Homemade Apple Cinnamon Granola — warm, cozy, and perfectly crunchy! This easy fall granola recipe is made with oats, maple syrup, and a hint of cinnamon. Perfect for breakfast, snacking, or gifting!
There’s something about homemade granola that feels like a warm hug from your kitchen — the cozy aroma of cinnamon, toasted oats, and caramelized nuts filling the air. This Apple Cinnamon Granola is everything fall mornings should be: crisp, lightly sweet, nutty, and full of texture.
This batch comes together with simple pantry ingredients, yet feels like something you’d find at an artisan café. The oats bake to golden perfection, the pistachios and walnuts add a buttery crunch, and the maple syrup ties it all together with a touch of natural sweetness. Once cooled, bits of dried apple bring in that subtle fruity chew — almost like apple pie in granola form.
I love keeping a jar of this on the counter during the cooler months. It’s perfect sprinkled over Greek yogurt, blended into smoothie bowls, or simply enjoyed by the handful as a wholesome snack. It also makes a lovely homemade gift — just scoop it into a mason jar, tie it with twine or raffia, and you’ve got a rustic, thoughtful treat that smells like autumn in a jar.
If you’re a granola lover who craves big, chunky clusters, here’s a tip: don’t stir it while baking. Press it down gently on your tray before baking and let it cool completely before breaking it apart. The result? Those coveted golden clusters that everyone picks out first!
So grab your oats, warm up the oven, and let your kitchen fill with the scent of cinnamon and toasted nuts. This Apple Cinnamon Granola might just become your new fall favorite.
Storage Tip:
Store in an airtight jar at room temperature for up to two weeks — though, if your home is anything like mine, it’ll disappear long before that.
Perfect Pairings:
- With vanilla yogurt and sliced bananas for breakfast
- Over apple compote or warm baked fruit for dessert
- Packaged as a thoughtful holiday gift
Apple Cinnamon Granola
Ingredients
- 3 c old-fashioned rolled oats
- ¾ c chopped walnuts
- ½ c chopped pistachios
- 2 tsp ground cinnamon
- ½ tsp apple pie spice (or ¼ tsp nutmeg + ¼ tsp allspice)
- ¼ tsp salt
- ⅓ c olive oil
- ⅓ c pure maple syrup (or honey)
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- ½ c dried apple pieces, chopped (add after baking)
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 325°F. Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicone baking mat.
- In a large bowl, combine oats, walnuts, pistachios, cinnamon, apple pie spice, and salt.
- In a small bowl, whisk together melted coconut oil, maple syrup, and vanilla extract. Pour over the oat mixture and stir until evenly coated.
- Spread the granola evenly on the prepared baking sheet.
- Bake for 25–30 minutes, stirring halfway through, until golden brown and fragrant.
- Remove from the oven and let the granola cool on the sheet — it will crisp up as it cools.
- Once cooled, mix in the dried apple pieces.
- Store in an airtight jar at room temperature for up to 2 weeks.
Notes
- For extra clumps, don’t stir the granola while baking — just press it down lightly before placing it in the oven.
- Swap apples for dried cranberries for a festive winter version.
- This granola makes a beautiful homemade gift — just pack it in a mason jar tied with twine or ribbon.
