Almond Vanilla Granola with Real Vanilla Beans
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Taking the heavenly flavor of vanilla to new heights, almond vanilla granola with real vanilla beans will make your breakfast shine! Great for snacks, too!
Am I obsessed with granola? Perhaps. Do you mind? If you’re a traditionalist, I have Pecan Almond Homemade Granola Recipe. If you’re a caffeine addict, there’s Almond Mocha Granola. Or maybe Chocolate Chip Granola with Strawberries. So good!
And now, almond vanilla granola. Because I’m also obsessed with vanilla beans. Exhibit A, B, C, D and E.
This granola is made with both vanilla beans and vanilla extract for lots of vanilla flavor. It’s a perfect way to start the day. Stir it into some Greek yogurt with fresh fruit for a filling, nutritious, and delicious breakfast.
But don’t stop there. I think granola is great over ice cream, too.
About Almond Vanilla Granola
Granola is easy to make and tastes so much better than store-bought. It’s just plain fresher! Plus you can customize it to exactly your own tastes. You’ll find that’s it’s much more economical to make your own, too.
What will you need? The main ingredient is rolled oats. Use the old-fashioned thicker cut oats. This is not the time for steel-cut oats, quick oats, or instant oatmeal. Add almonds, shredded coconut, ground flaxseed, and wheat germ. Don’t have one of these ingredients? No problem, you can add pretty much what you like as long as you end up with about 4 1/2 to 5 cups of dry ingredients.
Mix all the dry ingredients together in a large bowl.
Next, mix the oil and sugar, and heat gently in the microwave. Stir in the vanilla.
Pour this mixture over the dry ingredients and mix well. It takes a little bit of mixing to get all the dry ingredients coated.
Spread the granola in a large rimmed baking pan (or two) and bake at low heat (300°F) until the granola is dry and toasted. Stir once or twice to make sure everything gets browned evenly. It smells so, so good while it’s baking!
Once cooled completely, store your granola in an airtight container. It will keep a few weeks. You can even freeze it if you want.
Make this granola your own:
- Instead of whole almonds, try sliced almonds, pecans, walnuts, sunflower seeds, pepitas, etc. Or make nut-free granola by adding an extra cup of oats in place of the nuts.
- Don’t have vanilla beans? Just omit the vanilla beans. You could add an extra teaspoon of vanilla if you want, or add a teaspoon of cinnamon.
- If you don’t like coconut, substitute an extra half cup of oats, or something else you love.
- After the granola has baked and cooled, add dried fruit, such as raisins, dates, cherries, cranberries, etc. Or add mini-chocolate chips!
Did you make this? Be sure to leave a review below and tag me @rachelcooksblog on Facebook, Instagram, or Pinterest!
Ingredients
- 3 cups thick cut rolled oats
- 1 cup raw almonds, chopped
- 1/2 cup shredded unsweetened coconut
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 cup packed brown sugar
- 2 tablespoons wheat germ
- 1 tablespoon ground flaxseed
- 4 tablespoons canola oil
- 1 tablespoon pure vanilla extract
- the pulp of two vanilla beans
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 300°F. Spray a large baking sheet with nonstick cooking spray or line with parchment or Silpat.
- In a large bowl, stir together oats, almonds, coconut, salt, brown sugar, wheat germ and ground flaxseed.
- In separate small microwavable bowl, stir together canola oil and vanilla. Heat in microwave for 30 seconds on 50% power. Add vanilla bean pulp and whisk with a fork to separate beans.
- Pour wet ingredients over dry ingredients and stir until everything is well coated.
- Spread granola in an even layer over the baking sheet. Bake for 15 minutes, stir, and then bake for 15-20 minutes longer until golden brown.
- Let cool, stirring occasionally to break up chunks. When completely cool, store in airtight container.
Notes
- Use old-fashioned rolled oats. Do NOT use quick oats, steel-cut oats, or instant oatmeal.
Nutrition Information
This website provides approximate nutrition information for convenience and as a courtesy only. Nutrition data is gathered primarily from the USDA Food Composition Database, whenever available, or otherwise other online calculators.
Verdict: Crunchy, sweet, perfect.
Husband’s take: He loves granola for breakfast. He mixes it with Rice Krispies. Yeah…I don’t get it either.
Changes I would make: None.
Difficulty: Easy!
Elizabeth says
This looks like it would taste great with some chocolate!
Rachel says
What wouldn’t? ;)
The Food Hunter says
Loving this granola…fresh vanilla beans make such a difference.
Erin @ Dinners, Dishes, and Desserts says
YUm!!! This is my kind of granola!
amanda @ fake ginger says
Love this! I think I have everything but the almonds – I think I might make it with pecans later today. The kids would love it!
Stephanie @ Eat. Drink. Love. says
This granola looks wonderful! I love vanilla beans too! Oh, so heavenly!
Cassie says
I think vanilla beans are one of my favorite smells in the world. Can’t wait to try this!
Kelly Senyei says
This looks so simple and spectacular – I love adding granola to yogurt for a bit of crunch. And I also add it to banana bread :)
Rachel @ The Henway says
I just found a local source for vanilla beans so I am excited to try this recipe!
Julie @ Table for Two says
it’s ok to be obsessed with granola :) I’m obsessed too and I love the flavors in this..your hubs is so funny with his responses hahaha
Mackenzie @SusieFreakingHomemaker says
This looks awesome and I love your husbands response! Chicken feed!! haha!!
Tara @ Chip Chip Hooray says
Mmm, my favorite granola is a vanilla-flavored one–this looks delicious! Do you think I could up the extract a little if I don’t have any vanilla beans? (I know that’s the whole point of the recipe, but…yeah. Life.)
Rachel says
The amount of vanilla extract is already increased a little, but yeah…you could probably add more. But you should get vanilla beans. :) It’s a
differentbetter kind of vanilla bean flavor. Vanilla paste would be a better substitute, if you have that.Smart Food and Fit says
Looks stellar! Love simple ingredients! Wish you lived closer to help me with my National Food Blogger and Baker bake sale in Canton, MI this weekend to raise money for Share Our Strength – No Kid Hungry campaign!
Katrina @ Warm Vanilla Sugar says
This is such a yummy breakfast idea! Yum!
Blog is the New Black says
OMG…. this looks TO DIE FOR!
Kathryn says
So with you on the granola and vanilla bean love – why haven’t I thought of combining them before? I must whip up a batch this weekend!