Vanilla Granola Recipe

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This Honey Vanilla Granola Recipe is my go-to for a quick breakfast or snack. Enjoy it as-is or use it to top ice cream, yogurt, smoothies, or as a starting point for your favorite add-in’s! 

When I first made this recipe it was sort of a mess but tasted so amazing. My entire house was filled with an amazing aroma but it was almost impossible to get things to stick together, literally.

I wanted big clumps of goodness that would be ideal for on-the-go snacking or replacing cereal. That is the way I feel like granola SHOULD be, am I right? Good news is I’ve made a couple of adjustments and have perfected the mix!

Recipe Features:

• Quick and Easy: Minimal ingredients and quick baking means you have fresh granola ready in minutes.
• Two Week Shelf Life: Homemade granola will last up to two weeks if stored properly.
• Nut and Dairy Free: This recipe contains no nuts or dairy. Although, you can add chopped nuts if you’d like for a great added texture.

The first thing I did was swap out coconut oil in place of canola. I have been obsessed with the stuff ever since I used it in a stir fry a few months back. It is a much better swap for butter and oils, in my opinion, and helps all of the granola goodness stick together a little bit better.  

I also reduced the sugar, added a touch of salt, and ditched the extra agave. If you made this recipe in the past you probably noticed that on top of brown sugar and honey it called for a measly teaspoon of agave… ONE TEASPOON. It’s not missed and things still taste dreamy.

What You’ll Need:

The recipe list is not long, and most are pantry staples. Find the full list of ingredients and their measurements in the recipe card below.

• Rolled Oats: For this recipe you want to use rolled oats. Rolled oats are also referred to as “old fashioned” or “whole oats.” The larger pieces make it easier for the granola to stick together and keep the crunchy texture.
• Brown Sugar: I like the slight molasses flavor you get when you use brown sugar over granulated.
• Spices: Cinnamon and just a touch of salt.
• Honey: Since this is a lower sugar recipe, honey is added to sweeten and help form those granola clusters.
• Coconut Oil: I highly recommend you use coconut oil, however vegetable, canola, or avocado should work well.

Step by Step Instructions:

1. Preheat your oven to 300 degrees. Line a cookie sheet with a silicone mat or parchment and set aside.
2. Combine the oats, brown sugar, salt, and cinnamon in a medium bowl and set aside.
3. Whisk the coconut oil and honey in a saucepan. Heat until fully just warmed and the oil is completely liquidated. Remove from the heat and stir in the Vanilla.
4. Stir together the oats with the vanilla liquid until coated. Spread onto your prepared sheet and bake for 30 minutes stirring once halfway through.
5. Granola is done when golden brown and fragrant.

Tips and FAQ’s:

I do suggest taste testing as you go. I put about 1/4 cup of sugar and honey but my husband likes it with a little less (around 2-3 tablespoons). Also be liberal with your add-in’s. I like it plain Jane because I use it with a ton of fruit on Greek yogurt but have big plans to create some outstanding flavor combo’s for you. It also makes an incredible vanilla granola cereal! Just add milk!

How do you eat granola:

The beauty of granola is that it can be eaten in so many ways! A few of our favorite?

• On its own as a grab-and-go snack
• With added fruit and yogurt
• On top of pancakes
• As a topping for ice cream
• With a little milk and fruit as cereal

Best Granola Mix-In Ideas:

This recipe makes an excellent base to any additional ingredients you would like to add. Here are a few of our favorites:

• Nuts: Cashews, walnuts, pecans, almonds… This is an incredible vanilla almond granola recipe!
• Dried Fruit: Bananas and apricots are my favorite, but my kid lives for dried blueberries.
• Seeds

Related Recipes:

• Cinnamon Crunch Granola
• Pumpkin Pie Granola Recipe
• Banana Bread Granola
• Peanut Butter and Jelly Granola Bars
• Maple Brown Sugar Oatmeal
• Cinnamon and Brown Sugar Oat Bars
• Best Baked Oatmeal

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