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There’s something truly magical about the smell of apples roasting with maple and vanilla—it fills your kitchen with the kind of warmth that feels like a hug. Honestly, this recipe for Maple Vanilla Roasted Apples with Granola is one of my absolute favorites for a cozy weekend breakfast or a simple, elegant dessert. It’s deceptively easy to throw together, but the result feels special and indulgent. The apples become tender and almost caramelized, soaking up that beautiful maple-vanilla syrup, while the granola adds this wonderful crunch and toasty flavor. You’ll notice how the whole thing comes together to create a symphony of textures and tastes… it’s really something else. Whether you’re serving it to guests or just treating yourself, this dish is a little celebration of simple, good ingredients.

Why You’ll Love This Maple Vanilla Roasted Apples with Granola

Effortless Elegance. This dish looks and tastes incredibly fancy, but the process is wonderfully simple. You just toss a few ingredients together and let the oven do most of the work.
A Symphony of Textures. You get the soft, almost jammy roasted apples, the sticky-sweet maple glaze, and the satisfying crunch of granola all in one bite. It’s a party in your mouth, honestly.
Incredibly Versatile. Serve it warm for breakfast with a dollop of yogurt, or cool it down a bit for a stunning dessert with a scoop of ice cream. It’s perfect for any time of day.
Your Kitchen Will Smell Amazing. The combination of warm apples, sweet maple, and fragrant vanilla creates an aroma that is pure comfort. It’s the kind of scent that makes a house feel like a home.

Ingredients & Tools

4 large, firm apples (like Honeycrisp or Granny Smith)
3 tablespoons pure maple syrup
1 tablespoon melted coconut oil (or unsalted butter)
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
A pinch of sea salt
½ cup of your favorite granola
For serving: Greek yogurt, vanilla ice cream, or a drizzle of cream

Tools: A medium baking dish (around 8×8 inches), a small mixing bowl, a sharp knife, and a cutting board.

The quality of your maple syrup and vanilla really makes a difference here—they’re the stars of the show. And don’t skip the pinch of salt; it’s not enough to make things salty, but it really makes the sweet flavors pop.

Nutrition (per serving)

Calories: 210 kcal
Protein: 2 g
Fat: 6 g
Carbohydrates: 42 g
Fiber: 5 g

Serves: 4 | Prep Time: 10 minutes | Cook Time: 25-30 minutes | Total Time: 35-40 minutes

Before You Start: Tips & Ingredient Notes

Apple Selection is Key. You want apples that hold their shape when baked. Honeycrisp and Granny Smith are my top picks—they offer a nice balance of sweet and tart and won’t turn to complete mush.
Don’t Skimp on the Real Stuff. Pure maple syrup and real vanilla extract are non-negotiable for the best flavor. The imitation stuff just can’t replicate that deep, complex sweetness and aroma.
Granola Choices. Use a granola you love to eat on its own! A clumpy, nutty granola works wonderfully for texture. If it has dried fruit, even better—it’ll get a little plump and juicy in the oven.
Embrace the Juices. The liquid in the bottom of the pan after roasting is liquid gold. It’s a concentrated, syrupy sauce that you’ll absolutely want to spoon over everything when serving.

How to Make Maple Vanilla Roasted Apples with Granola

Step 1: First, preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). This is a fairly hot oven, which is perfect for getting the apples nicely caramelized without steaming them. Grab your baking dish—you don’t even need to grease it, which is a nice little bonus.

Step 2: Now, let’s prep the apples. Wash and dry them thoroughly. You can peel them if you prefer, but I love leaving the skin on for extra fiber, color, and texture. Slice them in half from top to bottom and use a small spoon or a melon baller to scoop out the core and seeds. Then, slice each half into even, half-moon shapes, about ½-inch thick. Uniform slices will help them cook at the same rate.

Step 3: Time for the magic sauce! In your small mixing bowl, whisk together the maple syrup, melted coconut oil (or butter), vanilla extract, cinnamon, and that all-important pinch of sea salt. You’ll notice it will emulsify into a beautiful, glossy, fragrant liquid. Give it a little taste—it’s heavenly, right?

