Vanilla Almond Granola

Name: Vanilla Almond Granola
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 20 min
Total time: 85 min
Ingredients: 3/4 cup Agave Nectar; 1 tsp Vanilla extract; 4 cups Quick cooking oats; 1 cup Sliced almonds

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Craving an easy and healthy breakfast? Make a big batch of Vanilla Almond Granola that is both vegan and gluten free in just 30 minutes time using only four simple ingredients!

White bowl of yogurt with granola on blue cloth with spoons and granola tray in background.

Years ago, I started making my own homemade granola. While pregnant with my son, I started making this four ingredient gluten free, vegan vanilla almond granola. I couldn’t get enough of it. Of course, if you love granola you know first hand how expensive store bought granola can be.

In my first trimester I didn’t mind spending the money on granola. I was exhausted and needing all the easy healthy nourishment I could get my hands on. But then one day… I woke up out of my morning sickness and fog, and made granola!

It was like old times–except I made the simplest granola I’ve ever made in my life… with just 4 ingredients! That’s it. No dried fruit, no multiple nuts, spices, etc… just 4 simple ingredients that I had on hand. That made for the most amazing vanilla granola recipe.

Ironic that I ate this homemade granola so much while I was pregnant because fast forward 6 years and my kids are eating granola like crazy. They think it’s amazing that mom can make this too! I can’t be mad at them for eating healthy food. They could be eating way worse!

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Ingredients
Directions
FAQs
Tips & Tricks
Granola Recipes
Vanilla Almond Granola

Ingredients

Gluten Free Quick Cooking Oats – I use Bob’s Red Mill brand and love that it comes in a resealable bag!
Agave Nectar – Agave is naturally vegan and gluten free. It is also higher in antioxidants, and lower in fructose-content making it a little healthier.
Vanilla Extract – I always use pure vanilla extract for any and all recipes I make.
Sliced Almonds – Everyone in my family loves almonds. I like the sliced almonds best for this recipe.

Directions

Pot on electric stove with brown syrup inside.

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. In a sauce pan, heat the agave nectar and vanilla extract on high for one minute, just until its warm (do not let it bubble). Set to the side.

Pot pouring brown liquid into a glass bowl of oats and almond slices on a marble countertop.

Place the quick cooking oats and sliced almonds in a large bowl. Pour the agave mixture on top of the oats/almonds.

Top view of oats and almonds mixed together using a pink spatula in a glass bowl.

Mix well with a spoon until everything is coated with agave.

Glass bowl of granola pouring onto a parchment lined baking sheet with pink spatula.

Pour onto a parchment lined baking sheet.

Granola on a parchment lined baking sheet inside a blue oven.

Bake for 20 minutes!

Mixing granola on a parchment lined baking sheet with pink spatula.

Of course, don’t forget to mix the granola half way through.

Once done, let the granola cool on a pan for one hour before breaking apart and storing.

FAQs

Glass mason jar filled with granola with almonds on a baking sheet of granola.

Is agave nectar vegan?

Agave syrup is naturally vegan friendly because it is entirely derived from the plant without the use of any additives. Agave nectar is made from the core of the blue agave plant which is a natural sweetener, and healthier for you.

How long does homemade granola last?

For maximum freshness store in an air tight container for up to two weeks. I like to store at room temperature, but you can also store in a refrigerator as well.

What makes granola clump together?

The agave nectar in this recipe is what packs the gluten free oats together. Making for clumpier granola. Make sure you mix the granola mixture well then pack tight on a baking sheet. Half way through the coking process, stir granola on the baking tray to ensure the granola doesn’t burn. Once you remove the granola from the oven do not stir it. Let it rest for one hour and then break up the granola clusters.

Tips & Tricks

Close up of white bowl with granola, yogurt, and honey on a blue and white checkered cloth.

Here are a few of my favorite tips and tricks I’ve found helpful when making this homemade granola recipe.

Let it rest – It’s so tempting to start stirring and moving the granola. But it’s best if you let it rest for an hour.
Crunchy – If you like really crunchy granola you might want to consider leaving it out for 6-12 hours to “dry out” and obtain the desired “crunch”.
Storing – I like to use an airtight container or a Ziplock bag.
Spices – if you want to spice it up you can add in a pinch of cinnamon or nutmeg (or even both).
Nuts & fruit – Want more to this granola? You can add whole almonds, pecans, walnuts, peanuts, or cashews. Looking for additional sweetness? Add in some dried cranberries, blueberries, or even cherries during the last 10 minutes of cooking.

Granola Recipes

Top view of bowl of granola with yogurt, granola on tray and scattered around the bowl.

I have over a dozen granola recipes on Katie’s Cucina. Here are a few of my favorite recipes.

As you can tell, making homemade granola is actually much easier then it sounds. Best of all you know exactly all the ingredients going into the recipe. If you make this recipe for vanilla almond granola clusters, I would be honored and love for you to take the time to leave a star ⭐ rating and comment! I spend hours developing and testing these recipes, and always love to hear feedback and user experience!

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