Simple Peanut Butter Granola Clusters

This healthy peanut butter granola is a deliciously sweet and crunchy make-ahead breakfast or snack with just 9 pantry ingredients! Plus, it’s gluten-free, dairy-free, vegan, and optionally refined sugar-free! Crafted with simplicity and wholesome ingredients in mind, this homemade granola offers a delightful crunch and a burst of nutty flavor that will quickly become a household favorite. Perfect for busy mornings or a satisfying afternoon treat, it’s a testament to how easy and rewarding making your own granola can be.

Crunchy Vegan Granola: Your Go-To Homemade Peanut Butter Snack

When it comes to inexpensive, yet incredibly delicious and nutritious vegan breakfast ideas, oats consistently rank as one of our most versatile staples. While we often gravitate towards soft and chewy options like a comforting bowl of hearty oatmeal, delightful chewy pumpkin oatmeal cookies, convenient blueberry overnight oats, or energy-boosting peanut oatmeal balls, there are undoubtedly those days when a satisfying crunch is exactly what you crave. For those moments, you absolutely must try this homemade peanut butter granola! It delivers on texture, flavor, and wholesome goodness, making it an ideal choice for anyone seeking a healthier alternative to store-bought options.

Beyond its irresistible taste, making your own granola at home is surprisingly simple and incredibly rewarding. This particular recipe requires just 9 common pantry ingredients and a mere 10 minutes of active prep time – an impressive feat for such a flavorful outcome. Not only is it a breeze to whip up, but because all the components are budget-friendly pantry staples, you’ll also enjoy significant cost savings compared to often-overpriced store-bought varieties. Furthermore, crafting your own ensures complete control over what goes into it – from the type and amount of sweetener to any optional mix-ins you desire. You can easily tailor it to your dietary needs, whether that means making it gluten-free (with certified oats), refined sugar-free, or adapting it to be nut-free by substituting the peanut butter with a seed butter. You can even customize the cluster size to your preference, ensuring every batch is exactly how you like it.

The best part? This homemade peanut butter granola recipe is truly exceptional in flavor. It strikes a perfect balance between sweet and a hint of savory, bursting with rich nutty goodness, and offering a wonderfully satisfying crunch with every bite. More than just a treat, it’s packed with a healthy dose of beneficial omega-3s from ingredients like flax meal and provides sustained energy, keeping you feeling full and satisfied right up until lunchtime. This makes it an excellent choice for active individuals or anyone looking for a wholesome start to their day. Plus, its excellent shelf life means it stores beautifully for a couple of weeks in your pantry, always ready for a quick breakfast or snack. All that’s left for you to do is decide how you want to enjoy this versatile and delicious creation!

If you’re a fan of our granola recipes and enjoy seasonal flavors, be sure to give this equally delicious maple pumpkin granola a try for another comforting, crunchy treat!

The Benefits of Homemade Peanut Butter Granola

Opting to make your own peanut butter granola offers a multitude of advantages over purchasing pre-made versions from the store. Here’s why this DIY approach is superior, providing both peace of mind and delicious results:

