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This Gluten-Free Caramel Apple Granola brings one of the best fall flavors and vibes with a healthy twist. Made with rolled oats, freeze dried granny smith apple slices, peanut butter, applesauce, coconut milk, nuts, dates, and make syrup. Simple to make and the final product is a series of crunchy and flavorful clusters. Perfect to have as a nutritious breakfast or snack.

Gluten-Free “Caramel” Apple Granola

A few weeks ago on one of my weekly trips to Trader Joe’s I noticed they had a Caramel Apple Granola. I got excited and was willing to give it a try until I read the ingredients in the back. Too many added sugars and canola oil for my taste. So I decided to get some inspiration from this idea and make my own.

You guys know me by now and know that I prefer homemade over store-bought any day. And there isn’t a challenge I’m not willing to take when it comes to developing new recipes. So when I had the idea to make a recipe for a healthy and clean caramel apple granola I was all for it.

This granola is crunchy and makes the best clusters. Perfect to have with a bowl of milk and some fresh fruit. What will make you ask for seconds and even thirds is how much it actually tastes just like caramel apple.

Caramel apples where definitely one of my favorite treats to enjoy in the fall. They were one of the things I looked forward to the most once the season arrived. My personal favorite were caramel apples dipped in nuts or chocolate chips. The best!

With this unbelievably delicious Caramel Apple Granola you will go right back to those childhood days. The great thing is that these are packed with nutrients and the perfect way to start the day or enjoy a mid-day snack. All clean ingredients combined to make that silky and sweet caramel texture without the refined-sugars and additives. This one will for sure be one of your fall favorites!

What you need to make Gluten-Free “Caramel” Apple Granola:

Ingredients:

• Gluten-Free Old Fashion Oats
• Raw Walnuts
• Raw Almonds
• Dates
• Coconut Oil
• Maple Syrup
• Unsweetened Applesauce
• Unsweetened Coconut Milk
• Creamy-Unsalted Peanut Butter
• Freeze Dried Granny Smith Apple Slices
• Pink Salt

Equipment:

• 10 x 15 Baking Sheet Pan
• Parchment Paper
• Large Mixing Bowl
• Spatula
• Small Mixing Bowl
• Whisk

How to make Gluten-Free “Caramel” Apple Granola:

1. Preheat oven at 325 degrees F. Line a 10 x 15 baking sheet pan with parchment paper and set aside. Coarsely chop freeze dried apples, walnuts and almonds. Chop dates into small pieces. In a large mixing bowl combine oats, freeze dried apples, dates, walnuts and almonds.
2. Place a small saucepan on stovetop. Add coconut oil to saucepan and turn heat to low. Heat for a few seconds until coconut oil has melted. Once coconut oil has melted, add in peanut butter, applesauce, coconut milk maple syrup, vanilla extract and pink salt. Lightly simmer until all ingredients have combined well. About 2-3 minutes. 
3. Pour liquid mixture over dry ingredients. Toss making sure all dry ingredients are well coated with liquid mixture. Whisk egg and mix into coated oats. 
4. Pour mixture onto prepped baking sheet pan. Using a spatula, spread evenly throughout sheet pan making sure all oats are clustered together. 
5. Place sheet pan in oven and bake for 32 minutes. 
6. Remove granola from oven and allow it to cool-down for a bit. Once it has cooled-down enough that it can be handled, break granola into big clusters. Place granola in a large wide mouth mason jar or any airtight container. Keep granola refrigerated for up to 7 days.

Tips and Substitutions:

1. Use a 10 x 15 baking sheet pan or as close to those dimensions as possible- This size sheet pan fits the granola perfectly and keeps it compressed while it bakes. This will create those delicious and addicting clusters!
2. Spread granola evenly throughout the sheet pan- This guarantees the granola will bake evenly and the ends won’t get burnt. 
3. Line baking sheet pan with parchment paper- It will prevent granola from sticking to the pan. 
4. Get creative and use other nuts, seeds, and dried fruit!- This recipe is super versatile. If you don’t have some of the nuts or are allergic, substitute for seeds.
5. Substitute for Peanut Butter- You can use Almond Butter as a substitute. Just make sure it’s also creamy and unsalted.

How to store your Gluten-Free “Caramel” Apple Granola:

Store your Gluten-Free “Caramel” Apple Granola in a container that has an airtight lid. Wide mouth mason jars work perfectly to store your granola. It’s easy to fill them up and pour out the granola. They also seal very tightly avoiding air from getting and moisture from building up in the container. Your granola will stay dry and fresh for up to 7 days while refrigerated.

Meal Prepping it:

When it comes to meal prepping granola is always a great idea. Granola recipes always make a large batch so you will have plenty for a few days. This Gluten-Free “Caramel” Apple Granola is no exception and it’s perfect for meal prep. You could make it ahead and have breakfasts and/or snacks ready for the week. Have it with milk and some fresh fruit or make a parfait with your favorite yogurt.

Like this Gluten-Free “Caramel” Apple Granola recipe? You may also like these other nourishing breakfast recipes:

• Gluten-Free Vegan Quinoa Granola
• Healthy Breakfast Cookies
• Baked Banana Chocolate Chip Oatmeal
• Baked Apple-Pecan Oatmeal
• How to Make Oatmeal
• Baked Apple-Cinnamon Oatmeal Cups
• PB&J Oatmeal Cups with Homemade Strawberry Chia Jam

*Number of total servings in estimated. Actual number of servings may vary depending on your own personal preference in portion sizes.

**Nutritional values shown are general guidelines for 1 serving using the ingredients listed above. These numbers do not reflect and may vary depending on substitutions, additions and/or different brands and/or other ingredients that may be used. 

**Disclaimer: This post may contain affiliate links and sponsored content. All the opinions are my own and I only recommend products I use in my own home with my own family. 

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