Apple Cinnamon Granola is just the thing to give you all the Fall vibes. Mix up your breakfast or snack time routines with this delicious and easy, Fall inspired recipe. Our healthy granola features only ingredients you can recognize, plus no added sugars or oils! It's the perfect kickoff to the season!
Is granola good for you?
Commercial granolas generally have two problems as far a health goes. They are often high in added sugar, and they are often high in added oils.
These are two additions that aren't necessarily terrible. But let's be honest, we all consume much more added sugar than we should (check out my video on sugar), and granola is high enough in fat (because of the nuts and seeds) without adding anymore.
In my version, there are no added sugars at all (although I did add an optional recommendation in case you wanted a sweeter granola). I use chopped dates and the apple chips as the sweet element in my granola, and I'm using applesauce to hold it all together - which also add a bit of sweetness.
Using the applesauce allows us to forgo oil completely. Not even needed! Win-win!
FAQs and Substitutions
Apple chips can be found in most grocery stores and online retailers in the snack section. They are not the same as dried apples. Apple chips are crispy, and the ones I've seen come in "single serving" bags. You will notice there are other ingredients in them besides just apples, so if you have a choice, pick on with the least amount of added ingredients.
Sure can! I'd recommend chopping them up in small cubes/pieces in that case. The texture will be a little different, but the taste will all be there! Delicious!
For some variation, use any variety of nuts and/or seeds you have or like. As long as you have 1 cup total, it won't affect the recipe.
For a super fun and delicious take on this granola, try making a batch of No Sugar Spiced Nuts and using them instead of plain pecans. If you do this, make the spiced nuts separately and add them after the granola is done.
Not for this recipe. You really need to use the old fashioned rolled oats, or they'll just disintegrate.
If you try Apple Cinnamon Granola, let me know in the comments!
You will also want to make my Heart Healthy Pumpkin Granola!
📖 Recipe
Apple Cinnamon Granola
Ingredients
- 1 cup Old Fashioned Oats
- ¾ cup Chopped Pecans
- ½ cup Chopped Dates
- ¼ cup Sesame Seeds
- ½ cup Unsweetened Applesauce
- 1 tablespoon Lemon Juice
- 1-2 teaspoon Cinnamon
- ½ teaspoon Apple Pie Spice
- (Optional) 2-3 tablespoon Maple Syrup or Honey
- 1 cup Apple Chips
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F.
- In a large bowl, combine the oats, pecans, dates, and sesame seeds.
- Add the applesauce, lemon juice, cinnamon, apple pie spice, and maple syrup/honey if using, and stir to combine.
- Transfer to a lined baking sheet, spread thin, and bake for 30-35 minutes, stirring every 10 minutes, until dry and crispy, but not burned.
- Remove from the oven, and cool completely.
- Stir in the apple chips, breaking them into smaller pieces if needed.
- Store in an airtight container.
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