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You are here: Home / Healthy Recipes / Easy Snacks / Healthy, Sugar Free Granola Recipe (Vegan Apple Pie Granola)

Last Updated on Dec 31st, 2020 fitasamamabear

Pinterest image with text: apple pie granola in a white ramekin with a spoon beside it, a milk jug, more granola and fresh sliced apple behind it
Pinterest image with text: apple pie granola in a white ramekin with a spoon beside it, a milk jug, more granola and fresh sliced apple behind it
Pinterest image with text: two images of applie pie granola the top in a bowl with apple beside it and the bottom of the sugar-free granola on a baking tray
Pinterest image with text: multiple images of sugar-free granola, the top image of granola in a bowl with apples around the bottom images of how to make the granola

Healthy, Sugar Free Granola Recipe (Vegan Apple Pie Granola)

Full of cozy fall flavors this sugar free granola recipe is loaded with fresh apples and cinnamon. Likewise, 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!

Pinterest image with text: two images of sugar-free granola, the top of granola in a white ramekin with more behind it the bottom image of a pan full of granola

Healthy, homemade, chewy apple pie granola perfect for busy moms and kids. Easy, quick, no added sugar, busy moms, snacks, breakfast, recipe, recipes for moms, food for kids, portable, diet, clean eating

Ways To Use This Sugar Free Granola Recipe

While I’m a fan of just grabbing homemade granola out of the fridge and shoving it in my mouth (this crunchy granola being the best), there are better ways to make it into an actual snack 😉

  • use an actual bowl and add some plant-based milk! We use this apple pie granola in place of cereal
  • top off a smoothie bowl
  • use the healthy granola in a yogurt parfait or on top of overnight oats

Truly, any way you make use of this sugar-free granola recipe will be delicious!

Don’t want to read? JUMP to the recipe!

Scaling The Sugar Of The Granola

“Sugar-free” is a hot term and one I struggle to use. To me personally, sugar-free means that I am not adding additional sugars. While I use a lot of natural sugar (like honey and maple syrup) in my recipes, to me that’s still not sugar-free.

So, this apple pie granola does technically contain sugars (from the apples themselves and the dried fruit as carbohydrates break down into sugar). However, no additional sugar shave been added.

This means while the vegan granola is delicious it’s not overly sweet. Furthermore, if you don’t care about the sugar aspect, adding in 1/4 cup of maple syrup to the nut butter before mixing definitely tastes delicious!

Much of this is simply about preference.

 

Texture Of The Healthy Apple Pie Granola

Due to the fact that this granola recipe uses real apples, it’s not overly crunchy.

Instead, it’s chewy! Between the oats and the apples, this granola comes out chewy more than anything which is perfect for younger kids. While you could cook it longer in an attempt to crisp it up, I wouldn’t.

Cooking the granola longer than advised tends to give a “burnt” taste to the coconut.

 

Dried Fruit & Substitutions

I’ve been making homemade granola for years 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’s a lot of substitutions you can make!

Large flake toasted coconut 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!

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 Store The Healthy Granola Recipe

I store this sugar-free granola in the fridge simply because it has fresh apples in it. Store it in a sealed container and grab some when you need it. The granola is fine at room temperature for a while but I wouldn’t leave it out more than a day.

Also, it’s not a great recipe to freeze. Because the apple pie granola is chewy in texture it tends to get soggy once frozen!

 

Ingredients In The Apple Pie Granola

  • 3/4 cup raw pumpkin seeds
  • 1/2 cup Walnuts
  • 1/2 cup raw almonds
  • 1 1/4 cup large toasted coconut flakes
  • 1/3 cup Unsweetened Shredded Coconut
  • 1 cup gluten-free regular oats
  • 1/2 cup rice puffs or more oats
  • 1.5 tablespoons Cinnamon
  • 1/3 cup dried cranberries
  • 3tbs coconut oil (measured solid)
  • 1/3 cup cashew butter
  • 1/4 cup unsweetened applesauce
  • 2 inch vanilla bean
  • 1 apple (3/4 cup) peeled and grated

Kitchen Tools You May Find Helpful

  • Mixing bowls
  • Whisk
  • Silicone spatula
  • Baking sheets
  • Veggie Peeler
  • Measuring spoons

 

How To Make The Sugar Free Granola Recipe

Preheat the oven to 300 degrees.

Combine the almonds and walnuts in a food processor and process until chunky (leave pieces for texture!)

Walnuts and almonds in a blender being pulsed into chunks

In a large bowl combine all dry ingredients up to and including the cinnamon (note: I used to make this recipe with bee pollen which is what you see in the picture)

Rice puffs, cinnamon, coconut and bee pollen all combined in a large mixing bowl

Melt the coconut oil in the microwave and combine with the cashew butter, vanilla and applesauce. Whisk until smooth.

