Easy Cinnamon Apple Granola recipe with dried apples, walnuts, pepitas, and hemp hearts, is gluten-free, vegan, and refined sugar-free.
There is something to be said for preparing more wholesome breakfasts for the work week. Knowing that I prepped something ahead of time and won’t be grabbing a yogurt or leftovers on my way out the door sets my day on a positive trajectory. The same is certainly true when I get my morning workouts in. When both of these things happen in the same day —WOW—watch out world.
Now that fall has finally settled in here, we’ve taken to starting our weekend mornings with impromptu breakfast picnics on the rooftop of our building. Making pancakes and coffee, then balancing trays of plates, maple syrup, bacon, and mugs, our spread has so far made it up and back without with a spill or lost pancake. As I type this, I wish I was bringing you a pancake recipe. But, these cool, crisp rooftop mornings did inspire some autumn-worthy granola.
As most granola recipes go, this cinnamon apple granola comes together pretty quickly. I decided to make my own dried apples for this granola but store-bought dried apples would be a fast and easy option. While making your own dried apples isn’t difficult, it does take a couple hours at low heat in the oven. Rounding out the cinnamon and apples, walnuts, pepitas, and hemp hearts add crunch and protein.
If you’re like me, the more clumps and clusters in my granola, the better. There are several tips and tricks out there for getting “clumpier” granola, but what’s worked best for me is slightly packing down the layer of granola on the baking sheet, stirring once half-way through baking, and packing it down once again before returning to the oven for the remainder of baking time. Allowing the granola to cool completely before removing from the pan is also key to the clumps you desire.
Cinnamon Apple Granola (Gluten-Free, Vegan)
Ingredients
- 2 cups gluten-free oats
- 1 cup walnuts chopped
- 1/4 cup pepitas
- 1/4 cup hemp hearts optional
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
- 1/4 cup coconut oil melted
- 1/3 cup + 1 tablespoon maple syrup grade b preferred
- 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
- 1 cup dried apples or more if desired for homemade dried apples, see below
- For homemade dried apples:
- 4 cups water
- juice of 1 lemon
- 2 apples sliced about 1/8th of an inch
Instructions
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Preheat the oven to 325 degrees Fahrenheit. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
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In a large bowl, combine oats, walnuts, pepitas, hemp hearts, salt, and cinnamon. Set aside.
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In a smaill bowl, whisk together coconut oil, 1/3 cup maple syrup, and vanilla extract. Pour over dry ingredients and stir until the oat mixture is evenly coated.
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Pour mixture onto baking sheet, spread, and pack down flat (using a piece of parchment or plastic wrap is an easy, mess-free way to do this).
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Bake for 30 to 40 minutes. Stir about halfway through, pack back down, drizzle tablespoon of maple syrup over the top, and bake for the remaining time or until granola is golden brown. If it looks like the walnuts are browning up quickly, tent a piece of foil over the pan for the remaining baking minutes.
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When done, granola should look golden brown. Place baking sheet on wire rack and let granola cool completely. When cool, break up granola into pieces and stir in dried apples. Store in an airtight container.
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To make homemade dried apples: Preheat oven to 200 degrees. Line two baking sheets with parchment paper. In a large bowl, combine water and lemon juice. Add apple slices and allow to soak for 20-30 mins. This will reduce browning. Remove apples from lemon water and place on a paper towel. Press another paper towel over the top to remove excess liquid. Place slices on baking sheets and put one tray on upper and one tray on lower racks and bake for one hour. Remove, turn over slices, and bake for one more hour. If you would like crispier apple slices, bake for up to 30 minutes to an hour additional. I baked mine for two and a half hours total.
Recipe Notes
Adapted from my Whole Grain Sorghum Pecan Granola. Dried apple guidance from Eating Well.
Kathryn says
Oh my, I bet this smells amazing as it’s baking!
Tessa says
It does!! :)
Abby @ The Frosted Vegan says
I have to admit, there was some irony as I read this post today :) I was hurriedly shoving a piece of toast in my mouth as I rushed out the door because I didn’t prepare a good breakfast for the week this weekend and I totally missed my morning workout! I totally agree, preparing for the week ahead makes life so much easier and smoother, which is really why I should do it a lot more often. By the way, I made your teff brownies to take to a GF friend tonight and they are SO good! Thank you sweet lady for the amazing recipe!
Tessa says
Haha, that’s too funny. Sounds like a normal morning for me! ;) I don’t know why I resist preparing for the week so much – I’m going to blame it on procrastination.
Oh, yay! I am so happy to hear you liked the brownies. Thanks so much, Abby! xo.
Medha @ Whisk & Shout says
This granola looks lovely! The homemade dried apples are stunning :)
Tessa says
Oh, thank you, Medha! The dried apples double as a tasty snack too. I’ve had a bag with me at all times as of late. ;)
Zainab says
I am a sucker for any kind of granola and just love it!! Thanks for this fall perfect one :)
Tessa says
Haha, me too, I know the feeling! :) Thank you, Zainab!
Pang {circahappy} says
I would choose YOUR autumn-worthy granola over any pancake any day, Tessa :)
For some reason, the aroma of this freshly baked granola from your photos carry through time & space to my place.
<3 <3 <3
Tessa says
Haha, thank you, Pang! I thought it might be a bit of a tease to talk about pancakes and not deliver one. ;) Thanks so much for your kind word, sweet lady. xo
Lindsey | Mabel & the Wooden Spoon says
The apple slices! OMG. So pretty. And, yep. I had a looooong work shoot today and left the house without a decent breakfast. I’m still feeling the effects! It’s totally worth a few hours on Sunday to make something hearty for the week ahead.
Tessa says
Oh no! It really does change the whole day, doesn’t it? I know the feeling.
I love these apples slices so much I’ve made extra batches to keep in my bag so I can snack on them. Thank you, Lindsey!! xo.
Leslie @ flora foodie says
You are absolutely right, preparing a great weekday breakfast sets a day up SO well. I’m with you on the workouts, too. I’m just a much better person when I get a workout and a good breakfast in. You’re killing me with rooftop pancake breakfast picnics though! Loving that. I want breakfast picnics!!!
Tessa says
Breakfast picnics are the best!! :) Thanks, Leslie!
Amanda Paa says
yes, the clump-ier the better! i’ve had success only sometimes with this, so i appreciate your tips. and i really need to try making my own apple chips. i know these don’t require it, but i’m wishing for a dehydrator this christmas.
ps- love these photos, as always. xo
Tessa says
Oh, yes, a dehydrator would be great to have! I have been making so many apple chips – can’t get enough.
Thank you, sweet friend!! xo.
Amy | Club Narwhal says
Tessa, this granola looks like my every dream come true! What a perfect fall breakfast ;)
Tessa says
Aw, yay! I seriously have been eating this every day and can’t get enough of it. ;) Thank you, Amy!
danielle is rooting the sun says
hello to you tessa! i’m just discovering your blog – though your recipes are quite lovely! and your accompanying photography is beautiful to the eye. i love this recipe in particular for its perfect autumnal flavors (i’m a huge apple fan in general) – totally delicious ingredients, too (walnuts, pepitas, hemp hearts!). it’s nice to find you! happy coming weekend. ♥
Tessa says
Hi Danielle! So glad you found me! I am a big apple fan as well and love when they are in season. Never a fruit I tire of. :) Thank you for your kind words. Happiest weekend to you!