This lightly sweetened cinnamon apple granola is 100% whole grain and super allergy friendly!
I made this gluten-free granola recipe for Food Fanatic last year and am finally getting around to sharing it over here. I figured how could I not when it’s gluten-free, 100% whole grain and vegan? And dairy-free! You all probably know that I don’t have any dietary restrictions but it makes me so happy to post recipes that most people can enjoy.
You know those granola recipes that yield a dessert-like granola? This isn’t one of them. If you want something like that, check out this chocolate coconut granola. There’s melted chocolate in there and that’s all I’ll say about that. In this granola recipe, there’s way too much applesauce and too little sweetener to get anything dessert-like, which I suppose is good if you’re eating this for breakfast. :)
The recipe calls for canola oil but you can use whatever type of oil you want. Coconut oil, olive oil… your choice. I’m not sure if butter will work but feel free to experiment!
I’m sure nuts would also go really well with this apple granola! Especially walnuts, almonds, and pecans. If you want to use those, I’d add them in the last 5-10 minutes or baking. Or after baking. Once the granola is baked, you can toss in anything.
Yesterday was the last day of my 10-day no grains, sugar or potatoes detox! Before I started, I just assumed that today would be a gigantic sweets and carb fest. Weirdly enough, I didn’t really crave sweets at all, though I was really bummed about the lack of potatoes, rice or pasta in my diet. Lunch and dinner without any of those three is just sad. I’ve never eaten so much peanut butter, cheese and fruit in my life! One day I ate three bananas, two apples and 9 plums (which maybe explains why I wasn’t craving sugar? ;)) But it was interesting. I learned that I can survive eating more vegetables and less carbs. I guess I’m a little slow to realize that but better late than never, right? :)
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28 comments on “Cinnamon Apple Granola (gluten-free, vegan, dairy-free, whole grain)” — Add one!
This looks like the perfect thing for me to nibble on at work. Gives me a break from the usual.
I like how you think! :)
You had me at cinnamon. I love homemade granola and this one is sheer perfection.
Thanks, Kim! :)
This granola is just perfect. And not because it’s fall and it’s an apple cinnamon situation. It’s just… I kind of want to dive into it, you know?
Haha. That’s the spirit! ;)
That granola looks and sounds outstanding, Erin! What a great flavour combo for fall!
Thanks, Rebecca! :)
Your granola looks delish…good by itself and on so many things…like yogurt!
Ooh, yum. I haven’t had that in years! Definitely trying that the next time I make this. :)
I need a new granola recipe! This one looks perfect. Love dried apples!
Thank you, Jessica! :)
This looks great – wish I could reach in and grab a taste!
I sure wish you could have done that a few days ago before I ate them all. ;)
I love that this isn’t overly sweet/dessert like. I generally eat granola in the morning and while I enjoy sweets, I don’t necessarily want to start my day with them.
That’s healthy of you! I wish I felt the same. Boooo!
I love dried apples, and the thought of them in this granola is making me hungry. It sounds amazing!
Thanks! And I fixed that loge thing. ;)
This looks so good!! Nice work on your detox…you have more willpower than I do!
Thanks, Ashley! It wasn’t that bad because I wasn’t craving anything. It was just weird for someone who was previously eating eats literally once an hour!
I could use a detox like that…but it probably won’t happen anytime soon,. I am weak.
I need to make this granola. I love love love apple cinnamon anything!
Haha. I couldn’t have picked a worse time to do it (other than Thanksgiving or Christmas week! ;))
Erin, I’m not at all surprised that you aren’t hugely craving sweets. The eating plan that we follow started with 21 days omitting things like added sugar and white flour. I did not crave sweets before and definitely didn’t afterwards, but everyone else I know on the plan had their sweets cravings pretty much disappear. The way the plan works is that you eat every 2-3 hours, alternating meals and snacks, and we have always been so well satisfied doing that we have not craved anything. I’m saving this granola recipe, because I love the flavors as well as the fact that it isn’t sweet.
That’s interesting! Even now that I’ve eaten some potatoes, grains and sweets, I’m not craving them. I hope this keeps up forever but it sounds too good to be true. :( And I’m eating very often, too! I used to eat a huge, warm, carb-filled lunch and be full for the day with a little unhealthy snacking in the evening but now I need to eat really often.
This is PERFECT for fall, Erin!!!
Thanks, Claire! :)
I can never complete detoxes like that without cheating. I just feel like I can never not be hungry! Glad you made it through — send a little willpower my way, will ya? I’ve never made granola before, but I loves it. So much do I love it. Need to get a healthier version like this in my life.
That was my problem! I ALWAYS felt hungry. The exceptions were when I made pizza and piled on about a hamburger’s worth of meat on there and an obscene amount of cheese. Then I was full and happy and content. :)