Golden Maple Cinnamon Granola

This comprehensive guide explores how to craft the most delicious, healthy, and customizable Maple Cinnamon Granola right in your own kitchen. Perfect for a quick breakfast, a satisfying snack, or a delightful topping, this recipe promises to elevate your culinary experience.

Welcome, fellow food enthusiasts! In a world that often feels fast-paced and demanding, finding moments of comfort and simple pleasures becomes essential. For many, that comfort can be found in a warm, inviting flavor profile, and nothing quite delivers that cozy embrace like cinnamon. This timeless spice, with its sweet and woody notes, forms the heart of our incredibly popular Maple Cinnamon Granola recipe – a true staple that has delighted family and friends for years.

Originally shared in January 2015, this beloved recipe has stood the test of time, proving its worth over countless batches. We’ve recently revisited it, adding fresh perspectives and new photographs to inspire even more home cooks to discover the joy of homemade granola. This isn’t just a recipe; it’s an invitation to bring wholesome, delicious goodness into your everyday routine.

Contents

The Allure of Homemade Maple Cinnamon Granola

Imagine starting your day with a bowl of yogurt topped with crunchy, golden clusters of granola, each bite bursting with the robust sweetness of maple syrup, the rich depth of molasses, and the comforting warmth of cinnamon. Add in the delightful textures of pecans, almonds, and coconut, and you have a breakfast that’s not just delicious but also incredibly satisfying. This Maple Cinnamon Granola is more than just a morning meal; it’s a versatile culinary creation that can transform your snacks, elevate your desserts, and even become a thoughtful, handcrafted gift.

Beyond breakfast, this granola serves as the perfect pick-me-up for that inevitable afternoon energy slump. Sprinkle it over baked apples for a wholesome dessert, enjoy it with a splash of milk like a classic cereal, or even incorporate it into your pancake batter for an extra layer of flavor and texture. The possibilities are truly endless, making this recipe a must-have in your kitchen repertoire.

Why Choose Homemade Over Store-Bought?

The decision to make your own granola is a game-changer for several compelling reasons. While store shelves are stocked with various granola options, they often come with a hefty price tag and a list of ingredients that might not align with your health goals. By making granola at home, you unlock a world of benefits:

Cost-Effectiveness

Homemade granola is significantly more budget-friendly than its store-bought counterparts. Bulk purchasing of oats, nuts, and seeds can drastically reduce the per-serving cost, allowing you to enjoy a premium product without breaking the bank. You’ll be surprised at how much you save over time by simply taking control of your breakfast and snack options.

Superior Taste and Freshness

There’s an undeniable difference in flavor and texture when granola is made fresh. The aroma that fills your kitchen as it bakes is intoxicating, and the resulting crunch and vibrant taste far surpass anything from a package. You control the toasting level of the nuts and oats, ensuring optimal flavor and a perfect golden hue.

Complete Ingredient Control

One of the most significant advantages of DIY granola is knowing exactly what goes into your food. Many commercial granolas contain excessive amounts of refined sugars, unhealthy oils, and artificial preservatives. With this Maple Cinnamon Granola recipe, you choose wholesome ingredients like old-fashioned rolled oats, natural maple syrup, coconut oil, and unsulphured molasses, ensuring a healthy and nutritious product free from unwanted additives. This recipe is also naturally vegan and can be gluten-free if you opt for certified gluten-free oats.

Endless Customization Options

This is where homemade granola truly shines. The beauty of this recipe lies in its incredible versatility. While our base calls for pecans, almonds, and sunflower seeds, you are the master chef. Feel free to swap in your favorite nuts like walnuts, cashews, or pistachios. Enhance the flavor profile with additional seeds such as pumpkin seeds or chia seeds for an extra boost of omega-3s. For dried fruits, the world is your oyster. Instead of cranberries, consider dried blueberries, cherries, golden raisins, or even banana chips for a tropical twist. Shredded coconut adds a wonderful texture and hint of sweetness, but you can adjust the amount or omit it if you prefer.

