Pumpkin Spice Apple Granola is packed with warming spices, almonds, raisins, and the sweet flavor of apple. It’s perfect for breakfast and an afternoon or a midnight snack.
I make this granola for my dad on Father’s Day and on his birthday.
Inspiration for Pumpkin Spice Apple Granola
While most of us might associate foodie gifts for men with outdoor grilling on the barbecue, I think of granola!
You see, my dad loves granola — especially this Pumpkin Spice Apple Granola recipe. So much so that at dessert time, he’ll pass on cookies and ice-cream and opt for a big bowl of it instead.
And if my dad is ever caught having a “midnight snack,” it’s granola.
My mom and dad both always encouraged me to make — rather than buy — gifts for them. Now that I’m a mom, I encourage the same of my kids. Nothing’s sweeter than one of my boys’ hand-made-with-love gifts! Know what I mean?
Which is exactly why I like making this Pumpkin Spice Apple Granola recipe for my dad.
This granola is a subtly sweet, spiced, super crunchy granola for my amazing father, and of course, the most important ingredient: love! This homemade granola recipe is delicious!
Granola is a great breakfast, an on-the-go snack, dessert, or if you’re my dad . . . a midnight snack!
How to Make Gluten-Free Granola
For a gluten-free version of this granola, make sure your package of oats says “gluten-free!” Even though oats do not contain gluten, they are often grown near wheat fields and it’s possible for cross-contamination to occur. Gluten-free oats are available here.
What is Pumpkin Spice?
Pumpkin spice is a mixture of a handful of warming spices including cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, allspice and cloves. It’s used in everything from a traditional pumpkin pie and muffins to cookies and tea!
So there’s actually no pumpkin in this recipe, which I’m sure you’ve figured out. It’s simply spiced with a typical pumpkin pie spice mix. Get it?
My other favorite homemade granola recipes:
- Chocolate Coffee Almond Granola
- Roasted Apple Cinnamon Granola
- Roasted Hazelnut Orange Chocolate Granola
- Spiced Granola Breakfast Cookies
- Honey Roasted Chai Granola
my dad awaiting his next batch of granola with his dog, Annabelle
I hope you give this Pumpkin Spice Apple Granola recipe a go!
Pumpkin Spice Apple Granola is packed with warming spices, almonds, raisins, and the sweet flavor of apple. It's perfect for breakfast and an afternoon or a midnight snack.
*If you don't want to use all of the individual spices you can use approx. 2 tablespoons of pumpkin spice instead.
Makes 9 cups
- 1/2 cup maple syrup
- 1/4 cup honey
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted
- 1 tablespoon pure vanilla extract
- 1 tablespoon ground cinnamon
- 1 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon ground allspice
- 1 teaspoon ground ginger
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cloves
- 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 4 2/3 cup rolled oats
- 1 1/4 cup sliced almonds
- 1 cup golden raisins
- 2 cups apple (I like Fuji or Granny Smith), peeled and chopped into a small dice
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Preheat the oven to 375°F and line 2 baking sheets with parchment paper.
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In a large mixing bowl, combine the syrup, honey, melted butter, vanilla, cinnamon, salt, allspice, ginger, cloves and nutmeg. Mix until everything is evenly blended.
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Now mix in the oats, almonds, raisins and apple.
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Spread the mixture evenly onto the 2 baking sheets, and place in the 375°F preheated oven until it's a golden brown color. This should take 30 minutes or so, but after about 15 minutes, stir it, and then again after another 10 minutes.
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Let the granola cool on the baking sheets and store in an airtight container.
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Lana says
Neither one of “dads” in my life (my father, my husband) is crazy about granola, but the girls and I love it! I buy old-fashioned oats in bulk for oatmeal and I prefer to make my granola with it. I cannot wait to try your take on it!
Quyen - Kitchen Runway says
Oh… this granola looks yummy! I love the unexpected spices that you’ve added. Great job and I know your granola lovin’ father is going to love it! I agree homemade gifts are the best! (especially when it’s food!)
valentina says
agreed! homemade is the best!
Kathy Guidry says
I just found your page and am enjoying your recipes.Also,the pic of you and your family is the sweetest.Thanks for your effort.I truly love to cook also.
valentina says
Thanks so much, Kathy! 🙂
camila says
Ohhh what a delicious recipe I might steal your idea and just sub the butter for coconut oil!! YUMMMM can’t wait to make this!
valentina says
Great idea, it’ll be just as delicious. 🙂
Taylor Kiser says
I can totally understand why this is a favorite for your Dad! It looks so delicious!
valentina says
Thank you! 🙂
Heidy L. McCallum says
Oh my gosh, this Pumpkin Spice Granola looks wonderful. I could totally go for some right now. I have to make this soon.
valentina says
Thanks, hope you try it Heidy!:-)
Brian Jones says
Fantastic flavour collection and such a simple recipe too, can’t wait to try it.
valentina says
Thank you, Brian! Hope you love it!
Kelsey says
What a great snack recipe! I love this for the Fall for sure! My kids will love to have it when they get home from school!
valentina says
Perfect after school snack. 🙂 Thanks!
David says
I was “warned” yesterday by the manager at Trader Joe that “everything pumpkin spice” was coming soon. You beat them to it! 😉 The granola looks wonderful!
valentina says
Ha! That’s funny! I actually saw PUMPKINS themselves at Trader Joe’s yesterday. 😀
Rocky Mountain Woman says
This looks like the perfect thing to make this weekend! Love the photo of your Dad and his buddy ❤️ 🐶
valentina says
Thank you! Hope you enjoy the granola, too. 🙂
John / Kitchen Riffs says
This looks wonderful — so much flavor! Really fun read, and loved the pictures. Thanks!
valentina says
Thanks, John! Glad you liked the pics. Every now and then I have to throw in some people (& dogs). Ha! 🙂
David @ Spiced says
I totally appreicate your Dad’s love for granola, Valentina! I could eat granola for breakfast, snack or dessert. And this version with all of the warming spices and apples sounds really fun. We just picked a lot (!!) of apples yesterday, so I should make a batch of apple granola now. Yum!
valentina says
So cool you go apple picking! I bet your little one loves it! 🙂 Thanks for the comment.
Kim says
Hi – I’m just making this right now and notice the ingredient list calls for allspice and the body of the recipe does not mention allspice but includes cardamom. Could you please clarify the ingredients and quantities of them.
valentina says
Hi Kim, Thank you for letting me know about this mistake. I’m so sorry about that! Somehow my spices got mixed up. It’s now been edited to correctly match the ingredient list to say, “In a large mixing bowl, combine the syrup, honey, melted butter, vanilla, cinnamon, salt, allspice, ginger, cloves and nutmeg.” I hope you love it and forgive my mistake stalling your cooking. ~Valentina