Last night Ben and I were enjoying our evening snack while watching the OG Real Housewives of the OC (my fave): Triscuits and cottage cheese for her (a better swap for the Taco Doritos and cottage cheese I used to inhale in college, me thinks,) and homemade Maple Almond Granola that I had poured into a snack-sized bowl, for him.
Dip, crunch, mmm. (Her)
Crunch, crunch, crunch…yum. Hey where’d you get this? (Him)
I made it.
You made this? Wait, how did yo- HOW DID YOU MAKE THIS?!
Um, I just made it. Like stirred stuff together then baked it.
But…HOW?!
And so on and so forth. The conversation literally continued on in this way for a solid 3 minutes. It was hysterical. Apparently the fact that you can make granola – really good granola – from scratch, and that it’s incredibly easy too (like, easier than baking cookies!) was a source of intense wonderment for my man.
Maple Almond Granola combines pantry staples like old fashioned oats, raw almonds, pecans and sesame seeds with maple syrup, honey, and coconut oil, which are tossed together and then baked. The result is a perfectly crunchy, subtle maple flavored, un-sweet, sweetened granola. Translation: It doesn’t taste like you’re crunching on sugar cubes, like the store-bought stuff.
I got really into the idea of making homemade granola after enjoying a bowl of it layered with yogurt at the East Bay Meeting House in Charleston last week. It was the perfect, light-yet-filling breakfast and I couldn’t wait to remake at home (naturally.) Besides sprinkling the granola into your morning yogurt, you could also combine it with a banana and splash of milk for breakfast, or take it straight to the face, a la Ben.
This granola recipe is highly customizable too. Don’t like pecans? Use walnuts, or another type of nut, or leave them out! Fresh out of sesame seeds? Use pepitas or sunflower seeds instead. Dig raisins? Add in a handful. Just use what ya’ got!
Start the Maple Almond Granola by combining the dry ingredients into a large bowl, including 3 cups certified gluten-free old fashioned oats, 1/2 cup whole raw almonds, 1/2 cup chopped pecans, and 1/4 cup sesame seeds. Roughly chop another 1/2 cup raw almonds then toss ’em in there too.
Finish with a sprinkling of 1/2 teaspoon salt and a dash or two of cinnamon, then stir everything together.
Next, in a small saucepan, melt 1/4 cup coconut oil with 6 Tablespoons real maple syrup and 2 Tablespoons honey over medium heat.
Just stir occasionally until the coconut oil liquefies, about a minute or two, then add in 1/2 teaspoon each vanilla and almond extract.
Pour the coconut oil mixture over the dry ingredients and stir to thoroughly coat, then spread the mixture onto a silpat or parchment paper-lined baking sheet and bake for 25-30 minutes at 300 degrees, stirring halfway through. Note: the granola will not be crunchy when hot, so take it out when it’s golden brown!
Let the granola cool completely before stirring in 1 cup dried fruit, if you please (I used dried chopped apricots,) then store in an airtight container at room temp for up to 2 weeks.
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Homemade Maple Almond Granola
Description
Maple Almond Granola is a perfectly crunchy with a subtle maple flavor. So easy to make at home, and WAY less sugar than store-bought granola!
Ingredients
- 3 cups certified gluten-free old fashioned oats
- 1 cup whole raw almonds, divided
- 1/2 cup chopped pecans
- 1/4 cup sesame seeds
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- dash of cinnamon
- 6 Tablespoons real maple syrup
- 1/4 cup coconut oil
- 2 Tablespoons honey
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/2 teaspoon almond extract
- 1 cup dried fruit, optional
Directions
- Preheat oven to 300 degrees then line a baking sheet with a silpat or parchment paper and set aside.
- Combine oats, 1/2 cup almonds, pecans, sesame seeds, salt, and cinnamon in a large bowl. Roughly chop remaining almonds then add to the bowl and mix to combine. In a small saucepan, melt coconut oil in maple syrup and honey. Once melted remove from heat and stir in vanilla and almond extracts. Pour into oat mixture then stir until well coated.
