Maple Vanilla Granola
Homemade Maple Vanilla Granola take less than 10 minutes working time for a cost-saving, all natural treat. Great for breakfast or snacking.
Granola and I have always had a love-hate relationship. The love part is what a good granola can do for yogurt! The hate part is my feelings about some of the uber-sweet, super hard granola bars I grew up with. Hey with all that sugar, why didn’t I just eat a candy bar.
But my Maple Vanilla Granola (originally published in 2014) is different. It is less sweet, less chunky and less toasty–which lets the maple and vanilla flavors shine through.
And that all goes back to my college days. 
You see, back in my youth, I spent a semester studying in Dublin where I lived with an Irish family. One of my first surprises was that my daily breakfast was cold cereal and not one of the hearty bed and breakfast meals with sausage, eggs, bacon, and soda bread.
Yes, I know… who could eat a giant breakfast like that on a daily basis! What was I thinking!
Problem was, I had never been a cold cereal fan. So a daily dose of cornflakes (or rice krispies for a special treat) was going to be a challenge. Consulting with some other American students, I found a solution. Top the cereal with sprinkles of granola-like “Muesli”, available in the grocery store. Problem solved! 
What is the definition of granola and muesli?
Never heard of Muesli much less how it differs from granola? Per the Irish Times, “while they’re both typically made with oats, nuts, fruits and seeds, granola is mixed with a sweetener, such as honey, and oil, before being baked. Muesli remains unbaked, and can be served hot or cold.”
Because my Maple Vanilla Granola recipe is sweetened and baked, it would be considered a granola (as I suspect was my Irish “Muesli”), but the fact that it is has a lot of oatmeal and is cooked on low makes it less chunky and a little closer to Muesli.
Either way, yum! 
What Makes This a Winner
When I started eating more yogurt, I knew I needed a granola I loved in my life! And this one is
- Quicker than a grocery run – While the recipe does take time to bake, working time is only about 10 minutes. I can’t even make a quick mart trip that fast!
- Cost Savings – I think this recipe has all the flavor of an artisan granola—but at a fraction of the cost. When I see the (smallish) $12 bags of granola at the grocers now, I just smile knowingly.
- Quality Control – want organic oats in your granola? No problem if it’s homemade!
Step by Step Directions
This recipe is super simple to make. You mix the dry ingredients first, then top with the wet 
Mix together and bake on low heat until dry. Stir once or twice while baking.
How to use Granola
My very favorite way to use granola is to top yogurt mixed with fruit. That little bit of crunch always take this right over the top.
Granola can also be used to top cereal like I did in college or even as a cereal all by itself.
Other foods that are great topped with granola include applesauce, roasted carrots, and butterscotch pudding. For the latter, I like to add a big dollop of whipped cream then sprinkle granola over that.
Another fun use for granola was this holiday trail mix, blended with holiday colored M&Ms, raisins (or dried cranberries) and nuts. I show a Valentine’s version here but there are colors available for lots of different holidays! 
Tips & Variations
If you prefer a more toasted flavor bake at 300 until golden brown, stirring occasionally, for approximately 30 minutes.
While vanilla granola is my favorite, granola is also tasty in other flavor variations. Consider Cranberry Nut Granola for the holiday season! Or turn this into Peach Granola by adding 3 chopped peaches and a pinch each of ginger and cinnamon, then baking an extra 1/2 – 1 hour so the peaches can dry.
I used slivered almonds because they pick up the maple and vanilla flavors well. And the color is consistent with the other colors. But if I didn’t have them, I’d use pecans or any other nut I had handy rather than make a special trip to the store. And if you have a tree nut allergy, using peanuts or seeds like pepitas or sunflower seeds if you can would be another way to get the crunch!
