Homemade Cardamom Granola with Almonds

Homemade Cardamom Granola with Almonds is sure to become a pantry staple around your house. It's perfect with milk, yogurt and/or fruit for a quick breakfast, or by the handful for an afternoon snack. It is crunchy, delicious and so satisfying. And, fair warning, slightly addictive.

If you are currently in the habit of buying granola at the store, this easy recipe will most certainly ruin that experience for you. It's nearly impossible to consider going back to the store-bought stuff once you start making your own granola at home.

Why This Recipe Works

• This easy granola recipe comes together in less time than it takes to heat up the oven and bakes for a short 30 minutes.
• The ingredients themselves are simple, straightforward and wholesome.
• It's perfectly crunchy and sweet and contains just the right ratio of nuts, seeds, oats and sweetener.

The Ingredients

• Old-Fashioned Rolled Oats are the main component of this granola recipe. It's important to use the old-fashioned oats as opposed to the instant or quick oats which are cut more finely and will result in a granola without the same hearty, craggy texture.
• Raw pumpkin seeds (pepitas) and sliced almonds provide another layer of texture and flavor.
• Ground cardamom, cinnamon and ginger along with both vanilla and almond extract bring complementary warm spice to the mix.
• Pure maple syrup is our sweetener here (feel free to substitute honey if you prefer), and heart-healthy canola oil is the fat that helps the granola brown and crisp nicely.

How to Make Homemade Granola

• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Line a rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper and set aside.
• Mix the oats, seeds, almonds, cardamom, cinnamon, ginger and salt together in a large bowl.
• Add the canola oil and maple syrup and mix until fully combined.

• Spread in an even layer on the prepared baking sheet. Bake for 15 minutes.
• Remove the pan from the oven and gently mix the granola with a spatula. Before putting it back in the oven, firmly press the granola back into the pan in an even layer (preferably with a firm metal spatula).

• Bake for an additional 12-15 minutes or until golden brown and crispy.
• Remove from the oven and let cool completely on a wire cooling rack. Break into bite size pieces and enjoy!

Expert Tips

A few things to keep in mind for ensuring that your Cardamom Granola is the very best that it can be:

• Stir the dry ingredients well before adding the oil, syrup and extracts. This will help distribute the salt and spices evenly throughout the mixture.
• Stir the granola half-way through the baking process to redistribute everything on the baking tray.
• Firmly press the half-baked granola back into the pan in an even layer with the back of a metal spatula. This is a really important step if you want your granola to clump together.
• Let the granola cool completely before removing from the pan. If the granola is still warm when you package it, you run the risk of soggy granola.
• Freeze for long-term storage. Granola keeps well in an air-tight glass container at room temperature for about a week. For longer storage, freeze in zip-loc freezer bags. When we are really on top of it around here, we will make four batches of granola on a Sunday morning and stash it away in the freezer for a month's worth of breakfast and snacks. And granola straight from the freezer is oddly delicious, especially in the warmer months of the year!

What to Serve with Granola

Granola is so versatile and goes with so many things. I'm often found grabbing a handful from the jar and eating it plain, but here is a list of some other serving ideas for your homemade granola:

• with fresh fruit (berries, bananas, peaches, pears, apples...whatever is in season) and milk, yogurt or cream (plant or dairy-based)
• with a fruit compote such as strawberry rhubarb, blueberry cardamom, caramelized apple, pear cardamom, or peach ginger and a drizzle of milk, yogurt or cream
• with dried fruit such as raisins, cherries or blueberries and/or shredded coconut
• on ice cream with caramel sauce (yum!)
• add to your favorite muffin recipe for added crunch and nutrition
• on top of a smoothie or acai bowl
• on top of Swedish Blueberry Soup (Blåbärsoppa) with yogurt
• or make these beautiful granola and yogurt parfaits with roasted strawberries!

FAQs

Related Recipes

Looking for more delicious breakfast recipes featuring old-fashioned rolled oats? Give these tasty options a try:

Recipe

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