Description
A wholesome and flavorful Healthy Apple Pie Granola recipe that combines the warm spices of cinnamon and nutmeg with juicy red apples and crunchy walnuts, sweetened naturally with maple syrup and enhanced by the richness of coconut oil. This granola is easy to make, gluten-free if desired, and perfect for a nutritious breakfast or snack.
Ingredients
Scale
Dry Ingredients
- 2 ½ cups old fashion rolled oats (gluten-free if needed)
- ½ cup walnuts, chopped
- 1 ½ tsp ground cinnamon
- ¼ tsp ground nutmeg
- ¼ tsp salt
Wet Ingredients
- ⅔ cup red apple (about 1 honeycrisp apple), peeled, cored, and cut into ¼ inch cubes
- ⅓ cup melted coconut oil
- ¼ cup real maple syrup (or honey)
- 1 tsp pure vanilla extract
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 325°F (163°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper to ensure easy removal and cleanup.
- Mix Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, combine the rolled oats, chopped walnuts, ground cinnamon, ground nutmeg, salt, and cubed apples. Pour the melted coconut oil, maple syrup (or honey), and vanilla extract over the dry ingredients. Stir thoroughly until all oats and nuts are evenly coated with the wet mixture.
- Spread Granola: Spread the granola mixture evenly over the lined baking sheet. Use a spatula to press it down firmly. Pressing the granola into a thin, compact layer will help achieve a crunchier texture after baking.
- Bake: Bake in the preheated oven for 22 to 28 minutes. Halfway through baking, around 11-14 minutes, remove the granola and stir it to break it up, then press down again with a spatula if you prefer chunkier clusters.
- Cool and Store: Once baking is complete, allow the granola to cool undisturbed on the baking sheet for at least 20 minutes. The granola will crisp up as it cools. After cooling, break it into clusters and store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 1 week, or freeze in a sealed bag for up to 3 months.
Notes
- For gluten-free granola, ensure the rolled oats are certified gluten-free.
- The granola may look slightly soft right out of the oven but will crisp up as it cools—do not overbake.
- If you want chunkier granola clusters, press the granola down firmly after stirring halfway through baking.
- Use Honeycrisp or another sweet-tart apple variety for best flavor and texture.
- Store granola in an airtight container to maintain freshness and crunch.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 28 minutes
- Category: Breakfast, Snack
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/2 cup (about 55g)
- Calories: 210
- Sugar: 6g
- Sodium: 50mg
- Fat: 12g
- Saturated Fat: 8g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 24g
- Fiber: 4g
- Protein: 4g
- Cholesterol: 0mg
Keywords: apple pie granola, healthy granola recipe, gluten-free granola, breakfast granola, homemade granola, apple granola clusters, cinnamon granola
