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    Home » Recipes » Breakfast

    Simple Granola Recipe: Vanilla Maple

    Published: Oct 19, 2020 Modified: Oct 19, 2020 by Kristin King / This post may contain affiliate links

    Jump to Recipe | Pin Recipe
    Side view photo pin of finished homemade granola.
    Two photos separated by text overlay to show the granola breakfast.
    Long pin with two photos of baked granola.
    Side view of crunchy baked homemade granola topped with chopped apple.
    Close up of a spoon with the granola.
    Overhead view of a bowl of granola with chopped apples on a blue checked tablecloth.

    This simple granola recipe is a delicious whole grain cereal drizzled with pure maple syrup and vanilla and baked to a satisfying crunch.

    Overhead view of a bowl of granola with chopped apples on a blue checked tablecloth.
    This deliciously crunchy and naturally sweetened breakfast will brighten your day!
    Jump to:
    • 👩🏻‍🍳 Homemade Granola Back Story
    • 🥘 Ingredients Needed
    • 🔪 Instructions
    • 👪 FAQs
    • ✔️ Storage Suggestion
    • 💭 Top Tips
    • 📖 Variations
    • 🥞 Additional Breakfast Recipes
    • Simple Granola Recipe: Vanilla Maple
    • 📋 Recipe Card
    • 💬 Reviews and Comments

    👩🏻‍🍳 Homemade Granola Back Story

    Because I just don’t have enough to do, I decided to make my own granola cereal.

    Actually, it was super-easy and didn't take much time at all. And breakfast is the most important meal of the day, so you want to make it count! Can you say whole grains?!? I used puffed kamut, puffed wheat and rolled oats to get that whole grain goodness going.

    Fall is the perfect time for maple syrup, and there's a lot of really great information regarding how it's made!

    Any way you make this simple granola recipe, it is a delicious choice for a weekday breakfast, and great to serve to your kids on school mornings!

    With natural sweeteners and no preservatives, homemade granola is healthier than anything store-bought, and it's so easy to make. Make it along with this Strawberry Granola and ensure you always have something tasty and good for you to snack on!

    🥘 Ingredients Needed

    Overhead shot of ingredients to make vanilla maple granola.
    Make your own delicious granola using these ingredients!
    • maple syrup - adds some sweetness and helps the granola stick together.
    • butter - it's like when you eat waffles or pancakes, the butter balances out the syrup perfectly!
    • vanilla extract - gives the granola its vanilla flavor.
    • cinnamon - pairs perfectly with the maple and vanilla flavors.
    • puffed kamut - you can also use puffed wheat, puffed rice, or a combination of any of them!
    • rolled oats - a classic addition for any granola.
    • sliced almonds - provides a nutty crunch.
    • sesame seeds - an optional ingredient that adds just a bit more flavor and texture.

    🔪 Instructions

    6 photo collage of the steps to make maple vanilla granola.
    One you have all the ingredients, this recipe for vanilla maple granola comes together in 6 easy steps!
    1. Preheat your oven to 350 degrees F, and while it's preheating combine the syrup and butter in a saucepan and heat on medium until the butter is melted.
    2. Stir in the vanilla and cinnamon.
    3. In a large bowl combine your puffed kamut (or whatever puffed cereal you're using), oats, and almonds.
    4. Slowly pour the syrup mixture over the cereal, stirring as you go to coat evenly.
    5. Sprinkle the sesame seeds over the mixture and mix them in (optional step).
    6. Spread into a thin layer on a baking sheet and bake for 30-40 minutes. Make sure to stir at around the 15-minute mark!

    👪 FAQs

    How long will my granola last?

    If stored properly in an airtight container or sealable bag, your granola should be good for up to 6 months. Make sure to store it in a place that's cool and dry to increase its shelf life!

    How can I make this granola healthier?

    The oats actually contribute to a good amount of the fat in this recipe, so you could substitute the puffed cereal instead of the oats to cut back on that. The same is true of the almonds; you could just replace them with more puffed cereal. You could also use a buttery spread or butter substitute if you don't want to use traditional butter.

    Can this be made in larger batches?

    Of course! If you want to use this granola as a fun gift for the holidays or even in goodie bags for a birthday party, you could easily double or triple it. Just make sure you've got a big enough bowl!

    ✔️ Storage Suggestion

    Your homemade granola can easily be storage in a gallon size ziplock bag. I absolutely LOVE this lay-flat zippered storage bag from rezip.

