Spiced Apple Granola – My Ode to the Start of Fall
Although it’s not quite officially fall yet (first day of fall is September 22), there’s a definite chill in the air already and pumpkin spice everything is everywhere you turn. Although I said goodbye to summer kicking and screaming – it is after all my favorite season – I will admit fall comes with its own perks. I love sweater weather, I absolute cannot wait to go to a pumpkin patch, and you can absolutely sign me up for apple picking!
Honestly, is there any activity that screams fall more than apple picking? Besides pumpkins, apples are pretty much autumn’s mascot. I haven’t gone apple picking in a couple years now, but I plan to sometime this season for sure. Until then, I wanted to welcome fall with a quick, comforting, and delicious recipe. This Spiced Apple Granola is truly a delightful way to ring in the new season. Essentially, it is the same recipe as seen in my Nut and Seed Granola, with a few fall-flavor add-ins and substitutions. I kept most of the ingredient the same, but used walnuts instead of almonds. The spices in the original recipe stayed the same, with the addition of nutmeg for an even more cozy warming flavor. Then, I added freeze dried apples, raisins, and crystallized ginger to make this granola a perfect seasonal snack. I kid you not, my kitchen smelled like apple pie as it was baking.
Granola is one of my staple snacks to keep in my home. Once I realized how easy it is to make my own granola from scratch, I ditched the store-bought ones that are loaded with added sugars and unnecessary ingredients, and started making my own with delicious nutritious ingredients and less added sugar. I love snacking on a handful of granola for a sweet snack, as well as on top of yogurt, smoothie bowls, and even on top of vanilla ice cream for a nice crunchy topping. You can click here to read more about why I love this granola recipe and why it’s great for you too! It is such a versatile recipe and can be adjusted to accommodate whatever you have in your pantry. This fall-spin on my original recipe goes to show that it can be altered to feature your favorite seasonal flavors and ingredients. Other great fall favorites to use in this granola recipe may include pecans, freeze-dried pears, maple syrup (instead of honey), and dried cranberries. The possibilities are really endless!
Spiced Apple Granola
Ingredients
- 1 ½ cups old fashioned oats
- ½ cup walnuts, chopped
- ½ cup unsweetened coconut flakes
- ½ cup freeze dried apples, chopped
- ¼ cup crystallized ginger, finely chopped
- ¼ cup raisins
- 2 Tbsp chia seeds
- 2 Tbsp pumpkin seeds
- ½ Tbs ground cinnamon
- 1 tsp maca powder (optional)
- ½ tsp ground ginger
- ½ tsp ground nutmeg
- ¼ tsp salt
- ¼ cup coconut oil, melted
- 3-4 Tbsp honey (depending on desired sweetness)
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 325° F.
- In a large bowl, toss together all dry ingredients (oats through salt).
- In a separate small bowl, mix together oil, honey, and vanilla extract, then toss with dry ingredients until well combined.
- Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and pour granola into an even layer. Bake for 15 minutes.
- When done baking, let granola cool completely.* Once cooled, break granola into chunks, and transfer to an airtight container.