This Paleo Caramel Apple Granola is simple to make and makes a wonderful snack. Warm cinnamon, chewy dried apples, and crunchy seeds and nuts combine for a satisfying treat. The recipe is gluten-free, dairy-free, naturally sweetened, and vegan-friendly when made with a seed butter substitute.
I originally made this granola earlier in the year and misplaced the recipe, so I’m glad I recently recovered it. While fresh apples come into season in the fall, this version uses dried apples so you can enjoy it any time of year. I prefer dried apples with no added sugar for the best flavor and texture.
Homemade granola is one of my favorite pantry staples because it’s quick to prepare and the flavor combinations are endless. This caramel-apple version features a simple “cheater” caramel made from nut or seed butter, maple syrup, melted coconut oil, and vanilla. That mixture acts as the wet binder, coating the nuts and seeds to create clusters as it bakes.
The result is a crunchy, slightly chewy granola with warm spice notes and tender pieces of dried apple. It stores well at room temperature and makes a great snack, topping for yogurt or oatmeal, or a homemade gift.
Nut-Free Option
If you need a nut-free version, substitute SunButter or another sunflower seed butter for the almond butter in the caramel mixture and replace the nuts with sunflower seeds and pumpkin seeds (pepitas). That option removes the need to chop nuts and still yields a crunchy, flavorful granola. This recipe is naturally vegan when a seed butter is used.
Hemp seeds have become a favorite ingredient for me over the past year. They add nutrition, a mild flavor, and a subtle chewy texture that complements the nuts and dried apples. In this granola they help form slightly denser clumps and contribute to the overall mouthfeel.
Apple pie spice is my go-to here because it blends cinnamon with other warm spices, giving the granola a cozy, rounded aroma. If you don’t have apple pie spice on hand, a generous amount of ground cinnamon will work well too.
This granola makes a lovely snack or a thoughtful homemade gift. I hope you try it and enjoy the blend of caramel, apple, and spice. Below you’ll find the full recipe with ingredient measurements, instructions, notes, and nutrition information.
Other granola recipes I enjoy include Paleo Pecan Pie Granola, Paleo Honey Almond Granola, Paleo Cinnamon Granola, and Paleo Pumpkin Granola.
Paleo Caramel Apple Granola
Jessica DeMay
10 minutes
40 minutes
8 servings
Ingredients
- 1 ½ cups chopped almonds*
- 1 ½ cups chopped pecans*
- 1 cup hemp seeds
- 1 cup chopped dried apples
- ½ cup almond butter*
- ⅓ cup melted coconut oil
- ⅓ cup maple syrup
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 2 teaspoons apple pie spice (or cinnamon)
Instructions
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Preheat the oven to 300°F (150°C) and line a sheet tray with parchment paper.
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In a large bowl, combine the chopped almonds, chopped pecans, hemp seeds, and chopped dried apples.
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In a separate bowl or glass measuring cup, stir together the almond butter, melted coconut oil, maple syrup, salt, and apple pie spice until smooth.
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Pour the wet mixture over the dry ingredients and mix well to coat everything evenly. Spread the mixture on the prepared sheet tray, pressing lightly so clumps form. Bake for 20 minutes.
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Remove from the oven, stir to redistribute, press again to form clusters, and bake 15–20 minutes more, or until golden and fragrant. Let the granola cool completely before breaking into chunks if you prefer larger clusters.
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Store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to two weeks.
Notes:
*To make this recipe nut-free: replace the almond butter with sunflower seed butter (SunButter) and swap the almonds and pecans for sunflower seeds and pumpkin seeds (pepitas). The nut-free version is equally tasty and easier to prepare since no chopping is required.
Nutrition Information
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