Apple cranberry pecan granola with oats and pecans lightly sweetened with maple syrup and applesauce. Toss in baked apple chips for extra crunch!
Did you know that some clothing stores allow dogs inside?
Like, actually allow them to stroll in the mannequin flanked double doors on all four paws?
Well, I didn’t.
I’m watching Harper this week and on Wednesday we had an epic shopping spree.
It started out walking around the town center and ended up inside the dressing room at J-Crew, Harper smiling through her panting as I tried on flannel for a fall photoshoot.
I paid for two plaid shirts at the register while one of the sales associates crooned over Harper, now sprawled across the the floor in complete retail therapy bliss.
Guys, I’m pretty sure I never want to go shopping without my best girlfriend again.
Despite the retail therapy, this week has been pretty rough.
Lots of recipe fails, yoga homework, and quick meals to sustain late nights.
I do, however, have an excellent fall-inspired granola recipe to share with you.
This Apple Cranberry Pecan Granola is gluten-free, oil-free, and naturally sweetened, with big chunks of cranberry, oats, pecans, and apple chips.
Make Homemade Vegan Granola
With my busy schedule this week, I’ve gone back to easy yogurt bowls for breakfast.
Well, that and the fact that I have a dozen yogurts that expire before the end of October.
Every express yogurt bowl is only as good as it’s crunchy counterpart, am I right?
“Apple cranberry pecan or apple cranberry walnut?” I asked my sister on the phone this week.
“Pecan,” her voice said firmly over speaker phone.
So I threw pecans in to compliment cranberry, apple, and cinnamon in this chunky fall-themed granola.
What You Need to Make Apple Cranberry Pecan Granola
Here’s what you need to make this granola:
- gluten-free rolled oats
- raw pecans
- cinnamon
- maple syrup
- unsweetened applesauce
- almond butter
We start with gluten-free oats and pecans, per my sister’s suggestion.
Creamy almond butter replaces added oils and pure maple syrup adds unrefined natural sweetness.
I added unsweetened applesauce to infuse apple flavor into each crunchy granola cluster.
Heat the almond butter, maple syrup, and apple sauce on the stovetop then pour over the dry ingredients and mix well.
Spread the mixture onto a baking pan and bake until the edges are well browned then remove from the oven.
For maximum clusters and crunch, don’t touch the granola for 15 minutes before breaking into chunks!
How to Make Apple Cranberry Pecan Granola
After baking mix in your Bare Snacks Apple Chips to echo the apple flavors in this granola!
If you’ve been around here for a while, you know I love these baked apple chips so much.
These baked apple crisps are just 1-ingredient without any added sugars, oils, or preservatives.
Make sure to throw them into the granola post-baking because they will burn in the oven.
They add the perfect touch of sweetness, crunch, and flavor to accent the texture and taste of this hearty ‘nola.
How to Serve Apple Cranberry Pecan Granola
This Apple Cranberry Pecan Granola is perfect to have on hand for fall!
Enjoy it for breakfast with almond milk or yogurt, by the handful as a snack, or crumbled in a sweet dessert.
If you’re looking for an entirely grain-free version, try subbing a blend of chopped nuts for the oats.
I left the clusters very “chunky” here, but if you prefer a finer consistency try adding everything to a blender and pulsing for a few times to even things out.
Don’t have almond butter on hand and want to make this recipe?
No worries! Sub your favorite nut or seed butter instead for a similar taste and texture.
If you don’t have apple chips, simply omit or substitute with dried apples for the same great fall flavor.
More Homemade Granola
-
Oil-Free Chunky Tahini Granola
-
Strawberry Almond Butter Banana Granola
-
Sweet Potato Spice Granola
-
Triple Berry Granola
-
Pumpkin Spice Pecan Granola
-
SunButter Gingerbread Granola
-
Chocolate Almond Butter Granola
-
Lemon Blueberry Cashew Granola
I Want to Hear From You
If you make this Apple Cranberry Pecan Granola recipe, let me know!
Be sure to leave me a comment, rating, and review so I can use your feedback to create more yums.
Give me a shout on Instagram and use #floraandvino to show me your creations.
Check out my Pinterest page to pin more recipes like this one to make later.
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XO Lauren

Apple Cranberry Pecan Granola (Oil-Free!)
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: ~6 cups
Description
Apple cranberry pecan granola with oats and pecans sweetened with maple syrup and applesauce. Toss in baked apple chips for extra crunch!
Ingredients
- 3 cups gluten-free rolled oats
- 1 1/4 cups raw pecans
- 1/2 tsp cinnamon
- 1/2 cup maple syrup
- 1/3 cup unsweetened applesauce
- 1/4 cup + 2 TBSP almond butter (or sub any nut or seed butter)
- 1/3 cup dried cranberries
- 1/2 cup Bare Snacks Apple Chips
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Mix the oats, pecans, dried cranberries, and cinnamon together in a large bowl.
- In a small saucepan over medium-low heat, warm the pecan butter, maple syrup, and applesauce and whisk. Pour over the dry ingredients and mix well with a wooden spoon. The mixture should be well coated but crumbly.
- Spread the mixture evenly onto the parchment covered baking sheet and press into an even layer with a spatula or your hands. Bake for 20-25 minutes, rotating the pan once halfway but not stirring anything.
- Once the granola is golden brown on top and the edges, remove from the oven and allow to cool for at least 15 minutes. Don’t touch the granola during this time! This will yield chunkier granola.
- After 15 minutes minutes, break the granola into desired sized chunks. Add baked apple chips and toss to combine.
- Transfer granola to an airtight container and keep for several weeks.
- Prep Time: 10 mins
- Cook Time: 20 mins
- Category: Breakfast, Snack
- Method: Oven-Bake
- Cuisine: Vegan, Gluten-Free, OIl-Free, Refined Sugar-Free
This post is brought to you by Bare Snacks, but all words and eats are my own. Thanks for supporting the sponsors that keep me hungry!
Making this now! Smells wonderful as it is cooking in the oven! I will let you know the taste soon.
Hi Kathy,
What did you think???
XOXO Lauren
We loved it! Making 2nd batch tomorrow!
YAY!!! That’s what I like to hear!
This has become a breakfast staple at our house! Thanks For sharing it!
Hi Kathy,
I’m so happy to hear that! I need to make another pan. 🙂
XOXO Lauren
Thank you for sharing this
Can you please convert the measure to gram
Thank you