- Spread mixture onto prepared baking sheet then bake for 25-30 minutes, stirring halfway through, or until granola is golden brown (granola will not be crunchy when hot.) Cool completely then stir in dried fruit (if using,) and store in a container with a tight-fitting lid at room temperature for up to 2 weeks.
This recipe is courtesy of Iowa Girl Eats, http://iowagirleats.com.
Get your taste buds revved, folks, because this granola is divine. I hope you enjoy!
The OC Housewives are my favorite to watch too. Vicki’s face keeps getting better and better, huh? She’s kind of whack. I’m surprised Ben will watch it with you. Mine moans and complains whenever it’s on. Granola and yogurt are so great together and this recipe sounds amazing, as usual! ;)
He agrees to “watch” (aka play on his iPhone while vaguely listening) if he’s allowed to make as much fun as he wants. Which I agree to. We’re weird. ;)
At least he is able to find the humor in it! It is hilarious how ridiculous they are on that show.
haha, I can totally see Ben saying this! What a riot. I found him on Instagram this week and have been loving looking through his photos, especially the ones that depict ‘iowagirleats in her habitat.’
Glad we have funny husbands who make us laugh (and love our granola). Thanks for sharing the recipe! I’ve not tried maple syrup in mine, just honey, so I’ll have to give this one a try!
I’m a total sucker for homemade granola and this sounds like a recipe I have to try. I’m also very puristy about it and agree most is way to sweet. Thanks for sharing!
Oh man! I love the OC ladies! I am so happy Brooks is out of the picture (for now). He was so creepy! The whole Vicky and Tamara thing is very interesting. I wish I could get my husband to watch with me! Hahahah! Maybe I have to make some of this for snacking!
Looks so yummy! Would be perfect with so many things!
That looks soooo good…I might have to make some tomorrow! Do you have a Trader Joe’s? If you do, that is so unfair :(
We do – just moved in a few years ago!
I’ve been craving homemade granola lately. Can’t wait to try this!
What gorgeous looking granola! You’re right – homemade granola is SO much better than store bough :) Your conversation with Ben cracks me up. My husband is sometimes shocked at the things I can make from scratch too. At least they’re easy to impress??! ;)
Ahhhh, homemade granola. I love that you used coconut oil and maple syrup! Two great ingredients!
I have only made homemade granola once, and I didn’t know the trick about it not getting crunchy until it cools down – luckily even overcooked homemade granola tastes yummy :)
Looks delicious! Is there a swap for the coconut oil?
I would use extra virgin olive oil.
Just tried this yesterday and the olive oil worked just fine, in case anyone was afraid of tasting olives in their granola.
This looks amazing! Do you think you could substitute chia seeds for the sesame seeds?
Yeah I think that’d be fine!
hah, i love it. my husband sometimes “gets” made from scratch stuff, and sometimes the concept eludes him for certain foods…this looks so good!
I love homemade granola- so much better than store bought!
Coconut oil is seriously amazing. I do not know what I ever did without! :(
Kristen, I love your posts! This looks amazing. Granola and yogurt is my ‘favorite in the world’ healthy breakfast. Throw in some fresh fruit, and I’ve got a total craving thang goin’ on! Saw a post on up the stream about being jealous of having Trader Joe’s nearby (if you do….) Me too!
#1. Seriously, I have only eaten your oatmeal parfaits for 2 months, and have been debating switching to a version of the frozen breakfast burritos, but shoot, why not throw some granola into my am greek yogurt.
#2. I think you and Ben are hilair, wish you lived in Michigan! :)
Oh yummy!….and I have to share…I introduced my roomies in college to Doritos and cottage cheese…and although we are 32….when we travel the ,lies tomgetmtogether…we still randomly indulge!
I love these photos, Kristin – so light and sunny! You’ve been making me want to run off to Charleston all week, but at least I can recreate one of your Charleston breakfasts at home. ;)
I have made a similar recipe & use dried sour cherries (pricey, but worth it if you can buy them in bulk!) & pepitas in place of sesame seeds. It is so easy & delicious! I can’t wait to try making this with the maple syrup & coconut oil!
This look so good!!!