Step 4: Place all your apple slices into the baking dish. Pour the maple-vanilla sauce over them and use your hands or a spatula to toss everything together, making sure every single apple slice is lovingly coated in that syrupy goodness. Try to get them into a relatively even layer in the dish.

Step 5: Pop the dish into your preheated oven and roast for about 20 minutes. You’re looking for the apples to start becoming tender and the sauce to be bubbling around the edges. The aroma in your kitchen at this point will be absolutely incredible.

Step 6: Carefully remove the dish from the oven. Sprinkle the granola evenly over the top of the partially roasted apples. This timing is the trick—adding the granola now prevents it from burning but allows it to get perfectly toasted and soak up some of the delicious juices.

Step 7: Return the dish to the oven for another 5-10 minutes. Keep a close eye on it! You want the granola to be a deep golden brown and the apples to be fork-tender, easily pierced but not disintegrating.

Step 8: Take the dish out and let it rest for just a couple of minutes. It will be bubbling and intensely hot. This short rest allows the syrupy sauce to thicken up just a little bit, making it the perfect consistency for serving.

Serving Suggestions

Complementary Dishes

A dollop of thick Greek yogurt — Its cool, tangy creaminess is the perfect counterpoint to the warm, sweet apples. It creates a beautiful balance that feels both decadent and wholesome.
A simple side of breakfast sausages — If you’re serving this for brunch, the savory, salty flavor of a good sausage pairs surprisingly well with the sweet and spiced notes of the apples.
A fresh, bitter green salad — For a more complete meal, a salad with radicchio or arugula and a sharp vinaigrette can cut through the sweetness and refresh the palate beautifully.

Drinks

A hot cup of black coffee — The bitterness of the coffee highlights the deep caramel notes from the roasted apples and maple syrup, making each bite and sip feel more intense.
A glass of cold oat milk — Its mild, creamy sweetness is a lovely, non-dairy companion that doesn’t compete with the delicate vanilla and maple flavors.
A crisp sparkling cider — The effervescence cleanses the palate between bites, and the apple-on-apple action is just a really fun, thematic pairing.

Something Sweet

A scoop of high-quality vanilla bean ice cream — This is the classic, can’t-go-wrong choice. The melting ice cream mingling with the warm apples and crunchy granola is a textural dream come true.
A drizzle of extra maple syrup or a sprinkle of flaky sea salt — For the ultimate finish, a little extra syrup enhances the richness, while a few salt crystals make every flavor sparkle.
A few dark chocolate shavings — If you’re feeling fancy, a little bitter dark chocolate grated over the top adds a sophisticated layer of flavor that complements the cinnamon beautifully.

Top Mistakes to Avoid

Using mealy apples. Apples like Red Delicious can become soft and mushy too quickly. You want structure, so choose a firm, baking-friendly variety to get those perfect tender-yet-intact slices.
Adding the granola too early. If you mix the granola in at the beginning, it will absorb all the liquid and burn, leaving you with a sad, bitter topping. The two-stage baking process is crucial for perfect texture.
Overcrowding the pan. If the apple slices are piled on top of each other, they’ll steam instead of roast. You want a little space for the hot air to circulate and help them caramelize properly.
Overbaking. You’re aiming for tender apples, not apple sauce! Keep a close eye during the final few minutes. The apples should yield easily to a knife but still hold their shape.

Expert Tips

Tip: For an extra flavor boost, add a tiny pinch of nutmeg or cardamom to the maple sauce along with the cinnamon. These warm spices add a lovely, subtle complexity that makes the dish even more special.
Tip: If your apples are on the sweeter side, a small squeeze of fresh lemon juice tossed with the slices before adding the sauce can brighten everything up and prevent it from being too one-note sweet.
Tip: Make this dish ahead for easy mornings! You can roast the apples (without the granola) a day in advance. Store them in the fridge, and when you’re ready, reheat them in the oven, then add the granola for the final 5 minutes to crisp it up.
Tip: For a truly next-level experience, warm your serving bowls. A warm bowl will keep your roasted apples hot for longer, making that contrast with the cold yogurt or ice cream even more delightful.

