Start your day on a wholesome note with this delightful healthy maple pecan granola recipe.
It’s the perfect way to add a satisfying crunch to your breakfast routine or enjoy a quick, energizing snack any time of day. This homemade granola is incredibly easy to prepare and fills your kitchen with an inviting aroma as it bakes.
Infused with the warm flavors of maple and cinnamon, and packed with crunchy pecans, this granola offers a delicious and nutritious option. Forget store-bought versions filled with unpronounceable ingredients; this recipe lets you control exactly what goes into your bowl, ensuring a truly healthy and satisfying experience for the whole family.
Healthy Maple Pecan Granola
- Total Time: 50-60 minutes
- Yield: 8 servings 1x
Description
Start your day on a wholesome note with this delightful healthy maple pecan granola recipe. It’s the perfect way to add a satisfying crunch to your breakfast routine or enjoy a quick, energizing snack any time of day. This homemade granola is incredibly easy to prepare and fills your kitchen with an inviting aroma as it bakes. Infused with the warm flavors of maple and cinnamon, and packed with crunchy pecans, this granola offers a delicious and nutritious option. Forget store-bought versions filled with unpronounceable ingredients; this recipe lets you control exactly what goes into your bowl, ensuring a truly healthy and satisfying experience for the whole family.
Ingredients
Instructions
1. Preheat Your Oven and Prepare Your Baking Sheet: Start by preheating your oven to 300 F (150 C). Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper. This step is crucial as it prevents the granola from sticking and makes cleanup much easier.
2. Combine Dry Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, combine the rolled oats, chopped pecans, ground cinnamon, and salt. Stir everything together thoroughly with a spoon or spatula until the spices are evenly distributed among the oats and pecans.
3. Whisk Wet Ingredients: In a separate, smaller bowl or a measuring cup, whisk together the pure maple syrup, olive oil (or melted coconut oil), and vanilla extract until they are well combined and smooth.
4. Combine Wet and Dry Mixtures: Pour the wet ingredient mixture over the dry ingredients in the large bowl. Stir well, ensuring that all the oats and pecans are evenly coated with the maple syrup mixture. It might take a minute or two of stirring to get everything fully coated.
5. Spread Granola on Baking Sheet: Transfer the coated granola mixture onto the prepared baking sheet. Spread it out into an even layer. Try to avoid piling it up too thickly, as a thinner layer helps the granola bake more evenly and get crispier.
6. Bake Until Golden and Fragrant: Place the baking sheet in the preheated oven and bake for 25-30 minutes. Halfway through the baking time (around 12-15 minutes), gently stir the granola with a spatula to promote even browning. The granola is ready when it’s golden brown around the edges and smells wonderfully toasted.
7. Cool Completely: Once baked, remove the baking sheet from the oven. Let the granola cool completely on the baking sheet without disturbing it. This cooling step is vital for achieving that perfect crunchy texture. As it cools, it will crisp up significantly.
8. Break Apart and Store: Once fully cooled, break the granola into clusters of your desired size. Transfer it to an airtight container for storage.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25-30 minutes
- Category: breakfast
- Method: baking
- Cuisine: american
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/2 cup
Keywords: granola, maple, pecan, healthy, breakfast, snack, oats, easy, crunchy, homemade
What You’ll Love About This Quick And Easy Recipe
This healthy maple pecan granola is a true kitchen hero for so many reasons. First and foremost, it’s incredibly versatile. You can enjoy it as a classic breakfast cereal with milk, sprinkle it over yogurt or fruit parfaits, or simply grab a handful for a quick energy boost. It’s perfect for busy mornings when you need something nutritious but don’t have time for elaborate cooking. Families will appreciate how easily it can be customized; even picky eaters often love the sweet, crunchy texture. It’s also a fantastic make-ahead option, meaning you can prepare a big batch on the weekend and enjoy homemade goodness all week long. This recipe works beautifully for anyone looking to incorporate more whole grains and healthy fats into their diet without sacrificing flavor.
Everything You Need To Make This Recipe Without Stress
Making your own granola is surprisingly simple, requiring just a few common pantry staples. The beauty of this recipe lies in its straightforward ingredients, which combine to create a deeply flavorful and satisfying result. You won’t need any fancy equipment, just a large mixing bowl, a baking sheet, and a spatula.
INGREDIENTS:
- 3 cups rolled oats (old-fashioned oats)
- 1 cup pecans, roughly chopped
- 1/2 cup pure maple syrup
- 1/4 cup olive oil or melted coconut oil
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
When selecting your ingredients, opt for old-fashioned rolled oats rather than instant or quick-cooking oats, as they provide the best texture and prevent the granola from becoming too mushy. For the pecans, you can buy them pre-chopped or whole and chop them yourself; just ensure they are fresh for the best flavor. Pure maple syrup is essential here; avoid “pancake syrup” or artificial maple-flavored syrups, as they won’t provide the same natural sweetness or depth of flavor. Olive oil or melted coconut oil both work wonderfully to help bind the granola and achieve that desirable crispiness. If you prefer a more neutral flavor, refined coconut oil is a great choice as it doesn’t impart a strong coconut taste.
Time Needed From Start To Finish
Preparing this healthy maple pecan granola is a relatively quick process, making it ideal for incorporating into a busy schedule. The hands-on prep time is minimal, allowing you to get it into the oven quickly.
- Preparation Time: 10 minutes
- Baking Time: 25-30 minutes
- Cooling Time: 15-20 minutes
- Total Time: Approximately 50-60 minutes
Most of the time is spent waiting for the granola to bake and cool, during which you can easily tackle other tasks or simply enjoy the wonderful aroma filling your home.