Totally forgot RHOC started again this week! I’m really resisting the urge to start up my DVR right now (way past my bedtime) but can’t wait to see those biotches back at it!!
I love the Real Housewives of OC is my fave! Altho, I’m like your hubs….you can make amazing granola? I’ll stick to what I know I’m good at baking! haha
Yum!! I keep meaning to make my own granola but haven’t made myself push the button yet! Your great recipe is another reminder of why I need to do it :)
I caught this post as I was drinking my morning tea trying to figure out what I want to eat for breakfast. This looks perfectly yummy for a day like today. Too bad I didn’t find it last night so that I would have been prepared to shove some in my face first thing in the morning.
Homemade granola is the best, especially when it’s loaded with almonds!
Yay–another granola recipe to try! And then hide so I don’t eat it all in one day.
Haha it’s always kind of cool when people cannot believe you made something instead of buying it. As is it isn’t possible something that good could be homemade :-P
[…] Homemade Maple Almond Granola (Iowa Girl Eats) – This looks delicious and so few ingredients! I also love her pictures, I wish I was better at making my pictures look that nice! […]
Mmmm, this looks great! I have some yogurt that is in need of granola.
Ooh, this looks good! My grandma used to make all her own granola. She and my grandpa raised walnuts on a small farm, so it had a lot more walnuts than this does, but otherwise it sounds pretty similar! Will need to try!
Oooooh…that looks lovely! I want to make some and top of my morning oatmeal with that crunchy goodness!
I’ve always had a problem with store bought granola and even granola bars being too sweet and sugary for my liking. I’m totally going to try out this recipe as a change.
This is awesome. I was just thinking how I wanted to buy some gluten free granola, but mulling the purchase because it’s packed with SO much sugar. With this recipe I can make my own with far less, thanks!
Homemade granola is the best. It’s one of my new favorite things to make. The coconut oil addition to this looks great–must try!
What are some alternatives in place of nuts? I don’t like nuts and that’s the only reason I have no made my own granola before. I can’t think of things to put in it besides oatmeal and raisins!
You could add seeds e.g hemp or the alternatives Kristen mentioned above, or roasted soybeans/edamame (the crunchy ones in the snack aisle). Other alternatives could be shredded coconut, chocolate chips or small squares of fudge (add after the granola has cooled so they don’t melt!)
You could just leave them out, or add more seeds in place of nuts – pepitas, sunflower seeds, etc!
I was afraid you were going to say that. I don’t like seeds either or soybeans like the other lady suggested. Not for lack of trying. Bummer…
PERFECTION! can’t wait to try it out!
OMG!!! I thought I was the only one that eats Doritos and cottage cheese! Totally delish! lol
Made this today – so yummy! My little girl enjoyed putting “crunchies” on her yogurt at snack time. Thanks for the recipe!
This is just what I need for those mid-afternoon hunger pangs at work around 3pm. :) I have a granola recipe that I’ve used in the past, but yours looks MUCH tastier! Love the whole almonds in it!
Love this recipe! also love that you used to eat doritos and cottage cheese, one of my favorite combinations. Need more recipes with cottage cheese- totally an Iowa thing!!!
OOo this sounds delicious! I am on a baking kick as the weather here has been the same (Madison area).
I want to stay in bed curled up with hot coffee all day..not work!
Went to TJs last night and bought the ingredients to make this! I ended up spending $70 bucks at TJs – how is that even possible??? LOL! Can’t wait for to snack on this over the weekned :)
[…] Homemade Maple Almond Granola…sign me up! […]
I made this yesterday — amazing! And, I am having a hard time not eating the entire batch! Do you know the nutritional information on this and what do you consider a serving size? Thanks!
I made this yesterday! It was the first time I made granola – so easy, delicious, and fancy! My family was impressed! Thanks!
[…] Source: Iowa Girl Eats […]
This may be too good. Dangerously delicious.
yumm
SOOOOOO good. Thanks for sharing!
[…] It was beyond gorgeous out so Eddie and I channeled our roots and went for a quick rollerblade before stopping at Target and then home to relax. And because I didn’t step foot in the kitchen the entire weekend, I threw together some homemade maple almond granola […]