Apple Cranberry Granola is loaded with crunchy goodness! Crisp apple chips and dried cranberries mixed with a medley of crunchy nuts and seeds give this homemade granola a deliciously hearty flavor. Raisins and ginger chips add an element of sweetness and a ginger-y bite!
The best thing about this simple granola recipe is that it’s so easy to customize with your own favorite fruits and nuts.
Crunchy, hearty and healthy, there’s so much goodness going on in this apple cranberry granola recipe. We use a generous amount of apple chips for a sweet apple flavor.
With healthy fats like flaky coconut and raw walnuts, plus no refined sugar, this granola makes a nutritious addition to a bowl of yogurt, oat groats, a smoothie, or as a dry cereal all on its own!
It’s also tasty over sweet desserts, like our Baked Pears with Ricotta and Granola or a slice of Turkish Yogurt Cake with Homemade Whipped Cream.
Homemade granola is incredibly versatile, and this recipe is no different.
You can easily add in your own favorite mix-ins of choice, or swap out the pepitas and dried fruits for other options, depending on what you like and what you have on hand.
Why This Cranberry Granola Recipe Works
There’s no denying that tangy cranberries and apples are an ideal combination, and we’ve added other fall-inspired flavors that take this apple cranberry granola over the top!
It’s entirely gluten free with the use of gluten-free oats, nuts and dried fruits. You can easily make up a batch and enjoy it as a quick breakfast, snack or topping to help fuel you up for the day.
Here’s why this apple cranberry granola recipe works:
- It’s a quick and easy homemade granola recipe with natural flavors.
- Apple cranberry granola is versatile and can be used for breakfast, snacking or as a fun, crunchy topping.
- The combination of toasted walnuts, seeds and fruits makes a healthy, gluten-free granola that tastes better (and is more budget-friendly) than a store-bought alternative.
Ingredients Needed for Apple Cranberry Crunch
To make apple cranberry granola, you will need:
- Old-fashioned oats (gluten free). Using old-fashioned and gluten-free oats as the main ingredient is key to making this a gluten-free granola recipe.
- Ground cinnamon. For the perfect touch of cinnamon spice that goes well with the walnuts, vanilla and apple chips.
- Shredded or flaked coconut. You can use either kind of dried coconut. It gives the granola an extra nutty, toasted flavor.
- Raw walnuts. Chopped and mixed in to the granola, walnuts add the perfect crunch, nuttiness, and healthy fat.
- Raw pepitas. A type of pumpkin seed, pepitas are a nutritious, low-carb seed that add to the crunchiness in the mix.
- Coconut oil. This is our oil of choice since it adds a light, sweet, coconut flavor.
- Honey. You won’t needed any refined added sugars since this homemade granola is sweetened with honey!
- Sea salt. A little bit of sea salt adds just the right amount of flavor.
- Vanilla. For a subtle yet sweet vanilla flavor.
- Apple chips. We like to crush up the apple chips before mixing them in but you can also use soft, dried apples and chop them up into smaller bits.
- Dried cranberries. Sweet, tangy, dried cranberries add a burst of fruity flavor.
- Raisins. Chewy raisins give the granola extra sweetness and texture.
- Preserved ginger chips. Dried ginger chips have a natural bite and spiciness to them that compliment the flavor of the granola but doesn’t overpower.
Homemade Apple Cranberry Granola Recipe
Here’s a look at our apple cranberry granola recipe but for all of the details, scroll to the printable recipe card at the bottom of the page.
Before you begin: preheat the oven to 300°F and line a two cookie sheets with parchment paper.
Combine the oats, cinnamon, coconut, walnuts and pepitas.
In a separate medium bowl, heat the coconut oil and honey until it’s warm and melted. Mix in salt and vanilla and drizzle over the whole grain oats mixture.
Toss to combine and coat the oats thoroughly.
Spread it on a baking sheet then pop it in the oven and bake until golden brown.
Let it cool completely before transferring the granola to a large bowl. Add the crushed apple chips, cranberries, raisins, and ginger chips. Toss to combine.
Recipe Tips for Success
- You can substitute the pepitas for pumpkin seeds, sunflower seeds or other seeds of your choice.
- If you only have pre-roasted nuts and seeds, do not add them to the granola mixture until after the baking process.
- To easily crush the apple chips, squeeze the bag or use a rolling pin to gently smash the apples chips to a smaller size. We used the baked apples by Bare, which are crunchy and break easily. You can also use soft dried apples and chop them up small for the cranberry apple mixture.
- If you don’t care for walnuts or don’t have any, feel free to substitute them for pecans, sliced almonds or any nuts of choice.
How to Store Apple and Cranberry Pecan Granola
Store your granola in an airtight container for up to two weeks. Make sure to keep it at room temperature in a cool, dry place.
Serving Suggestions
This homemade apple cranberry granola is delicious by itself, served dry or in a bowl with milk! Use it how you would traditionally use granola. Here are some of our favorite ways to enjoy it:
- As a crunchy bowl of homemade cereal
- On top of Greek yogurt or a smoothie
- As a dry snack, on the go!
More Recipes You Will Love:
- Granola butter
- Ancient grains breakfast bars
- Apple curd recipe
- Blueberry granola cookies with white chocolate
- Crockpot apple pie filling
- Applesauce coffee cake
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Apple Cranberry Granola
Ingredients
- 3 cups old-fashioned oats gluten-free
- 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
- 2 cups shredded or flaked coconut
- 1 cup raw pecans or walnuts chopped
- 1 cup raw pepitas
- ¼ cup coconut oil
- ¼ cup honey
- ½ teaspoon sea salt
- 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
- 2 bags 3.4 oz. each apple chips, crushed
- 1-½ cups dried cranberries
- ½ cup raisins
- ½ cup preserved ginger chips
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 300°F. Line 2 baking sheets with parchment paper, reserve
- In a large bowl, combine the oats, cinnamon, coconut, walnuts, and pepitas. In a microwave-safe dish or pitcher, heat the coconut oil and the honey just until warm and liquid. Remove from the heat and add the salt and vanilla, stirring to combine.
- Drizzle the warm mixture over the oats. Toss the mixture together to combine and coat the oats thoroughly. Divide the mixture evenly between the two baking sheets and transfer to the oven. Bake 30 minutes, remove from the oven and stir each baking sheet. Return the baking sheets to the oven, switching positions on the racks and bake an additional 30 minutes, or until golden brown. Remove from the oven and allow to cool completely.
- Transfer the cooled granola to a large bowl. Add the crushed apple chips, cranberries, raisins, and ginger chips. Toss to combine.
- Store in an airtight container.
- Recipe adapted from The Coconut Oil Miracle by Bruce Fife, C.N., N.D.
Notes
- Gluten-free old-fashioned oats are preferred which allows the granola to be included in a GF diet.
- The pepitas can be substituted with pumpkin, sunflower or seeds of your choice.
- If you only have pre-roasted nuts and seeds do not add them until after the baking process.
- To crush the apple chips, squeeze the bag or use a rolling pin to gently smash the apples chips to a smaller size.
- We used the baked apples by Bare, you could also use soft dried apples and chop them.
- Pecans, sliced almonds or any nuts of your choice can be substituted.
angiesrecipes
Monday 13th of November 2023
My husband would totally love this for his breakfast! angiesrecipes
Dahn Boquist
Monday 13th of November 2023
It's a great breakfast!