• Cost-Effective: One of the most compelling reasons to make granola at home is the significant cost savings. Store-bought granolas, especially specialty, organic, or gluten-free varieties, can be surprisingly expensive. By sourcing simple, affordable pantry ingredients, you can produce a much larger batch for a fraction of the cost, making it a highly budget-friendly option for maintaining a healthy diet.
• Complete Ingredient Control: When you craft your granola from scratch, you gain complete oversight of every single ingredient. This empowers you to avoid unnecessary additives, unhealthy hydrogenated oils, excessive refined sugars, and artificial flavors often found in commercial granolas. You can perfectly tailor the recipe to your specific dietary needs, whether that means making it strictly gluten-free, entirely refined sugar-free, or adjusting for common allergens.
• Unleash Your Customization Creativity: The possibilities for customization are virtually endless! Do you prefer more nuts, extra seeds, or a specific type of dried fruit? Would you like it less sweet, or with a hint of extra spice? Homemade granola lets you be the ultimate chef, allowing you to experiment and create a blend that perfectly suits your unique palate and preferences. This recipe provides a fantastic, adaptable base for all your creative additions.
• Superior Freshness & Vibrant Flavor: There’s simply no comparison to the intoxicating aroma and vibrant taste of freshly baked granola. The warmth of the spices, the perfectly toasted oats, and the rich, authentic peanut butter flavor are far more pronounced, appealing, and satisfying than anything from a packaged box that has been sitting on a shelf. The freshness truly makes a difference.
• Enhanced Dietary Flexibility: Our base recipe is naturally vegan, dairy-free, and can easily be made gluten-free by simply using certified gluten-free rolled oats. This inherent adaptability makes it an ideal choice for individuals navigating various dietary restrictions, allergies, or lifestyle preferences, ensuring that virtually everyone can enjoy a delicious, wholesome, and worry-free snack or breakfast.

Wholesome Ingredients for Your Easy Peanut Butter Granola

Preparing this incredibly easy and nourishing peanut butter granola recipe requires just 9 core, inexpensive pantry staples. These are ingredients you likely already have on hand, making it incredibly convenient to whip up a batch whenever the craving strikes.

• Old-Fashioned Rolled Oats: These are the foundational ingredient and the true star of our granola, providing the perfect chewy yet crisp texture and a sturdy base for all the other flavors. Using old-fashioned rolled oats is crucial for achieving that classic granola crunch and allowing for good cluster formation. Quick oats tend to get mushy, and steel-cut oats don’t provide the right texture. If you or someone you’re baking for requires a gluten-free option, simply ensure you use certified gluten-free rolled oats to avoid cross-contamination.
• Natural Peanut Butter: The hero flavor component that gives this granola its signature taste! For the best results, a healthier profile, and optimal consistency, opt for natural peanut butter. Look for brands made solely from peanuts, or peanuts with a touch of salt – explicitly free from added sugars, hydrogenated oils, and emulsifiers, which can alter the texture and health benefits. Both crunchy and smooth varieties work wonderfully, depending on your preference for an extra textural element. For those with peanut allergies or who simply want to experiment, feel free to substitute with other natural nut or seed butters like almond butter, cashew butter, or sunflower seed butter (like SunButter) for a different yet equally delicious flavor twist.
• Nuts & Seeds: We enhance the nutritional value, healthy fats, and satisfying crunch of this granola with finely chopped walnuts and flax meal. Walnuts contribute beneficial omega-3 fatty acids and a pleasant earthy bite, while flax meal (ground flax seeds) adds even more omega-3s, dietary fiber, and acts as a fantastic natural binder for clusters. However, this is a highly versatile component! Feel free to substitute with any raw and unsalted nuts or seeds you enjoy: pecans, sliced almonds, cashews, pepitas (green pumpkin seeds), chia seeds, or hemp hearts are all excellent choices that bring their own unique flavors and benefits.
• Ground Cinnamon: This warm, inviting, and aromatic spice is a classic pairing with peanut butter. It perfectly complements the rich flavor of the nuts, adding a comforting depth and a hint of sweetness that elevates the overall taste profile of the granola. Don’t skip it!
• Unsweetened Applesauce: A fantastic, often-overlooked ingredient that acts as a low-fat binder, helping to hold those coveted granola clusters together without adding excessive oil. It also contributes a subtle, natural sweetness to the homemade vegan granola, balancing the other flavors beautifully and keeping the overall sugar content in check. Make sure it’s unsweetened to control the sugar.
• Neutral Oil: A small amount of fat is surprisingly essential for achieving the ideal crunchy texture and that beautiful golden-brown finish on granola clusters. It helps with crisping and caramelization. Any neutral-flavored oil, such as canola oil, vegetable oil, or grapeseed oil, will work well and won’t impart a strong taste. Refined coconut oil is another excellent choice if you desire the benefits of coconut oil without an overpowering coconut flavor, as refined versions have a much milder taste compared to unrefined.
• Brown Sugar: We love the rich, molasses-like, caramel-y notes that brown sugar imparts to the granola, adding a delicious depth of sweetness that pairs wonderfully with peanut butter. For those preferring an unrefined sweetener, coconut sugar is a great 1:1 substitute that offers a similar caramel undertone. Alternatively, for a truly sugar-free option, erythritol can be used. Remember to adjust the amount of your chosen sweetener to suit your desired sweetness level.
• Pure Vanilla Extract: A touch of high-quality, pure vanilla extract is a secret weapon in many recipes. It significantly enhances all the other flavors, adding a layer of aromatic complexity and warmth to the granola that ties everything together. Always opt for pure vanilla for the best and most authentic taste; imitation vanilla won’t yield the same depth.
• Salt: Don’t underestimate the power of a small pinch of salt in sweet recipes! It’s absolutely crucial for balancing and enhancing the various sweet and nutty flavors in this DIY granola. It prevents the granola from tasting flat or overly sweet, instead bringing out the best in every ingredient and creating a more well-rounded, addictive taste.    