Get More Nutty Recipes:
-
- Almond Ricotta Fudge from Magical Ingredients
- Apple Cider Donuts with Pecan Sugar Topping from Hezzi-D’s Books and Cooks
- Banana Bread Pecan Scones from Blogghetti
- Chicken with Walnuts from A Kitchen Hoor’s Adventures
- Chocolate Chip Pecan Pie from Fresh April Flours
- Maple Vanilla Granola from Art of Natural Living
- Pistachio Crusted Salmon from That Recipe
- Potica Nut Roll from The Spiffy Cookie
- Rocky Road Brownies from Hostess at Heart
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Maple Vanilla Granola
Ingredients
- Nonstick vegetable oil spray
- 2 c oatmeal old-fashioned
- 1/2 c slivered almonds
- 3 T packed golden brown sugar
- 1/4 t salt
- 1/8 t ground cinnamon
- 2 T coconut oil or other oil
- 1/4 cup maple syrup
- 1 1/2 T vanilla extract
Instructions
- Combine dry ingredients.
- Melt coconut oil (if using) and add oil, maple syrup and vanilla to the dry ingredients. Toss to combine.
- Spray a baking sheet with nonstick spray, then spread out granola mixture. Bake at 225 for about an hour until no longer damp, stirring halfway through. Let cool completely then store in airtight container.
Notes
Serving size is approximately 1/3 cup (a light serving of cereal but more than you'd use to top yogurt)
Homemade granola is so good! I can just snack on this! I agree with you on the store bought bars—they are way too sweet!
Yes, homemade is the best!
I love granola on everything and this sounds very delicious! Totally agree that healthy versions can be made at home for a fraction of the cost.
I so agree, though I am grateful for the sample of the expensive granola that inspired me to do this!
I almost never have granola because I’m usually too lazy to make it, and also because I have the same problem you do with most commercial granola: way, way too sweet. Not that I don’t like sweets, I do, but not for breakfast. Which is a long way of saying that this looks perfect for me! Now, if I can just get over that lazy part. 🙂 Good stuff — thanks.
Lol John! If you do decide to get over the laziness this is a good place to start since it’s super simple!
Homemade granola is one of my biggest weaknesses. Adding this one to my list ASAP!
Not a bad weakness Lynn!
Like you, I’m not a cold cereal fan but love granola on my morning yogurt or oatmeal. This recipe is packed with flavor and I’ll be making it regularly!
I love this granola…it’s perfect for so many foods! I can’t wait to try it over some yogurt or ice cream
Ooo, I’ve never tried with ice cream Lisa. On my list!
I like any and all granola so this is definitely going on the list!
Can’t beat a good granola!
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This is just the kind of granola that I would like to make. Thank you for sharing it, Inger! I will probably change some of the ingredients–since am always changing things around–but this looks fabulous. Thanks for sharing this.
I always change something too, Kathy 😉 But that is what makes homemade great!
Your granola looks and sounds utterly delicious! I have to give it a try!
Louise says she may try it with her grandkids–perhaps that’s on option for you sometime, Kathy…
I’m with you, the big chunks in granola just aren’t appealing to me, they tend to get so hard! Love the maple/vanilla combination!
The original had honey, but I “veganized” it under your influence Abby (and of course I love maple syrup)!
Love homemade granola.
I have a store bought bag that I am worried won’t get eaten now 😉
One of the “chores” on my to do list when I visited the kids in Idaho was to “teach” them how to make granola. My granddaughter is a huge fan of the stuff. However, we just never got around to it. Although, I did supervise a potato salad making event with both kids, such fun!
My daughter and her family will be visiting in August. I am dead set on showing them how to make granola so, I will definitely be pinning this recipe:)
I don’t even have a scale in my house, lol…Really Mother’s Day, how could you? But, as you say, looks like some good sure did come out of it! Thanks for sharing, Inger…
I would sooo like to have a potato salad recipe we like. I have failed making it a number of times and it’s such a good summer side dish. Ooooo, perhaps someone will bring some to your picnic….
Have fun making granola in August–such a nice family activity. I am thinking of asking my nieces over for some cooking. I think I’ve missed my chance with my daughters at this point (though my middle daughter is working as a prep cook for the summer!)