    They are made of food-safe silicone and are easy to securely zip shut. In addition, they are dishwasher and freezer safe, and can be reused over and over again.

    That saves me money over time and also helps to reduce waste! Win-win!

    Overhead photo of granola stored in a reusable zip top bag.
    My favorite way to store homemade granola is in this reusable zipper top bag from (re)zip!

    💭 Top Tips

    • Any plain puffed cereal will work, just make sure it isn't sweetened or doesn't include other ingredients.
    • Be sure to use a really large bowl to make it easy to mix in the maple syrup mixture without spilling cereal.
    • If you have regular sesame seeds (not toasted), you can toast your own in a 350 degree oven for about 15 minutes. Or you can skip them altogether (they really are optional).
    • Serve with milk or just eat as a crunchy snack!
    Close up view of a spoon to see the detail of the crunchy, baked homemade granola.
    Slightly sweet, delicious, and crunchy, this simple granola recipe will become a family favorite!

    📖 Variations

    • Though it negates some of the nutrition of this granola, after baking you could mix in some chocolate chips for some extra sweetness. A healthier option would dried fruit, like raisins or apricots.
    • You can also play around with which grains and nuts you use to switch up the flavors. Try some peanuts, pecans, or walnuts, and mix up the combinations to figure out which you like best!
    • If you want to use a different sweetening agent in place of the syrup, some honey or agave nectar would be a great substitution.
    Bowl of granola topped with chopped apples, on a blue checked napkin with a pitcher of milk in the background.
    With whole grain wheat and oats and protein-packed almonds, this breakfast is one you can feel good about giving to your family every morning!

    🥞 Additional Breakfast Recipes

    If this simple granola recipe has you craving great options for the morning, here are a few more breakfast ideas for you!

    • Side view of crock pot French toast casserole on a black plate on a wooden surface with a black napkin and silverware on the side.
      Crock Pot French Toast Casserole
    • Overhead shot of baked frittata slice on a plate with a fork on the side.
      Baked Egg Frittata with Ham
    • Close up shot of four stacked french toast covered in syrup, and garnished with strawberries and blueberries.
      Banana Cinnamon French Toast
    • Overhead shot of tater tot casserole in a casserole dish on a wooden surface with a black serving spoon on the side.
      Cheesy Tater Tot Casserole

    Simple Granola Recipe: Vanilla Maple

    Love this recipe? Awesome! Please give it a 5 star ⭐ rating below! And if you make this, snap a photo and tag me on Instagram. You can find me at DizzyBusyandHungry or #dizzybusyandhungry!

    📋 Recipe Card

    Top down view of homemade granola in a glass bowl with a spoon in it.

    Simple Granola Recipe: Vanilla Maple

    Recipe Author: Kristin
    This simple granola recipe is a delicious whole grain cereal drizzled with pure maple syrup and vanilla and baked to a satisfying crunch.
    5 from 4 votes
    Print Recipe Share by Email Bookmark Saved!
    Prep Time 5 minutes mins
    Cook Time 30 minutes mins
    Total Time 35 minutes mins
    Course Breakfast
    Cuisine American
    Servings 10
    Calories 448 kcal

    Ingredients
     

    • ⅓ cup pure maple syrup
    • 4 tablespoons butter or buttery spread
    • 1 teaspoon vanilla
    • 1 teaspoon cinnamon
    • 5 cups puffed kamut, puffed wheat, or puffed rice (or combine 2 or 3 of these)
    • 1 cup rolled oats
    • ½ cup sliced almonds
    • 2 tablespoons toasted sesame seeds (optional)
    Prevent your screen from going dark

    Instructions
     

    • Preheat oven to 325 degrees.
    • Combine syrup and butter in a small saucepan and heat on medium until the buttery spread is melted and the mixture is hot.
      ⅓ cup pure maple syrup, 4 tablespoons butter or buttery spread
    • Stir in vanilla and cinnamon.
      1 teaspoon vanilla, 1 teaspoon cinnamon
    • In a large bowl, combine the puffed cereal, rolled oats, and almonds.
      5 cups puffed kamut, puffed wheat, or puffed rice, 1 cup rolled oats, ½ cup sliced almonds
    • Slowly pour the syrup mixture over the cereal mixture, stirring as you go to coat evenly.
    • Sprinkle the sesame seeds over the mixture and stir to combine (this helps them to stick to the other pieces of cereal instead of just ending up on the bottom of the bowl.
      2 tablespoons toasted sesame seeds
    • Spread in a thin layer on a baking sheet, then bake for 30-40 minutes, stirring at about the 15 minute mark.