Creative Add-Ins for Your Homemade Peanut Butter Granola

Once your homemade peanut butter granola recipe has cooled, it’s the perfect canvas for adding extra textures, flavors, and nutritional boosts. While some additions can be baked in, many are best stirred in after baking to preserve their delicate integrity, vibrant color, and fresh flavor. Here are some fantastic ideas to elevate your granola and make each batch unique:

• Extra Peanuts: For an even more intense peanut flavor and satisfying, chunky crunch, consider adding whole or coarsely chopped roasted peanuts to the cooled granola. If you only have raw peanuts, you can mix them into the oat mixture before baking the healthy homemade granola so they can toast alongside the oats, intensifying their flavor.
• Dried Fruit: Dried fruits introduce a wonderful burst of natural sweetness and delightful chewiness that contrasts beautifully with the crispy granola. We particularly enjoy combining this peanut butter granola with freeze-dried or dried apple pieces and banana chips for a classic pairing that echoes a PB&J vibe. However, feel free to explore other favorites like plump raisins, chewy chopped dates, tart cranberries, juicy dried blueberries, or even finely diced apricots. Always add these after the granola has fully cooled to prevent them from becoming excessively hard, burnt, or overly chewy.
• Vegan Chocolate: Transform your wholesome granola into a decadent, irresistible treat by stirring in some mini dark chocolate chips or chocolate chunks once it has completely cooled. The slightly melting chocolate creates delicious pockets of rich flavor, resulting in an unforgettable dairy-free chocolate peanut butter granola. For a sugar-free alternative or a more intense, bitter chocolate note, mix in some cacao nibs instead; they offer a delightful crunch and pure chocolate essence.
• Shredded Coconut: For a subtle tropical twist and added delicate texture, incorporate a few tablespoons of unsweetened toasted shredded coconut or larger coconut flakes. If you only have raw versions, you can add them to the baking sheets during the last 10-15 minutes of baking, ensuring they toast perfectly to a golden brown in the oven without burning. This adds a lovely fragrant note.
• Additional Spices: Beyond the warming cinnamon, consider adding a pinch of ground nutmeg, a dash of cardamom, or even a very subtle hint of ground ginger for different aromatic profiles. A tiny bit of allspice could also work wonders for a richer, deeper flavor.
• Puffed Grains: For added volume and lightness without extra calories, stir in puffed rice, puffed quinoa, or even small amounts of another puffed grain once the granola is cooled.
• Nutritional Yeast: For a slightly cheesy, umami undertone (which surprisingly works well with peanut butter!), a tablespoon of nutritional yeast can be added to the dry ingredients before baking.

How to Make Homemade Peanut Butter Granola: A Simple Step-by-Step Guide

Making your own wholesome and delicious peanut butter granola is a straightforward process that yields incredibly satisfying results. By following these simple steps, you’ll achieve perfectly crunchy, flavorful granola every time, ready to enjoy as a snack or breakfast.

