This apple cider granola tastes like fall in a bowl! It’s so crunchy and spiced perfectly, made with oats, apple cider, apple butter, pecans and more. We love it for snacking or breakfast!
It’s officially apple cider season!
This apple cider granola is filled with cinnamon, oats, pecans, apples and made with a delicious apple cider brown sugar mixture to bring it all together. It has crunchy clusters and tastes amazing in yogurt or eaten as cereal.
Or by the handful!
I adore apple cider so much more than other fall flavors. Sure, pumpkin and pomegranate are great, but apple cider has my heart forever. It’s such a wonderful nostalgic flavor and I don’t find it to be as polarizing as pumpkin either.
Plus, my kids love it too!
My all-time favorite granola recipe is my salted maple granola. It’s a staple around here. So I used that recipe as a base, as well as my peach cobbler granola. I made a delicious apple cider version that none of us can stop eating. It is SO crunchy.
And I am the biggest texture freak ever!
Jordan loves granola just as much as I do, so he has been going crazy over this. I like to use chewy dried apples (not apple chips!) in the granola – these remind me of quaker instant oatmeal in the best way possible. Again, it’s a super nostalgic and familiar taste and texture. And the chewy texture really adds to the whole pan – we have lots of crunch, chew and spice!
When serving, I like to add in some freeze dried apples. I love how they are crispy crunchy. More apple flavor? Yes please.
Now, you can buy an apple pie spice or make your own. I always have apple pie spice on hand because I love to use it in baking and even in things like oatmeal. Or this granola! But the main spices you need are cinnamon, nutmeg, allspice and ginger. I also occasionally add in a tiny pinch of cardamom for even more warmth.
Not only do I use apple cider and the apple pie spices in this granola, I also like to use apple butter! If you don’t have apple butter, an apple preserves would work too. My favorite is from american spoon!
The apple butter gets simmered with the cider, butter and brown sugar to make theeee most absolutely decadent appley syrup that coats the ingredients before baking.
When it comes to nuts, you can use what you love in this recipe. I like pecans for the fall-like feel, but sliced or chopped almonds work well too. So do walnuts!
And if you like a fancier granola, of course more add-ins are welcome. Coconut, pepitas, flax and more. Since I’m in a kid-dominating household, I try to play to their favorite flavors. Another great option is more dried fruit, like cranberries or cherries.
Truly dreamy.
Apple Cider Granola
Apple Cider Granola
This apple cider granola tastes like fall in a bowl! It’s so crunchy and spiced perfectly, made with oats, apple cider, apple butter, pecans and more. We love it for snacking or breakfast!
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Preheat the oven to 325 degrees F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
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Heat the butter, brown sugar, preserves, spices and salt in a saucepan over medium-low heat, until the butter is melted. Whisk until everything is combined. Turn off the heat and stir in the vanilla.
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Place the oats, pecans and dried apples in a large bowl. Stir together. Add the wet ingredients to the dry and toss well, until every bit is moistened and incorporated.
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Spread the granola out on the parchment paper. Bake for 25 to 35 minutes, stirring twice during cook time.
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Remove from the oven and let cool completely. Once cool, break it apart into chunks. Sprinkle with the freeze dried apple slices. Seal in a container or bag for a week or two!
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Serve as cereal, or as top of yogurt or by the handful.
Bring on the fall eats!