    Notes

    • You can substitute margarine or other buttery spread for butter.
    • Any plain puffed cereal will work, just make sure it isn't sweetened or includes other ingredients.
    • Be sure to use a really large bowl to make it easy to mix in the maple syrup mixture without spilling cereal.
    • If you have regular sesame seeds (not toasted), you can toast your own in a 350 degree oven for about 15 minutes. Or you can skip them altogether (they really are optional).
    • Serve with milk or just eat as a crunchy snack!

    Video

    Nutrition

    Serving: 1g | Calories: 448kcal | Carbohydrates: 78g | Protein: 15g | Fat: 10g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Sodium: 41mg | Potassium: 516mg | Fiber: 10g | Sugar: 11g | Vitamin A: 220IU | Calcium: 70mg | Iron: 4.1mg

    Nutritional information is an estimate. The nutritional values for your final dish may vary based on measuring differences and products used.

    Want to make cooking even easier?Sign up here to receive FREE DBH exclusive content, including my favorite kitchen shortcuts and hacks, and unlock access to the DBH resource library with many other free downloads!

    Update Notes: This post was originally published in August 2013, but was republished with tips, step by step photos, and a recipe change in October 2020.

    Thanks so much for reading! I also invite you to follow me on FACEBOOK, PINTEREST, or INSTAGRAM to keep up with what's going on in my kitchen.

    And you might want to check out my Dizzy Busy and Hungry store on Amazon for a whole bunch of great kitchen products I love!

    Happy cooking!

    Close up of a signature of Kristin.

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      Recipe Rating




    1. Michelle

      August 22, 2013 at 9:22 am

      Huh, I always thought this was difficult too. Thanks for sharing at My Favorite Posts Show Off Weekend Party!

      Michelle @ On A Wing And A Prayer

      Reply
    2. Consuelo @ Honey & Figs

      August 20, 2013 at 12:54 pm

      This granola looks so crunchy and amazing, I can't wait to try it! Great pictures, by the way c:

      Reply
    3. Micha @ Cookin' Mimi

      August 16, 2013 at 2:02 am

      Homemade granola is the only kind I will eat and you cannot go wrong with the flavor combination of vanilla and maple.

      Reply
      • Kristin

        August 16, 2013 at 9:40 am

        Thanks, Micha! The whole family loved it, so it was a huge success here and I will be making it often. 🙂 Heading over to check out your yellow squash and onion saute...I can always use more recipes for yellow squash! Thanks for stopping by!

        Reply
    4. Lizy @ http://justdipitinchocolate.blogspot.com/

      August 15, 2013 at 11:46 pm

      5 stars
      Hi Kristin...in two weeks we're going to be eating lots of yummy goodies like this! bye bye summer and like you said welcome granola breakfast. I make my own granola as well...last time I used it for my pizza topping, lol...I know I like to experiment. Thank You for sharing this awesome recipe! Came to you via living better together party.

      Reply
    5. Kinsey

      August 14, 2013 at 12:01 am

      Thank you much for the mention! Your granola looks absolutely scrumptious.

      Reply
      • Kristin

        August 16, 2013 at 7:52 am

        Thanks, Kinsey! Appreciate you stopping by! 🙂

        Reply
    6. Rae

      August 10, 2013 at 9:13 am

      I will definitely be making this. I recently tried making granola for the first time and it was a success...my kids loved it so I am sure that they will like this too.
      Thanks!

      Reply
      • Kristin

        August 13, 2013 at 7:12 pm

        Hi Rae, thanks for stopping by! I am headed over to check out your jerk chicken turnover post! 🙂

        Reply
    7. Miss Messy

      August 07, 2013 at 7:22 pm

      Maple!! 😀 Amazing combination! I wish Maple syrup was cheaper over here!

      Reply
    8. Madonna/aka/Ms. Lemon

      August 07, 2013 at 3:41 am

      And no preservatives. That makes me happy.

      Reply
    9. CJ

      August 06, 2013 at 2:27 pm

      That looks awesome!!

      Reply
    10. Ashley

      August 06, 2013 at 1:17 pm

      I love the shout out in related articles 🙂 Thanks so much -- although I must say I think I've found my next granola adventure here!

      Reply
    Newer Comments »

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    👋 Hey there, I'm Kristin! As a full-time working wife and mom, my life is such a whirlwind, it makes me dizzy sometimes! So I have been working to develop quick, easy, family-friendly recipes for 20+ years, and this site is where I share them with you! Happy cooking!

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