Description
Maple Pecan Granola is a crunchy, flavorful homemade granola loaded with oats, nuts, seeds, and sweetened naturally with maple syrup and honey. Spiced with warm notes of cinnamon, cardamom, cloves, and nutmeg, this granola is perfect as a wholesome breakfast or snack, topped with dried cherries and cranberries for a bright fruity finish.
Ingredients
Scale
Dry Ingredients
- 8 cups rolled oats
- 1 & 1/2 cups wheat germ
- 1 & 1/2 cups oat bran
- 1 cup salted sunflower seeds
- 1 cup sliced almonds
- 1 cup salted pepitas (pumpkin seeds)
- 1 cup pecans, roughly chopped
- 1 tablespoon cinnamon
- 1/2 teaspoon cardamom
- 1/4 teaspoon cloves
- 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg
- 1 teaspoon salt
Wet Ingredients
- 1 cup olive oil
- 3/4 cup maple syrup
- 1/4 cup honey
- 1 tablespoon vanilla (or vanilla bean paste)
Add-ins
- 1 & 1/2 cups dried cherries
- 1 & 1/2 cups dried cranberries
Instructions
- Preheat the Oven: Set your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit to prepare it for baking the granola evenly.
- Mix Dry Ingredients: In a large bowl, combine the rolled oats, wheat germ, oat bran, salted sunflower seeds, sliced almonds, salted pepitas, and roughly chopped pecans thoroughly.
- Prepare the Spiced Syrup: In a saucepan, combine olive oil, maple syrup, honey, cinnamon, cardamom, cloves, nutmeg, and salt. Bring the mixture to a gentle boil, then remove from heat and let it sit for about a minute before stirring in the vanilla to prevent burning off its flavor.
- Combine Mixtures: Gradually pour the spiced syrup over the oat mixture in increments, stirring continuously until all the liquid is fully incorporated and the oats are evenly coated.
- Arrange on Baking Sheets: Line two large rimmed baking sheets with foil or parchment paper. Divide the granola mixture evenly between the sheets and spread it out uniformly for even baking.
- Bake the Granola: Bake in the oven for about 12 minutes, then stir the granola on both pans to ensure even browning. Continue baking for another 10 to 12 minutes until the granola starts to brown lightly. If baking both pans simultaneously, rotate their positions after stirring for even heat distribution.
- Cool and Add Dried Fruits: Remove the pans from the oven and let the granola cool completely. Once cooled, sprinkle the dried cherries and cranberries over the granola and mix them in evenly.
Notes
- Ensure not to add vanilla too early to prevent the flavor from burning off.
- Stirring during baking helps prevent uneven browning and clumping.
- Use parchment paper for easier cleanup and to prevent sticking.
- Allow the granola to cool fully before adding dried fruits to avoid moisture making the granola soggy.
- Store in an airtight container to maintain freshness and crunch.
