Apple cinnamon granola—this one’s packed with oats, walnuts, dried apples, and cranberries. It’s so good, I find myself reaching for it at breakfast or just snacking straight from the jar.
Apple Cinnamon Granola
Once I started making homemade granola, I’ve never gone back to the store-bought stuff. I created this apple cinnamon version to mimic the cozy flavor of apple pie, with a touch of caramel syrup that makes it extra special.
Granola’s great because it works for breakfast or as a snack in the afternoon. Whether I’m on the go or just hanging out in front of the TV, it’s easy to munch on and enjoy. The dried apples and cranberries add the perfect chew to every bite.
Why I Love This Recipe
- It’s easy to make with ingredients I usually already have.
- The house smells amazing while it bakes—like apples and cinnamon.
- It’s perfect for breakfast or just snacking whenever I want.
- I love how versatile it is. I can throw it on yogurt for breakfast or just grab a handful when I need a quick snack.
Ingredients
Here’s everything you’ll need to make this apple cinnamon granola—it’s all pretty simple and straightforward.
- Old-Fashioned oats: I stick with old-fashioned oats because they give the granola the right texture. Quick-cooking oats don’t work for granola.
- Walnuts: I prefer walnuts for this granola recipe. If you prefer, you can swap them for pecans.
- Applesauce: I use sweetened applesauce to make the granola taste its best. It adds a nice flavor boost.
- Maple syrup: Pure maple syrup is what I use, not the pancake syrup.
- Light brown sugar
- Caramel syrup: This is ice cream sundae syrup and the easiest way to add a rich caramel flavor.
- Ground cinnamon
- Salt
- Vanilla extract
- Ground nutmeg
- Dried apples: If the dried apples are in rings, I chop them up. They add great texture to the granola.
- Dried cranberries: These add a tart contrast that I really like. They balance the sweetness perfectly.
- Butter
How I Make Homemade Apple Cinnamon Granola
Find the complete recipe with measurements in the recipe card at the bottom of the post.
- Step One: Preheat the oven to 325°F and line a sheet pan with parchment paper. I like to get this done first so it’s ready to go.
- Step Two: In a medium bowl, combine the rolled oats and walnuts. Simple enough—just give them a good toss and set them aside.
- Step Three: In a small saucepan over medium heat, stir together the applesauce, maple syrup, light brown sugar, caramel syrup, and butter. Bring the mixture to a boil and let it boil for 1 minute, stirring constantly. Once that’s done, remove it from the heat and whisk in the cinnamon, salt, vanilla extract, and nutmeg. This part smells so good!
- Step Four: Pour the mixture over the rolled oats and walnuts. Stir it all together until everything’s nicely coated.
- Step Five: Spread the granola on the sheet pan and bake for 25 minutes, giving it a stir halfway through. I always make sure to check on it around that time.
- Step Six: Let the granola cool completely before breaking it apart. Then, mix in the dried apples and cranberries. You’ll want to wait until it’s fully cooled, or things can get sticky.
Recipe Tips
Here are a few tips that’ll help you get the best results from your granola every time:
- Use parchment paper or a silicone baking mat on your baking sheet—otherwise, the granola will stick, and trust me, that’s no fun.
- For chunkier granola, don’t stir it while it’s warm after baking. Let it cool completely, then break it up with your hands or a spoon for those nice clusters.
- Keep an eye on it while it’s in the oven. Granola can go from golden to burned pretty quickly, so I always check and stir it halfway through.
- Feel free to swap out the nuts or dried fruit for whatever you have on hand. This recipe is super flexible!
- Sometimes I add chocolate chips or peanut butter chips once it has completely cooled.
- I use this granola a lot of different ways – as trail mix, I will add it to a smoothie, top my ice cream, enjoy it with milk -like it’s cereal, I’ll make a parfait or serve it over Greek yogurt. The possibilities are endless.
Storage and Freezing
Here’s what I do for storing the granola:
- I keep it at room temperature or in the fridge in a sealed bag for up to a month. Super easy.
- If I want to save it for longer, I freeze it in a sealed container, and it stays good for up to two months.
More Apple Recipes To Make
Get inspired to make more apple recipes this season with a few of my favorites.
This post may contain affiliate links. Please read my disclosure policy.
Apple Cinnamon Granola
Apple Cinnamon Granola—this one’s packed with oats, walnuts, dried apples, and cranberries. It’s so good, you'll find yourself reaching for it at breakfast or just snacking straight from the jar.
Servings: 12
Calories: 318kcal
Ingredients
- 4 cups old-fashioned oats
- 1 cup walnuts chopped
- 1/3 cup applesauce
- 1/3 cup maple syrup
- 1/4 cup light brown sugar
- 1/4 cup ice cream caramel syrup
- 4 tbsps butter
- 1 tsp ground cinnamon
- 1 tsp table salt
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1/4 tsp ground nutmeg
- 1 cup dried apples chopped if they aren't already
- 1 cup dried cranberries
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 325°F and line a sheet pan with parchment paper. Set it aside.
- In a medium bowl, combine the rolled oats and walnuts. Set aside.4 cups old-fashioned oats, 1 cup walnuts
- In a small saucepan over medium heat, stir together applesauce, maple syrup, light brown sugar, caramel syrup, and butter. Bring the mixture to a boil and let it boil for 1 minute, stirring constantly. Remove from heat and whisk in cinnamon, salt, vanilla extract, and nutmeg until well combined.1/3 cup applesauce , 1/3 cup maple syrup, 1/4 cup light brown sugar, 1/4 cup ice cream caramel syrup, 4 tbsps butter, 1 tsp ground cinnamon, 1 tsp table salt, 1 tsp vanilla extract, 1/4 tsp ground nutmeg
- Pour the mixture over the rolled oats and walnuts. Stir until everything is evenly coated.
- Spread the granola on the sheet pan and bake for 25 minutes, stirring halfway through.
- Let the granola cool completely, then break it apart and mix in the dried apples and cranberries.1 cup dried apples, 1 cup dried cranberries
Notes
For optimal outcomes when preparing this apple cinnamon granola, it's recommended to refer to the recipe details within the post. The recipe post commonly includes valuable notes, expert tips and frequently asked questions, that are not presented in the recipe card, often including how to make this recipe dairy-free, gluten free or vegan and ideas for healthy ingredient substitutions or variations.
The provided nutrition information is merely an approximation, as variations can arise depending on the specific ingredients/brands you select.
Nutrition
Nutrition Facts
Apple Cinnamon Granola
Amount Per Serving (82 g)
Calories 318
Calories from Fat 112
% Daily Value*
Fat 12.4g19%
Saturated Fat 3.4g21%
Polyunsaturated Fat 4.8g
Monounsaturated Fat 1.9g
Cholesterol 10.2mg3%
Sodium 251mg11%
Potassium 212mg6%
Carbohydrates 51g17%
Fiber 5g21%
Sugar 28g31%
Protein 5g10%
Vitamin A 33IU1%
Vitamin C 1mg1%
Calcium 40mg4%
Iron 2mg11%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.
As an Amazon Associate and member of other affiliate programs, I earn from qualifying purchases.
Jessica says
This recipe looks amazing but is there a substitute for the butter? I can’t use milk products.
Cathy says
You could try nut butter or coconut oil.
Long says
This sounds like a great recipe. Simple but delicious! Thanks!
Dany says
Love how delicious this granola is. Perfect on my yogurt.