For a tasty and nutritious snack or breakfast, try this homemade vanilla almond granola recipe. Boost your breakfast with this irresistible granola. Enjoy it on its own, with yogurt, milk and fruits or as a yogurt fruit granola. It's perfect for snacking or as a topping for desserts.
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The homemade granola is made with oats, dried fruits, seeds, nuts, and almond butter, and it's enhanced with cinnamon and vanilla. With substitutions and the addition of different ingredients, this vegan and dairy free homemade vanilla almond granola recipe can be transformed into various flavours and textures.
After you become familiar with making homemade granola, you can adapt it to your taste and dietary preferences. Customize it by adding your preferred nuts, seeds, dried fruits, and sweeteners. Mix and match spices and extracts for truly unique flavour experiences.
The great thing about granola is kids can eat all the goodness in a bowl hassle-free. Elevate the excitement by adding their preferred fresh fruits or chocolate chips.
Why You Will Love Homemade Granola?
Made with natural ingredients
Easy to prepare with pantry staples
It can be tailored to suit family preferences.
Ingredients
Dry Ingredients
- Oats: I have used rolled oats also called old fashioned oats.
- Nuts and Seeds: Slivered almonds, pumpkin seeds are used here.
- Dried Fruits: I have used dried cranberries, raisins and dried apricots.
- Spices and Other Ingredients: Ground cinnamon, salt and flax meal are used for added flavour and nutrients.
Wet Ingredients
- Flavouring Agent: Vanilla extract has been used to impart a lovely flavour.
- Nut Butter: I have used almond butter as a binding agent and for an intense nutty flavour.
- Sweetener: Maple syrup has been used to sweeten the granola.
- Oil: I have used coconut oil to help combine all the wet ingredients thoroughly.
See the recipe card for quantities.
How to make homemade almond vanilla granola?
Preheat your oven to 160°C (325°F) and line a large baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicone baking mat.
In a large mixing bowl, combine the rolled oats, almonds, pumpkin seeds, 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon, and a pinch of salt. Stir to mix the dry ingredients evenly.
In a separate large bowl, whisk maple syrup, coconut oil, almond butter, and vanilla extract until well combined.
Pour the wet mixture onto the dry ingredients and stir until everything is evenly coated.
Spread the mixture onto the prepared baking sheet in an even layer. Press it down with a spatula to create an even layer.
Put in the preheated oven for approximately 20-25 minutes, or until the granola has a light golden brown appearance. Make sure to stir the granola every 10 minutes for even cooking.
Remove the tray from the oven and let the granola cool on the baking sheet. It gets crisper as it cools down.
After the granola has cooled down completely, mix in dried cranberries, apricots and raisins.
Store homemade granola in an airtight container at room temperature. It should stay fresh for several weeks.
Enjoy homemade granola with yogurt, milk, as a topping on banana chia pudding, breakfast banana split or as a snack on its own.
Check out the yogurt granola parfait recipe on the blog.
Substitutions and Variations
Sweetener: Instead of maple syrup, use agave nectar, brown sugar or brown rice syrup for sweetness.
Oats: For a gluten-free option, use certified gluten free oats.
Nuts: Mix and match nuts such as almonds, walnuts, pecans, cashews, pistachios, or macadamia nuts. You could replace ¼ cup sliced almonds with other favourite nuts.
Seeds: Include a variety of seeds like chia seeds, hemp seeds, sesame seeds, or poppy seeds for added nutrition.
Fruits: Experiment with other dried fruits for a different texture and flavour.
Flavourings: Try nutmeg, ginger, or cardamom instead of cinnamon. You could even use ground cassia instead of cinnamon.
Nut Butter: Transform it to peanut butter granola by using peanut butter instead of almond butter for flavour variation.
Additional Add-Ons: Get creative with add ons like chocolate chips or coconut chips.
Storage
Storing homemade granola properly is essential to keep it fresh and maintain its flavor and texture. Once your granola has cooled completely, store it in an airtight container at room temperature. If stored properly, homemade granola keeps good for several weeks.
Tips and Tricks
Use Rolled Oats: Use rolled oats also known as old fashioned oats for making granola because they provide a nice texture and absorb flavours well.
Control Sweetness: You can control the sweetness of your crunchy granola by adjusting the amount of maple syrup.
Even Coating: Ensure that the wet ingredients evenly coat all the dry ingredients. Stir well to ensure everything is well combined.
Low and Slow Baking: Bake your granola at a lower temperature (around 325°F or 160°C) and for a longer time. This prevents burning and allows flavours to develop slowly.
Stirring During Baking: While baking, make sure to stir the granola every 10-15 minutes for even cooking and to avoid clumps. This will help you achieve a consistent texture.
