Vanilla Almond Granola Recipe

Introduction

This Vanilla Almond Granola is a perfect homemade treat that combines the rich flavors of honey, vanilla, and toasted almonds. It’s crisp, lightly sweetened, and great for breakfast or snacking throughout the day.

Ingredients

• ¼ cup honey
• ⅓ cup brown sugar (firmly packed)
• 8 tablespoons salted butter
• ¾ cup whole natural almonds (or chopped)
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• 1 teaspoon almond extract
• 1 pinch of salt
• 3 cups rolled oats

Instructions

1. Step 1: Preheat the oven to 300°F (150°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
2. Step 2: In a medium pot, combine honey, brown sugar, and butter. Heat over medium heat, stirring occasionally until the butter melts and the sugar dissolves, about 5 minutes. Remove from heat.
3. Step 3: While the mixture is heating, chop the whole almonds into bite-sized pieces if needed.
4. Step 4: Stir the almond extract, vanilla extract, and salt into the warm honey mixture.
5. Step 5: Add the chopped almonds and rolled oats to the honey mixture. Stir well until fully combined and there are no dry oat patches.
6. Step 6: Pour the granola onto the prepared baking sheet and spread it evenly with a spatula. Bake for 20-30 minutes until lightly golden at the edges. For extra crispness, gently stir the granola once halfway through baking.
7. Step 7: Let the granola cool completely for about 30 minutes, then break it into pieces by hand. Add dried fruit or other mix-ins if you like before storing.

Tips & Variations

• For a nuttier crunch, toast the almonds lightly before chopping and adding to the mixture.
• Swap almonds for walnuts or pecans for a different flavor profile.
• Add dried cranberries, raisins, or coconut flakes after baking for extra texture and taste.
• Use maple syrup instead of honey for a different sweetness and flavor.

Storage

Store your cooled granola in an airtight container at room temperature for up to two weeks. To keep it fresh longer, you can refrigerate it for up to a month. Reheat briefly in the oven or enjoy it cold with milk or yogurt.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use different nuts instead of almonds?

Yes, you can easily substitute almonds with other nuts like walnuts, pecans, or cashews depending on your preference or what you have on hand.

How can I make the granola crunchier?

For extra crunch, bake the granola a bit longer until golden and stir it halfway through baking. Also, letting it cool completely on the baking sheet helps it crisp up nicely.

Vanilla Almond Granola Recipe

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★★★★★

4.7 from 86 reviews

• Author: Aiden
• Total Time: 40 minutes
• Yield: About 6 cups 1x
• Diet: Vegetarian

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Description

This Vanilla Almond Granola is a deliciously crunchy and aromatic breakfast or snack option, combining the natural sweetness of honey and brown sugar with fragrant vanilla and almond extracts. Toasted oats and chopped almonds create a perfect balance of texture and flavor, baked to a golden crispness in the oven for a homemade treat.

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Ingredients

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Syrup Mixture

• ¼ cup honey
• ⅓ cup brown sugar (firmly packed)
• 8 Tablespoons salted butter
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• 1 teaspoon almond extract
• 1 pinch of salt

Main Ingredients

• ¾ cup whole natural almonds (or chopped)
• 3 cups rolled oats

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Instructions

1. Preheat the Oven: Preheat your oven to 300°F (150°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper to prevent sticking and make cleanup easier.
2. Melt Syrup Ingredients: In a medium pot over medium heat, combine the honey, brown sugar, and butter. Stir occasionally with a spatula until the butter has fully melted and the sugar is dissolved, approximately 5 minutes. Remove the pot from heat once done.
3. Prepare Almonds: While the syrup mixture is melting, chop the whole natural almonds into bite-sized pieces to ensure even distribution and texture in the granola.
4. Add Flavors: Stir the almond extract, vanilla extract, and a pinch of salt into the warm honey and butter mixture to infuse the syrup with aromatic flavors.
5. Combine Dry Ingredients: Add the chopped almonds and rolled oats to the syrup mixture. Mix thoroughly until all oats and nuts are evenly coated with no dry spots remaining.
6. Spread and Bake: Pour the granola mixture onto the prepared baking sheet. Spread it out evenly using a spatula to ensure consistent baking. Bake in the preheated oven for 20 to 30 minutes, until the granola turns lightly golden brown around the edges. For a crunchier texture, gently stir the granola once halfway through baking.
7. Cool and Store: Allow the granola to cool completely for about 30 minutes on the baking sheet. Once cooled, break it into pieces by hand. Optionally, add dried fruits or other mix-ins at this stage. Store the granola in an airtight container to keep it fresh.

Notes

• For crunchier granola, stir once midway through baking to promote even browning.
• You can substitute salted butter with unsalted butter and add an additional pinch of salt if desired.
• Feel free to mix in dried fruits, such as raisins or cranberries, after baking for added flavor and texture.
• Store granola in an airtight container to maintain freshness for up to two weeks.
• Use rolled oats rather than instant or steel-cut oats for best texture.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 30 minutes
• Category: Breakfast
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Keywords: vanilla almond granola, homemade granola recipe, baked granola, crunchy granola, breakfast granola, healthy snack