Easy Apple Honey Nut Granola

There are certain recipes that become part of the rhythm of your home—the ones you make once and immediately wonder why you ever bought the packaged version. This Apple Honey Nut Granola is one of those recipes for us.

It is crisp, lightly sweet, full of nuts and seeds, and warmly spiced with Ceylon cinnamon. Our seasonal Apple Creamed Honey brings everything together with the cozy flavor of apple pie, without making the granola overly sweet. Best of all, it takes only a few minutes to mix and about 20 minutes in the oven.

Make a large batch at the beginning of the week and you will always have an easy breakfast topper, lunchbox addition or grab-and-go snack waiting in the pantry. It has quickly become a go-to around our house—especially when paired with Greek yogurt and warm cinnamon apples.

A little goodness in every handful

This granola is made from familiar pantry ingredients that offer far more than crunch:

• Rolled oats provide whole-grain carbohydrates and fiber, helping make the granola more satisfying than a sugary cereal.

• Almonds, pepitas and sunflower seeds contribute plant-based protein, unsaturated fats, minerals and plenty of texture.

• Chia seeds add fiber and provide ALA, a plant-based omega-3 fatty acid.

• Ceylon cinnamon gives the granola a naturally warm flavor that makes it taste sweeter without requiring much honey.

• Coconut oil helps the oats and seeds toast into crisp, golden clusters.

• Bee pollen is an optional Aquidneck Honey touch that adds color, texture and naturally occurring nutrients. We think it is worth including if your family already enjoys it.

• Apple Creamed Honey adds just enough sweetness while bringing a soft, cozy apple flavor to every bite.

Together, the oats, nuts and seeds deliver fiber, plant-based protein and satisfying fats in one incredibly versatile recipe. Serve it with milk, sprinkle it over yogurt or oatmeal, layer it into a parfait, take it on the road, or simply eat it by the handful.

Apple Honey Nut Granola

Prep time: 10 minutes
Bake time: 20 minutes
Cooling time: 10–15 minutes

Ingredients

• 2 cups rolled oats

• 1/2 cup sliced almonds

• 1/2 cup raw, unsalted pepitas (pumpkin seeds)

• 1/4 cup raw, unsalted sunflower seeds

• 3 tablespoons chia seeds

• 3 tablespoons bee pollen, optional

• 1 teaspoon Ceylon cinnamon

• 1/4 cup Apple Creamed Honey

• 2 tablespoons plus 2 teaspoons coconut oil (equivalent to 1/6 cup)

Instructions

1. Preheat the oven to 300°F and line a rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper.

2. In a large bowl, combine the rolled oats, almonds, pepitas, sunflower seeds, chia seeds, bee pollen and Ceylon cinnamon.

3. Gently melt the coconut oil over low heat. Remove it from the heat and stir in the Apple Creamed Honey until evenly combined.

4. Pour the honey mixture over the dry ingredients. Stir gently until everything is thoroughly coated.

5. Spread the granola in an even, lightly packed layer on the prepared baking sheet.

6. Bake for 10 minutes. Gently turn the granola with a spatula, then bake for another 10 minutes, or until lightly golden and fragrant.

7. Remove the pan from the oven and leave the granola undisturbed for 10–15 minutes. This cooling time is what helps it become crisp and form clusters.

8. Once completely cool, break the granola into your preferred size pieces and transfer it to an airtight container.

Make it your own

Apple Creamed Honey gives this recipe its signature fall flavor, but the same granola base can be used with several of our honey varieties:

• Wildflower Honey: A classic, delicately floral granola that pairs with almost anything.

• Clover Honey: Light, familiar and especially approachable for children.

• Cranberry Blossom Honey: Add dried cranberries after the granola comes out of the oven and before it finishes cooling.

• Ceylon Cinnamon-Infused Honey: A warmly spiced version that is delicious all year.

• Pumpkin Spice Honey: The ultimate cozy fall batch—especially good with pecans substituted for some of the almonds.

You can also change the nuts, add unsweetened coconut, stir in dried fruit after baking or adjust the cinnamon to taste. Just keep the overall ratio of dry ingredients to oil and honey similar so everything becomes evenly coated and crisp.

Our favorite way to serve it

For the coziest fall breakfast, spoon Greek yogurt into a bowl and top it with this granola, warm cinnamon-honey apples and a final drizzle of Apple Creamed Honey. It tastes like apple pie, but it is easy enough to make on an ordinary morning.

Get the Warm Apple Pie Greek Yogurt Bowl recipe →

Storage

Store the completely cooled granola in an airtight container at room temperature. For the best flavor and crunch, enjoy it within approximately two weeks. If it begins to soften, spread it on a baking sheet and warm it briefly in a 300°F oven, then let it cool completely again.

Family note: This makes a wonderful snack for children who can safely chew whole nuts and seeds, but adapt the texture for your child's age and eating abilities. Honey should never be given to children younger than 12 months. Bee pollen can cause allergic reactions, particularly in people sensitive to pollen or bee products; omit it when serving anyone with a known sensitivity or when you are unsure.