A batch of Maple Almond Crunch Granola is a perfect make-ahead clean eating breakfast or snack to keep on hand for quick meals when hunger strikes! Sprinkle it on yogurt or grab it by the handful -- this easy and healthy recipe will soon become a kitchen staple!
Hey, guys! How are your New Year's resolutions coming along? Did you promise to treat yourself better this year? Maybe prepare more meals at home instead of hitting the drive-thru? Or start your morning with breakfast every day?
If you're into the second week of the New Year and you're already losing steam with your goals, then I have just the energy perk you need...in the form of granola! What could be finer?
This delicious mix is full of oats, nuts, seeds, dried fruit, and just a hint of maple syrup for natural sweetness. It's a wholesome, perfectly crunchy, and absolutely delicious addition to your pantry!
This batch makes a lot of granola (as in...9 cups worth)! That means that if you spend a few minutes preparing a batch on the weekend, you'll have plenty of granola to snack on, toss into your salads, sprinkle on your yogurt, and just gobble by the handful. Or, you can do what I did -- and share!
When I made the first batch of this granola around the holidays, I brought a jar of it to the gym for my friends Mark and Amy. They own the fitness center, they're both personal trainers, and they have two young boys at home. To say that they need plenty of FAST and healthy meal options would be a drastic understatement!
I knew that Mark and Amy would appreciate some granola to fuel them through their morning training sessions and their afternoons with toddlers. Plus, it's so darn good that it's definitely of gift-giving quality. That said, you don't have to share...you have full permission to stash it away for yourself!
Tips For Making The Best Granola;
- Add your favorite fruits, seeds and nuts
- Always add the fruit last once the granola has been baked
- Try adding shredded coconut (add this last with the fruit)
- Make sure the granola mixture is spread out evenly before baking
- Serve with yogurt, dairy or nut milks
- Drizzle with more maple syrup or honey
If you’ve tried this Maple Almond Crunch Granola or any other recipe on The Seasoned Mom then don’t forget to rate the recipe and leave me a comment below! You can also follow me on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and Pinterest to see what I’m getting up to.
Maple Almond Crunch Granola
Ingredients
- 5 cups old-fashioned rolled oats
- ½ cup wheat germ found in the cereal aisle at the grocery store
- 1 ½ cups raw sunflower seeds pumpkin seeds, or a combination of both
- ⅓ cup sesame seeds
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¾ cup maple syrup
- 1 tablespoon vanilla
- ½ cup coconut oil melted (can substitute canola oil if preferred)
- 1 cup raw slivered almonds
- 1 cup chopped dates can substitute raisins or dried cranberries if preferred
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 325°F (160°C)
- In a large bowl, stir together first 8 ingredients (oats through oil).
- Spread oat mixture onto a large, rimmed baking sheet.
- Bake for about 30 minutes, stirring once halfway through.
- Reduce heat to 250°F (120°C). Bake for about 40 minutes, or until just golden brown, stirring frequently (I like to stir mine about every 10 minutes).
- Add almonds and bake for another 20-30 minutes.
- Remove from oven and stir in dates. Cool completely before storing in air-tight containers.
Nutrition
Gayle @ Pumpkin 'N Spice
I'm definitely trying to stay on the right track of eating better this year, so this granola looks just perfect! I absolutely love the maple flavor in here, Blair! And the sesame and sunflower seeds sound delicious, too. This would make such a great breakfast or snack!
Blair
Thanks, Gayle! This is a great breakfast or snack to have on hand!
Megan @ Skinny Fitalicious
All my favorite things in this granola and that maple flavor sounds amazing too!
Blair
Hi, Megan! Happy Monday! The maple flavor is definitely perfect for this combination of ingredients! Thanks for stopping by! 🙂
Jen | Baked by an Introvert
Yummo! I have been on a granola kick lately and this one sounds so good! Love the maple flavor!!
Blair
Thanks, Jen! I think I'm always on a granola kick! 🙂
Robyn @ Simply Fresh Dinners
Ok, this pics are just drop dead gorgeous, Blair. You could convert every non-granola lover on the planet with these images! Lots of yumminess and crunch. Love it! Sharing 🙂
Blair
You sure know the way to this girl's heart, Robyn! Thank you so much for your kind words (and for sharing the post)!! xoxo
Holly Waterfall
Granola is seriously one of my favorite foods ever. Handfuls of it. In yogurt. With a splash of milk. I just love it. It's a perfect on-the-go snack too.
Personally, I don't think I would share 🙂
Blair
Mine too, Holly! It's ALWAYS good -- any time of day, in any combination!!
Bethany @ Athletic Avocado
Homemade granola is 10x better than store-bought! I love the plethora of nuts and seeds for extra crunch!
Blair
Totally agree, Bethany! Homemade is the way to go!! 🙂 Thanks for stopping by!
Jessica @ A Kitchen Addiction
I love adding maple to granola! Can't wait to try this!
Blair
Thanks, Jessica. I think I add maple syrup to just about anything that I can think of! It's such a delicious flavor -- especially at this time of year!
Chrissa - Physical Kitchness
This.looks.amazing. Your photos are so beautiful too! My husband loves homemade granola. He calls it "crack". Hehehe. I KNOW he will be aaaaaaall over this version Blair!
Faye Faraldo
Used to make this but got lazy. You have inspired me to do it again. Thank you, love all your recipes, keep up the good work.
Blair
Oh, good! So glad that you might make it again! 🙂 I need to make a batch too, come to think of it!