Vanilla Granola
A crunchy, flavorful vanilla granola with dried cherries and raisins, perfect for breakfast or snacking, offering a sweet, cinnamon-infused taste with toasted coconut crunch.
Ingredients
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 300°F (150°C).
- In a large bowl, combine old fashioned oats, thawed apple juice concentrate, light brown sugar, and ground cinnamon; toss well.
- Spread the granola mixture onto a large cookie sheet.
- Bake for 25 minutes, stirring occasionally.
- Stir in the unsweetened flaked coconut and vanilla seeds from the split vanilla bean.
- Bake for another 20 to 25 minutes, until lightly browned.
- Remove from oven and stir in dried sour cherries and golden raisins.
- Cool completely and store in an airtight container for up to 1 month.
Tips & Substitutions
For a gluten-free option, ensure the oats are certified gluten-free. You can substitute the dried sour cherries with dried cranberries or apricots for a different flavor. If you prefer a less sweet granola, reduce the brown sugar or use a sugar substitute. Adding nuts like almonds or walnuts can provide extra crunch and nutrition. Consider adding a pinch of salt to enhance the flavors.
Serving Suggestions
This vanilla granola is perfect for breakfast or as a snack. Serve it with yogurt and fresh fruit for a wholesome breakfast, or enjoy it as a topping for smoothies. It pairs beautifully with Apple Seafoam Salad for a delightful brunch. You can also use it as a crunchy topping for desserts or enjoy it plain for a quick energy boost.
Storage & Reheating
Store the cooled granola in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 1 month. To maintain freshness, avoid exposing it to moisture. If you want to enjoy it warm, you can reheat individual servings in the microwave for about 20 seconds or in the oven at a low temperature until warmed through.
Nutrition & Diet Analysis (per serving)
Each serving of Vanilla Granola contains roughly 276 calories, with 4g protein, 68g carbohydrates, and 4g fat. It is an excellent source of dietary fiber (57% of the Daily Value) and calcium (22% of the Daily Value), and a good source of iron and potassium. It also contributes 16g of dietary fiber toward your daily target.
Estimated from ingredients & per-serving nutrition — verify against package labels for allergies or strict diets.
* % Daily Values based on a 2,000 calorie diet (FDA 2020).
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I make this granola nut-free?
Yes, you can make this granola nut-free by simply omitting any nuts or substituting them with seeds like sunflower or pumpkin seeds. This will still provide a nice crunch without the nuts, making it suitable for those with nut allergies.
How can I make this granola clumpier?
To achieve clumpier granola, try adding a bit more liquid, such as an extra tablespoon of apple juice concentrate or a splash of maple syrup. Once mixed, press the granola firmly onto the baking sheet before baking, which helps create those desirable clusters.
Can I use other sweeteners instead of brown sugar?
Absolutely! You can substitute brown sugar with honey, maple syrup, or agave nectar. Just be mindful of the moisture content; if using liquid sweeteners, reduce the amount of apple juice concentrate slightly to maintain the proper consistency.
Nutrition is estimated from USDA FoodData Central ingredient data and may vary with brand, portion and preparation — see our methodology. This information is for general educational purposes only and is not medical or dietary advice (disclaimer).