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.Â
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,)Â 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!
Tieghan 04.09.2013
This look so good!!!
Liz 04.09.2013
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!
Jess 04.09.2013
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. ;)
Regan 04.09.2013
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!
Wendy 04.09.2013
#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! :)
Cheryl 04.09.2013
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!
Hannah @ CleanEatingVeggieGirl 04.09.2013
Coconut oil is seriously amazing. I do not know what I ever did without! :(
Amy @ Healthy and Fit for Real 04.09.2013
I love homemade granola- so much better than store bought!
erin @hooleywithaz 04.09.2013
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!
jenna 04.09.2013
This looks amazing! Do you think you could substitute chia seeds for the sesame seeds?
Iowa Girl Eats 04.10.2013
Yeah I think that’d be fine!
Amy 04.09.2013
Looks delicious! Is there a swap for the coconut oil?
Iowa Girl Eats 04.10.2013
I would use extra virgin olive oil.
Sadye 06.10.2014
Just tried this yesterday and the olive oil worked just fine, in case anyone was afraid of tasting olives in their granola.
Katie @ Blonde Ambition 04.09.2013
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 :)
Becky @ Olives n Wine 04.09.2013
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??! ;)
Jessica @ The Dreaming Foodie 04.09.2013
I’ve been craving homemade granola lately. Can’t wait to try this!
lisa@cookingwithcurls 04.09.2013
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 :(
Iowa Girl Eats 04.10.2013
We do – just moved in a few years ago!
Emily @ Hungry Delights 04.09.2013
Looks so yummy! Would be perfect with so many things!
Stefanie @ Sarcastic Cooking 04.09.2013
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!
Miss Meat and Potatoes 04.09.2013
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!
Dana 04.09.2013
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!
Sarah @ Making Thyme for Health 04.09.2013
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! ;)
Iowa Girl Eats 04.09.2013
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. ;)
Sarah @ Making Thyme for Health 04.10.2013
At least he is able to find the humor in it! It is hilarious how ridiculous they are on that show.