Apple Walnut Granola Clusters

apple walnut granola clusters in a scoop.

Have you ever made granola from scratch? It’s simpler than you think and the results are very tasty. Here’s an easy apple walnut granola recipe that’s simultaneously crunchy and chewy with lightly sweet clusters of oats, flax and toasted nuts tossed with chewy sweet golden raisins and dried apples. This simple fruit, oats and honey granola is pressed into a sheet pan, baked and crumbled into delicious bite sized granola clusters.

 a jar of granola clusters.

I love homemade granola. It’s healthier than most sweet breakfast options, goes great with yogurt and I’ll admit, I’m always nabbing a bit to munch on when I’m feeling snacky. Do you do that too?

Trouble is, that plain granola is usually made more for sprinkling on to something, than eating out of hand.

Like this apple juice variety, or this maple pecan and this pistachio date granola. Don’t get me wrong. They’re all very good recipes and ideal for morning breakfasts, but they’re not conducive for nibbling at three in the afternoon.

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These granola clusters are made for snacking. They break apart into bite sized bullions that are satisfyingly crunchy, chewy and lightly sweet.

Because we’re just flipping the “official switch” into fall, I flavored these granola clusters with apples and golden raisins in a nod to the season.

The binder is a combination of almond butter, honey and maple syrup with a shower of cinnamon or apple pie spice to tickle your nose and tastebuds.

Ingredients for apple walnut granola clusters

  • Old Fashioned Rolled Oatmeal
  • Walnuts
  • Wheat Germ
  • Flax Seed (optional)
  • Dried Apple Rings (the puffy kind)
  • Golden Raisins
  • Creamy Almond Butter
  • Honey
  • Brown Sugar
  • Canola or Vegetable Oil
  • Cinnamon (you can also substitute apple pie spice)
  • Vanilla

About some of the ingredients

Old Fashioned Rolled Oatmeal: I used Quaker oats in my granola clusters, but if you’re following a gluten free diet, be sure to use a certified gluten free oatmeal. I don’t recommend instant oats in this recipe as they’re more processed and don’t have the same look or chew.

Wheat Germ – is actually the part of wheat that helps the plant generate new wheat and it’s loaded with vegetable proteins, fiber and healthy fats. Wheat germ helps lower the absorption of cholesterol too. Check the date on your container, because if stored too long, it can go rancid. If you’re gluten intolerant, you can skip the wheat germ in this recipe, otherwise, you’ll want to use it.

Flax Seeds – These tiny, nutty seeds have antioxidant properties and can eliminate some disease causing free radicals. The seeds can go rancid if you keep them for too long, but it’s much more likely if your flax seeds are ground vs. whole. Whole flax can last for weeks or a few months at room temperature and longer if you store it them in the fridge or freezer.

Walnuts – These crunchy nuts are loaded with omega-3 fats and have higher levels of antioxidants than most foods. It’s important to toast the walnuts for about 10 minutes before adding them to the oats and honey granola to amplify their crunchy factor. Don’t skip it.

Dried Apple Rings – I found my dried apple at Sprouts Market in the bulk foods department. They were puffy (almost like a marshmallow), pliable and soft with a tart apple flavor. There are lots of different types of dried apples, but try to find this type for the granola clusters recipe.

Honey – You can use most any type of honey for this recipe, but I’d avoid ones with a stronger flavor profile. I used Nature Nate’s.

Almond Butter – I recommend using an organic almond butter without any stabilizers or fillers (the kind where you have to stir the layer of oil on top to mix it in. I used Trader Joe’s. Almond Butter is rich in vitamins, minerals and antioxidants, but it isn’t a low calorie food. That’s ok, as we only use 1/2 cup in the whole granola clusters recipe.

Spices – I used cinnamon to spice this homemade granola, but you could use apple pie spice, which is a combination of cinnamon, nutmeg and allspice, instead.

How to make apple walnut oats and honey granola

  1. Toast the oatmeal and walnuts on separate sheet pans in a 350° oven for 10 minutes.
  2. Reduce the oven temperature to 300°.
  3. Roughly chop the walnuts.
  4. Combine the toasted oats, walnuts, wheat germ and flax seeds, chopped apples and raisins in a large bowl and mix to combine.
  5. Combine the almond butter, oil, honey, brown sugar and cinnamon in a saucepan and heat over medium to medium high heat, stirring occasionally, until the brown sugar dissolves and the ingredients are well combined. Stir in the vanilla.
  6. Pour the almond butter mixture over the oatmeal mixture and stir well so that the granola ingredients are well mixed.
  7. Transfer the homemade granola mixture to a baking pan lined with parchment paper and press the granola into an even and tight layer.
  8. Bake for 25 to 30 minutes.
  9. Let the baked granola cool for one hour in the pan.

