Kick off the Fall season with a batch of this healthy Apple Spice Quinoa Granola! It’s perfect for a quick and easy breakfast option or anytime snack!
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One of my favorite things to make is homemade granola. Not only can you make it for a fraction of the cost of store bought, but it has way more depth and flavor. Plus, you can control what goes into it, meaning its sure to be a hit.
The one down fall to homemade granola is how addictive it is. Yep, just be warned, you may just try to devour the entire pan. Don’t worry though, I won’t judge.
Of all the variations I have tried, this Apple Spice Quinoa Granola is my fav! It’s packed with flavor, is a cinch to make, has that perfect crunchy texture and nutty finish. Basically, everything you can want or need in one batch of healthy granola!
Why homemade granola is the best
- So much easier to make it healthy. Take a look at the nutrition facts of store-bought granola – they’re loaded with sugar, often use unhealthy oils AND the sweetener is almost always cane-sugar. This recipe is the complete opposite!
- You can add or omit anything desired to truly make this your own.
- Perfect to make a batch and give away in jars for a unique gift, or store for quick breakfast/snack options.
- Includes all the Classic Fall flavors in one batch.
Ingredients needed for Apple Spice Quinoa Granola:
Scroll to the bottom of the post for full printable recipe card with ingredient amounts/directions
- Old-Fashioned Oats
- Uncooked Quinoa
- Almonds- (I used slivered)
- Cinnamon
- Ground Nutmeg
- Ground Cloves
- Dash of Salt
- Apple- peeled, cored, and diced
- Melted Coconut Oil
- Vanilla Extract
- Unsweetened Applesauce
- Raw Honey
- Brown Sugar
- Raisins- (optional)
How to make Apple Quinoa Granola
- Preheat oven to 325 degrees. Line two cookie sheets with parchment paper.
- In a large bowl, combine the oats, quinoa, almonds, cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, and salt.
- Fold in the diced apples.
- In a separate bowl, combine the melted coconut oil, vanilla, applesauce, honey, and brown sugar.
- Pour wet mixture onto dry mixture and toss to coat thoroughly.
- Spread mixture evenly onto two cookie sheets.
- Place pans in oven and bake for about 45 minutes.
- Stir every 15 minutes or so to prevent burning.
- Remove from oven and allow granola to sit for at least 20 minutes to cool off.
- Store in an airtight container for up to 2 weeks!!
Tips for Homemade Granola
- Check on the granola frequently and watch closely toward the end of baking as granola can burn quickly towards the end.
- There are several types of oats available , however, for this recipe, I recommend using rolled oats or old-fashioned oats. They work much better than quick oats for granola. My fav is Trader Joe’s rolled oats.
- Get creative and try different nuts (or seeds) in this recipe. I almonds, but pecans and/or walnuts work great too.
- Add any dried fruit or apple chips to this AFTER the granola has cooked because the fruit burns really easily and can ruin the taste of the batch if added too early.
How to Store Apple Quinoa Granola
I like to store this granola in glass jars or an airtight container and store in the pantry. Each batch will last about 1 month. There is no need to refrigerate this and it does not freeze well.
Serving Suggestions
1. Yogurt Parfait
1/4 cup granola, 1/2 cups plain Greek yogurt, and 1 cup fresh fruit get layered on top. Use strawberries, banana slices, or nectarine slices in this recipe. By substituting frozen yogurt for Greek yogurt, you can turn this into a dessert parfait.
2. Crunchy Topping On Muffins
A crunchy, unexpected topping can often distinguish a good muffin from a great muffin.
3. Smoothie Bowl
To make a smoothie bowl, combine all of your favorite smoothie ingredients in a bowl instead of a glass and top with granola, a handful of fresh fruit, and nuts or seeds.
4. Classic Breakfast Cereal
Granola is an excellent alternative to sugary breakfast cereals available on the market. Fill your bowl with delicious granola and serve with a glass of cold milk (or milk alternatives).
5. Acai Bowls
Acai bowls, with their fresh and fruity flavor, are another delicious way to eat granola. Plus, they combine your favorite granola with acai, a super-food that provides an extra boost of nutrients and antioxidants. After you’ve made your bowls, top them with granola and whatever toppings you want.
6. Eat It As It Is
This is great to eat on its own in a bowl/cup or bag. The perfect grab and go option!
Check out these other great apple recipes:
INCREDIBLE Apple Bread– A quick and easy Apple Bread recipe that’s loaded with shredded apples
Apple Fritter Bread– a sweet, soft, quick-bread filled with apples and sweet brown sugar cinnamon.
BEST EVER Apple Cinnamon Crumb Cake– loaded with warm cinnamon apples and extra crumb topping
Snickerdoodle Apple Bread– an easy apple bread recipe that is topped with sweet cinnamon sugar, and when it bakes it gets this crunchy sugar crust that is amazing!
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Apple Spice Cinnamon Quinoa Granola
Equipment
Ingredients
- 3 cups old fashioned oats
- 1/2 cup uncooked Quinoa
- 1/2 cup almonds *slivered
- 2 teaspoon cinnamon
- 1/2 teaspoon nutmeg
- 1/2 teaspoon cloves
- 1 dash salt
- 1 apple *peeled, diced, cored
- 1/3 cup coconut oil *melted
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/2 cup unsweetened applesauce
- 1/3 cup honey
- 1/4 cup brown sugar
- 1/2 cup raisins *optional
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 325 degrees. Line two cookie sheets with parchment paper.
- In a large bowl, combine the oats, quinoa, almonds, cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, and salt.
- Fold in the diced apples.
- In a separate bowl, combine the melted coconut oil, vanilla, applesauce, honey, and brown sugar.
- Pour wet mixture onto dry mixture and toss to coat thoroughly.
- Spread mixture evenly onto two cookie sheets.
- Place pans in oven and bake for about 45 minutes.
- Stir every 15 minutes or so to prevent burning.
- Remove from oven and allow granola to sit for at least 20 minutes to cool off.
Nutrition
Recipe updated 2/22/22
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