This Gal Cooks

Vanilla Almond Granola

Today I’m serving up breakfast for ya, Vanilla Almond Granola style.

Simple Vanilla Almond Granola. Great for breakfast or snacking! | This Gal Cooks

Or perhaps you’d rather have this slightly sweet and tempting granola for a snack? Guess what? You can have it both ways! For breakfast, enjoy the granola with almond milk, cereal style. Or enjoy it in a fresh fruit parfait. Next week, I’ll be sharing a Roasted Nectarine Greek Yogurt Parfait that’s filled with this vanilla almond granola. I think you will totally swoon over it! For snacking, pack some of the granola in a small reusable container or a sealable bag and take with you to work, on a shopping trip or on a road trip. Or you can do like I do and just eat it straight from the storage jar.

Only ONE type of sugar in this Vanilla Almond Granola

I grew up eating granola bars and store-bought packages of granola. They’re easy to grab and take along with me wherever I’m going. But recently, I decided to ditch the store-bought granolas and bars and make my own (or if you asked Ken, he’d say they were ditched for homemade smoothies). Have you ever read the labels of the store bought granolas? They’re LOADED with sugars, most of them with 3-4 different types of sugar. Over the past few months, I’ve greatly reduced my intake of all things loaded with added sugars. I much prefer to sip on smoothies sweetened via the natural sugars that come from fresh and frozen fruits. If I’m adding sugar to any of my recipes, I opt for maple syrup, honey or coconut sugar. This vanilla almond granola is sweetened with 100% maple syrup. ♥︎

Vanilla Almond Granola

Vanilla Almond Granola

Yield: 6 cups
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 35 minutes
Total Time: 45 minutes

Ingredients

  • 2 C old fashioned oats
  • 1/2 C unsweetened coconut flakes
  • 1/2 C sliced almonds
  • 1/2 C shelled sunflower seeds
  • 1/4 C flax seed
  • 1/2 C maple syrup
  • 1/3 C coconut oil, melted
  • Pinch salt
  • 1/2 tsp vanilla extract

Instructions

  1. Preheat your oven to 350. Line a baking sheet with foil. Spray lightly with cooking spray.
  2. Combine all of the listed ingredients in a large mixing bowl. Mix well. Pour onto the prepared baking sheet and distribute evenly.
  3. Bake for 30-35 minutes or until golden. 15 minutes into baking, stir the mixture and then continue to bake for the remaining 15-20 minutes.
  4. Pour the granola onto a cool, foil lined surface. Allow the granola to cool completely and then break apart.
  5. Store in an airtight container for up to 6 months.

Notes

Adapted from the Better Homes and Gardens New Cookbook, 1996.

When the granola is done baking, it will seem soft and sticky. However, as it rests and cools, it will become crunchy.

Nutrition Information:
Yield: 12 Serving Size: 1/2 C
Amount Per Serving: Calories: 264 Total Fat: 18g Saturated Fat: 8g Trans Fat: 0g Unsaturated Fat: 9g Cholesterol: 0mg Sodium: 657mg Carbohydrates: 22g Net Carbohydrates: 0g Fiber: 4g Sugar: 9g Sugar Alcohols: 0g Protein: 6g

Simple Vanilla Almond Granola. Great for breakfast or snacking! | This Gal Cooks

Simple Vanilla Almond Granola. Great for breakfast or snacking! | This Gal Cooks

Let’s be friends on INSTAGRAM, FACEBOOK, TWITTER and PINTEREST!

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

22 comments on “Vanilla Almond Granola”

  1. I LOVE granola!! And especially when I see coconut oil in the ingredients I get excited to try it. This looks amazing! Can’t wait to try it.

  2. I really need to start making my own granola. Thanks for this inspiration :)

    • You’re welcome, Melissa! It’s very easy to make. You should give it a try sometime. :)

  3. I’m one with, the best way to sweeten granola is with pure maple syrup! This is a wonderful recipe!

  4. The vanilla, almond and coconut flavors are perfect! I am obsessed with granola because I love the crunchy texture and could snack on this all day.

    • I almost snacked all of it in one sitting. ;) It’s that darn good! Thank you for stopping by and for the comment, Ashley!

  5. This granola looks extra toasty – my favorite way!! I used to ask for my mom to pick up Trader Joe’s vanilla almond granola every time I came home from college. Love that you can make it homemade! Also so glad I just stumbled upon your blog!

    • Hi Dani, Thank you so much for stopping by! This granola is extra toasty – just the perfect amount of crunch. And so easy to make it at home, too. :)

  6. I have not had granola in a while, and honestly? vanilla almond? you have me craving it now! I may get up and make this right now, for breakfast parfaits tomorrow!

    • Oh you should totally get up and make some of this granola right now, Kristina! Trust me, it’s amazing in parfaits. Thank you for stopping by and for your sweet comment. :)

  7. Some of my favorite flavors!! That vanilla with the coconut oil is totally heavenly.

  8. gimme granola 7 days a week I wont complain.. this looks bliss

    • I would’t complain about granola 7 days per week either! Thank you for stopping by and commenting, Fareeha!

  9. Pingback: Roasted Nectarine Greek Yogurt Parfaits | small green kitchen

  10. This looks amazing! I have to try this soon, I absolutely love granola. Great pictures by the way!

  11. Pingback: Chocolate Peanut Butter Smoothie (superfoods + vegan) | small green kitchen

  12. Pingback: Spicy Asian Vegan Meatballs | small green kitchen

  13. Pingback: Over 40 Meatless Breakfast Recipes | small green kitchen

  14. Pingback: Roasted Nectarine Greek Yogurt Parfaits | This Gal Cooks