This Apple Pie Granola is one of the most delicious ways to get in a lot of nutrition - perfect for the cinnamon apple fan! It's so easy to make and you can prep a whole batch to use throughout the week. Made with sweet apple, rolled oats, and a nutritious combination of nuts and seeds. Everything is baked on a sheet pan until golden brown with chopped dates added at the end!

As a dietitian, store-bought granolas have their place in my pantry, but I prefer to my own granola whenever I can. I love customizing it with whatever nuts and seeds I have in my pantry! This recipe was inspired by the Hemp and Date Granola that I make all the time. I wanted an option for the fall season and this healthy apple pie granola quickly became one of my favorite granola recipes with the addition of fresh apples!
Make a batch of this homemade cinnamon apple pie granola and throw it on top of smoothie bowls or mix it with Greek yogurt to make a yogurt bowl for a healthy breakfast! It also makes a perfect healthy snack for on-the-go. Or bring small batches of granola as a host or hostess gift for a friend or to food banks near you during apple season.
If you're looking for more granola recipes, try my Hemp & Date Granola or Cranberry Orange Granola. If you like overnight oats, try my Apple Cinnamon Overnight Oats with an apple filling.
Jump to:
Why You’ll Love this Recipe:
- Nutrition - this recipe contains healthy fats and antioxidants from the nuts and seeds to support brain health and hormone health. Oats provide phosphorus, manganese, and dietary fiber for a healthy gut.
- Customizable - once you have the basics, you can customize this apple pie granola recipe however you want using what you have in your pantry.
- Simple Ingredients - including nuts, apples, seeds, oats, and dates.
- Easy - this recipe is as easy as mixing the ingredients in a bowl and baking them in the oven.
Key Ingredients and Substitutions
This healthy apple cinnamon granola recipe is made with basic ingredients. Below are some notes. Be sure to check the recipe card for ingredient measurements.
- Rolled Oats - I suggest using rolled oats instead of quick oats. Rolled oats will maintain their texture and heartiness when baked whereas quick oats are smaller and won’t give the crunch for a good granola. I use Bob's Red Mill brand. Oats are a source of whole grain and contain dietary fiber which has been shown to have many health benefits, including improving gut health and lowering cholesterol.
- Nuts & Seeds- this recipe calls for chopped walnuts, hemp seeds, and pepitas (pumpkin seeds). Nuts and seeds are a good source of plant protein and also contain healthy fats including ALA Omega-3s to support brain health. If you prefer a different combination of nuts and seeds, flax seeds, chia seeds, puffed quinoa, sunflower seeds, or sliced almonds all work great.
- Apple - this recipe calls for fresh apples and we will dice them into small pieces. If you prefer a crunchier granola, you can use apple chips or dried apples instead.
- Fine Sea Salt - just a pinch of salt is perfect for enhancing the other flavors.
- Cinnamon - adding ground cinnamon makes it a more flavorful granola and it also adds antioxidants. Feel free to throw in some apple pie spice or pumpkin pie spice, too!
- Oil - I use avocado oil for this granola. You could also use olive oil if you want a more robust flavor. Both oils contain heart-healthy fats.
- Sweetener - this recipe calls for honey, but maple syrup works too. The sugar is what helps to bind the oats together to make clumps. Honey is antimicrobial and if you use local honey it's great for helping with allergies. You can add in some brown sugar if you want it to be even sweeter.
- Vanilla Extract - vanilla extract adds a depth of flavor that blends perfectly with the other ingredients in this one.
- Dates - chopped Medjool dates get stirred in after this hemp granola is out of the oven. In this recipe, it replaces other dried fruits like raisins or craisins that are often found in granola and tend to be high in added sugars. Dates are a natural sweetener and a popular sugar alternative. Plus, dates also add nutrition including extra fiber and some potassium, iron, Vitamin B6 and magnesium.
How to Make Apple Pie Granola
Below are the instructions for how to make homemade apple pie granola with visuals that I hope are helpful! Don't forget to check out the recipe card at the bottom for the full recipe.
- Step 1 - Preheat the oven to 325℉ (160°C) and prep a large baking sheet with greased parchment paper. In a large bowl, mix together the dry ingredients including the oats, apples, nuts, seeds, salt, and cinnamon. Do not add the dates yet!
- Step 2 - In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the wet ingredients including the oil, honey, and vanilla. Then, add the wet mixture to the dry and stir together until well combined.
- Step 3 - Spread the granola mixture on the baking sheet in an even layer and bake in the preheated oven for 25-30 minutes, stirring every 8-10 minutes. The granola is done when it’s golden brown. Remove from the oven and let the granola cool.
- Step 4 - Once the apple granola has cooled to room temperature, stir in the chopped dates and break it into clumps.
Hint: Don’t stir it right after taking it out of the oven! Let it cool for as long as possible first. The air will help create big clusters.
Registered Dietitian Tip
Did you know that oatmeal contains a dietary fiber called beta-glucan? Beta-glucan may help lower cholesterol levels, can help support your digestive system and gut health, and stabilize blood sugar levels. Just a half cup of oats contains around 15% of your daily fiber intake for the day and 5 grams of protein. Using oats in recipes like this Apple Pie Granola is a delicious way to nourish your body with care and stay full and satisfied until your next meal.
Video for Apple Cinnamon Granola
Here's a video of how to make this recipe that I hope is helpful!
