Homemade Maple Cinnamon Granola: Your Ultimate Vegan & Gluten-Free Crispy Treat!

Prepare to elevate your breakfast and snack game with a truly exceptional treat: homemade Maple Cinnamon Granola! This recipe isn’t just about food; it’s about crafting moments of pure culinary joy. Imagine waking up to the enticing aroma of warm, spicy cinnamon mingling with sweet maple, knowing that a bowl of crunchy, nutty goodness awaits. This easy-to-make, vegan, and naturally gluten-free granola promises a delightful experience that will tantalize your taste buds and energize your day. Forget store-bought versions filled with unknown ingredients; with this recipe, you’re in control, creating a wholesome, irresistible snack that’s perfect for the whole family.

Embrace the comforting embrace of warm, exciting, and spicy crunchy flavors that will transform your mornings and snack times! This straightforward granola recipe is a symphony of nutty, crispy, chewy, and sweet notes that are guaranteed to make your taste buds sing. Discover what makes this flavorful snack an absolute must-try:

• A Family Favorite Flavor: The warm, spicy, and subtly fruity notes of this crunchy, nutty granola are universally loved. My little one can’t get enough of it, and yours will surely fall in love with its comforting taste, making it a regular request in your household.
• Effortlessly Vegan & Plant-Based: This recipe beautifully demonstrates that delicious plant-based eating doesn’t require complex techniques or exotic ingredients. It’s incredibly simple to prepare, yet results in a granola that is utterly irresistible, satisfying, and completely free of animal products.
• Cool Weather Comfort in Every Bite: As the days grow shorter and the air turns crisp, these rich, crunchy flavors become even more appealing. This granola is perfectly suited for cool autumn nights or chilly winter mornings, providing a cozy warmth that’s truly comforting.
• Your Personal Culinary Canvas: One of the greatest joys of making this granola is the freedom to customize it! I adore experimenting with different add-ins, which allows me to create a fresh, fun, and uniquely flavored batch every single time. It’s a wonderful way to express your creativity in the kitchen.
• Unlimited Versatility: The possibilities are endless with this Maple Cinnamon Granola! Enjoy it straight out of the jar as a satisfying snack, sprinkle it generously over yogurt or smoothie bowls for added texture, or simply serve it as a hearty cereal with your favorite milk. It adapts to any craving or mealtime!

🎥 How to Make Maple Cinnamon Granola: Watch the Video

🥘 Essential Ingredients for Your Granola

Crafting the perfect batch of granola starts with selecting the right ingredients. Here’s a detailed look at what you’ll need and why each component is crucial for achieving that irresistible flavor and crunch:

Rolled Oats: The heart of any great granola, rolled oats are chosen for their hearty texture and earthy flavor. These oats are steamed and then rolled flat, which helps them hold their shape and provide a satisfying chewiness after baking. They are also an excellent source of dietary fiber and magnesium. It’s important to opt for rolled oats over instant oats, as instant varieties tend to become mushy and won’t give you the desired crispy texture for this recipe.

Kosher Salt: Just a pinch of kosher salt plays a vital role in balancing and enhancing the sweet, earthy, and nutty flavors present in this delightful snack. It helps to bring out the best in all the other ingredients, preventing the granola from tasting overly sweet and adding a subtle depth.

Cinnamon: Ground cinnamon is the star spice, infusing this granola with its signature comforting, warm, and slightly spicy flavor. It’s the ingredient that ties all the other elements together, creating that cozy, inviting aroma and taste that makes this granola so special and appealing, especially during cooler months.

Almond Slivers: These are conveniently pre-cut, plain blanched almonds, readily available in the baking aisle of most supermarkets. Almond slivers contribute a delightful crunch and a sweet, buttery almond flavor that complements the cinnamon beautifully. They are perfect for distributing throughout the granola to ensure every bite includes that beloved nutty goodness.

Pine Nuts: Small yet mighty, pine nuts are packed with protein and iron, making this granola not just delicious but also incredibly filling and nutritious. Their unique, subtly sweet, and buttery flavor adds another layer of sophistication and richness to the nut medley, enhancing the overall texture and taste profile.

Desiccated Coconut: This finely shredded coconut adds a wonderful texture and a tropical, sweet flavor that pairs wonderfully with maple and cinnamon. You can find both unsweetened and sweetened varieties. Since maple syrup is already adding sweetness, unsweetened desiccated coconut is often preferred to control the sugar level, but if you have a sweeter tooth, the sweetened version will make for an even more decadent treat.