FAQs

Can I make this recipe vegan?
Absolutely! This recipe is very easy to adapt. Just ensure you use coconut oil instead of butter, and of course, pair it with vegan yogurt or ice cream for serving. Check that your granola is also vegan-friendly, as some brands use honey.

What’s the best way to store leftovers?
Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. The granola will soften, but it will still taste delicious. You can reheat it gently in the microwave or oven, though I sometimes love it cold straight from the fridge!

Can I use a different type of fruit?
You can, but the results will vary. Pears are a fantastic substitute and work beautifully with these flavors. Softer fruits like peaches or plums will release more liquid and cook much faster, so you’d need to adjust the baking time down significantly.

My sauce is very watery after baking. What happened?
This usually means your apples were very juicy or perhaps you used a different, softer fruit. Don’t worry! You can pour the juices into a small saucepan and simmer them for a few minutes until they reduce and thicken into a syrupy consistency, then pour it back over the dish.

Can I freeze this dish?
I wouldn’t recommend freezing the assembled dish, as the texture of the apples and granola will become very mushy upon thawing. It’s truly best enjoyed fresh. However, you can freeze the roasted apple base (without granola) for up to a month and add fresh granola when you reheat and serve.

Maple Vanilla Roasted Apples With Granola

Cost Level $

Category Healthy Holiday Desserts

Difficulty Medium

Cuisine American, dessert

Servings 4

Total Time 40 minutes

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Make this easy Maple Vanilla Roasted Apples with Granola for a cozy breakfast or elegant dessert. Tender apples meet crunchy granola in a sweet maple-vanilla syrup. Get the recipe now!

Ingredients

For the apples and sauce:

4 large, firm apples (like Honeycrisp or Granny Smith)
3 tablespoons pure maple syrup
1 tablespoon melted coconut oil (or unsalted butter)
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
A pinch sea salt

For the topping and serving:

½ cup your favorite granola
Greek yogurt, vanilla ice cream, or a drizzle of cream

Instructions

01
First, preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). This is a fairly hot oven, which is perfect for getting the apples nicely caramelized without steaming them. Grab your baking dish—you don’t even need to grease it, which is a nice little bonus.
02
Now, let's prep the apples. Wash and dry them thoroughly. You can peel them if you prefer, but I love leaving the skin on for extra fiber, color, and texture. Slice them in half from top to bottom and use a small spoon or a melon baller to scoop out the core and seeds. Then, slice each half into even, half-moon shapes, about ½-inch thick. Uniform slices will help them cook at the same rate.
03
Time for the magic sauce! In your small mixing bowl, whisk together the maple syrup, melted coconut oil (or butter), vanilla extract, cinnamon, and that all-important pinch of sea salt. You’ll notice it will emulsify into a beautiful, glossy, fragrant liquid. Give it a little taste—it’s heavenly, right?
04
Place all your apple slices into the baking dish. Pour the maple-vanilla sauce over them and use your hands or a spatula to toss everything together, making sure every single apple slice is lovingly coated in that syrupy goodness. Try to get them into a relatively even layer in the dish.
05
Pop the dish into your preheated oven and roast for about 20 minutes. You’re looking for the apples to start becoming tender and the sauce to be bubbling around the edges. The aroma in your kitchen at this point will be absolutely incredible.
06
Carefully remove the dish from the oven. Sprinkle the granola evenly over the top of the partially roasted apples. This timing is the trick—adding the granola now prevents it from burning but allows it to get perfectly toasted and soak up some of the delicious juices.
07
Return the dish to the oven for another 5-10 minutes. Keep a close eye on it! You want the granola to be a deep golden brown and the apples to be fork-tender, easily pierced but not disintegrating.
08
Take the dish out and let it rest for just a couple of minutes. It will be bubbling and intensely hot. This short rest allows the syrupy sauce to thicken up just a little bit, making it the perfect consistency for serving.