Full of cozy fall flavors this sugar free granola recipe is loaded with fresh apples and cinnamon. In fact, this apple pie granola is easy to make and the perfect snack for kids.
With a chewy texture and made from nuts, seeds, oats, and spices this healthy granola is perfect as is or as a topper!
An easy, soft, sugar-free granola recipe that's perfect for fall!
"Sugar-free" is a hot term and one I struggle to use.
To me as a Certified Nutrition Coach, sugar-free means that I am not adding additional sugars.
Instead, this granola recipe is flavored with fresh apples and hints of cinnamon this homemade granola isn't crunchy like most recipes, instead, it's soft and chewy.
Use it on top of a smoothie bowl, a yogurt parfait or just with some homemade hemp milk out of the fridge!
Ingredients You'll Need
If you have well-stocked gluten-free pantry staples, you'll probably have most of the things you need for this sugar-free granola recipe.
I've been making gluten-free for years (these mini yogurt and granola cups are wickedly awesome!) and here's a secret: there's no one way to do it!
It's really about mixing a bunch of nuts, seeds, and grains in one bowl and a bunch of sticky stuff in the rest.
Thus, there are a lot of substitutions you can make!
Large flake toasted coconut flakes I personally think that this gives the sugar-free granola more texture so I always opt for it. However, regular shredded coconut would work too!
Dried fruit apples and cranberries go together just so perfectly. That said, applied pie with raisins is delicious too. use the dried fruit you have.
Cashew butter was used because it's decadent. Any nut butter will work
Walnuts/Almonds - it also tastes delicious with pecans so feel free to swap some in if you have them!
Unsweetened applesauce: this helps the granola recipe stay soft and dry out so make sure not to skip it!
Fresh apple: make sure to peel and grate the apple (the smaller you grate the better) so that the apple skin doesn't leave a funky texture. Note that not all fresh fruit will work, apples dry out easily.
Hack: if you need one last reason to make this granola it’s because it smells amazing. Seriously, leave the fresh vanilla bean on the tray while it cooks and your house will be perfect for company!
How To Make Sugar-Free Granola
- Combine the almonds and walnuts in a food processor and process until chunky.
- Mix all dry ingredients up to and including the cinnamon.
- Melt the coconut oil in the microwave and combine with the cashew butter, vanilla and applesauce. Whisk until smooth.
- Pour the wet mixture into the dry and stir briefly.
- Add in the shredded apple.
- Portion onto a silicone cookie mat on a baking tray and bake!
Step By Step Photos
Important Teaching Tips
This sugar-free granola has zero added sugars- which makes it great for kids! However, it's not overly sweet because of that.
If you like a sweeter taste (just try some off the spoon before cooking!) add in a dash (⅛ cup) of maple syrup to the bowl and cook for 2-3 minutes longer.
Maple syrup is an easy add in and a great fall flavor.
Cooking the granola longer than advised tends to give a "burnt" taste to the coconut.
When you grind the nuts, make sure to leave them a bit chunky so that your granola has some texture.
Make sure to press down firmly on the uncooked granola mixture to try and keep the sugar-free granola somewhat stuck together versus spread out.
Fast, crave-worthy snacks that hit your protein goals (without tracking or extra cooking time).
Frequently Asked Questions About Sugar Free Granola
Because the gluten-free granola has fresh fruit in it, store it in a sealed container in the fridge. It will last 4-5 weeks like this.
Due to its soft texture, you cannot freeze the granola recipe. Otherwise, when it unthaws it maintains a "wet" and "soggy" texture. It's best eaten within a few weeks of making!
More healthy Snack Recipes You'll Love
- High protein granola
- Crunchy granola
- Overnight cookie dough protein oats
- Chocolate chia protein balls
- Peanut butter and jam protein balls
- Chocolate fudge protein balls
- High protein cookies
- Easy healthy snacks
Healthy Apple Pie Granola Recipe (gluten-free, vegan)
Video
Equipment
- Large baking tray
- Silicone baking mat
Ingredients
- ¾ cup raw pumpkin seeds
- ½ cup walnut halves
- ½ cup raw almonds
- 1 ¼ cup large toasted coconut flakes
- ⅓ cup unsweetened shredded coconut
- 1 cup regular oats
- ½ cup rice puffs or more oats
- ⅓ cup dried cranberries
- 1.5 tablespoons cinnamon
- 3 tbs coconut oil measured solid
- ⅓ cup cashew butter
- ¼ cup unsweetened applesauce
- 2 inch vanilla bean
- 1 apple ¾ cup peeled and grated
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 300 degrees.
- Combine the almonds and walnuts in a food processor and process until chunky (leave pieces for texture!)
- In a large bowl combine all dry ingredients up to and including the cinnamon.
- Melt the coconut oil in the microwave and combine with the cashew butter, vanilla and applesauce. Whisk until smooth.
- Pour the wet mixture into the dry and stir briefly.
- Add in the shredded apple and mix until everything looks a bit wet.
- On a large tray with parchment paper, spread out the granola into a thin layer and press down with a silicone spatula. You want to press down firmly to try and keep the granola somewhat stuck together versus spread out.
- Bake for 12 minutes then stir the granola, pressing it down again.
- Bake another fourteen minutes until granola is starting to brown (it won't look quite done yet)
- Remove from oven and let sit for one hour to firm up before moving.
Notes
Disclaimer:
Nutrition values are estimates only, using online calculators. Please verify using your own data"
Nutrition
Fall is one of my favorite seasons for anything apple flavored (though to be honest, I make apple pie granola year-round. Why limit it to just one season?!). Because it's real food-based, this healthy, homemade, sugar-free granola recipe is the perfect snack to whip up! Apple pie granola makes for an easy breakfast, snack, or topper for busy moms and kids.
Shelby says
This is such a great recipe for fall. The cinnamon really shines through.