As temperatures dip and sweaters emerge from hibernation, the leaves underfoot aren’t the only crunching sound that’s music to our ears. We also dig some crunchy granola (the food, not the euphemism for hippie culture). Wholesome, hearty granola is a sublime breakfast any time of year — but especially when it’s suffused with the flavors of fall.
With its endless customizability and DIY ease, this baked treat is a no-brainer for a healthy breakfast, on-the-go snack, or dessert topping. It’s also pretty freakin’ easy to whip up by mixing a few ingredients in a bowl and popping it all in the oven. And did we mention it stores well?
This weekend, stay in your jammies, crank up the oven, and get baking. Here are 12 of our favorite granolas for fall.
1. Cinnamon applesauce granola
This simple granola brings the goodness of applesauce to your cereal bowl. Made with on-hand ingredients, it comes together fast and has quintessential apple-cinnamon flavor. For extra nutrients and texture, add some dried apple chips.
2. Oil-free banana bread granola
Granola can get a bad rap for its sometimes-high fat content. This recipe cuts back on fat by using a surprise ingredient: tahini. A hint of its nutty flavor comes through without overpowering the granola’s yummy banana bread taste.
How sweet it is
One bonus of making granola is that you can adjust the amount of sugar to your taste. Play with the ratio of dried fruits or sweeteners to make it sweet but not too sweet. You can also experiment with nuts and seeds to bump up the protein!
3. Triple pumpkin peanut butter granola
You’ve probably tried pumpkin in combination with other flavors, like chocolate or cinnamon. But have you experienced the magic of pumpkin with peanut butter? If not, check out this unique triple-hitter that mixes PB with pumpkin purée, pumpkin pie spice, and pumpkin seeds.
4. Autumn harvest breakfast bowl
Call off the search for the ultimate brunch. We’ve found it. This autumn harvest breakfast bowl has it all: quinoa, oats, nuts, fruit, and even butternut squash. Make this after sleeping in on a lazy fall weekend, and it’ll fill you up until dinner.
5. Pear and ginger granola
Pears tend to take a back seat to apples as the celebrity fruit of fall, but they certainly don’t have to. They’re packed with fiber, vitamin C, and potassium. Let them shine in this creative granola. Fresh ginger spices up pears’ mellow sweetness and adds anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties, which may help fight off a fall cold.
6. Pumpkin-cranberry granola
When it comes to harvest-time flavor, it doesn’t get more classic than this. Pumpkin, cranberries, and walnuts get cozy with oats and pumpkin pie spice for a flavor mix that conjures serious fall vibes. Try it layered with yogurt for a seasonal parfait.
7. Loaded pepita granola
Pepitas (aka pumpkin seeds) are full of health benefits. Using them in this granola means you’ll stock up on iron, magnesium, and omega-6 fatty acids. Plus, between the pumpkin seeds, almonds, and sunflower seeds in this loaded recipe, you’ll get a hefty dose of protein.
8. Chai spice granola with almonds and coconut
Warm, soothing chai is just what a chilly fall morning ordered. Now you can have its sweet-meets-spicy goodness in granola form. With the addition of almonds and coconut, this granola is perfect splashed with milk or sprinkled on vanilla ice cream.
9. Carrot cake granola
Dessert for breakfast or breakfast for dessert? You decide. Just 6 tablespoons of honey is all it takes to make this carrot cake granola pleasantly (but not too) sweet. You’ll never miss the cream cheese frosting.
10. Maple cinnamon crunch quinoa granola
Oats may be the most common base for granola, but other grains can do the trick too. Quinoa lends its nutty crunch to this diverse mixture of apples, nuts, chia seeds, and more. And since no precooking of the quinoa is required, this recipe takes only 15 minutes to bake.
11. Fig apple hazelnut granola
For a granola with Mediterranean flair, you can’t go wrong with a combo of figs, apples, and toasted hazelnuts. Olive oil not only adds flavor and helps hold the mixture together but also provides heart-healthy fats.
12. Spiced maple-molasses granola
OK, we’ll grant that molasses can be made from sugarcane any time of year. But when it’s combined with maple syrup and spices like nutmeg and clove, its earthy thickness is just right for fall. Besides, this slow-moving sweetener is rich in iron, magnesium, and manganese. Sounds like a great way to start the day with a crunch.
