola is ready when it has dried out and turns golden brown. Watch that you do not burn the granola.
- Allow granola to cool completely. Toss gently with the apples, peanut butter chips, and yogurt raisins.
Video
Notes
- The applesauce aids in binding the granola a little bit and also adds flavor. The flavor you choose is flexible based on your preference.
- You can also use a sheet pan to cook the granola – this will allow more area to spread the granola out and it will cook quicker. I personally like to use a baking dish with sides to contain the granola while I’m stirring it.
- Oven temperatures vary and may need to be recalibrated periodically to ensure they are accurate. Make sure to check your granola at the lower end of the recommended baking time.
- Don’t add the peanut butter chips or yogurt raisins until the granola is completely cooled, otherwise, they will melt.
Nutrition
Calories: 189kcal | Carbohydrates: 25g | Protein: 4g | Fat: 9g | Saturated Fat: 2g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 3g | Monounsaturated Fat: 3g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 1mg | Sodium: 70mg | Potassium: 137mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 12g | Vitamin A: 3IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 19mg | Iron: 1mg
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Comments
Hannah Griffin says
I am always looking for delicious granola recipes, and this one is amazing!!
Tin Lopez says
This recipe is simple yet delicious!
Treena says
Our family loves this granola recipe. Wonderful on top of vanilla Greek yogurt or ice cream.!
LINDA J MEAD says
can you use any kind of cinnamon applesauce?
Layne Kangas says
Yes, enjoy!
Joann Garcia says
Can you substitute the sugar for honey?
Layne Kangas says
I haven’t tried that swap personally so I can’t say for sure how it would work! 🙂
Gail says
Could you use melted coconut oil in place of the butter?
Layne Kangas says
I haven’t done that substitution myself but I think it would work. Let me know if you try it!
Rachel D says
super delicious! i make it weekly to add to my yogurt!