this big cluster apple pie granola is the perfect way to celebrate one of autumn’s best flavors! throw it over yogurt, add it to smoothies or just eat it by the cluster as is!
Is it officially acceptable to go all-in on Fall meals?! I hope you’re nodding your head yes because I’m in deep guys…and I don’t think there’s any coming out of it!
I mean, let’s be honest, this apple pie granola is not even the start of it. In the past few weeks I’ve given you guys appley crisp/pie baked oatmeal, a warm & comforting soup recipe an apple raisin walnut farro bowl and even a harvest bounty salad! So I’ve pretty much been all in for a while now.
Now that the air is cleared, let’s get into the point of this post – apple pie granola! I have a thing about granola – it HAS to be full of big clusters or I just can’t get behind it.
There’s something so much more satisfying about crunching into a huge cluster of oats all together versus individual oats. The texture is definitely better but somehow, so is the flavor.
This apple pie granola is quick and easy to make and uses mostly items that you already likely have laying around in your pantry! It’s perfect for the first meal of the day, as a snack or even over some ice cream as dessert for an apple pie/crisp-like treat!
Pair it with some fresh or cooked cinnamon apples and yogurt for a festive fall breakfast that everyone will absolutely love or just pack a little container of it for snack (and yes, you can go ahead and just pour the milk right on in that container. there are no rules for fall!)
big cluster apple pie granola
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 20-30 minutes
- Total Time: 25-35 minutes
- Yield: ~3 cups
- Category: breakfast
- Method: baked
Description
this big cluster apple pie granola is the perfect way to celebrate one of autumn’s best flavors! throw it over yogurt, add it to smoothies or just eat it by the cluster as is!
Ingredients
- 3 cups of old-fashioned rolled oats
- 2–3 tablespoons of brown sugar
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1 1/2 – 2 teaspoons of apple pie spice or cinnamon
- 1/3 cup of honey
- 1/4 cup of canola oil
- 1 teaspoon of vanilla
- 1/2 cup diced dried apple, roughly chopped
- 1/2 cup walnuts, roughly chopped
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 300 degrees F and line a rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper (see note).
- In a large mixing bowl, combine oats, brown sugar, salt, and apple pie spice. Mix a few times to disperse ingredients then add in apples and walnuts (pecans would work as well, or a 50/50 mix!)
- In a small mixing bowl, add honey, oil, and vanilla and whisk well.
- Pour the honey mixture over the dry ingredients and mix with a spoon or your hands grabbing small pieces of the mixture and pressing hard to form clusters (I find it’s easier with your hands).
- Add the mixture to the prepared baking sheet and use your hands to pinch together more clusters.
- Bake for 25-30 minutes or until granola is lightly browned. NOTE: when you take it out, it will be soft to the touch. that does not mean it’s not cooked – it will harden up once it has cooled.
Notes
- If you use a small rimmed baking sheet, you can skip forming the clusters. Just tightly pack the granola into the baking sheet and then you can break it up after it has cooled into whatever size clusters you like. Note that you must be able to tightly pack the mixture for clusters to form this way.
- Granola will keep in an airtight container for 3-4 days.
Keywords: breakfast, snack, granola, whole grain, healthy, apple pie
Leave a Reply