My girls love oats in the morning in so I used the flavors of their favorite vanilla overnight oats, to make this granola recipe. Vanilla Almond Granola is everything homemade granola should be. Crunchy, lightly sweet, and filled with warm vanilla flavor. With just 7 pantry ingredients and one baking sheet, you'll have a batch ready in about 30 minutes. Perfect over yogurt, packed in lunches, or gifted in a jar, this simple recipe is one you'll make again and again.
TL;DR - Homemade Vanilla Almond Granola
- 🥣 Why you'll love it: Crunchy, golden, lightly sweet this vanilla almond granola is simple to make and is full of those big clusters we all love.
- ✨ Ingredients: 7
- ⏲️ Prep Time: 10 minutes
- 🔥 Cook Time: 30 minutes
- 📦 Storage: Airtight jar 2 weeks. This makes the granola great for make ahead breakfasts and easy gifting.
- 🥛 Try it as: A topping for apple cinnamon overnight oats or challah french toast or as the perfect afterschool snack!
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Key Ingredients
- Rolled Oats: Also known as old fashioned oats. Check out more info on why to use these vs instant oats here: pumpkin overnight oats.
- Honey: I love the flavor honey gives to this granola, but you can easy substitute maple syrup to make this granola vegan.
- Vanilla: Try to use pure vanilla extract instead of imitation.
- Almonds: Using sliced almonds will give a great texture and not too much crunch to this granola recipe. I get mine at Trader Joes, but most grocery stores sell them. You can also grab them easily online.
Granola is a perfect hostess gift!
Package the cooled vanilla granola in glass jars or kraft bags tied with ribbon, it makes a cozy, homemade gift for teachers, friends, or neighbors.
🩶Marni
How to Make Vanilla Almond Granola
Step 1: In a large mixing bowl, you'll mix together old fashioned oats, cinnamon, salt and the sliced almonds.
Step 2: In a small glass measuring cup in the microwave, warm the honey, brown sugar, oil and vanilla at 30 second intervals until combined and easy to pour.
Step 3: Pour the warm liquid over your dry ingredients and stir until everything is evenly coated.
Step 4: Then spread out on two parchment lined baking sheets and put into a 300℉ oven.
Step 5: Let cook for about 20 minutes, then stir once. Let cook for another 10 more minutes or so until everything is toasty (not burnt) and some clumps have formed. Take out of the oven and let cool completely on the baking sheets before breaking into pieces and transferring to your storage containers.
Marni's Pro Tips for Perfect Vanilla Almond Granola
- Don't overmix before baking. Once everything is coated, stop stirring, too much mixing breaks up clusters before they even form.
- Press it flat. Spread the granola evenly on your baking sheet and gently press it down with a spatula. This helps it bake into clusters you can break apart once cool.
- Bake low and slow. 300°F is the sweet spot. It gives the granola a deep golden color without burning the almonds.
- Add optional mix-ins later. Dried fruit, chocolate chips, or coconut flakes go in after baking, so they stay chewy and sweet, not burnt.
Vanilla Almond Granola Serving Suggestions
In our house, granola is typically eaten by the handfuls as soon as it's cool enough to eat, or by the handful every time you walk by the jar.
- As cereal: Serve with milk and your favorite fresh berries or fruit puree mixed in
- With yogurt: Make a yogurt parfait layering vanilla yogurt with vanilla almond granola and blueberries. Or just crumble it over the top of your favorite yogurt cup.
- In a snack mix: Mix this granola with other nuts, dried fruits or even homemade puppy chow, for a fun and filling on the go snack mix.
- As dessert: Use the granola as a topping on ice cream, mixed into an apple pie dump cake or even as a crumble with whipped cream over your favorite fruit..
Recipe FAQs
Don't stir while it bakes. Press it flat on the pan after you give it the first stir and then and let it cool completely before breaking apart for those big, crunchy clusters.
Yes! Just swap the honey for maple syrup and use coconut oil instead of butter or vegetable oil.
Up to 2 weeks in an airtight jar on the counter. It keeps its crunch best when fully cooled before storing.
More easy breakfast ideas with oats
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📖 Recipe
Easy Vanilla Almond Granola (7-ingredients)
Ingredients
- 5 cups old fashioned oats
- 2 cups sliced almonds
- 1 tablespoon cinnamon
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- ⅓ cup honey
- ⅓ cup brown sugar
- ⅓ cup vegetable oil
- ¾ tablespoon vanilla
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 300 degrees and line two baking sheets with parchment paper.
- In a large bowl, mix together the oats, almonds, cinnamon, and salt until well combined.
- Put the honey, brown sugar, oil, and vanilla in a glass measuring cup. Microwave the measuring cup for 30 seconds and whisk liquid ingredients together (with a small whisk or a fork). If it needs more time, continue to heat in 10 second intervals.
- Once combined, pour the liquid mix over the dry ingredients and stir together until all the oats and almonds are coated.
- Spread out the mixture evenly between the two prepared baking sheets and put into the preheated oven. After 20 minutes, mix the granola with a spatula to ensure even cooking. Let it cook another 10 minutes or until it's golden brown and crunchy. Take out of the oven and let cool on the baking sheet completely, before breaking into pieces and storing in an airtight container.
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