Key Ingredients That Make This Granola Shine

Every ingredient in this Maple Cinnamon Granola plays a crucial role in creating its balanced flavor and delightful texture:

Old-Fashioned Rolled Oats: These are the essential base, providing fiber and whole-grain goodness. They toast beautifully, creating that signature granola crunch.
Maple Syrup: Our primary sweetener, offering a distinctive, rich flavor that perfectly complements the cinnamon. Use pure maple syrup for the best results.
Unsulphured Molasses: Adds a deeper, slightly more complex sweetness and a lovely caramel note, enhancing the overall richness of the granola.
Coconut Oil: Binds the ingredients together and helps achieve that irresistible golden crispness. It also contributes a subtle, natural sweetness.
Ground Cinnamon: The star spice! It infuses the entire batch with its comforting warmth, making this granola truly inviting.
Pecans, Almonds, Sunflower Seeds: These provide healthy fats, protein, and a satisfying crunch. They also contribute a nutty depth of flavor.
Unsweetened Shredded Coconut: Adds a chewy texture and a tropical touch that pairs wonderfully with the maple and cinnamon.
Dried Cranberries: Incorporated after baking, they provide a burst of tartness and a chewy texture, balancing the sweetness of the granola.

Tips for Perfect Granola Every Time

Achieving that coveted crunchy, clumpy granola is simpler than you think with a few key techniques:

Even Spread: Ensure your granola mixture is spread in a single, even layer on the baking sheet. Overcrowding can lead to uneven baking and a softer texture.
Low and Slow Baking: Baking at 325°F (160°C) allows the granola to toast gradually without burning, developing deep flavors and a consistent crunch.
The Stirring Secret: Stirring halfway through the baking process is crucial for even browning. However, the real secret to big, satisfying clusters comes after baking.
Cool Completely Undisturbed: This is perhaps the most important tip for clump formation. Once you remove the baking sheet from the oven, resist the urge to stir it again. Let it cool completely to room temperature, ideally for at least an hour, or even overnight. As it cools, the sugars will solidify, binding the oats and nuts into delicious clusters.
Storage: Once fully cooled, transfer your granola to an airtight container. Stored properly, it will maintain its freshness and crunch for up to two weeks at room temperature.

This Maple Cinnamon Granola is loaded with flavor, high in fiber, and packed with healthy fats, making it an excellent choice for a nutritious start to your day or a wholesome snack. Be creative with your mix-ins and enjoy the process of crafting something truly special from scratch!

A Few Cook’s Notes for Maple Cinnamon Granola Recipe:

Dried Fruit Options: While dried cranberries add a lovely tartness, you can easily swap them for dried blueberries, raisins, chopped dried apricots, or any other dried fruit you enjoy. If you’re mindful of calories, you can also omit them entirely.
Nut Customization: Pecans are fantastic in this recipe, but feel free to substitute with your preferred nuts like walnuts, cashews, or a mix. Ensure they are unsalted to control the sodium content.
Spice it Up: Don’t be afraid to adjust the cinnamon or add other warm spices like a pinch of nutmeg or ground ginger for a different twist.

Maple Cinnamon Granola

Author: Mary Ann Dwyer

Servings: 8 servings

This quick and easy Maple Cinnamon Granola is perfect with your morning yogurt or straight from the bag as a protein-packed snack!

Prep Time: 10 mins

Cook Time: 30 mins

Total Time: 40 mins

Ingredients

3 cups old-fashioned rolled oats
1 cup pecan halves
1/2 cup whole unsalted almonds
1/2 cup sunflower seeds
1/4 cup unsweetened shredded coconut
2 tsp. ground cinnamon
1 tsp. kosher salt
1/2 cup maple syrup
1/4 cup coconut oil
1/4 cup unsulphured molasses
3 Tbsp. light brown sugar (lightly packed)
1 tsp. vanilla extract
1 cup dried cranberries

Instructions

Preheat oven to 325 degrees F (160°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
Combine the oats, pecans, almonds, sunflower seeds, shredded coconut, ground cinnamon, and kosher salt together in a large bowl. Mix well.
In a microwave-safe bowl, combine the maple syrup, coconut oil, and molasses. Microwave for about one minute until melted and smooth. Remove from the microwave and mix with a spatula. Gently stir in the brown sugar and vanilla extract until fully incorporated.
Pour the wet mixture over the oat and nut mixture and mix thoroughly until all ingredients are well moistened.
Spread the granola onto the prepared baking sheet in an even layer. Bake for 30 minutes, stirring gently after 15 minutes to ensure even browning.
Remove from oven and let cool completely to room temperature on the baking sheet without stirring. This crucial step helps the granola form nice, big clusters. For best results and maximum crispness, let it cool overnight.
Once completely cooled, stir in the dried cranberries.
Store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to two weeks.

Nutrition

Keyword: granola, healthy, nuts

Cuisine: American

Course: Breakfast, Snack

Before your first bite, snap a photo and share! If you make this recipe, we’d love to see! Be sure to follow and tag @thebeachhousekitchen or use the hashtag #thebeachhousekitchen on Instagram!