Maple Pecan Granola
Maple Pecan Granola combines old fashioned oats, pecans, sunflower seeds, and dried cranberries – with a simple mixture that makes it slightly sweet, without refined sugars. A healthy, delicious granola that we eat on the daily, and you should too!
Try some Grain Free Granola Bars for another delicious breakfast snack!
Cinnamon Granola
My large batch cinnamon nut granola finally made it to the blog. I’ve been making it forever now, after deciding that my “smaller-more-ingredient-granola” was just too small of a batch for my granola loving family.
It’s still a good one, and tastes basically the same, but this one is the new and improved recipe for several reasons.
- less variety of ingredients
- more quantity (bigger batch)
- same great taste!
My Healthy Chocolate Granola is another delicious granola recipe too. Try them both!
Making granola is so easy. It’s hard to believe that it took me years before I made my first batch, and we’ve been enjoying it big time ever since. THIS recipe has fewer ingredients but MORE of them. Does that make sense? 😀
Homemade Maple Nut Granola Ingredients:
The dry ingredients:
- old fashioned oatmeal
- chopped pecans (OR walnuts)
- sunflower seeds
- cinnamon plus salt
- Craisins (dried cranberries – added at the end)
The wet ingredients:
- pure maple syrup
- honey
- cinnamon applesauce
- canola oil (or avocado oil)
- vanilla
- plus a touch of water
So let me ask you. Are you ready to make the most delicious crunchy granola, meanwhile making your house smell like heaven, and your family screaming for joy? I thought so!
How to make Maple Pecan Granola
Step 1
Combine dry ingredients. Add the dry ingredients (except the Craisins) in a large mixing bowl. Stir to combine.
Step 2
Combine wet ingredients. Pour the wet ingredients in a microwave safe bowl. Heat for a couple of minutes and stir well.
Step 3
Pour the wet ingredients over the dry. Drizzle the wet mixture over the dry, and use a spoon to mix well.
Step 4
Add granola to pans. Pour the wet granola inside two prepared pans.
Step 5
Bake. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Bake on two racks for 20 minutes. Rotate pans and bake another 15 minutes or until nice and golden brown and fragrant.
Step 6
Cool granola. Remove pans to cool. Then add Craisins to granola.
Step 7
Break up the granola. Use your hands to break up the granola into smaller chunks.
Step 8
Store. Store the granola in large mason jars or freeze in freezer bags.
** TIPS REGARDING BAKING GRANOLA!
- First…a question. Do you have an oven that bakes hotter or colder than average, or just somewhere in the middle? This is important.
- Bake your granola on two separate racks at 325 degrees (or 350 in my case) for 25 minutes.
- Rotate pans and bake again for another 15-20’ish minutes, but be really careful to avoid burning it. I would suggest checking it every five minutes or so, until you make it enough to know if it’s prone to burning in YOUR oven.
- This can burn very quickly, and I don’t want that to happen to you. Just be vigilant. You will know when it’s done when the granola is nice and golden brown, and your house smells like heaven!
All The Delicious Ways to EAT GRANOLA:
Let’s talk about how we eat our granola, because this is VERY very important. Trust me. Or head to my post for Yogurt with Granola that explains it all too!
- Sprinkle granola over fruit and yogurt. This is definitely Mike’s FAV way to eat it.
- Combine it with milk. Granola as a cereal? Yes please.
- Add it to your oatmeal (or steel cut oats). I’m liking this A LOT.
- Eat it straight out of the bag. Is this ok to do? Asking for a friend.
I’m betting there are other ways to add granola to your meals, but these four are “ways the Ringsdorf fam eats granola”.
Enjoy!
Make this granola recipe next: White Chocolate Gingerbread Granola
xoxo ~Sue
Maple Pecan Granola
Ingredients
- 6 cups old fashioned oatmeal
- 2 cups roasted and salted sunflower seeds
- 3 cups pecans (or walnuts) – chopped
- 1 Tablespoon cinnamon
- 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
- 3/4 cup pure maple syrup
- 3/4 cup honey
- 1/2 cup cinnamon applesauce
- 1/4 cup canola oil – or avocado oil
- 3 Tablespoons water
- 1 Tablespoon vanilla
- 2 cups dried cranberries – Craisins
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Prepare two baking sheets with baking spray.
- Mix together the dry ingredients in a large bowl: the oatmeal, sunflower seeds, pecans (or walnuts), cinnamon, and salt.
- Combine the wet ingredients in a microwave safe bowl: the maple syrup, honey, applesauce, canola oil, water, and vanilla. Microwave for 2 minutes, and stir.
- Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients, and mix well. Pour evenly into the prepared baking sheets, and spread out with a spoon.
- Bake for 25 minutes on two racks of the oven. Rotate pans and then bake an additional 15-20 minutes, or until the granola is nice and browned and fragrant. Be careful to avoid burning it!
- After the granola is cooled, add the Craisins. To serve, sprinkle over fruit and granola, over oatmeal, or with just a splash of milk!
Video
Notes
- I recommend storing this granola (in freezer bags) in the freezer. You can eat it straight from there!
- You can use either pecans or walnuts, or a variety in this recipe. I use whatever I have on hand.
- Be VERY CAREFUL to avoid burning this granola. All ovens are different, so stay close by, and check granola as often as needed..
- This makes amazing gifts. Just pour some into a mason jar, and add a little ribbon and message.
I’m sitting near my oven cuz it runs hot and I need this granola. The smells are sooo good. Then I taste it and it’s delicious. I am also adding some white chocolate chips cuz why not?!! This will be a breakfast, lunch and snack staple from now on!!
Good morning! So far I love this granola recipe, but I was wondering how to store it? Should I put in the fridge or can I leave it in an air tight container in the pantry? Thanks!
Hi Danielle. I recommend storing in the freezer! We like it straight from the freezer. Try it!
Great! Thank you!
This Granola recipe is the BEST & my family loves it!! We sprinkle on top of ice cream, mix in with yogurt & fruit, combine w/ our favorite cereal & also eat it straight out of the container. Thanks Sue!!! Delicious!!
Tomorrow I’m making Sue’s M&M Oatmeal Cookies☺️
Hi Lauren! I’m so glad you enjoyed the granola. It’s our favorite too! Thanks for your feedback. 🙂
This is a must! It is soooo good that I have been known to hide it from the rest of the family and I do not share very well. I have a special drawer in the fridge that is stocked at all times. This is the good stuff!
You definitely eat your share of granola, mister! 🙂