Cinnamon Apple Granola

This crisp and warmly spiced Cinnamon Apple Granola bakes in the oven and has all the cozy apple flavor you want from a breakfast in one crunchy batch and with simple pantry ingredients and tender dried apples this granola recipe comes together with very little effort and will totally satisfy your craving for a sweet and wholesome crunch.

Like Banana Wonton Bites this Cinnamon Apple Granola is easy to portion and turns out irresistibly crisp and golden and delicious and even though both recipes bring fruity sweetness this one is actually SO quick and easy.

Because it is made with rolled oats and maple syrup you do not have to worry about complicated steps or adding in extra sweeteners and flavorings like refined sugar or heavy sauces and like most homemade granola recipes you do not need special equipment to achieve this deliciousness.

Ingredients

Here is what I use for this recipe and you can adjust nuts or spices based on preference:

• Old fashioned rolled oats: Creates the hearty base and develops crisp toasted clusters during baking.
• Raw pecans: Adds buttery crunch and helps the granola feel rich and substantial.
• Unsweetened dried apple rings: Provides chewy apple pieces and concentrated fruit flavor throughout the finished granola.
• Ground cinnamon: Builds the warm spice profile that defines the recipe.
• Fine sea salt: Balances the sweetness and sharpens the toasted oat flavor.
• Pure maple syrup: Sweetens the mixture and helps the oats form crisp clusters.
• Melted coconut oil: Coats the dry ingredients and encourages even browning and crunch.
• Vanilla extract: Rounds out the cinnamon and apple notes with gentle aromatic sweetness.

Tools You’ll Need

• Large mixing bowl: Holds the oats and pecans while the liquid coating is folded through evenly.
• Measuring cups and spoons: Portions every dry and liquid ingredient accurately for balanced texture and flavor.
• Rimmed sheet pan: Provides a broad surface that promotes even baking and crisp golden clusters.
• Parchment paper: Prevents sticking and helps the cooled granola release in larger clusters.
• Flexible spatula: Folds the coating through the oats and spreads the mixture without crushing it.

Instructions

Step 1: Combine the oats and pecans

Rolled oats and chopped pecans are scattered into a mixing bowl and folded together until the pieces are loosely distributed. The pale oats now hold irregular pockets of tan pecans and the mixture changes from separate ingredients into one textured dry base.

Tip: Keep the pecan pieces uneven so the finished granola has a natural homemade texture.

Step 2: Coat the oat mixture

Maple syrup and melted coconut oil and vanilla are poured over the oat mixture with cinnamon and salt scattered across the surface. The dry oats become glossy and darker in patches as the coating is folded through and small sticky clumps begin to form.

Tip: Fold until no large dry patches remain because evenly coated oats brown more consistently.

Step 3: Spread the coated granola

The coated oat mixture is transferred onto a sheet pan and pressed into a loose uneven layer with thicker clusters near the center and thinner edges. The structure changes from a piled mixture into a broad baking layer with natural ridges and scattered pecan pieces.

Tip: Leave several thicker sections because they bake into the best crunchy clusters.

Step 4: Bake until golden

The granola bakes until the edges deepen to golden brown and the center becomes dry and lightly toasted. The soft glossy coating turns crisp and matte while several clusters fuse together and the pecans darken unevenly.

Tip: Rotate the pan once during baking so the outer edges do not become too dark.

Step 5: Fold in the dried apples

The hot granola cools until firm and then breaks into irregular clusters before the chopped dried apples are scattered and gently folded through. Chewy red and cream apple pieces now interrupt the golden mixture and the granola gains a varied color and texture.

Tip: Wait until the granola is fully cool before breaking it so larger clusters stay intact.

Step 6: Serve one crunchy portion

One serving is transferred to a white plate and arranged as a casual mound with visible clusters and chopped apple pieces and toasted pecans. The final portion shows crisp uneven textures and natural crumbs and non-uniform golden color that feels homemade rather than commercial.

Tip: Serve with yogurt or milk only after plating so the granola stays crisp.

Pro Tips

• Press several thick patches into the sheet pan so the granola forms rustic clusters instead of baking as loose crumbs.
• Let the baked granola cool completely before stirring because the maple coating becomes crisp as its temperature drops.
• Use unsweetened dried apples so the maple syrup controls the sweetness and the apple flavor remains clean and balanced.
• Store the granola only after it reaches room temperature because trapped warmth can create moisture and soften the clusters.

Storage Instructions

Let the granola cool completely before moving it into a storage container and any remaining warmth can create condensation and soften the crisp clusters. Keep the granola in an airtight glass jar or sealed food container at cool room temperature and it stays fresh for about two weeks when protected from moisture and direct heat. For longer storage place the cooled granola in a freezer safe bag and press out excess air before sealing and freeze it for up to two months and let portions return to room temperature before serving. Store yogurt and milk separately from the granola and add them only when serving so the oat clusters remain crunchy.

Frequently Asked Questions

See You in the Kitchen

This Cinnamon Apple Granola is a great way to satisfy your cozy apple cravings without picking up the phone to buy a packaged breakfast.

I typically portion yogurt at the same time I pack my granola and that way all of my breakfast components will be ready at the same time alongside Peach Salsa for a bright brunch spread or Banana Wonton Bites for a sweet party plate.

Even my kids love this one!

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