How to make granola clusters

  1. Remove the granola from the pan by lifting the edges of the parchment paper.
  2. Use your clean hands to break the granola into bite-sized clusters.
  3. Add the remainder of the diced apple and raisins and gently toss together.
  4. Store apple walnut granola clusters in an airtight container.

This apple walnut granola clusters together because it’s been baked in a tight “cake”. Breaking it apart after cooling is what makes the clusters.

Variation:

If you wanted a looser, sprinkling granola instead of granola clusters, you could spread it out on a parchment lined half sheet pan to bake. However, if you do this, I recommend adding all of the apple and raisins after the oats and honey granola has baked and cooled. This will keep the fruit softer and moister.

breaking the granola into clusters.

FAQs

How long will apple walnut granola clusters last?

This granola stays crunchy for a week or more, but the longer it sits, the chewier it becomes — which isn’t a bad thing at all.

Can I freeze granola clusters?

I’ve never tried to freeze granola, but theoretically, it should work.

Are granola clusters healthy?

In terms of actual “health factors” like vitamins, minerals, antioxidants etc. Yes. However, keep in mind that it’s not a low calorie food. It is nutrient and calorie dense. Each serving is a little over 1/3 cup of granola clusters.

a scoop of granola clusters with dried apple, golden raisins and crunchy walnuts.

How does it taste?

I mean, YUM!

What I like about this homemade granola recipe is that it’s not overly sweet, it’s very crunchy and chewy and is very satisfying as an afternoon snack.

Actually, who am I kidding… every time I walk by the jar, I reach in to snag a granola cluster or two.

Obviously, they’re also really good mixed with a morning bowl of yogurt with fruit, but I tend to classify apple walnut granola clusters in the same camp as trail mix. Meant for eating on the go. So keep a bag tucked in your purse or gym bag for snacking emergencies.

a jar of apple walnut granola clusters.

More homemade granola recipes:

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granola clusters in a mason jar.
Print Pin
5 from 2 votes

Apple Walnut Spice Granola Clusters

These chewy, crunchy granola clusters make an irresistible snack and tasty morning breakfast with yogurt and fruit. I add additional chopped dried apples and golden raisins after breaking the homemade granola into clusters.
Author: Lisa Lotts
Course Breakfast, Snack
Cuisine American
Keyword apple, granola, walnuts
Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Total Time 50 minutes
Servings 8

INGREDIENTS:

  • 2 cups old fashioned rolled oatmeal
  • 1 cup walnuts chopped
  • ½ cup wheat germ
  • 1 tablespoon flax seed optional
  • 1 ½ cups dried apple finely diced, divided
  • ½ cup golden raisins
  • ½ cup creamy almond butter
  • cup honey
  • ¼ cup brown sugar
  • 2 tablespoons canola or vegetable oil
  • 1 teaspoon cinnamon can substitute apple pie spice
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla

DIRECTIONS:

  • Preheat oven to 350°.
  • Evenly spread the oatmeal on a sheet pan in an even layer. On another baking sheet, spread the walnuts into a single layer. Bake for 10 minutes until lightly toasted.
  • Reduce the oven temperature to 300°
  • In a large bowl, combine the oatmeal, walnuts, wheat germ flax seed, 1 cup of dried chopped apples and raisins. Toss to combine.
  • In a small saucepan combine the almond butter, honey, brown sugar, canola oil and cinnamon. Heat just to boiling and cook, stirring constantly for about 1 minute until the brown sugar has dissolved. Remove from heat and stir in the vanilla.
  • Pour the almond butter mixture into the oatmeal mixture and work with a rubber spatula or your clean hands until thoroughly combined.
  • Transfer the granola to the baking pan and use your fingers to press the mixture firmly and evenly into the pan. Bake for 25-30 minutes.
  • Allow granola to cool for an hour before breaking into clusters. Chop the remaining 1/2 cup of apples and toss them with the granola clusters. The apples baked into the granola will firm up in the oven, while the freshly chopped ones stay soft.
  • Store at room temperature in an airtight container.

NUTRITION:

Calories: 403kcal | Carbohydrates: 53g | Protein: 9g | Fat: 21g | Saturated Fat: 2g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 10g | Monounsaturated Fat: 7g | Sodium: 23mg | Potassium: 454mg | Fiber: 7g | Sugar: 34g | Vitamin A: 4IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 96mg | Iron: 3mg

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4 Comments

  1. If you are not opposed to adding an egg white to the mixture, I think you could achieve more of a bar with clean cuts, I do love what you ended up with though and will definitely try your recipe, all of the ingredients must work so well to give you a flavor packed granola OR bar, thanks so much for posting, I am pinning and trying!

    1. I’m not opposed to anything really — I hadn’t thought of egg whites — actually had never tried eggs in granola. Do you whip it first?

  2. Pat Gordon says:

    5 stars
    Would it be as nutritional to substitute chunky peanut butter for the almond butter?

    1. I’m sure it would be. I used almond butter because it’s got a less pronounced flavor than peanut butter (and my daughter has a peanut allergy).