Healthy Apple Pie Granola

Seriously the best healthy apple pie cinnamon granola that's naturally sweetened with maple syrup and loaded with fresh apple chunks. The perfect breakfast and snack!

The best cinnamon apple granola

Are you obsessed with granola? Because I sure am! And this is seriously the best cinnamon apple granola that tastes like apple pie or these sweet baked gluten-free apple cider donuts. But what is special about this granola recipe? It's healthy and only sweetened with maple syrup!

Most store-bought granolas are high in sugar, have lots of random ingredients, and use unhealthy trans fats. But this recipe has non of those! You only need 8 ingredients, it is sweetened with maple syrup, and we use coconut oil.

Now that it is Fall, this apple cinnamon granola is the perfect breakfast and snack. Make it on a Sunday and enjoy it all week long as a meal prep! You can toss it over a yogurt bowl, enjoy it on its own, or even top a chia pudding with it.

Try my healthy apple cinnamon baked oatmeal for the same warm spice combo in a hearty, make-ahead breakfast bake.

Why you'll love this recipe

• Healthy apple pie granola is quick and easy to make.
• You only need 8 simple ingredients.
• It is naturally sweetened with maple syrup.
• There are fresh apple chunks in this granola recipe.
• It tastes like apple pie!
• The perfect Fall breakfast and snack.
• You can use any type of apple.
• This granola is packed with healthy fats and proteins.
• There are no trans fats and no refined sugars in this recipe.
• Try this delicious nutty granola next!

Ingredients & substitutions

You only need eight simple ingredients for this healthy apple pie granola recipe. It's made with rolled oats, fresh apples, cinnamon, maple syrup, coconut oil, and walnuts. Trust me when I say this recipe is the BEST cinnamon apple granola you'll ever eat. Here is a list of everything you need with substitution suggestions so you are prepared:

• Rolled Oats: The base of this healthy granola. You can use quick oats if absolutely necessary, but the granola will lose its classic crunchy oat texture. Don't substitute with steel-cut oats.
• Walnuts: For a nutty and delicious crunch. This also adds omega-3s and healthy fats to this granola recipe. You can substitute the walnuts for pecans or almonds or leave them off if you are nut-free.
• Spices: You need cinnamon and nutmeg to create that classic apple pie flavor.
• Apple: You need one red apple - I love Honeycrisp! You can also use Pink Lady, Fuji, or your favorite apple. I like to stay away from granny smith because they have a tart flavor.
• Coconut Oil: To crispen up the granola and add a healthy fat. You can substitute the coconut oil with melted butter or vegan butter if needed, but coconut oil is best to make it extra crispy.
• Maple syrup: This naturally sweetens this granola and also helps crispen the oats. You can also use honey.
• Vanilla Extract: For the best flavor!

Kitchen tools required

This cinnamon apple granola recipe doesn't require any fancy or special kitchen utensils. Here is a list:

• Mixing Bowl
• Rimmed Baking Sheet
• Spatula
• Measuring Tools: ¼ teaspoon, ½ teaspoon, 1 teaspoon, ¼ cup, ⅓ cup, and 1 cup.

How to make healthy apple pie granola

This healthy apple pie granola is super easy to make in four simple steps, but let's walk through the process together. Here are step-by-step directions with pictures for visual reference. Scroll to the bottom of this blog post to get exact measurements.

Step 1:

First, preheat the oven to 325°F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.

Step 2:

Combine rolled oats, walnuts, cinnamon, nutmeg, salt, and cubed apples in a large mixing bowl. Then, pour the coconut oil, maple syrup and/or honey, and vanilla on top. Then stir until all oats are completely coated.

Step 3:

Next, spread the granola on the lined baking sheet in an even layer and press down using a spatula. The thinner the layer of granola, the crunchier it will be.

Step 4:

Finally, bake and stir the granola halfway (for extra-chunky granola, re-press the stirred granola down with your spatula). Trust me, the granola may look underdone, but it will crisp up as it cools.

Let cool for at least 20 minutes before breaking apart undisturbed! Once it is cooled, break it up into clusters.

The taste and texture

This healthy apple cinnamon granola is sweet, slightly nutty, and tastes like an apple pie! The main flavors come from the ground cinnamon, maple syrup, and apple.

Once baked, the granola is crispy, chunky, and crunchy. The fresh apple pieces are soft and tender!

Homemade granola tips & tricks:

Use old-fashion rolled oats. Old fashion rolled oats are the best for homemade granola. They crispen up and make the granola chunky. If you use quick oats, the granola will be soft.

Don't skip out on the maple syrup or honey. This is not only for sweetness but also makes the granola crispy and crunchy.

Stir the granola halfway, then press it back down with a spatula. This ensures the bottom of the granola doesn't burn and have a bitter taste. Make sure to push it back down with the back of your spatula to get big chunky granola pieces.

Let your homemade granola cool for at least 20 minutes. This is my #1 homemade granola tip. DO NOT TOUCH THE GRANOLA UNTIL IT IS COOLED! Remove it from the oven and leave it undisturbed to cool and crispen. This ensures extra large chunky pieces of granola.

How to serve:

This apple pie granola is fantastic by itself with some fresh apple, on top of a yogurt bowl or chia pudding, or with some almond milk or oat milk. You can also serve it with some ice cream as a dessert or on top of these caramelized baked air fryer apples.

Frequently Asked Questions

What makes this granola healthy?

This apple pie granola is healthy for many reasons; here are a few: (1) it is naturally sweetened with maple syrup, (2) there are only 5 grams of natural sugar per serving, (3) there are no preservatives or trans fats in this recipe, and (4) it is high in fiber.

Can I make it nut-free?

Yes, just omit the walnuts.

Can I use quick oats?

I do not recommend using quick oats for this homemade granola.

Is it gluten-free?

Yes, this granola recipe is 100% gluten-free. Just make sure you use gluten-free certified rolled oats.

Is it vegan?

Yes, this apple cinnamon granola is vegan since we use coconut oil and not butter.

Can I use honey instead of maple syrup?

You can substitute honey with maple syrup in this recipe.

How long should I bake granola at 325°F?

Bake your granola for 22 - 28 minutes at 352 degrees Fahrenheit.

Does granola go bad?

Yes, homemade granola can go bad. If it is soft or has a weird smell, throw it away. Granola lasts for about 1 - 2 weeks if stored correctly in an airtight container or bag.

How long does granola last?

Homemade granola lasts for about 1 - 2 weeks if stored properly. Ensure it is in an airtight container and stored in the fridge or at room temperature.

How to freeze:

Add your homemade apple pie granola to a sealable freezer bag and freezer for up to 3 months.

How to store:

Store in an airtight container at room temperature for 1 week. Since this recipe has fresh apples, do not wait more than one week to enjoy it.

If you love this recipe, try these next!

• apple pie oatmeal cookies
• healthy nutty granola
• healthy peanut butter granola
• chocolate chip coconut granola
• frozen yogurt granola bars

Did you make this recipe?

If you make this recipe, be sure to comment and rate it down below. Also, don't forget to tag me @healthfulblondie on Instagram and use the hashtag #healthfulblondie so I can see your delicious creation and share it with my followers!

📖 Recipe

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