Apple Cinnamon Granola

This Homemade Apple Cinnamon Granola recipe will make you want to hop out of bed in the morning! Pure maple syrup and brown sugar combine to lightly sweeten whole-rolled oats and get mixed together with apple chips, toasted pecans, and coconut flakes. Plus, a secret trick shows you how to get those big clusters of granola instead of tiny pieces!

Homemade Apple Cinnamon Granola Recipe

I know I’m not alone when I say granola is one of the BEST snacks. It’s full of good-for-you ingredients, it’s super portable, and it’s delicious.

And this recipe is one of my absolute favorites.

I found the secret to getting those big chunks of granola every time, thanks to this Healthy Homemade Granola Recipe.

This Apple Cinnamon Granola is full of those big chunks, but perfectly flavored with warm, fall spices. And it only needs a handful of ingredients.

I love to meal prep this ahead of time and have it ready for healthy snacks or breakfasts on the go! There are so many different ways to enjoy your own granola, too. Add some whole grain goodness to a Greek yogurt or a yogurt parfait, or eat it by the handful.

Ingredients

• Old-fashioned rolled oats. If needed, look for certified gluten-free oats for gluten-free granola. Avoid quick oats or steel-cut oats, as you won’t get that traditional texture.
• Sweetener. A combination of pure maple syrup and brown sugar is needed to create a rich and slightly sticky base that holds the granola together. Coconut sugar can be substituted for the brown sugar, if needed.
•  Olive oil. It might sound surprising, but this ingredient adds a unique flavor.
• Apples. You’ll want to cut dried apples into bite-sized pieces. Be sure to get dried fruit, as fresh apples have too much moisture that will affect the granola texture.
• Mix-ins. While this recipe calls for cinnamon, raw pecans, coconut flakes, and dried cranberries, you can add other spices, nuts, and dried fruit if you like.

How to Make Apple Cinnamon Granola

Please see the recipe card below for ingredient amounts and more detailed instructions.

1. Make the Syrup Base

Preheat the oven to 350°F.

Start by adding the oil, maple syrup, and brown sugar to a small or medium-sized skillet or saucepan, then warm it up over medium heat.

Cook the mixture for 2 to 3 minutes, just until it starts to boil. Then, reduce the heat to low and let it cook for another minute. Remove it from the heat and stir in the vanilla extract, cinnamon, and sea salt.

2. Add the Mix-ins

Pour the oats into a large mixing bowl, then carefully pour the sauce over them. Toss gently to fully coat.

Stir in the dried apples, coconut flakes, and pecans. Be sure all of the ingredients are mixed as evenly as possible.

3. Bake in the Oven

Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper. Use a spatula to spread the granola mixture across the pan as evenly as possible.

Bake in the 350℉ preheated oven for 20 to 22 minutes. The granola should turn golden brown. Remove the baking tray from the oven and let it cool to room temperature.

4. Break into Pieces

This is the most important step! Be sure NOT to disturb the granola until it’s completely cool. Otherwise, you won’t get those big, beautiful pieces of granola.

Use your hands to break the granola into big chunks, then stir in the dried cranberries. Store the cinnamon apple granola in an airtight container on the counter.

Is granola good for you?

Generally, granola is considered healthy, as it contains a good amount of fiber from the oats along with healthy fats and antioxidants. However, be careful of added sugar! Store-bought granola generally has quite a bit of it.

FAQs

More Oat and Granola Recipes

Oats are such a satisfying part of SO many recipes—and healthy, too! Give these a try next:

• How to Make Overnight Oats
• No Bake Chocolate Oatmeal Cookies
• Baked Apple Cinnamon Oatmeal
• Baked Oatmeal with Berries
• Oatmeal Breakfast Cookies
• No Bake Peanut Butter Granola Bars