• 1) Prepare Your Workspace: First, begin by preheating your oven to a gentle 250°F (120°C). This low and slow temperature is absolutely key for achieving perfectly golden and uniformly crunchy granola without any risk of burning the oats or nuts. Next, prepare two large baking sheets by lining them with either parchment paper or reusable silicone mats. This essential step prevents sticking and makes cleanup a breeze, ensuring your granola lifts off easily once baked.
• 2) Combine Dry Ingredients: In a spacious large bowl, combine all your dry ingredients: the old-fashioned rolled oats, finely chopped walnuts (or your chosen nuts/seeds), flax meal, ground cinnamon, and salt. Use a sturdy spatula or a large spoon to mix these ingredients thoroughly, ensuring an even distribution of all components. This initial dry mix is important for ensuring balanced flavor and texture throughout the finished granola.

• 3) Prepare Wet Mixture: In a separate medium saucepan, combine the wet ingredients that will bind and flavor your granola: the natural peanut butter, brown sugar (or your chosen sweetener), unsweetened applesauce, and neutral oil. Place the saucepan over medium heat, stirring continuously with a whisk or spoon just until all ingredients are thoroughly combined, melted, and the mixture becomes smooth and slightly warmed. As soon as it’s well-blended and uniform, remove the saucepan from the heat. Stir in the pure vanilla extract at this stage; adding it off the heat preserves its delicate aromatic flavor, preventing it from evaporating.

• 4) Combine Wet and Dry & Spread: Pour the warm, flavorful peanut butter mixture directly over the large bowl of mixed dry oat ingredients. Using your spatula or clean hands (if the mixture isn’t too hot), mix everything together very well. It’s crucial to ensure every oat flake, nut piece, and seed is thoroughly coated with the sticky, flavorful liquid. This complete coating is key for even baking, proper binding, and delicious results. Then, divide the peanut butter granola mixture evenly between your two prepared baking sheets, spreading it out into a thin, consistent layer across each. Avoid overcrowding the pans, as this can lead to the granola steaming instead of toasting, resulting in a less crunchy texture.

Pro Tip for Granola Clusters: To achieve those coveted large peanut butter granola clusters, it’s absolutely essential to firmly press the granola mixture down onto the baking sheets before placing them in the oven. Use the back of your spatula to compress the layer. Once baking, resist the urge to stir vigorously. Instead, gently ‘flip’ large sections of the granola with a wide spatula rather than breaking it apart completely. This delicate technique, combined with allowing it to cool completely undisturbed, is the key to forming sturdy, satisfying, and large clusters.

• 5) Bake to Perfection & Cool: Transfer the baking sheets with the evenly spread granola mixture to your preheated oven. Bake the vegan granola for approximately 50-60 minutes. During the baking process, stir the granola gently every 15 minutes. This ensures even toasting, promotes uniform crispness, and helps prevent any part from burning, especially the edges. Continue baking until the granola is beautifully golden brown and feels lightly crisp to the touch. It’s important to note that granola often feels a little soft and pliable immediately after coming out of the oven but will harden significantly as it cools. Once baked to your liking, remove it from the oven and, here’s another crucial step, allow it to cool completely and undisturbed on the baking sheets before attempting to break it apart or transfer it to a storage container. Enjoy your perfect homemade peanut butter granola!