Variations
- Nut-free - if you are serving this granola to someone with a nut allergy, leave out the walnuts, which are tree nuts. Instead, use 3 different kinds of seeds.
- Fancy apple granola - add coconut flakes (add these halfway through baking if using), dark chocolate chips (add AFTER baking so they don't melt) or brown sugar. Mix in some peanut butter or sunflower seed butter.
- Fruity granola - if you like it more fruity, add golden raisins, tart dried cranberries or cherries, and dried apples along with the fresh apple.
- Vegan - the recipe isn't vegan since it uses honey as a sweetener. But you can easily replace it with maple syrup to make this recipe vegan. If you like a sweeter granola, you can bump up the amount a bit.
How to Store Homemade Apple Pie Granola
Granola is at the peak of freshness a day or two after it's made. But one of the great things about granola is that it stores well for a long time.
- Freezer - store apple pie granola in an airtight container for 3-6 months in the freezer. Thaw in the fridge overnight or at room temperature for about an hour.Substitutions
- Fridge (or room temperature) - store it for up to 3 weeks in an airtight container in the fridge or at room temperature.
Expert Tips
- When the granola mixture is done baking, remove it from the oven and let it cool to room temperature before stirring it or breaking it apart. This is what helps form the big clusters.
- Add in the dates after the granola has baked and cooled. I tried adding it with the other ingredients and I personally thought it was too chewy and it hardened a bit when bakes. Adding it after the granola bakes keeps the dates nice and tender.
FAQ
While healthy means something different to everyone, this apple pie granola is a nutrient-rich option. It contains dietary fiber for a healthy gut, and heart-healthy fats that also support brain health and hormone health. This recipe also contains several vitamins and nutrients including antioxidants, potassium, iron, Vitamin B6 and magnesium.
Homemade granola doesn't have the preservatives that store-bought granola has so it doesn't last as long. But it still lasts for a long time, which is why it's one of my favorite things to make! Homemade granola lasts for up to 3 weeks. To store it, use an airtight container and keep it away from moisture, heat, or direct sunlight. Since this granola has apples and dates, it's even better to store it in the refrigerator.
Absolutely! Once it is completely cooled, you can freeze granola in an airtight container for 3-6 months. To thaw it, either keep it in the refrigerator overnight or let it sit out at room temperature for 30-60 minutes.
As long as you use gluten-free oats, this is gluten-free granola! If you are buying a store-bought granola, be sure to check the nutrition label to make sure it is gluten-free. I use Bob's Red Mill Rolled Oats. In general, the main ingredient in granola is oats. Oats are a naturally gluten-free food. However, many oats are processed in a facility that also processes gluten-containing foods so there is a risk of cross-contamination. The best way to tell if the oats you use are gluten-free is to make sure that gluten or wheat is not listed under the "may contain" statement on the nutrition facts panel.
Related
Looking for other dietitian recipes like this? Try these:
Perfect for Pairing
These are my favorite dishes to serve with Apple Pie Granola:
Want to Learn About Nutrition?
Here are some of my educational articles you may enjoy!
I hope you enjoy this recipe as much as I do! I would love to hear from you! If you made this recipe, please leave me a review below or tag me in a photo or story on Instagram. Your reviews help support me and make it possible for me to continue to create the recipes you know and love. 🙂 IG: @mallorythedietitian
📖 Recipe
Easy Apple Pie Granola with Cinnamon (Healthy Recipe)
Ingredients
- 2 cups rolled oats (200g)
- ½ cup diced apple
- ¼ cup hemp seeds (40g)
- ¼ cup pepitas (pumpkin seeds) (35g)
- ¼ cup chopped walnuts
- ¼ cup honey (75ml or 2.5 fl oz)
- ¼ cup avocado oil (50ml or 1.5 fl oz)
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract (6ml)
- ½ teaspoon fine sea salt (3g)
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon (3g)
- 3 dates, chopped
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 325℉ (160°C) and prep a large baking sheet with greased parchment paper. In a large bowl, mix together the dry ingredients including the oats, apples, nuts, seeds, salt, and cinnamon. Do not add the dates yet!
- In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the wet ingredients including the oil, honey, and vanilla. Then, add the wet mixture to the dry and stir together until well combined.
- Spread the granola mixture on the baking sheet in an even layer and bake in the preheated oven for 25-30 minutes, stirring every 8-10 minutes. The granola is done when it’s golden brown. Remove from the oven and let the granola cool.
- Once the apple granola has cooled to room temperature, stir in the chopped dates and break it into clumps.
Video
Notes
- Use rolled (old-fashioned) oats instead of quick oats. Rolled oats will crisp up better in homemade granola. I use Bob's Red Mill brand.
- When the granola mixture is done baking, remove it from the oven and let it cool to room temperature before stirring it or breaking it apart. This is what helps form the big clusters.
- Add in the dates after the granola has baked and cooled. I tried adding it with the other ingredients and I personally thought it was too chewy and it hardened a bit when baked. Adding it after the granola bakes keeps the dates nice and tender.
- Fridge (or room temperature) - store it for up to 3 weeks in an airtight container in the fridge or at room temperature.
- Freezer - store in an airtight container for 3-6 months in the freezer. Thaw in the fridge overnight or at room temperature for about an hour.
Comments
No Comments