Maple Almond Granola is a perfectly crunchy and naturally sweetened with maple syrup. Easy to make, and way less sugar than store-bought granola!
My husband and I were enjoying an evening snack of homemade Maple Almond Granola recently. Here’s how it went:
Him: Crunch, crunch, crunch…yum. Hey where’d you get this?
Her: I made it.
Him: You made this? Wait, how did yo- HOW DID YOU MAKE THIS?!
Her: Um, I just made it. Like stirred stuff together then baked it.
Him: 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 was a source of intense wonderment for my man.
Maple Almond Granola combines pantry staples like old fashioned oats, nuts, and sesame seeds with maple syrup, honey, and coconut oil, which are tossed together and then baked. The result is a perfectly crunchy, naturally sweetened granola that’s as good sprinkled on top of yogurt as it is by the handful!
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. Use what you’ve 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 almonds, 1/2 cup chopped pecans, and 1/4 cup sesame seeds.
Roughly chop another 1/2 cup almonds then add them to the bowl.
Finish with a sprinkling of 1/2 teaspoon salt and a dash or two of cinnamon, then stir everything together.
In a small saucepan, melt 1/4 cup coconut oil with 6 Tablespoons pure maple syrup and 2 Tablespoons honey over medium heat.
Stir occasionally until the coconut oil melts, about a minute or two, then add 1/2 teaspoon each vanilla and almond extract.
Pour the coconut oil mixture over the dry ingredients then stir to thoroughly coat. 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 like raisins, dried apricots, dried cranberries, etc., then store in an airtight container at room temp for up to a week.
Get your taste buds revved, because this granola is divine. I hope you enjoy!
Equipment
Ingredients
- 3 cups certified gluten free old fashioned oats
- 1 cup almonds, divided
- 1/2 cup chopped pecans
- 1/4 cup sesame seeds
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- dash of cinnamon
- 6 Tablespoons pure maple syrup, not pancake syrup
- 1/4 cup coconut oil
- 2 Tablespoons honey
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/2 teaspoon almond extract
- 1 cup dried fruit, raisins, dried cranberries, etc, 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 mixing bowl. 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 then stir in vanilla and almond extracts. Pour over 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.
Notes
- Store in a container with a tight-fitting lid at room temperature for up to a week.
Nutrition
Nutritional values are estimates only. Please read our full nutrition information disclaimer.
I love homemade granola- so much better than store bought!
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!
This looks amazing! Do you think you could substitute chia seeds for the sesame seeds?
Yeah I think that’d be fine!
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.
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 :)
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??! ;)
I’ve been craving homemade granola lately. Can’t wait to try this!
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!
Looks so yummy! Would be perfect with so many things!
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!
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!
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!
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.