How To Make It Step By Step With Visual Cues
Creating this delicious maple pecan granola is a breeze. Follow these simple steps to achieve perfectly crunchy, flavorful results every time.
- Preheat Your Oven and Prepare Your Baking Sheet: Start by preheating your oven to 300°F (150°C). Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper. This step is crucial as it prevents the granola from sticking and makes cleanup much easier.
- Combine Dry Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, combine the rolled oats, chopped pecans, ground cinnamon, and salt. Stir everything together thoroughly with a spoon or spatula until the spices are evenly distributed among the oats and pecans.
- Whisk Wet Ingredients: In a separate, smaller bowl or a measuring cup, whisk together the pure maple syrup, olive oil (or melted coconut oil), and vanilla extract until they are well combined and smooth.
- Combine Wet and Dry Mixtures: Pour the wet ingredient mixture over the dry ingredients in the large bowl. Stir well, ensuring that all the oats and pecans are evenly coated with the maple syrup mixture. It might take a minute or two of stirring to get everything fully coated.
- Spread Granola on Baking Sheet: Transfer the coated granola mixture onto the prepared baking sheet. Spread it out into an even layer. Try to avoid piling it up too thickly, as a thinner layer helps the granola bake more evenly and get crispier.
- Bake Until Golden and Fragrant: Place the baking sheet in the preheated oven and bake for 25-30 minutes. Halfway through the baking time (around 12-15 minutes), gently stir the granola with a spatula to promote even browning. The granola is ready when it’s golden brown around the edges and smells wonderfully toasted.
- Cool Completely: Once baked, remove the baking sheet from the oven. Let the granola cool completely on the baking sheet without disturbing it. This cooling step is vital for achieving that perfect crunchy texture. As it cools, it will crisp up significantly.
- Break Apart and Store: Once fully cooled, break the granola into clusters of your desired size. Transfer it to an airtight container for storage.
Easy Variations And Serving Ideas That Fit Real Life
This healthy maple pecan granola is fantastic on its own, but it’s also incredibly adaptable. Here are some ideas to switch things up and serve it in creative ways:
- Add Dried Fruit: After the granola has cooled completely, stir in 1/2 cup of your favorite dried fruit, such as dried cranberries, raisins, chopped apricots, or dried cherries. Adding them after baking prevents them from becoming too hard or burning.
- Boost the Nuts and Seeds: Feel free to add other nuts like sliced almonds, walnuts, or cashews, or seeds such as pumpkin seeds (pepitas), sunflower seeds, or chia seeds along with the pecans in step 2. This adds more texture and nutritional value.
- Chocolate Chip Delight: For a treat, once the granola is completely cool, mix in 1/2 cup of mini chocolate chips. The residual heat from warm granola would melt them, so ensure it’s fully cooled.
- Spice It Up: Experiment with other warm spices. A pinch of nutmeg or a dash of cardamom can add another layer of flavor.
- Yogurt Parfaits: Layer the granola with Greek yogurt and fresh berries for a quick, protein-packed breakfast or snack. It’s a beautiful and delicious way to serve it.
- Smoothie Topping: Sprinkle a handful of granola over your morning smoothie bowl for added crunch and texture.
- Breakfast Cereal: Serve it simply with your favorite milk (dairy or non-dairy) for a classic, wholesome breakfast.
- Fruit Crumble Topping: Use this granola as a quick and easy topping for baked apples, peaches, or berry crumbles. Just sprinkle it over the fruit before baking.
- On-the-Go Snack: Portion it into small bags or containers for a convenient and healthy snack to take to work, school, or on hikes. Kids love having their own little bag of crunchy goodness.
Common Slip-Ups And How To Avoid Them
Even with a simple recipe like granola, a few common mistakes can impact the final outcome. Knowing what to watch out for can help you achieve perfect results every time.
- Overcrowding the Baking Sheet: If you pile the granola too thick on the baking sheet, it won’t bake evenly. The center might remain soft, while the edges could burn. Always spread it in a single, even layer, using two baking sheets if necessary for a larger batch.
- Skipping the Parchment Paper: Granola, especially with sugary syrup, loves to stick to baking sheets. Parchment paper is your best friend here, ensuring easy removal and minimal cleanup. Aluminum foil can also work, but parchment is generally preferred for non-stick properties.
- Not Stirring Halfway Through: While you want some clusters, stirring the granola once during baking helps ensure even browning and prevents the edges from burning while the middle remains undercooked. Be gentle to maintain some larger clusters.
- Removing Granola Before It’s Fully Cooled: This is perhaps the most critical step for achieving crunch. Granola will feel soft when it comes out of the oven. It hardens and crisps up significantly as it cools. Resist the urge to break it apart or move it until it’s completely cool.
- Using Quick Oats: Quick or instant oats are cut smaller and process differently, often leading to a mushier, less satisfying texture in granola. Stick to old-fashioned rolled oats for the best results.
- High Baking Temperature: Baking granola at too high a temperature can lead to burnt nuts and oats before the granola has a chance to properly dry out and crisp up. A lower temperature (300°
FAQs
- Can I make these ahead? Yes—prep ahead, refrigerate, then serve when ready.
- How long do leftovers last? Store covered in the fridge for 3–4 days for best texture.
- Can I adjust sweetness? Yes—add more or less sweetener to taste.
- Can I change the fruit? Yes—swap strawberries for blueberries, raspberries, or sliced banana.