Frequently Asked Questions About Peanut Butter Granola

Top Recipe Tips for Perfect Peanut Butter Granola

Achieving consistently delicious and perfectly crunchy peanut butter granola is simple with a few key considerations and expert techniques. Keep these invaluable tips in mind to master your homemade batch and ensure fantastic results every single time:

• Embrace Experimentation with Add-Ins: The true beauty of homemade granola lies in its incredible versatility. With such a wide array of nuts, seeds, dried fruits, and spices available, have fun exploring different combinations to discover your ultimate favorite flavor profiles. Just remember a golden rule: for most dried fruits (like raisins or cranberries) and chocolates (chips or chunks), it’s best to stir them into the granola after baking and once it has cooled. This preserves their delicate texture, prevents them from burning, and keeps chocolates from melting into an unappetizing mess.
• Avoid Overcrowding the Baking Pan: This is a critically important tip for achieving uniform and perfectly crunchy results. If you spread the granola mixture too thickly on a single baking sheet, it will tend to steam rather than toast, leading to uneven cooking and a disappointing lack of desired crispness. Conversely, not spreading enough on the pan can hinder the formation of those wonderful, satisfying clusters. Always aim for a relatively thin, consistent layer spread evenly across two baking sheets to allow for optimal air circulation and browning.
• Patience is Key: Let It Cool Completely: This cannot be stressed enough, especially if your goal is to achieve those satisfying, chunky granola clusters. Granola firms up dramatically and develops its true crispness as it cools. Breaking it apart or transferring it while it’s still warm will inevitably result in crumbly bits rather than sturdy, defined clusters. Allow your granola to cool completely and undisturbed on the baking sheets for at least an hour, or until it is entirely cool to the touch, before attempting to break it into pieces and store it.
• Customize the Sweetness Level: This recipe provides an excellent baseline for sweetness, but personal preference varies greatly from one individual to another. Feel free to adjust the amount of brown sugar (or your chosen sweetener, such as coconut sugar or erythritol) to perfectly match your taste. If you prefer a less sweet granola, start by reducing the sugar slightly. If you have a sweeter tooth, you can increase it. Always taste a small piece of the mixture before baking if you’re unsure.
• Embrace Low and Slow Baking: The recommended oven temperature of 250°F (120°C) might seem unusually low, but it is entirely intentional and crucial for this recipe. Baking at a lower temperature for a longer period ensures that the granola dries out thoroughly and crisps up perfectly without burning the delicate oats or nuts. Resist the natural urge to crank up the heat to speed up the process, as this often leads to burnt edges, an uneven cook, and soft, chewy centers instead of the desired crunch. Slow and steady wins the race when it comes to perfect granola!

Storage Instructions for Homemade Granola

Proper storage is absolutely essential to maintain the freshness, crunch, and delicious flavor of your easy homemade peanut butter granola. Follow these detailed guidelines to keep it in peak condition for weeks, or even months, ensuring you always have a wholesome snack readily available:

• Cool Completely Before Storing: This is arguably the most crucial step in preserving granola’s texture. Ensure your granola is absolutely, entirely cool to the touch before transferring it to any storage container. Storing warm or even slightly warm granola will trap moisture inside the container, which inevitably leads to a soggy texture, promotes staleness, and can even encourage mold growth.
• Use an Airtight Container: Once fully cooled, carefully transfer your crunchy granola to an airtight container or a large glass jar with a tight-fitting lid. This crucial step prevents air and moisture from getting in, which are the main culprits behind granola losing its crispness and becoming stale over time.
• Room Temperature Storage: Store the airtight container in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight, heat, and high humidity. A pantry or a kitchen cupboard that isn’t directly above a stove is ideal. When stored correctly under these conditions, your homemade peanut butter granola will remain wonderfully fresh and crunchy for up to 2 weeks.
• Freezer Storage for Extended Longevity: For an even longer shelf life, you can freeze your granola. Place the completely cooled granola in a freezer-safe airtight bag or container. This method is fantastic for making large batches, as it will keep beautifully in the freezer for up to 3-4 months without losing its quality.
• Thawing Frozen Granola: When you’re ready to enjoy frozen granola, simply remove the desired portion from the freezer and allow it to sit at room temperature for just a few minutes. It thaws remarkably quickly and will be ready to eat, retaining much of its original crunch.
• Re-Crisping Soft Granola: If, despite your best efforts, your granola happens to lose a bit of its crunch over time due to humidity, improper storage, or simply prolonged exposure to air, don’t despair! You can easily revive it. Spread the granola in a single, thin layer on a baking sheet and pop it back into a preheated oven at 350°F (175°C) for just 5-10 minutes. Keep a very close eye on it during this process to prevent it from burning. Let it cool completely again on the baking sheet, and it will be as good as new, boasting its original irresistible crispness!

