Is there anything more warming and cozy than the smell and flavor of apple spice granola? Granola clusters and energy bites are popular snack items at the grocery store, but did you know that you can make your own at home? By making your own, you get to control the cost and the amount of added sugar – double win! Apple cinnamon granola clusters are simple to make using just a few pantry staple ingredients!
Three Must-Know Cooking Skills
For recipe success, learn how to:
Culinary Tips for Healthy Apple Cinnamon Granola Clusters
To help the peanut butter and honey slide out of the measuring spoon, spray with cooking spray before using. Or use Chef V’s favorite spatula tool that fits in a tablespoon measure to help get the peanut butter out!
If the peanut butter is too hard to mix, microwave in a microwave-safe bowl for 30 seconds for easier mixing.
If trying to reduce waste in your kitchen, consider purchasing a silicon baking mat instead of parchment paper. It’s reusable and can withstand temperatures up to 500º F.
Clusters will continue to crisp and harden as they cool just like granola, so allow to cool before eating and storing.
Apple cinnamon granola bites are a great recipe for kids to help make! They love measuring, mixing, and rolling.
Ingredient Substitutions
- Oats: substitute quick oats. Do not substitute steel cut oats, as they need to be cooked in water.
- Applesauce: substitute other fruit or vegetable purees, although then it wouldn’t be an apple cinnamon cluster! Pumpkin, banana, or pear purees would all work.
- Peanut Butter: substitute almond, cashew, sunflower, or soy nut butter.
- Honey: substitute maple syrup or agave nectar.
- Mini Chocolate Chips: use semi-sweet or dark chocolate chips, but keep them mini. Substitute dairy-free chocolate chips for a vegan apple cinnamon granola bite.
- Cinnamon: substitute pumpkin or apple pie spice.
We love buying our spices from The Spice House. Click on the picture below to view & try out hundreds of flavorful spices and herbs!
Recipe Variations
Feel free to add other mixins of your choice! Vanilla extract, finely chopped nuts, ground flaxseeds, or chia seeds would all make great additions.
Want to add some healthy omega-3’s to the recipe? Add 2 Tablespoons finely chopped walnuts for apple walnut granola clusters.
Not a chocolate fan? Just leave them out! Remember, we encourage cooking to YOUR taste!
Equipment Recommendations
You just need a few basic equipment pieces for this applesauce granola bite recipe!
Health Benefits of Apple Cinnamon Clusters
Apple cinnamon granola clusters are a healthy snack any time of day! The featured ingredients in this recipe are oats, applesauce, nut butter, and cinnamon.
Oats
Oats of any variety are a good source of fiber and complex carbohydrates. Fiber is important for digestion, satiety, stable blood sugar, good cholesterol, and healthy gut bacteria. Carbohydrates are important for energy and focus. (1, 2)
Learn about different types of oats here!
Applesauce
Apples and applesauce contain prebiotic fibers which support good gut health. (3) Apples also contain phytochemicals that may reduce cancer and cardiovascular disease risk. (4) Choose unsweetened varieties to limit added sugars.
Nut Butter
Nut butter – almond, cashew, peanut, etc. – contains plant-based protein and healthy fats. These nutrients help you feel satisfied until your next meal. Choose natural varieties (i.e. just nuts and salt) whenever possible.
Cinnamon
Cinnamon is packed with phytochemicals that feature antimicrobial, anticancer, and anti-inflammatory properties. (5, 6, 7, 8) Additionally, cinnamon provides a sweeter flavor to foods, decreasing the need for added sugar.
Serving Suggestions
Apple cinnamon granola clusters are a healthy snack any time of day! Eat between meals for a great midday snack, add to a balanced lunch, or enjoy before or after a workout or sporting event for a healthy energy boost!
Storage Tips
Allow the baked apple granola bites to cool completely. Once cool, place in an airtight container and store in the pantry for 1 to 2 weeks.
Want more healthy snack recipes?
Try out these favorites, and as always, adjust to YOUR taste!
Apple Cinnamon Granola Clusters
Ingredients
- 1 cup old fashioned oats
- ¼ cup unsweetened applesauce
- 2 Tablespoons natural peanut butter
- 2 Tablespoons honey
- 2 Tablespoons mini chocolate chips
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 250° F.
- In a medium bowl, combine oats, applesauce, peanut butter, honey, chocolate chips, and cinnamon. Mix until well combined.
- Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicon mat. Use a 1 teaspoon measuring spoon to drop mixture by the teaspoon onto paper. Form into small balls.
- Bake 1 hour until bites are golden. Granola clusters will continue to crisp and harden while cooling. Once cool, store in an airtight container. Enjoy!
