Our Top 3 Favorite Pecan Granola Recipes
We’re back with more fabulous recipes for your consumption! And in today’s blog, we’re going to do some snackin’. Because what are some of the best uses for pecans? Well, as snacks of course! And one of the best snacks, whether for breakfast or on the go, is granola. But with so many granola options out there, it can be intimidating. That’s why we wanted to take a moment in today’s blog post to introduce you to our favorite pecan granola recipes.
Pecans make a great granola ingredient for all the following fantastic reasons.
Nutritional Value: Pecans are a good source of healthy fats, fiber, protein, and various vitamins and minerals. They are particularly high in monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats, which can help lower cholesterol levels and reduce the risk of heart disease.
Convenience: Pecans are a convenient snack that can be eaten on their own or mixed with other nuts or dried fruits. They are also easy to carry around and do not require refrigeration.
Taste: Pecans have a rich, buttery flavor that makes them a delicious snack on their own or as an ingredient in various dishes. They can be roasted, salted, or sweetened to enhance their flavor even further.
Versatility: Pecans can be used in a variety of sweet and savory dishes, including salads, baked goods, desserts, and, of course, snacks. This versatility makes them a popular ingredient in many recipes.
So, now that you know why pecans make such a great granola, let’s get right into the nitty gritty ingredients. It’s time to bring all your pecan granola fantasies to life!
Cinnamon Apple Granola
Cinnamon Apple Granola is quick and easy to make and will transport you right back to grandma’s hot apple pie! And guess what, it’s way better than store-bought. It may be almost Spring, but this fall granola is packed with rolled oats, apples, pecans, and warm fall spices. Perfect for breakfast on the go or a snack throughout the day. You’ll be snacking on it no matter the season.
Make your mornings even easier by prepping this delicious and easy homemade apple pie granola ahead of time and we can pretty much guarantee you’ll never buy granola in the store again. It’s so much easier to make than you may realize. Plus, it lasts for weeks, if it lasts that long! All you need is 10 minutes to prepare it and enjoy homemade granola all week long.
Nothing says “Delicious!” quite like cinnamon and apples. But add in some crunchy pecans and chewy raisins and you’ve got yourself the perfect snack. You’ll be putting this cinnamon apple granola on everything — yogurt, parfaits, or simply eat by the handful. Even better, this apple pie granola is gluten-free, refined sugar-free, and made with real ingredients.
Ingredients
2 cups rolled oats
2 apples, peeled, cored, and cut into ¼-inch cubes
1/2 cup pecan halves
1/4 cup dark brown sugar
1/4 cup raisins
3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
3 tablespoons melted butter
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon salt
Instructions
Step One
Preheat oven to 325 F.
Step Two
Combine all ingredients in a large mixing bowl, including oats, apples, pecans, brown sugar, raisins, flour, butter, vanilla, cinnamon, and salt. Use a spatula and stir to thoroughly combine.
Step Three
Pour the mixture onto a parchment-lined half-sheet baking pan.
Step Five
Bake for 15 minutes. Stir the granola, then re-spread it and put it back in the oven. Bake for another 10-15 minutes until the granola is golden brown and crispy.
Step Six
Let cool and store in an airtight container for up to 2 weeks.
Does this sound like delicious granola, or what? We guarantee you’ll love it. But it’s not the only amazing pecan granola we’re sharing with you today. Read on pecan lovers!
Almond Pecan Granola
Don't spend your hard-earned money on manufactured granola! Pre-made granola is packed with a truckload of unhealthy fats and sugars and a bunch of over-processed ingredients and preservatives. You can make your own unprocessed, low-sugar, preservative-free granola for a fraction of the price. All you need to make it happen is 5 to 10 minutes of prep time, and that’s it.
Granola, in general, is a good source of complex carbohydrates and fiber, which provide sustained energy and can help regulate blood sugar levels. Pecan granola may also contain other healthy ingredients such as whole grains, dried fruit, and seeds, which can provide additional nutrients and health benefits.
Today, we will highlight two nuts together! Rather than be in competition, how about almonds and pecans joining forces in a healthy granola snack? Let’s dig into how this delicious granola gets made.
Ingredients
2 cups large flake oats (or rolled oats)
3/4 cup sliced almonds
1/2 cup chopped pecans
1/2 cup raw honey
1/4 cup vegetable oil
1/2 tablespoon vanilla extract
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
Instructions
Step One
Preheat oven to 300 F.
Step Two
Mix the oats, almonds, and pecans in a large bowl. Set it aside.
Step Three
In a medium-sized bowl, mix the honey, oil, vanilla, and cinnamon. Stir well to combine.
Step Four
Add this mixture to your large bowl of oats. Stir well to combine.
Step Five
Line a cooking tray with aluminum foil and spread the granola mixture evenly.
Step Six
Bake for 30 minutes. Every 10 minutes, take out the cooking tray and stir well. Re-spread the granola and put it back in the oven.
Step Seven
Once done, remove the granola from the oven and let cool completely.
Guess what? You can serve almond pecan granola in so many ways. The easiest is just on its own as a snack by the handfuls. You can also add it on top of milk or yogurt, layer it in a fruit and yogurt parfait, or top it on banana toast with honey. It is also amazing on top of a couple of scoops of vanilla ice cream. The fact is, almost everything is better with almonds and pecans!
Now let’s jump to our final pecan granola treat. It may not be Christmas yet, but you’ll be saving this next pecan granola recipe for your Christmas recipe list.
Gingerbread Pecan Granola
There is nothing better than homemade gingerbread granola. Why? Because your home will quite literally smell like Christmas. And who doesn’t like that? Gingerbread pecan granola is also gluten-free, vegan, and refined-sugar-free. It’s packed with rolled oats, warm winter spices, rich molasses, sweetened with maple syrup, and has a generous number of pecans, almonds, and cranberries. This granola won’t last long in your house.
Ingredients
3 cups rolled oats
1 cup pecans, loosely chopped
3/4 cup slivered almonds
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/3 cup olive oil
1/3 cup maple syrup
2 tablespoons molasses
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
3/4 cup dried cranberries
Instructions
Step One
Preheat oven to 350 F.
Step Two
In a large bowl, combine rolled oats, pecans, slivered almonds, cinnamon, ginger, and salt. In another bowl, combine olive oil, maple syrup, molasses, and vanilla extract. Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients and stir to combine until fully incorporated.
Step Three
Spread the granola mixture onto a large parchment-lined baking sheet. Bake for 25-30 minutes, tossing the granola once halfway.
Step Four
Remove from oven and let it cool down (about 15 minutes). Then, mix in dried cranberries and toss to combine. Store in an airtight container for up to 2 weeks at room temperature.
Why Pecan Granola is Simply the Best
Granola is comprised of delicious crispy clusters. These crispy clusters call for a few common ingredients: oats, nuts, honey, vegetable oil, vanilla extract, and cinnamon. In fact, you probably have all these ingredients at home, so you don't even need to leave your house to make this.
These granola recipes can be your "base" pecan granola recipe. You can add any kind of nuts or dried fruit that your heart desires (as long as you keep a balance between the dry ingredients and the wet). If you make I too sweet, simply balance it all with salt. There is no hard and fast rule. Improvise your own pecan granola recipes!
Once baked and cooled, store the granola in an airtight container. It can last for up to 2 weeks. But let's not kid ourselves, once you make these pecan granola recipes, there is no way that there will be anything left in 2 weeks! You and your family are going to eat this granola right up in no time at all. And you can thank us later!