Apple Cinnamon Pecan Granola

This homemade apple cinnamon pecan granola is lightly sweet, perfectly crisp, and baked with fresh tart Granny Smith apples, warm cinnamon, toasted pepitas, and buttery pecans. Pair it with creamy Greek yogurt and a drizzle of honey for an elevated, café-style breakfast bowl that makes healthy weekday meal prep feel like an absolute treat.

There is something so deeply comforting about a warm tray of crispy spiced granola baking in the oven. As a mom balancing a busy schedule with a toddler, having a batch of homemade loose granola ready in the pantry is one of my favorite simple ways to romanticize my morning routine.

Unlike heavy, sugar-laden store-bought options, this recipe keeps the sweetener light and relies on real finely chopped fresh apples that slow-roast and shrivel into sweet, chewy bites right alongside the oats. Spreading the batch across two baking sheets gives the fresh apples plenty of breathing room to crisp up perfectly without steaming, creating a light, airy granola that scatters effortlessly over your morning Greek yogurt.

Why I Love This Apple Cinnamon Pecan Granola

• Classic Loose & Crisp Texture: Crafted with a low-sweetener blend for that classic, airy, non-clumpy crunch that tops yogurt and fruit parfaits effortlessly.
• Fresh Apple Dehydration Technique: Baking finely diced fresh apples on twin sheet pans dehydrates them right into the oats without steaming, infusing authentic warm fruit flavor in every batch.
• One-Bowl Quick Toss: Uses a single mixing bowl to toss the oats, maple glaze, and warm cinnamon spices, finishing with raw pecans and pepitas for a effortless, mess-free prep.

Key Ingredients & Simple Swaps

How to Make Apple Cinnamon Pecan Granola

1. Preheat & Prep: Preheat oven to 325°F (165°C) and line two large rimmed baking sheets with parchment paper.
2. Mix Oat & Apple Base: In a large mixing bowl, combine rolled oats, finely diced fresh apple, ground cinnamon, and sea salt. Pour in the pure maple syrup, melted coconut oil, and vanilla extract. Stir thoroughly with a spatula until evenly coated. (Keep the unwashed bowl on the counter!)
3. First Bake (12–15 Mins): Divide the oat and apple mixture between the two baking sheets in a single layer. Bake for 12–15 minutes so the fresh apples start drying out.
4. Glaze the Pecans in the Same Bowl: While the granola bakes, toss the chopped raw pecans and pepitas into the unwashed mixing bowl. Stir them around to coat them in the leftover maple and vanilla mixture on the sides of the bowl.
5. Add Pecans & Final Bake (10 Mins): Pull the baking sheets out of the oven. Scatter the glazed pecans and pepitas over top, give the tray a gentle toss, and bake for another 10 minutes until the apples are shriveled/dried and the pecans are fragrant and lightly golden.
6. Cool Completely: Allow the granola to cool completely on the trays so the oats and apples crisp up into a light, loose granola before storing or serving over Greek yogurt.

Prep Ahead & Best Ways to Store It

• Pantry Storage: Once 100% cool, store your loose granola in an airtight glass jar or container at room temperature for up to 2 weeks.
• Freezer Storage: Keep extra batches in a sealed freezer bag for up to 3 months.
• Keeping it Crisp: Make sure the fresh apple pieces are nicely dried out and the granola is fully cooled before sealing the lid so no trapped condensation softens the oats.

Full Printable Recipe

Print for the full recipe and instructions below. Pin to your Pinterest board for your next meal prep!

Apple Cinnamon Pecan Granola

Amy Belle

This wholesome, easy-to-make Apple Cinnamon Pecan Granola is the ultimate cozy breakfast meal prep or afternoon snack. Packed with warm autumn spices and natural sweetness, it bakes up into delightful, loose, and crunchy clusters that pair perfectly with yogurt or milk.

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 10 minutes mins

Cook Time 25 minutes mins

Total Time 35 minutes mins

Course Breakfast

Cuisine American

Servings 6 servings

Calories 340 kcal

Equipment

• 1 Large Mixing Bowl
• 2 medium rimmed baking sheets half sheet
• Parchment paper
• 1 large airtight storage container or large mason jar

Ingredients

  

• 3 cups rolled oats
• 1 large Granny Smith apple finely chopped into tiny, uniform cubes
• 1 cup raw pecans coarsely chopped
• 1/2 cup pepitas pumpkin seeds
• 1/3 cup pure maple syrup
• 1/3 cup melted coconut oil
• 1 tsp ground cinnamon
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 1/4 tsp fine sea salt

Instructions

 

• Preheat oven to 325°F (165°C) and line two large rimmed baking sheets with parchment paper.

Mix Oat & Apple Base

• In a large mixing bowl, combine rolled oats, finely diced fresh apple, ground cinnamon, and sea salt. Pour in the pure maple syrup, melted coconut oil, and vanilla extract. Stir thoroughly with a spatula until evenly coated. (Keep the unwashed bowl on the counter!)

First Bake (12–15 Mins)

• Divide the oat and apple mixture between the two baking sheets in a single layer. Bake for 12–15 minutes so the fresh apples start drying out.

Glaze the Pecans in the Same Bowl

• While the granola bakes, toss the chopped raw pecans and pepitas into the unwashed mixing bowl. Stir them around to coat them in the leftover maple and vanilla mixture on the sides of the bowl.

Add Pecans & Final Bake (10 Mins)

• Pull the baking sheets out of the oven. Scatter the glazed pecans and pepitas over top, give the tray a gentle toss, and bake for another 10 minutes until the apples are shriveled/dried and the pecans are fragrant and lightly golden.

Cool Completely

• Allow the granola to cool completely on the trays so the oats and apples crisp up into a light, loose granola before storing or serving over Greek yogurt.

Notes

• Baking Style: Unlike clumping granolas, this version is intentionally formulated to bake loose and crisp for easy scattering over yogurt bowls and power bowls.
• Organic Oats: Use Bob’s Red Mill Organic Oats as the hearty, fibrous base for the best texture and structure.
• Crunchy Nuts: Incorporate Terrasoul Pecans for a buttery richness and wonderful autumn crunch.
• Seed Boost: Add Terrasoul Pepitas for a subtle earthy crunch and extra nutritional boost.
• Flavor & Sweetness: Infuse with pure Vanilla Extract and balance the natural sweetness with a pinch of Maldon Sea Salt.
• Storage: Store your cooled batch in an airtight container or mason jar to maintain ultimate freshness.

Approx. Nutrition: [ ~340 kcal | 6g Protein | 42g Carbs | 6g Fiber ]

Keyword apple cinnamon granola, apple granola, cozy breakfast, fall breakfast, healthy snacking, homemade granola, healthy granola, meal prep breakfast

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