Use Parchment Paper or silicone mat: Line your baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicone baking mat to prevent sticking and make cleanup easier.
Adding Dried Fruits: After baking, wait for the granola to cool before adding dried fruits.
Avoid Light and Heat: Store the granola away from direct sunlight and heat sources in a cool, dry place. Heat and light can cause the granola to become rancid more quickly.
Warm Nut Butter: In case the almond butter is too hard, warm it slightly to loosen it. Heat it in the microwave for around 20-30 seconds stirring in between.
FAQ
Fridge: Although not required, refrigerating granola can prolong its shelf life. This is particularly useful if you live in a humid climate or want to store it for a long time. Ensure that the container is airtight.
Freezer: Freezing granola can help preserve it for a longer time. Place the granola in either an airtight container or a resealable freezer bag, removing any excess air before sealing tightly. Frozen granola can stay fresh for several months.
Yes, it is possible to restore the crunchiness of granola. Spread it on a baking sheet and bake at a low temperature for 10-15 minutes. Keep an eye on it to prevent overcooking.
Ensure to let the granola cool completely before storing it. If you seal the container while it's warm, moisture can accumulate inside and make it lose its crispness.
Place the cooled granola in an airtight container. Glass or plastic containers with tight-fitting lids are suitable. Containers are better for preserving texture, but resealable ziplock bags can also be used.
Moisture is the enemy of granola. Ensure the container is clean and dry before adding the granola. Even a small moisture content can cause clumping and diminish freshness.
More Oats Recipes
Mango Overnight Oats: An incredibly easy to make breakfast and an easy way to start the busy mornings.
Cranberry Crisp: A delicious, sweet treat, cranberry crisp is one of the easiest dessert recipes to make with fresh cranberries and a few more pantry staples.
Tiramisu Overnight Oats: Treat yourself to this coffee overnight oats - a delicious and effortless make-ahead breakfast.
Banana Oatmeal Smoothie: This creamy and filling kid-friendly smoothie is super quick and easy to make breakfast.
KEEP IN TOUCH
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📖 Recipe Card
Homemade Almond Vanilla Granola
Ingredients
1 Cup = 250ml ; 1 Tablespoon = 15ml ; 1 Teaspoon = 5ml
Wet Ingredients
- 100 gms (or) ⅓ Cup Almond Butter
- 1 Teaspoon Vanilla Extract
- ¼ Cup Coconut Oil melted
- ⅓ Cup Maple Syrup
Dry Ingredients
- 350 gms (or) 3 Cups Rolled Oats
- 2 Tablespoons Pumpkin Seeds
- 10 Almonds slivered
- 1 Teaspoon Ground Cinnamon
- ¼ Teaspoon Salt
- 2 Tablespoons Flax Meal
- ¼ Cup Dried Cranberries
- ¼ Cup Raisins
- ¼ Cup Dried Apricots chopped into small cubes
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 160°C (325°F) and line a large baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicone baking mat.
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the rolled oats, almonds, pumpkin seeds, flax meal, cinnamon, and a pinch of salt. Stir to mix the dry ingredients evenly.350 gms (or) 3 Cups Rolled Oats, 2 Tablespoons Pumpkin Seeds, 10 Almonds, 1 Teaspoon Ground Cinnamon, ¼ Teaspoon Salt, 2 Tablespoons Flax Meal
- In a separate bowl, whisk maple syrup, coconut oil, almond butter, and vanilla extract until well combined.100 gms (or) ⅓ Cup Almond Butter, ¼ Cup Coconut Oil, ⅓ Cup Maple Syrup, 1 Teaspoon Vanilla Extract
- Pour the wet mixture onto the dry ingredients and stir until everything is evenly coated.
- Spread the mixture onto the prepared baking sheet in an even layer. Press it down with a spatula to create an even layer.
- Put in the preheated oven for approximately 20-25 minutes, or until the granola has a light golden brown appearance. Make sure to stir the granola every 10 minutes for even cooking.
- Remove the tray from the oven and let the granola cool on the baking sheet. It gets crisper as it cools down.
- After the granola has cooled down completely, mix in dried cranberries, apricots and raisins.¼ Cup Dried Cranberries, ¼ Cup Raisins, ¼ Cup Dried Apricots
- Store homemade granola in an airtight container at room temperature. It should stay fresh for several weeks.
- Enjoy homemade granola with yogurt, milk, or as a snack on its own.
Notes
Nutrition
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Welcome to Flavours Treat. I share vegetarian recipes made with wholesome, mostly fresh ingredients. Every recipe has easy-to-follow instructions with process shots (detailed step-wise pictures), a short video and lots of tips to help your cooking journey. Read more
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