Creative Ways to Serve Homemade Peanut Butter Granola

This versatile vegan peanut butter granola isn’t just for breakfast; it’s a fantastic addition to countless meals and snacks, adding texture, flavor, and nutritional value throughout your day! Beyond enjoying it as a healthy, fiber-rich cereal with your favorite dairy-free milk (we especially love ours with sliced banana for extra natural sweetness and creaminess), here are even more delicious and creative ways to incorporate this delightful homemade treat into your daily routine:

• Dairy-Free Yogurt Bowls or Parfaits: Elevate your morning or afternoon yogurt experience by layering the crunchy granola with your favorite plant-based yogurt (almond, soy, oat, or coconut yogurt are all excellent options) and a medley of fresh berries, sliced fruit, or a drizzle of maple syrup. The delightful crunch of the granola perfectly contrasts with the creamy yogurt, creating a satisfying and wholesome breakfast or dessert.
• Smoothie Bowls Topping: Transform your morning smoothie into a hearty, textural masterpiece by sprinkling a generous handful of peanut butter granola on top. It adds a satisfying crunch, an extra boost of protein and fiber, and a burst of nutty flavor that elevates a simple smoothie into a more substantial and engaging meal. Pair it with fresh fruit and a drizzle of nut butter for an ultimate treat.
• Grilled or Baked Fruit Companion: Warm, soft, caramelized fruit paired with crisp, crunchy granola is a match made in heaven. Serve your peanut butter granola generously over warm grilled peaches, gently baked apples with cinnamon, or tender baked pears for an elevated, comforting dessert or a wholesome, naturally sweet breakfast.
• Vegan Ice Cream (or Banana Nice Cream) Topping: For an indulgent yet still somewhat wholesome treat, use your homemade peanut butter granola as a textural, flavorful topping for your favorite vegan ice cream or our incredibly delicious and easy banana nice cream. The textural contrast between the creamy cold dessert and the crunchy granola is simply amazing and highly addictive!
• By the Handful, as a Quick Snack: Sometimes, the simplest way to enjoy something delicious is the best. This peanut butter granola is so incredibly tasty and satisfying on its own that it makes a perfect grab-and-go snack anytime you need a quick energy boost to get you through the day, or just a little something to curb those mid-afternoon cravings.
• Dessert Crumble Topping: Get creative in the kitchen by using this granola as a crunchy, flavorful topping for fruit crumbles or crisps instead of a traditional oat or flour-based topping. It adds a unique peanut butter twist.
• Salad Topper (Savory Twist): For a truly unconventional but surprisingly delicious savory twist, try sprinkling a small amount of granola (perhaps from a batch made slightly less sweet) over a mixed green salad that includes fruits, other nuts, and a light vinaigrette. It adds an unexpected crunch and a hint of nutty flavor that can be quite delightful.

Beyond simple serving ideas, you can also creatively use this healthy homemade peanut butter granola as a foundational ingredient for other delightful treats. It’s excellent for making homemade granola bars, such as these chewy gluten-free peanut butter granola bars, or easily forming it into granola cups, energy bites, and other delightful granola-based desserts and snacks. Its versatility truly knows no bounds!

