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.

A large jar of granola with apples, cranberry granola spilled in front of the jar and a napkin in the background.

Crunchy and satisfying, this apple cranberry granola is packed with flavor. A generous amount of apple chips gives it a sweet, delicious apple taste.

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 gluten-free granola that tastes better (and is more budget-friendly) than a store-bought alternative.

A large mixing bowl of ganola, a wooden mixing spoon in the background.

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 and nuttiness.
Raw pepitas. A type of pumpkin seed, pepitas 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.

Ingredients for apple cranberry granola.

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.

A bowl with ingredients for the basic granola: oats, nuts, seeds, coconut and cinnamon. A wooden mixing spoon alongside of the bowl.

Combine the oats, cinnamon, coconut, walnuts and pepitas.

Pouring honey/oil on a bowl of granola and a large wooden mixing spoon.

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.

a bowl of granola and a wooden mixing spoon.

Toss to combine and coat the oats thoroughly.

Half-sheet baking pan and a wooden spoon with mixed granola ready for baking.

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.

A large dish filled with granola and the mix-ins of apple chips, cranberries, raisins and ginger chips.

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!

A dish with granola and milk being poured on top and a spoon alongside of the dish.

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A bowl of granola with apples and cranberries.

Apple Cranberry Granola

A crunchy granola that is loaded with flavor! We used generous portions of crisp apple chips and dried cranberries then added nuts, seeds, raisins and ginger chips. This granola is very easy to customize with your favorite fruits and nuts.

5 from 1 vote

Print Pin Save

Prep Time: 15

Cook Time: 1

Total Time: 1 15

Servings:

Calories: 283kcal

Author: Pat Nyswonger

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.