Healthy Apple Cinnamon Granola (Gluten-Free)

Welcome fall with a bowl of healthy apple cinnamon granola, made with chopped fresh apples baked right in! It is vegan, gluten-free, and can be made both oil-free and nut-free, too.

The Perfect Autumn Cereal: Fresh Apple Granola

If I became a superhero, I would be The Muncher. I would defeat crime and keep citizens safe from evil by munching my way through, well everything. I have not worked out all of the particulars of how (or why) this might work (beyond an extra-powerful jaw, and perhaps the addition of a power gizzard), but considering my talent for munching, I am certain it could.

If you share my predilection for munching, may I suggest making my healthy apple pie granola? I know, I know, you likely have a Pinterest board of 100 granola recipes already, but this one has the advantage of being in front of you, right now.

The flavors–cinnamon, nutmeg, maple syrup, vanilla, apple pie pie spices, and fresh apples– are spot-on “apple pie,” and who’s not thinking about/craving pie right now? Plus, making it is a simple process of stir and bake.

Fresh Apples Baked Into the Granola

Instead of dried apples, applesauce or apple juice, this cinnamon apple granola has chopped fresh apples baked right in!

The moisture  (as well as some sweetness and flavor) of the apples bakes into the homemade granola, adding crunch, as well as reducing the need for lots of oil and sweetener in the recipe. What’s left behind are spiced dried bits of baked apple throughout!

Recipe Benefits

• Vegan (egg-free, dairy-free)
• Gluten-free
• No refined sugars
• High fiber (4.6 grams of fiber per serving)
• Good source of protein (4.7 grams of protein per serving)
• Quick and easy to prepare
• Oil-free option
• Nut-free option

Ingredients

The exact amounts of each ingredient are indicated in the recipe card at the end of the post. Toggle between US Customary (volume) and Metric (weights) for preferred measurement option.

• Old-fashioned rolled oats, certified gluten-free, as needed
• Large tart-sweet apple, peeled and chopped fine (e.g., Braeburn, Honeycrisp, Red Delicious)
• Chopped pecans (see notes for options)
• Green pumpkin seeds (pepitas; see notes for options)
• Pure maple syrup
• Virgin coconut oil (see notes for options)
• ground cinnamon
• vanilla extract
• fine sea salt
• Optional: 1/2 cup chopped dried fruit , (E.g., dried cranberries, dried cherries, dried apricots, dried apple chips or dried apples, or raisins)

Step by Step Instructions

Note that the complete directions are also in the recipe card below.

• Preheat oven to 300°F (150C). Line a large rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper.
• In a large mixing bowl, or other large bowl, stir together the dry ingredients: oats, apple, pecans, and pepitas.
• In a small bowl. whisk together the wet ingredients:  maple syrup, coconut oil, cinnamon, vanilla and salt until well blended.
• Add syrup mixture to the oats mixture and stir until well coated. Spread mixture in a single layer on prepared baking sheet.
• Bake in preheated oven for 25 to 30 minutes or until oats are golden brown. Use a spatula to firmly tamp down the granola (this helps form clusters). Let granola cool completely on pan. Stir in dried fruit, if using.
• Transfer granola to an airtight container.

Serving Suggestions

I love this granola in a bowl with some milk and (additional) fresh chopped apples, but I also like munching it throughout the day. Sometimes I’ll add some chopped dried cherries or cranberries (hello, autumn). A small handful of this granola can satisfy monumental, mid-morning hunger and is perfect for a later-afternoon, pre-workout refuel, too.

Here are some more suggestions for serving the granola:

• Sprinkle on top of smoothie bowls
• Use as a yogurt topping or chia pudding topping
• Add it as a dessert topping, on dairy-free ice cream, frozen yogurt or sorbet

Storage

Store the granola in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 weeks or in the freezer for up to 6 months.

FAQ

• What can I use in place of maple syrup? An equal amount of agave nectar, date syrup, brown rice syrup can be used in place of the maple syrup. Or, if not following a vegan diet, use an equal amount of honey. You can also use an equal amount of coconut sugar or brown sugar + 2 tablespoons of water to replace the maple syrup.
• What can I use in place of coconut oil? An equal amount of another neutral oil, such as avocado oil, olive oil, or the oil of your choice, can be used in place of the coconut oil.
• Can I make the granola oil-free? Yes. Swap the oil with an equal amount of water or apple juice.
• Can I use other nuts and seeds in the recipe? Yes! Use the different nuts and seeds you prefer to replace the 1/2 cup pecans and 1/4 cup pumpkin seeds (pepitas). For example, sunflower seed kernels (shelled sunflower seeds), hazelnuts, sliced or chopped almonds, crunchy walnuts, hemp hearts / hemp seeds, chia seeds, flaxseeds, or cashews.
• Can I make this apple cinnamon granola recipe nut-free? Yes! Use all seeds in place of the combination of nuts and seeds. I love doing half and half green pumpkin seeds and sunflower seed kernels, in particular.
• Can I use different spices (in place of the cinnamon)? Yes, consider using ground ginger, cardamom, allspice or nutmeg, or a combination of spices. You can also use sweet spice blends such as pumpkin pie spice or apple pie spice.

More Healthy, Delicious Granolas to Try

• 5-Minute Microwave Mug Granola {healthy, easy, vegan, GF}
• How to Make Low-Calorie Granola {vegan, GF, 72 calories}
• Banana Bread Protein Granola (vegan, GF)
• Oil-Free Buckwheat Granola {vegan, GF, oat-free}
• Grain-Free Banana Granola {oil-free, no added sugar}
• Grain-Free Red Lentil Granola {vegan}
• Healthy Oil-Free Granola (vegan, GF)