Nut butter and coconut oil melted together ina glass bowl with a fork

Pour the wet mixture into the dry and stir briefly.

Cashew butter and coconut oil being pour3ed into a mixing bowl with nuts and seeds

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 sugar-free granola somewhat stuck together versus spread out.

Apple pie granola spread out on a baking tray lined with parchment paper

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.

Makes roughly 3 cups.

Don’t forget to pin this apple pie, sugar-free granola recipe!

Pinterest image with text: apple pie granola in a white ramekin with a spoon beside it, a milk jug, more granola and fresh sliced apple behind it

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Healthy Apple Cinnamon Granola Recipe (gluten-free & vegan)

Full of cozy fall flavors this sugar-free granola recipe is loaded with fresh apples and cinnamon. This apple pie granola is easy to make and the perfect snack for kids. Made from nuts, seeds, oats, and spices this healthy granola is perfect as is or as a topper!

Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 26 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 36 minutes
Servings 12 servings
Calories 288 kcal
Author Fit as a Mama Bear

Ingredients

  • 3/4 cup raw pumpkin seeds
  • 1/2 cup walnut halves
  • 1/2 cup raw almonds
  • 1 1/4 cup large toasted coconut flakes
  • 1/3 cup unsweetened shredded coconut
  • 1 cup regular oats
  • 1/2 cup rice puffs or more oats
  • 1/3 cup dried cranberries
  • 1.5 tablespoons cinnamon
  • 3 tbs coconut oil measured solid
  • 1/3 cup cashew butter
  • 1/4 cup unsweetened applesauce
  • 2 inch vanilla bean
  • 1 apple 3/4 cup peeled and grated

Instructions

  1. Preheat the oven to 300 degrees.
  2. Combine the almonds and walnuts in a food processor and process until chunky (leave pieces for texture!)
  3. In a large bowl combine all dry ingredients up to and including the cinnamon.
  4. Melt the coconut oil in the microwave and combine with the cashew butter, vanilla and applesauce. Whisk until smooth.
  5. Pour the wet mixture into the dry and stir briefly.
  6. Add in the shredded apple and mix until everything looks a bit wet.
  7. 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.

  8. Bake for 12 minutes then stir the granola, pressing it down again.
  9. Bake another fourteen minutes until granola is starting to brown (it won't look quite done yet)
  10. Remove from oven and let sit for one hour to firm up before moving.

Recipe Notes

Use large toasted coconut flakes (not just shredded) for the ideal texture.

The nutrition uses oats in place of rice puffs. I believe rice puffs are lower in calories though.

Makes 3 cups worth of granola and a serving size is 1/4 cup. Grab all the ingredients you need from my Pantry Staples

Nutrition Facts
Healthy Apple Cinnamon Granola Recipe (gluten-free & vegan)
Amount Per Serving
Calories 288 Calories from Fat 207
% Daily Value*
Fat 23g35%
Saturated Fat 11g69%
Sodium 7mg0%
Potassium 246mg7%
Carbohydrates 19g6%
Fiber 5g21%
Sugar 6g7%
Protein 6g12%
Vitamin A 8IU0%
Vitamin C 1mg1%
Calcium 42mg4%
Iron 2mg11%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

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.

 

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Last updated on 12/31/2020

Filed Under: Easy Snacks, Healthy Recipes Tagged With: dairy free, gluten free, snacks, sugar free, vegan

Comments

  1. Tuula says

    09/04/2017 at 1:38 pm

    This granola sounds yummy! I love that it does not have any added sugar!

    Reply
    • fitasamamabear says

      09/04/2017 at 5:35 pm

      I definitely try to steer clear of added sugars as I don’t let my little one have any so this granola is perfect. Plus.. apples! 😀

      Reply
  2. Ned says

    09/04/2017 at 2:17 pm

    This looks like a fantastic snack! Gotta try this!!

    Reply
    • fitasamamabear says

      09/04/2017 at 5:35 pm

      I love homemade granola! Such an easy snack 🙂

      Reply
  3. Lauren says

    09/04/2017 at 2:39 pm

    This looks absolutely delicious. Where we live it is still over 100 degrees (in September) but I can’t wait for it to cool off and start making some fall recipes. This one is definitely on the list!

    Reply
    • fitasamamabear says

      09/04/2017 at 5:36 pm

      Okay, I am so jealous of your temperature.. lol But yes, this is a tasty fall one! Just as you’re getting ready to curl up and enjoy warm, comfort food! Enjoy!

