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Home » Recipes » Dessert

You'll Love This Recipe for Warm Apples with Homemade Granola

Published: Oct 15, 2020 · Modified: Feb 21, 2023 by Elizabeth Davenport · This post may contain affiliate links · Leave a Comment.

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It's definitely fall here in the DMV (DC, Maryland, Virginia)! YAY! The leaves are just beginning to change and the days are getting cooler. Though we haven’t been apple picking yet, we'll get there in the next week. Nothing says it’s fall like warm apples with homemade granola!

An East Fork Lapis bowl of Granny Smith apples

My family loves cooked apples. Both my girls still remember the cooked apples Anna’s husband, Dan made about 10 years ago when we were on a weekend trip together. They often ask me to make them. I’ve actually never asked Dan how he made them, but I will soon! See below for the recipe for how I often make cooked apples. Save the extra liquid and use it the next time you cook oatmeal or freeze it in an ice cube tray and use it in smoothies!

Peel, core and dice the apples
Diced apples cooked in water and lemon juice

My family also loves homemade granola. I’ve tried various versions over the years and the hands-down winner is my adapted version of Alton Brown’s granola recipe. I’ve adapted it so it’s both sweet and just a tad salty. It’s also nice and crunchy. If you prefer it on the sweeter side, you can increase the brown sugar and use sweetened coconut according to his recipe. 

Ingredients for homemade granola
Rolled oats, dark brown sugar, unsweetened coconut, almonds, pecans, maple syrup and canola oil
The finished product!

There’s a never-ending supply of store-bought granola. I’ve never found one I really love. Do you have a favorite? Let me know what it is! You can always use store-bought granola over the cooked apples if you don’t want to make granola! There's no rule that says it has to be homemade.

What better combination than still-warm (or reheated) cooked apples and granola? It’s sort of a deconstructed apple crisp! (I have an amazing recipe for apple crisp that I’ll share sometime soon, too). This granola is easy to make and it makes your house smell incredible!

Homemade granola with warm apples
Warm apples with homemade granola

Did you know there are 100s of varieties of apples?

My typical favorites for eating are Honeycrisp, Jonagold, and Fuji. I tend to cook with Granny Smith, Honeycrisp, or Mutsu. Honeycrisp and Johnathan tend to hold their shape best while cooking. So, I’d recommend one of these varieties for cooked apples. Most recently, I made the cooked apples with Granny Smith and cooked them a little longer than intended, so the apples were more like chunky applesauce. They still tasted great!

Experiment with offering different kinds of apples

Do your children like apples? What kinds are their favorites? Offering different types of apples is an easy way to expose kids to different tastes and textures. Pre-covid, Toigo Orchards used to cut up all the varieties of apples they bring to our farmers market for people to sample. I miss seeing kids at that table sampling the different varieties. What a fun and low-pressure way for kids (and adults) to try different varieties!

More ideas for serving cooked apples and granola:

  • A side dish with quiche or other eggs at any meal
  • Top pancakes, waffles, or cooked (or baked) oatmeal with apples and granola
  • Topped with plain, vanilla, or maple yogurt
  • Top with your favorite vanilla ice cream

Have you read Anna's most recent post?

Did you have a chance to read Anna’s most recent post? She shares important information about weight stigma and what parents need to know about it, here: 3 Facts Parents Need to Know About Weight Stigma

Did you know we also have a Podcast? You can listen to all our episodes here.

From the October Archives:

  • Lentil Salad with Cheese and Salami
  • Growth Charts and What to Ask of Your Pediatrician
  • Weight Inclusive Healthcare: Evidence-Based, Compassionate, Patient-Centered
  • A 15-Minute Recipe: 7 Different Ways
  • Handling Halloween: A Step-By-Step Parent Guide
Granny Smith apples in an East Fork Lapis bowl

Warm Apples

Elizabeth Davenport
These delicious, cinnamon scented apples are cooked on the stove top and make a great topping to my granola. Save some of the cooking liquid to use the next time you make oatmeal!
No ratings yet
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Prep Time 20 mins
Cook Time 30 mins
Total Time 50 mins
Course side
Servings 6 -8 servings

Ingredients
  

  • 3 lbs of firm apples Johnathan or Honeycrisp peeled, cored and diced
  • 1-2 cinnamon sticks
  • Squeeze of lemon juice from ½ a lemon
  • A splash of apple cider if you have some
  • 2 cups of water
  •  

Instructions
 

  • Peel, core and dice the apples
  • Place them in a medium saucepan with enough water to cover them. Add 1-2 cinnamon sticks depending on whether you want a subtle or prominent cinnamon flavor. 
  • Add the lemon juice and apple cider (if you have some).
  • Bring to a boil over medium high heat. Once the liquid comes to a boil, turn the heat down to medium low and allow the apples to simmer until they’re just cooked and still hold their shape.
  • If you prefer the apples to break apart, you can cook them longer. 
  • Remove the apples from the liquid and allow them to cool.
  • Keep the cooking liquid and use it for cooking oatmeal.
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!
Homemade granola

Homemade Granola

Elizabeth Davenport
This crunchy, nutty granola is made with dark brown sugar and maple syrup. It tastes great on it's own or topped with warm, cooked apples. It's adapted from Alton Brown's granola recipe. 
No ratings yet
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 10 mins
Course Breakfast
Servings 6 -8 servings

Ingredients
  

  • 3 cups rolled oats
  • 1 cup chopped pecans
  • 1 cup chopped unsalted almonds you can also use sliced almonds
  • ¾ cup unsweetened coconut
  • ¼ cup firmly packed dark brown sugar
  • ¾ teaspoon salt
  • ¼ cup plus 2 tablespoons maple syrup
  • ¼ cup canola oil
  • 1 cup chopped dried fruit optional
  •  

Instructions
 

  • Preheat oven to 250 F.
  • If you need to chop the nuts, place them in a food processor and pulse 3-4 times until they’re chopped. Alternatively, chop the nuts with a knife on a cutting board.
  • Combine all the dry ingredients and nuts in a large mixing bowl. 
  • Add the oil and maple syrup and stir to evenly coat the oat mixture. 
  • Spread the oat mixture evenly on 2 half-sheet pans.
  • Place in the oven and bake for 1 hour and 15 minutes. Feel free to give the granola a stir once or twice during the baking. Though I never stir it and it turns out great. 
  • Remove from the oven and allow to cool. If you want to add dried fruit, now’s the time. I dont’ add dried fruit because everyone in my house prefers the granola without. 
  • Store at room temperature in an airtight container.
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!
Anna and Elizabeth making a salad

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