Coconut Oil: As a healthy, plant-based fat, coconut oil is ideal for toasting the granola to golden perfection. It contributes to the crispy texture and adds a subtle, pleasant coconut aroma. If coconut oil isn’t on hand or preferred, you can easily substitute it with other cold-pressed vegetable oils like olive oil or avocado oil, which offer similar health benefits and perform well in baking.

Maple Syrup: Sticky, rich, and naturally sweet, maple syrup is the perfect liquid sweetener for this granola. Its distinct caramel-like notes complement the cinnamon and nuts, providing a depth of flavor that granulated sugars can’t match. If you prefer, agave syrup can be used as an equal swap, offering a similar level of sweetness and liquid consistency.

Dark Chocolate Chips: A touch of dark chocolate elevates everything! Use dark chocolate chips for convenience, or chop your favorite dark chocolate bar into chunks for a more rustic feel. The bittersweet notes of dark chocolate create a fantastic contrast with the sweet and spicy elements. Feel free to experiment with white chocolate, milk chocolate, or even raw cacao nibs for different flavor experiences.

Dried Cranberries and Raisins: This classic combination provides the ideal sweet and tart finish to your granola. The tangy cranberries cut through the sweetness, while the plump raisins add a concentrated burst of sugary flavor. If you have a preference, feel free to adjust the ratio or swap them entirely for your favorite dried fruits like dried cherries, blueberries, or chopped apricots.

For precise measurements and detailed instructions, please refer to the recipe card below.

🔪 Step-by-Step Instructions to Homemade Granola

Making your own granola is surprisingly simple and incredibly rewarding. Follow these easy steps to create a batch of perfectly crispy and flavorful maple cinnamon granola:

Step One: In a large mixing bowl, combine all the dry ingredients. This includes your rolled oats, kosher salt, ground cinnamon, almond slivers, pine nuts, and desiccated coconut. Give them a good stir with a wooden spoon to ensure everything is evenly distributed. This step ensures that every flake of oat and every nut gets coated in the delicious spice blend.

Step Two: In a small pan, gently melt the coconut oil over low heat until it’s completely liquid. Once melted, remove from heat and stir in the maple syrup. This creates your liquid binder and sweetener. Pour this fragrant, warm liquid mixture evenly over your dry oat and nut mixture in the large bowl. Mix everything very well, ensuring every single oat flake and nut is thoroughly coated. This coating is what will give your granola its signature crunch and golden color when baked.

Step Three: Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicone baking mat to prevent sticking. Spread the granola mixture evenly across the prepared baking sheet in a thin, flat layer. This ensures that all the granola bakes uniformly and gets that desired golden-brown crispness. Transfer the baking sheet to your preheated oven and bake for approximately 30 minutes, or until golden and fragrant. Halfway through baking, you might want to give it a gentle stir to encourage even browning, but for larger clusters, avoid stirring too much.

Step Four: This is a crucial step for maintaining the integrity of your chocolate. Once the granola has completely cooled down on the baking sheet – it needs to be fully at room temperature – add the dark chocolate chips and the dried cranberries and raisins. If you add the chocolate while the granola is still warm, it will melt into a delicious, but messy, puddle. Gently toss to combine these final additions. The cooling process also allows the granola to crisp up even further, creating those irresistible clusters.

🥜 Creative Substitutions & Variations

One of the best things about homemade granola is its adaptability! Don’t be afraid to get creative and tailor this recipe to your preferences or what you have on hand. Here are some fantastic ideas for substitutions and variations:

• Funky Fruit Fiesta: While cranberries and raisins are a classic choice, feel free to mix things up! Try adding goji berries for an antioxidant boost, golden raisins for a sweeter, milder flavor, or dried blueberries for a burst of vibrant color and tang. Chopped dried apricots, dates, or even candied ginger can also add an exciting new dimension to your granola.
• New and Nutty Adventures: The almond slivers provide a great crunch, but a variety of nuts can take this granola in different directions. Swap them for hazelnuts for a richer, earthier tone, macadamia nuts for a creamy, buttery texture, or walnuts for a more robust, slightly bitter complement. Pecans, cashews, or even chopped pistachios would also be delicious!
• Sensational Seeds: Pine nuts offer a unique taste and texture, but other seeds can be just as rewarding. Replace them with pumpkin seeds (pepitas) for a chewier texture and a good source of zinc, or sunflower seeds for a classic nutty crunch and vitamin E. Chia seeds or flax seeds can also be added for extra fiber and omega-3s, though they won’t provide the same crunch.
• Autumn Spice Harmony: If you’re a fan of seasonal flavors, especially the beloved pumpkin spice latte, consider replacing the cinnamon with pumpkin pie spice. This blend typically includes cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, and cloves, offering a cozy and aromatic autumnal twist that’s perfect for fall breakfasts.
• Crunchy Cookie Indulgence: For those days when you’re craving something truly unique and cookie-inspired, you must try my tasty take on Biscoff Granola! It transforms the buttery, caramelized notes of Biscoff biscuits into a golden, delectable granola. It’s an absolutely divine treat for anyone who adores those iconic speculoos cookies.

