I hate a food rut. Most often for me it’s because of breakfast. I burn out quickly on yogurt, english muffins, cottage cheese, hard boiled eggs, and the like. Lately I’ve really been enjoying granola, especially now in the winter. This recipe is apple-infused and cinnamony good.
Domestocrat’s Apple Cinnamon Granola (makes roughly 10 1-cup servings)
3 cups rolled oats
1 cup slivered almonds
1 cup shredded coconut
3 tbsp. ground flax seed
1/2 cup coconut oil
2 tsp. vanilla
2 tsp. cinnamon
1/4 tsp. nutmeg
1/4 tsp. salt
For the applesauce:
4 apples, peeled and chopped
1 tsp. cinnamon
1/4 tsp. nutmeg
1/3 cup water
Start by making the applesauce. This is going to be the base of the binder that holds the granola together. If you don’t have the ingredients or don’t want to make this applesauce, you can use 1.5 cups of any pre-made applesauce you like.
Boil all of the applesauce ingredients together over high heat for about 15 minutes or until the apples have fully broken down and you have applesauce. When the applesauce is done transfer to a bowl and let it cool.
As the applesauce is cooking mix the oats, almonds, and coconut together in a big bowl. Spread the dry ingredients out into an even layer on a parchment paper lined baking sheet.
When the applesauce has cooled mix in the coconut oil, flax seed, and spices. Spoon the apple mixture on top of the dry ingredients.
You can combine the two together with a spoon but I highly recommend just using your hands. Make sure every dry piece is coated.
Bake on 325 for 15 minutes. After 15 minutes, take it out of the oven and stir the bottom layer up to the top. Return to the oven for another 10 minutes and repeat the stirring until all of the granola becomes dry, crispy, and browned. This took about 45 minutes total for me – 5 rotations of 10 minutes, stirring up the mixture in between each rotation.
At this point, the granola is ready to eat as is. However I wanted to add another layer of delicious apple flavor so I made some baked apples to eat on top of the granola. I made this recipe for one work week’s worth of breakfasts so this amount of baked apples will give you enough for 5 portions.
Wash, core, and chop 5 apples.
Roast on 350 degrees for 40 minutes until tender and slightly browned.
This made a delicious, healthy, and apple-rific breakfast. I took 1 cup of the granola, topped with a handful of baked apples pieces, and drizzled with honey. You could also serve this with a cup of yogurt or cup of milk poured over the top.
Domestocrat 
Apples and cinnamon are such a wonderful combination! I have a bad habit of doubling the about of cinnamon in any recipe I find, just because I love the spice so much… I always have to buy those humongous bottles of cinnamon at the store to satisfy all of my cravings!
I totally do that too! I am in love with King Arthur’s Vietnamese Cinnamon. I won’t buy anything else now!
I haven’t seen that in any of my local stores! What makes it different than the stereotypical McCormick’s?
You can’t buy it in a store – only online (http://www.kingarthurflour.com/shop/items/vietnamese-cinnamon-3-oz). The flavor is spicier, richer, and deeper. It’s so good!
Ahh okay, now I don’t feel so bad for not seeing it in stores! The price doesn’t seem too bad either. Thanks for the tip!!
Yum! I make granola all the time. I’ll definitely have to try this recipe!
Definitely do! John had choice words about what the applesauce-on-oats picture looked like but I ignored him and posted it anyway.
The granola you made me is gone – so I searched your website last night and was going to try to make the Pumpkin one – but this one looks awesome!
I’m so happy you liked it that much!!! You can find the granola I made you here: https://domestocrat.wordpress.com/2012/11/07/recipe-pumpkin-maple-granola/
This looks fabulous, especially since the Farmers Market is now closed and I can’t get the good stuff I usually get up there. I’m also a total devotee of King Arthur. There’s a huge difference in baked goods made with their flours. I didn’t know they have cinnamon. Cool beans because I’m finding McCormick’s and all the others a touch off lately. Thanks for the recipe and the heads up on the cinnamon.
Of course, I exclusively use King Arthur for all things baking and am one happy customer!
Glad you said that. Since moving here to Arkansas it’s not as easy to find, and I thought I might have a touch of too much brand loyalty. But things just turn out better with King Arthur, and you’re my proof :-) And I love their web site.
I do too. I’ve been to their headquarters in Vermont and is it a heavenly place!