Description

This Homemade Apple Cinnamon Granola is a deliciously crunchy and naturally sweetened snack packed with wholesome oats, dried apples, pecans, and fragrant cinnamon. Sweetened with pure maple syrup and a touch of brown sugar, it’s perfectly baked to golden perfection and sprinkled with chewy dried cranberries for a burst of flavor. Ideal as a breakfast topping or a nutritious snack on-the-go.

Ingredients

Scale

Wet Ingredients

⅓ cup olive oil
⅓ cup pure maple syrup
¼ Tbsp. brown sugar (or coconut sugar)
1 tsp. vanilla extract

Dry Ingredients

2 ½ cups old-fashioned oats (gluten-free if needed)
1 tsp. cinnamon
¼ tsp. salt

Add-ins

¾ cup dried apples (cut into bite-sized pieces)
¾ cup pecans (raw, pieces)
½ cup large coconut flakes
½ cup dried cranberries

Instructions

Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) to prepare for baking the granola.
Make the Base: In a small to medium-sized skillet or saucepan over medium heat, combine olive oil, pure maple syrup, and brown sugar. Cook for 2-3 minutes until the mixture begins to boil, stirring occasionally. Reduce heat to low and stir for an additional minute to blend the flavors. Remove from heat and stir in cinnamon, vanilla extract, and salt to create the granola syrup.
Combine with Oats and Add-ins: Pour the warm syrup mixture over the oats in a large bowl. Toss thoroughly to evenly coat the oats. Add dried apples, coconut flakes, and pecans. Stir until all ingredients are well combined to build the granola mix.
Bake the Granola: Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper and evenly spread the granola mixture across it. Bake in the preheated oven for 20-22 minutes, until golden and toasted, stirring halfway if desired for even baking. Remove from oven and allow to cool completely to let it crisp up.
Finish and Serve: Once the granola is fully cooled, break it into large chunks. Stir in the dried cranberries last to preserve their texture and sweetness. Store in an airtight container or enjoy immediately as a snack or with yogurt or milk.

Notes

Use gluten-free oats to make this granola gluten-free.
Store granola in an airtight container at room temperature for up to two weeks.
Swap pecans for walnuts or almonds according to preference.
For extra sweetness, increase maple syrup slightly but be cautious to avoid soggy granola.
Mix dried fruits in after baking to keep them chewy and flavorful.

Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 22 minutes
Category: Breakfast
Method: Baking
Cuisine: American

Keywords: apple cinnamon granola, homemade granola, healthy granola, gluten-free granola, baked granola, maple syrup granola, nutty granola, dried fruit granola