Apple Cinnamon Granola Bowls
Warm cinnamon apples spooned over cool yogurt with a generous handful of crunchy homemade granola. Preparing the apples and oat clusters together makes this feel like a proper weekend breakfast, while the leftovers turn into an almost instant meal for several mornings after.
- Course
- Breakfast
- Cuisine
- American
- Prep Time
- 20 min
- Cook Time
- 35 min
- Total Time
- 55 min
The Story Behind This Recipe
Apple Cinnamon Granola Bowls is one of those recipes I never planned to publish. It was scribbled inside a cookbook cover for years until enough people asked for it that I finally typed it out.
What keeps it in the rotation is how forgiving it is. Swap the herbs, stretch it to feed one more person, cook it a shade longer than you meant to — it holds up.
The one thing I would tell you: taste it before it leaves the pan. Salt and a squeeze of something acidic at the end are what separate fine from very good.
Variation Ideas
- Make it the night before and reheat gently in the morning.
- Add crumbled sausage or bacon for a heartier plate.
- Stir chopped spinach or kale into the mix for greens at breakfast.
Ingredient Substitutions
- Butter
- Olive oil for savory dishes, or a good vegan stick for baking
- Greek yogurt
- Sour cream, or coconut yogurt to keep it dairy-free
- Maple syrup
- Honey, or brown sugar dissolved in a splash of water
- Lemon juice
- Lime juice, or a splash of white wine vinegar
Frequently Asked Questions
How long will this last?
Refrigerate in an airtight container for up to 3 days, or freeze for up to 3 months.
What is the best way to reheat it?
Warm it gently — covered at 300°F or over low heat on the stove with a splash of liquid — until just heated through. Fast, high heat is what dries leftovers out.
Can I make it ahead?
Yes. Prep and refrigerate the components up to a day ahead, then combine and finish just before serving so nothing loses its texture.
It tastes flat — what should I do?
Salt and acid, in that order. A pinch more salt then a squeeze of lemon or splash of vinegar will usually sharpen everything back into focus.
Tools For This Recipe
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What to Serve With Apple Cinnamon Granola Bowls
Recipe Card
Apple Cinnamon Granola Bowls
By Marguerite Hale
- Course
- Breakfast
- Cuisine
- American
- Prep Time
- 20 min
- Cook Time
- 35 min
- Total Time
- 55 min
Ingredients
- 2 cups old-fashioned rolled oats
- 1/2 cup chopped pecans
- 1/3 cup pure maple syrup
- 2 tbsp melted coconut oil
- 1 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon, divided
- 2 crisp apples, diced
- 1 tbsp unsalted butter
- 1 tsp lemon juice
- 3 cups plain Greek yogurt
- Pinch of kosher salt
Instructions
- 1
Heat the oven to 325F and mix the oats, pecans, maple syrup, coconut oil, one teaspoon cinnamon, and salt on a lined sheet pan.
- 2
Press the mixture into a compact layer and bake for twenty-two minutes without stirring, then cool completely before breaking it into large clusters.
- 3
Meanwhile, melt the butter in a skillet and cook the apples with the remaining cinnamon and lemon juice for six to eight minutes, until tender but not mushy.
- 4
Divide the yogurt among four bowls and spoon the warm apples over one side so the contrast between warm fruit and cool yogurt remains.
- 5
Add the granola just before serving. Store extra components separately so the clusters keep their crunch for breakfast later in the week.
Nutrition
Estimated per serving (4 servings per recipe).
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