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!
Recipe Overview
Why you’ll love it: 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!
How long it takes: 45 minutes
Equipment you’ll need: mixing bowl, large rimmed sheet pan
Servings: makes 5 cups
Homemade Almond Granola
Am I obsessed with granola? Perhaps. Do you mind? If you’re a traditionalist, be sure to check out my homemade granola recipe.
This almond 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.
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.
Ingredient Notes
The main ingredient you need to make granola is rolled oats. Use the regular old-fashioned oats. This is not the time for steel-cut oats, quick oats, or instant oatmeal. Add sliced or slivered almonds, shredded coconut (I like to buy unsweetened), 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 ½ to 5 cups of dry ingredients.
How To Make Granola
Mix all the dry ingredients together in a large bowl.
Next, mix the oil and sugar in a small bowl or heat-proof measuring cup, 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!
Easy Recipe Variations
- Nuts: Instead of whole almonds, try sliced almonds, pecans, walnuts, sunflower seeds, pepitas, etc. You can also make nut-free granola; add an extra cup of oats in place of the nuts.
- Skip the vanilla beans. Just omit the vanilla beans if you want. I get it, they are sort of expensive. You could add an extra teaspoon of vanilla if you want, or add a teaspoon of cinnamon.
- Not a coconut fan? If you don’t like coconut, substitute an extra half cup of oats, or something else you love.
- Possible add-ins: After the granola has baked and cooled, add dried fruit, such as raisins, dates, cherries, cranberries, or add mini-chocolate chips!
Once it’s cooled completely, store your granola in an airtight container. It will keep at least a few weeks. You can even freeze it if you want.
Almond Vanilla Granola with Real Vanilla Beans
Ingredients
- 3 cups old-fashioned rolled oats
- 1 cup raw almonds, chopped (sliced or slivered almonds are great, too)
- ½ cup shredded unsweetened coconut
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ½ cup packed brown sugar
- 2 tablespoons wheat germ (see note)
- 1 tablespoon ground flaxseed
- 4 tablespoons canola oil (or any mild-tasting oil of your choice)
- 1 tablespoon pure vanilla extract
- 2 vanilla beans (scrape out insides of 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.3 cups old-fashioned rolled oats, 1 cup raw almonds, chopped, ½ cup shredded unsweetened coconut, ¼ teaspoon salt, ½ cup packed brown sugar, 2 tablespoons wheat germ, 1 tablespoon 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 combine.4 tablespoons canola oil, 1 tablespoon pure vanilla extract, 2 vanilla 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 to 20 minutes longer until golden brown.
- Let cool, stirring occasionally to break up chunks. When completely cool, store in airtight container.
Notes
- Oats: Use old-fashioned rolled oats. Do NOT use quick oats, steel-cut oats, or instant oatmeal.
- Wheat germ/flaxseed: If you don’t have both, simply use 3 tablespoons of one or the other. Use ground flaxseed instead of wheat germ to make the granola gluten-free. You can skip both if you prefer.
- Vanilla: If you prefer not to use vanilla beans, simply add an extra teaspoon of vanilla extract, or substitute a teaspoon of ground cinnamon.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Did You Make This?Share a comment and rating below! I love hearing what you think!
I think vanilla beans are one of my favorite smells in the world. Can’t wait to try this!
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 :)
I just found a local source for vanilla beans so I am excited to try this recipe!
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
This looks awesome and I love your husbands response! Chicken feed!! haha!!
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.)
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.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!
This is such a yummy breakfast idea! Yum!
OMG…. this looks TO DIE FOR!
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!