Apple Granola with Walnuts – tastes like apple crisp!
Posted: 09/21/2012
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Apple granola that tastes like apple crisp is a breakfast win no matter how you look at it! Make it today because it’s going to become your favorite!
Recipe Overview
Why you’ll love it: Crispy oats, chewy dried apples, crunchy walnuts, and warm cinnamon make this granola outstanding!
How long it takes: 40 minutes
Equipment you’ll need: large mixing bowl, baking sheet
Servings: makes 6 ½ cups
Table of Contents
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I love everything about fall. Apples, apple cider, donuts, hay rides, pumpkin everything, and especially that crisp feeling in the air. Perfection, if you ask me.
Although this apple granola recipe uses dried apples, not fresh apples, it still encompasses all the great flavors of fall. Apple granola with walnuts tastes like you’re eating a bowl of apple crisp for breakfast!
P.S. If you like the idea of apple crisp for breakfast, you’ll want to try apple crisp breakfast cookies and blueberry apple crisp smoothie bowls.
How to make this Apple Granola
Like any other granola. apple granola is easy to make. The recipe is based on this homemade granola recipe with pecans and almonds.
Stir together the dry ingredients: The foundation of most granola recipes is rolled oats. Seeds and nuts, wheat germ, flax seed, coconut, etc. are added. Flavor enhancements like cinnamon, or in this case, a spoonful of homemade apple pie spice, can be included.
Mix the wet ingredients: The dry ingredients are “stuck together” with a mixture of oil, honey, maple syrup, vanilla, or brown sugar, whatever the recipe calls for. Add the wet ingredients to the oat mixture and stir, stir, stir until everything is coated.
Bake the granola. Spread the granola on a large baking sheet and bake until crispy, dry, and lightly browned, stirring occasionally.
Stir in add-ins. Not everything in granola needs to be baked. Add dried fruit (in this case, dried apples) after the granola cools so the fruit stays nice and chewy. If you like chocolate chunks or chocolate chips, they can be added to granola after it’s baked, too.
Once you try making homemade granola, you’re going to put it into your weekly rotation. It’s so easy to make and you can customize it as much as you like. And it’s so much fresher tasting than store bought!
Granola for Dessert
If you want to eat dessert for dessert, try this granola sprinkled on top of vanilla ice cream or homemade vanilla pudding with a drizzle of caramel (try my bourbon caramel for an especially amazing treat!).
Storage Tips
Cool granola completely before storing it in an airtight container or jar. It will keep at room temperature for up to two weeks.
Granola can be frozen, too. Store it in a freezer-safe container for three to six months.
More Granola Recipes
Best Granola Recipe – make it your own!
Easy Granola Recipe with Pecans and Cranberries
Savory Granola (nut-free recipe)
Chocolate Chip Granola with Strawberries
Almond Vanilla Granola with Real Vanilla Beans
Flax Granola with Cinnamon and Sunflower Seeds
Mocha Granola with Almonds and Chocolate Chips
3 Ingredient Crunchy Oat Topping – Great on Sundaes!
Did you make this? Be sure to leave a review below and tag me @rachelcooksblog on Facebook, Instagram, or Pinterest!
servings
Apple granola that tastes like apple crisp is a breakfast win no matter how you look at it! Make it today because it's going to become your favorite!
Ingredients
- 3 cups old fashioned rolled oats
- 1 cup walnuts (see note)
- ½ cup shredded unsweetened coconut
- 2 tablespoons wheat germ (see note)
- 2 tablespoons ground flax seed
- 1 tablespoon ground cinnamon
- 1 teaspoon freshly grated nutmeg (or ground nutmeg)
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- 4 tablespoons packed brown sugar
- 4 tablespoons canola oil
- 4 tablespoons honey
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- 2 cups chopped dried apples
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 300°F. Spray a large baking sheet with nonstick cooking spray or line with parchment or Silpat.
- In a large bowl, stir together oats, walnuts, coconut, wheat germ, ground flax seed, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt.
- In separate small bowl, stir together brown sugar, canola oil, honey and vanilla.
- Pour wet ingredients over dry ingredients and stir until everything is well coated.
- Spread granola in an even layer over the baking sheet. Bake for 15 minutes, stir, and then bake for 15 to 20 minutes longer until golden brown and dry.
- Let cool completely. Stir in dried apples. Store in airtight container.
Notes
- Instead of walnuts, you can substitute pecans, sliced almonds, or raw sunflower seeds.
- If desired, instead of using both wheat germ and ground flax seed, you can use one or the other (¼ cup).
- A tablespoon of apple pie spice blend can be substituted for the cinnamon and ginger.
Nutrition Information
Serving: 0.5cup, Calories: 269kcal, Carbohydrates: 34g, Protein: 5g, Fat: 14g, Saturated Fat: 3g, Polyunsaturated Fat: 6g, Monounsaturated Fat: 4g, Trans Fat: 0.02g, Sodium: 61mg, Potassium: 215mg, Fiber: 5g, Sugar: 17g, Vitamin A: 4IU, Vitamin C: 1mg, Calcium: 34mg, Iron: 2mg
This website provides approximate nutrition information for convenience and as a courtesy only. Nutrition data is gathered primarily from the USDA Food Composition Database, whenever available, or otherwise other online calculators.
Anne@FromMySweetHeart says
Hi Rachel! I just love granola…..I eat it several times a week with my yogurt and so I’m always looking for new recipes to keep it fresh! This looks fabulous and I’m heading over to grab the recipe. Your photography is just amazing, too! : )
baker street says
Every time I make a batch of granola at home, I like to try out a new recipe. Apple crisp is surely the next one. Sounds absolutely incredible. This is such a great addition to Rachel’s apple party! :)
Rosa says
A great granola! Divine looking. I love the addition of dried apples.
Cheers,
Rosa
Chung-Ah | Damn Delicious says
I’m loving this apple party! And I just added this on my autumn “to-bake” list – can’t wait! :)
Carrian-ohsweetbasil says
You had me at apple, then crisp, then granola, absolutely looking forward to making this!
ashley - Baker by Nature says
Ooooh this does look delicious, Rach! In other news: I can’t wait to meet you in a little over a week!
Ashley Bee says
I wouldn’t think to add these two together, but it DOES make sense! Well done :)
claire @ the realistic nutritionist says
healthy and absolutely delicious!