Trader Joe’s has this delicious apple granola this Fall, and my son can’t get enough of it. The problem? It’s seasonal, which means it disappears from the shelves right around the time we’ve all gotten hooked. Blink, and it’s gone until next year.
So this year, I decided not to wait for that sad empty-shelf moment. I set out to make a homemade version, and honestly? It’s so much better. It’s buttery, warm-spiced, a little sweet, and full of crunchy little bits of apple. And there’s no peeling, chopping, or dehydrating apples involved. The secret is a bag of store-bought apple chips that you gently crush up and toss right in with the oats.
Homemade granola is one of those budget-smart swaps I’ll always champion. A fancy bag at the grocery store can cost as much as a whole batch made at home, and when you make it yourself, you know exactly what’s going into it. This recipe uses pantry staples you probably already have, plus one bag of apple chips.
Let’s make some!
Welcome! I’m Jennifer, and I’ve been sharing my home’s journey since 2019, always with a focus on budget-smart and achievable style. If you love the charm of New England but need it to work for real life, you’re in the right place. I break down my projects to help you create a home that tells your story, without the overwhelm.
What You’ll Need
Ingredients
- 3/4 cup butter, melted
- 1/2 cup brown sugar
- 1/2 cup honey
- 1 tsp salt
- 1 tsp apple pie spice (or just cinnamon, if that’s what you have on hand!)
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 5 cups old-fashioned oats
- 1 bag (3.4 oz) Bare apple chips, gently crushed into smaller pieces
- Supplies: a large mixing bowl, a smaller bowl for the wet ingredients, a large baking sheet, parchment paper, and a spatula.
How To Make Apple Pie Granola
Preheat your oven to 350°F. Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper. (Full honesty: I’m not 100% sure you need the parchment, but I used it and cleanup was a breeze, so I’m calling it a win.)
Mix The Wet Ingredients
Mix the wet ingredients. I melted the 3/4 cup butter in a large glass measuring cup in the microwave (I cut the butter into chunks first).
Into the melted butter, I added the brown sugar, honey, salt, apple pie spice, and vanilla extract. This can also be done in a bowl.
Use a whisk to combine the mixture until it is smooth.
- 3/4 cup butter, melted
- 1/2 cup brown sugar
- 1/2 cup honey
- 1 tsp salt
- 1 tsp apple pie spice (or just cinnamon, if that’s what you have on hand!)
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
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Combine Everything
Combine everything. Pour the 5 cups of oats into a large mixing bowl and add the crushed apple chips. Pour the wet mixture over the top and fold it all together until every oat is coated and everything is well combined.
I added the apple chips after I had combined the wet ingredients with the old-fashioned oats.
Spread It Out & Bake
Spread it out. Pour the granola onto your lined baking sheet and spread it into an even layer. Pop into a preheated 350°F oven.
Bake for about 35 minutes, stirring every 15 minutes. Stirring keeps the edges from getting too dark while the middle catches up. You’re looking for a golden, toasted color on the top and around the edges.
Let it cool completely. This is the most important step, so I’m putting it in bold: your granola will NOT be crunchy when it comes out of the oven. Don’t panic, and don’t put it back in to bake longer! The crunch happens as it cools. Just leave it on the pan and let it do its thing.
Break It Up
Break it up. Once it’s cooled, use a spatula to break the granola into smaller chunks. Then use your hands to break it up even more, depending on how big you like your clusters.
Store it. Keep your granola in a Ziploc bag or an airtight container.
Helpful Tips
- No apple pie spice? No problem. Plain cinnamon works great. Apple pie spice just adds a little extra warmth from nutmeg and allspice.
- Trust the cooling process. I know I already said it, but it’s worth repeating. Soft granola out of the oven is normal. Crunchy granola comes with patience.
- Watch the edges. Every oven is a little different. If your edges are browning faster than the middle, give it a good stir and keep an eye on it for those last few minutes.
- Use old-fashioned oats. They hold up and give you that hearty texture.
- Want bigger clusters? Stir a little more gently toward the end of baking so the clusters have a chance to stick together.
How To Enjoy It
My favorite way? Sprinkled over a bowl of vanilla yogurt. The creamy vanilla with the warm apple pie spice is SO good. It’s also delicious with milk like cereal, or eaten straight out of the jar by the handful when no one’s looking (like my husband & son have been doing; good thing I took the photos right away before it’s gone!!)
And if you’re looking for a simple homemade gift this season, a jar of this tied up with a little twine and a tag would make the sweetest hostess or neighbor gift.
This apple pie granola is fall in a bowl. It’s simple, it’s made from pantry staples, and that little crunch of apple in every bite makes it feel a bit special. I hope you give it a try! If you make it, I’d love to hear how it turned out and how you like to eat yours.
Happy baking, friends!
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See your projects featured! If you are inspired by this or any of my other DIY projects, I would love to see them and add you to the Reader’s Spotlight gallery. Send a photo to me at jennifer@cottageonbunkerhill.com
xo, Jennifer
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