This healthy Apple Pie Granola tastes like fall in a bowl! It's made rolled oats, fresh apple, a crunchy blend of nuts and seeds, chopped dates, and warm cinnamon, all lightly sweetened with honey or maple syrup! It's easy to make, and you can prep a whole batch in 30 minutes. 😊 As a dietitian, I use it to top Greek yogurt bowls for breakfast or a snack.
Quick Look: Apple Pie Granola
- 🧁 Serves: makes 10 servings (0.5 cup each)
- ⭐ Features: Fresh ✓ Healthy ✓ Homemade ✓
- ⌛️ Prep Time: 5 minutes
- 🍪 Cook Time: 25 minutes
- 🕑 Total Time: 30 minutes
- 👩🍳 Skill Level: Beginner
- 🏆 Why make THIS version? This granola is full of nutrient-rich ingredients and it's delicious in a Greek yogurt bowl or as a snack on-the-go!
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Store-bought granolas have their place in my pantry, but I love to make my own granola when I have a little extra time. It's nice to know exactly what's in it, it's easy to customize, and it always has my home smelling amazing while it bakes! Plus, it's a great way to use up pantry items you have laying around.
If you're looking for more granola recipes, try my easy homemade granola with oats, nuts, and seeds, (a staple year-round) or my homemade hemp seed granola with dates.
For another seasonal variation, try my homemade cranberry orange granola, which brings a bright citrus flavor to a batch of crunchy oats. If you love the apple-cinnamon flavor combination, try my apple cinnamon overnight oats with yogurt and chia seeds for another easy make-ahead breakfast.
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Key Ingredient Notes and Substitution Ideas
This healthy apple pie granola recipe is made with basic ingredients. Below are some notes. Check the recipe card for measurements.
- Rolled Oats - I suggest using rolled oats which will maintain their texture and heartiness when baked. Quick oats are smaller and won't give the crunch for a good granola. If you prefer a warm, creamy breakfast instead of crunchy granola, try my creamy stovetop apple cinnamon oatmeal.
- 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 healthy fats including ALA Omega-3s that help support brain health. Flax seeds, chia seeds, puffed quinoa, sunflower seeds, or sliced almonds all work great too.
- Apple - diced apples add a little sweetness and tons of fall flavor. If you prefer a crunchier granola, use apple chips or dried apples. For another apple-inspired breakfast, try this caramel apple chia pudding with Greek yogurt and dates.
- Cinnamon - ground cinnamon makes it a more flavorful granola and adds antioxidants. Feel free to throw in some apple pie spice or pumpkin pie spice, too.
- Avocado Oil - I use avocado oil for this granola. You could also use extra-virgin olive oil instead. Both contain heart-healthy fats.
- Honey- I like to use honey, but maple syrup works as a sweetener too. You really don't need much, but the sugar is what helps to bind the oats to make clumps.
- Vanilla Extract
- Dates - chopped Medjool dates get stirred in after the granola is out of the oven to replace dried fruits like raisins or craisins that are often found in granola and tend to be high in added sugars. Dates also add extra fiber, potassium, iron, Vitamin B6 and magnesium.
- Kosher Salt
Recipe 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.
- Chocolate Coconut - 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.
You can also serve this granola over yogurt with easy air fryer apples with cinnamon for an extra-apple-y breakfast bowl.
How to Make Apple Pie Granola
Below are the instructions for how to make this recipe with visuals that I hope are helpful! 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 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 another 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 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.
Mallory's Dietitian Tip!
Granola is full of fiber and healthy fats from the oats, nuts, and seeds, but it's light on protein on its own. To make it a more balanced, filling breakfast or snack, pair it with a protein source like plain Greek yogurt, cottage cheese, or eggs. Combining protein, fiber, and healthy fats helps keep you full longer and helps prevent a mid-morning energy crash.
Expert Tips
- Be sure to stir the granola every 8-10 minutes and check on it frequently to ensure it doesn't burn.
- 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.
Apple Pie Granola FAQs
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.
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.
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.
- Fridge (or room temperature) - store it for up to 3 weeks in an airtight container in the fridge or at room temperature.
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.
More Healthy Granola Recipes
Looking for other dietitian recipes like this? Try these:
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
Apple Pie Granola with Cinnamon
Equipment
Ingredients
- 2 cups rolled oats
- ½ cup diced apple
- ¼ cup hemp seeds
- ¼ cup pepitas (pumpkin seeds)
- ¼ cup chopped walnuts
- ¼ cup honey (or maple syrup)
- ¼ cup avocado oil (or extra-virgin olive oil)
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- ½ teaspoon kosher salt
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 3 dates, chopped
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 325℉ (160°C) and prep a large baking sheet with 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 another 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 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.
- 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.
- Store it for up to 3 weeks in an airtight container in the fridge or at room temperature or 3-6 months in the freezer.
Katie
Hands down the best homemade granola ever. I gave it out to some of my friends and they loved it too! Thank you for the great recipe!
Mallory
Hi Katie, thank you so much for taking time to leave a review and comment!! It means so much to me and I'm so happy you enjoyed the recipe!! ❤️ -Mallory
Mallory
Hi Katie, thank you SO much for taking time to leave a rating and review!!! That makes me so happy to hear that both you and your friends enjoyed it!!! Thank you again and I hope you have a great day! -Mallory