      Reply
  4. Oh to Be a Muse says

    09/04/2017 at 8:27 pm

    This homemade apple pie granola looks like a pretty delicious on-the-go snack!

    Reply
    • fitasamamabear says

      09/05/2017 at 6:45 pm

      That it is! I love it as a yogurt topper too!

      Reply
  5. Lisa says

    09/05/2017 at 2:26 pm

    Yum! This looks delicious! I will definitely have to try to make these!

    XO-Lisa

    http://www.thatssodarling.com

    Reply
    • fitasamamabear says

      09/05/2017 at 6:41 pm

      Enjoy it- it makes an awesome snack!

      Reply
  6. Christine says

    09/05/2017 at 5:17 pm

    Oh this looks so good and is right up my alley! I just made a homemade apple pie over the weekend and LOVED it! I’ll be sure to try this one next! Thanks!!!

    Reply
    • fitasamamabear says

      09/05/2017 at 6:44 pm

      No problem Christine I hope you enjoy it! I love making the house smell like apple cinnamon and granola is just perfect for snacks!

      Reply
  7. easyblogthemes.com says

    09/05/2017 at 7:09 pm

    Really love how you presented your blog with the images and all. Great job. And that granola recipe, I’ll have to learn that. Look so good!

    Reply
    • fitasamamabear says

      09/05/2017 at 11:58 pm

      Thanks so much! It was a long learning process lol I’m glad it has paid off!

      Reply
  8. Cristine says

    09/06/2017 at 12:35 am

    This recipe is perfect for apple season. I can’t wait to make this recipe with my kids.

    Reply
    • fitasamamabear says

      09/06/2017 at 12:44 pm

      My little one loves granola so this was a huge win- I hope your kids enjoy it!

      Reply
  9. Aarika says

    09/06/2017 at 6:15 am

    Apple pie granola?!!! This sounds amazing! I can’t wait for apple season, so I can try this recipe. Yum!

    Reply
    • fitasamamabear says

      09/06/2017 at 12:44 pm

      Haha I know right?! So tasty and warming- enjoy it!

      Reply
  10. Valerie says

    09/06/2017 at 3:50 pm

    YUM! I love Granola. Your Apple Pie Granola is getting me in the mood for Fall (even though I don’t like Fall).

    Reply
    • fitasamamabear says

      09/06/2017 at 6:49 pm

      I don’t like fall because it gets cold haha but I do love the tastiness that comes with it!

      Reply
  11. GiGi Eats says

    09/07/2017 at 2:58 am

    HUBBA HUBBA! Mouth open. Tongue outttttt and drooling!!!

    Reply
    • fitasamamabear says

      09/07/2017 at 8:00 pm

      Haha I know right?! Granola kicks butt

      Reply
  12. Sarah Camille says

    09/07/2017 at 3:24 am

    I love granola but have not made my own yet. You’re inspiring me to give it a try!! Looks delicious. 🙂
    Cheers, Sarah Camille // SCsScoop.com

    Reply
    • fitasamamabear says

      09/07/2017 at 8:38 pm

      Definitely give it a try- though fair warning it’s addictive 😉

      Reply
  13. Emmi says

    09/07/2017 at 4:49 am

    This seems perfect for the changing seasons! I would love this as an afternoon snack.

    Reply
    • fitasamamabear says

      09/07/2017 at 8:39 pm

      It makes a great snack on it’s own or topped with almond milk or on top of yogurt.. I love it all lol

      Reply
  14. Chastity says

    09/07/2017 at 11:30 am

    This looks tasty and I love granola. This is a great treat for kids since there isn’t sugar added.Love the recipe!

    Reply
    • fitasamamabear says

      09/07/2017 at 8:40 pm

      Yes! My little one loves it as a snack 🙂

      Reply
  15. Sandra R. Schloemer says

    10/05/2018 at 12:21 pm

    Sounds great.. But how do you store it and how long can you keep it.. Will give it a try..??

    Reply
    • fitasamamabear says

      10/07/2018 at 1:57 am

      I store mine in a jar in the fridge! It gets eaten in about four days because we have some serious granola issues 😉 I’ve kept it for up to three weeks in the fridge though (although I haven’t tried freezing it!)

      Reply

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Hey There! I’m Shelby, a Certified Strength Coach (CSCS) and certified nutrition coach (PN) in everyday life as well as mama to two beautiful girls! I’m a chronic foodie, workout junkie and feeder of stray cats. I love heavy lifting but am a firm believer that as a mama you’ve got to do whatever the hell that works FOR YOU and I’m here to give you a few ideas. I believe food is fuel but indulgences are a must because well, as you’ll see… I’m a chocolate fiend!

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