🍽 Essential Equipment for Granola Making

You don’t need a lot of specialized kitchen gadgets to make amazing homemade granola. Here’s a breakdown of the simple equipment you’ll need, along with a few tips:

• Large Mixing Bowl and Wooden Spoon: A spacious mixing bowl is essential to comfortably combine all your ingredients without making a mess. A sturdy wooden spoon is particularly helpful for mixing the sticky oat mixture, as the granola tends to adhere less to wood than to metal or plastic. However, if a rubber spatula is all you have, it will work perfectly fine for thorough mixing.
• Small Pan: You’ll need a small saucepan to melt the coconut oil and gently warm the maple syrup. A chemical-free non-stick pan is ideal for this step, as it prevents the sticky mixture from clinging to the bottom and makes for easy cleanup. This ensures your liquid binder is smooth and ready to coat the dry ingredients.
• Lined Baking Tray: The final and crucial step in preparing your granola involves baking it to crispy perfection in the oven. Use a standard baking sheet, but be sure to line it with either parchment paper or a silicone baking mat. This not only prevents the granola from sticking to the pan but also makes cleanup a breeze and helps achieve an even, golden-brown crust.

🌡 Storage Tips for Fresh Granola

To keep your homemade Maple Cinnamon Granola fresh, crunchy, and delicious for as long as possible, proper storage is key:

This yummy granola can be stored in an air-tight container, such as a glass jar with a tight-fitting lid or a resealable bag. The goal is to keep out any moisture and air, which can cause the granola to lose its crispness and go stale. Store the container in a cool, dark spot on your kitchen counter or in the pantry. When stored correctly, your homemade granola will remain fresh and delightful for up to one month. Avoid refrigerating it, as the moisture in the fridge can soften the granola.

🙋🏻 Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

If you try this delightful homemade granola recipe, please let me know how much you loved it by giving it a ★★★★★ star rating and leaving a comment below. Your feedback means the world! You can also sign up for our Newsletter to receive weekly delicious homemade recipes, or follow me on Pinterest or Instagram and share your amazing creations with me. Just tag me @combinegoodflavors and use the hashtag #combinegoodflavors so I don’t miss it!

📖 Full Recipe Card

Gluten-free Maple Cinnamon Granola

By Nora

Packed with crunchy oats, a delightful mix of nuts, sweet cranberries, rich maple syrup, and a hint of warm cinnamon, this granola is the perfect guilt-free treat for a golden start to your day!

5 from 35 votes

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Prep Time 10 minutes mins

Baking Time 30 minutes mins

Total Time 40 minutes mins

Course Breakfast, Granola

Cuisine American

Servings 16 Servings

Calories 150 kcal

Equipment

• Mixing bowl
• Small pan
• Wooden spoon
• Parchment Paper
• Baking tray

Keyword cinnamon granola, easy granola recipe, granola, homemade cinnamon granola, homemade granola, maple cinnamon granola

⛑️ Important Food Safety Tips

Ensuring food safety is paramount when preparing any meal. Please keep these general guidelines in mind to keep your kitchen and food preparation safe and hygienic:

• Always cook food to a minimum internal temperature of 165 °F (74 °C) to eliminate harmful bacteria.
• Avoid cross-contamination: Never use the same utensils, cutting boards, or dishes on cooked food that have previously touched raw meat or unwashed produce without proper cleaning.
• Thoroughly wash your hands with soap and warm water after handling raw meat, poultry, seafood, or eggs.
• Do not leave perishable food sitting out at room temperature for extended periods (generally no more than two hours) to prevent bacterial growth.
• Never leave cooking food unattended, especially when using high heat or frying, to prevent accidents and ensure proper cooking.
• When cooking at high temperatures, use oils with a high smoking point to avoid the formation of harmful compounds and off-flavors.
• Always ensure good ventilation in your kitchen when using a gas stove to prevent the buildup of fumes and ensure a safe cooking environment.

For more comprehensive information and detailed guidelines on safe food handling practices, please refer to reputable sources such as the FDA’s Safe Food Handling guidelines.