More Irresistible Vegan Peanut Butter Snacks

If you’re as big a fan of the rich, creamy, and undeniably delicious flavor of peanut butter as we are, then you’ll absolutely love exploring these other fantastic and easy-to-make vegan snacks that prominently feature this beloved nutty favorite:

• Peanut Butter Banana Bars: A delightful and wholesome combination of two classic, complementary flavors, baked into a convenient and satisfying bar form. Perfect for a grab-and-go breakfast or an energizing snack.
• Peanut Butter Stuffed Dates: A naturally sweet, decadent, and incredibly satisfying bite-sized treat. The soft, caramel-like dates are perfectly complemented by the creamy, rich peanut butter filling.
• Chocolate Peanut Butter Pretzel Bars: The ultimate blend of sweet, salty, and crunchy textures in one irresistible bar. This recipe delivers a satisfying treat that hits all the right notes for any snack craving.
• Chocolate-Coated Peanut Trail Mix Balls: Portable, energy-boosting, and incredibly tasty. These are ideal for hiking, post-workout fuel, or simply as a healthier sweet bite anytime you need it.
• Peanut Butter Granola Bars: For a chewy variation of our crunchy granola, these bars offer a different texture profile while still delivering that beloved peanut butter flavor. Great for meal prepping!
• Chocolate and Peanut Butter Rice Krispy Balls: A wonderfully nostalgic, incredibly easy, and completely no-bake dessert that everyone will love. Crunchy, sweet, and perfectly peanut-buttery.
• Chocolate Peanut Butter Bark: A simple, elegant, and irresistibly sweet treat that comes together in minutes. Perfect for satisfying chocolate and peanut butter cravings with minimal effort.

Photos by Alfonso Revilla

Easy Peanut Butter Granola

★★★★★

5 from 50 votes

Prep:

10 mins

Cook:

1 hr

Total:

1 hr
10 mins

Servings:

8
cups

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This healthy peanut butter granola is a deliciously sweet and crunchy make-ahead breakfast or snack with just 9 pantry ingredients! Plus, it’s gluten-free, dairy-free, vegan, and optionally refined sugar-free!

Video

Equipment

• Medium Saucepan
• Baking sheet
• Silicone Mat
• Measuring spoons
• Measuring Cups
• Large bowl

Ingredients

• 6 cups of old-fashioned oats
• 1 ½ cups of finely chopped walnuts
• ½ cup of flax meal (ground flax seeds)
• 1 tablespoon of ground cinnamon
• 1 teaspoon of salt
• 1 cup of peanut butter
• ¾ cup of brown sugar
• ½ cup of applesauce
• ⅓ cup of canola oil
• 1 tablespoon of vanilla extract

Instructions

• Preheat the oven to 250 degrees F (120 degrees C). Line 2 baking sheets with parchment paper or silicone mats.
• In a large bowl, combine the oats, walnuts, flax meal, cinnamon, and salt. Mix well.
• In a medium saucepan, combine the peanut butter, brown sugar, applesauce, and canola oil. Heat over medium and stir, just until ingredients are well-combined. Remove from heat, add the vanilla and stir again.
• Pour the peanut butter mixture over the oat mixture and combine thoroughly.
• Divide the granola between baking sheets, spreading evenly. Bake for one hour, stirring every 15 minutes, until the granola is golden and feels dry.
• Allow to cool completely and store in an air-tight container.

Notes

• Experiment with add-ins: With so many options, have fun experimenting to find your favorite flavor combinations.
• Don’t overcrowd the pan: If you add too much, it won’t toast evenly and may not become crunchy. Likewise, not adding enough means the homemade granola won’t form clusters.
• Let it cool completely before breaking it apart: It firms up as it cools and becomes sturdy. This is particularly important if you want clusters.
• Adjust the sweetness: Increase/reduce the sugar or even use a sugar-free option.

Nutrition

Calories:
794kcal


Carbohydrates:
77g


Protein:
21g


Fat:
48g


Saturated Fat:
6g


Polyunsaturated Fat:
21g


Monounsaturated Fat:
18g


Trans Fat:
0.04g


Sodium:
442mg


Potassium:
625mg


Fiber:
13g


Sugar:
26g


Vitamin A:
12IU


Vitamin C:
1mg


Calcium:
122mg


Iron:
5mg

Additional Info

Author:
Honor

Course:
Breakfast, Dessert

Cuisine:
American

Method:
Oven

Diet:
Vegan

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