Small Batch Butter Pecan Granola

Discover the irresistible blend of nutty pecans and buttery goodness in this Small Batch Butter Pecan Granola. Perfect for enhancing your morning yogurt, as an on-the-go snack, or even as a delightful topping for ice cream, this granola will quickly become your new go-to for versatile crunch.

Why You’ll Love This Granola Recipe

• Cost-Effective: Homemade granola is incredibly easy to make, which means you’ll save a pretty penny compared to those pricey boxed options at the store.
• Pantry-Friendly: The beauty of making granola from scratch is that it’s a great way to use up pantry items. You can mix and match to create your own custom blend.
• Versatility: The staple ingredients for granola—oats, nuts, sweetener, and some form of fat—are just a canvas. This recipe elevates the basics with a buttery pecan twist.
• Doubles Well: Got more mouths to feed? This recipe easily doubles, so you can make enough to share or store for later.
• Nutrient-Rich: Beyond its decadent taste, this granola is packed with wholesome ingredients that offer nutritional benefits, from fiber-rich oats to protein-packed pecans.

Ingredients

Ingredient Notes

• Oats: For this recipe, old-fashioned rolled oats are the way to go. They offer a chewy texture and absorb flavors well. If you’re following a gluten-free diet, make sure to opt for certified gluten-free oats. Quick oats are not recommended as they don’t provide the same texture.
• Nuts: The recipe calls for pecans, but you can easily switch them out to suit your taste. Alternatives like cashews, pumpkin seeds, or walnuts work just as well and allow you to customize your granola.
• Coconut: Unsweetened shredded coconut adds a subtle tropical touch. However, if you have a sweeter tooth, feel free to use sweetened shredded coconut instead.
• Butter: Salted butter adds a rich, creamy element to the granola. If you’re looking for a dairy-free or vegan alternative, coconut oil is a great substitute that also complements the existing flavors.

Check out the recipe box for exact ingredient measurements and comprehensive cooking instructions.

How To Make Butter Pecan Granola

These step-by-step photos and instructions help you visualize how to make a small batch of granola. See the recipe box below for ingredient amounts and full recipe instructions.

1. Melt Butter and Combine Liquid Ingredients: In a small saucepan, heat the butter over medium until fully melted. Once melted, remove from the stove and mix in the maple syrup and vanilla extract.
2. Prepare Dry Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, combine the oats, coconut, nuts, brown sugar, and cinnamon.
3. Mix Dry and Wet Ingredients: Carefully pour the melted butter mixture over the oat mixture in the bowl. Stir the ingredients until the oats and nuts are thoroughly coated with the liquid.
4. Prepare for Baking: Evenly spread the coated granola mixture onto a baking sheet with raised edges to prevent spillage.

Place the baking sheet in a preheated oven and bake the granola for a total of 30 minutes. Make sure to stir the mixture at 10-minute intervals to ensure even coloring and crisping.

Expert Tips

• Personalize Your Granola: Treat this recipe as a foundational blueprint for crafting your ideal granola. Feel free to switch out the nuts or add extras like seeds, dried fruit, chocolate chips, or even spices like cinnamon and nutmeg. Just maintain the ingredient ratios to ensure the perfect texture and crunch.
• Cluster Technique: If you’re a fan of chunky granola clusters, form 1-inch ovals with the oat mixture on the baking sheet. Keep these intact for the first 10 minutes of baking to promote clumping.
• Cooling is Key: Patience is a virtue, especially when it comes to granola. Allow it to cool completely on the baking sheet. As it cools, it will crisp up even more, elevating the texture to perfection.
• Dried Fruit Timing: Should you opt to add dried fruit to your granola mix, stir it in only after the granola has baked and cooled. This prevents any risk of the fruit burning or becoming too hard.

Serving Suggestions

Whether you’re enjoying this butter pecan granola as a standalone snack or adding it to other dishes, there are plenty of creative ways to serve it up. You’ll find that its rich, nutty flavor pairs well with a variety of foods.

• Breakfast Bowls: Layer your butter pecan granola over Greek yogurt, then add a dollop of honey and some fresh berries for a breakfast that’s as delightful as it is nutritious.
• Smoothie Topper: Take your smoothie game to the next level by sprinkling this granola on top of your favorite smoothie or smoothie bowl.
• Ice Cream Sprinkle: Elevate a simple scoop of vanilla ice cream by generously topping it with this granola. It adds a fantastic texture and an extra layer of flavor.
• Snack Packs: Make little snack packs with a mixture of butter pecan granola, dried fruits, and a handful of chocolate chips for a quick on-the-go snack.
• Overnight Oats: Stir it into your overnight oats recipe for added crunch and flavor.

Recipe Variations

Ready for a twist on the classic butter pecan granola? Here are some customizable options to make this recipe suit your personal preferences or dietary needs.

• Nut-Free: Swap out the pecans for sunflower seeds or pumpkin seeds if you’re looking for a nut-free version.
• Vegan Delight: Replace the butter with coconut oil and ensure you’re using a vegan-friendly sweetener like maple syrup or agave nectar.
• Spice It Up: Love spices? Add a pinch of nutmeg or cardamom along with the cinnamon for an exotic flavor profile.
• Chocolatey Goodness: Mix in some chocolate chips after the granola has cooled down. Because, let’s face it, chocolate makes everything better.
• Fruit-Filled: Add in some dried cranberries, raisins, or apricots after baking for a fruitier version.

Feel free to mix and match these variations to create your own signature butter pecan granola.

Ways To Use Leftover Ingredients

If you have any ingredients leftover from this recipe, check out our Leftover Ingredients Recipe Finder or you might like to consider using them in any of these single serving and small batch recipes:

• Oats: Baked Apples, DoubleTree Cookies, Half Batch Cowboy Cookies
• Coconut: Coconut Cream Pie, Coconut Macaroons, Mocha Oatmeal Bowl
• Nuts: Microwave Fudge, Apple Cinnamon Scones, Brownies
• Brown Sugar: Apple Muffin, Mini Spice Cake, Bananas Foster
• Maple syrup: Maple Walnut Muffin, Breakfast Bread Pudding, Sweet Potato Pie
• Vanilla: Baked Oatmeal, Butterscotch Pudding, Tiramisu

Searching For The Full-Sized Butter Pecan Granola Recipe?

You’re in the right place! This Butter Pecan Granola recipe has been a long-time favorite, initially making its debut on our previous website and gaining a loyal following. Since we specialize in small batch and single serving recipes, we’ve adjusted the measurements to give you a smaller portion. The small batch ingredient list can be found further down.

However, if you’re in the mood to whip up a larger batch of this delicious granola, here’s how to do it with the following ingredients. The baking instructions remain the same as in the small batch recipe.

Ingredients for Full-Sized Batch

• 2 1/2 cups old-fashioned rolled oats
• 1 cup shredded coconut
• 1/2 cup almonds, chopped
• 1/2 cup pecans, chopped
• 1/4 cup brown sugar
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1/4 cup butter
• 1/2 cup maple syrup
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Feel free to refer to the original cooking steps for the small batch version; they apply perfectly for this larger version as well.

Explore More Granola Varieties

If you’re a fan of homemade granola and looking to expand your repertoire, we’ve got you covered. Check out these other delicious granola recipes that are equally delightful and simple to make.

• Pumpkin Spice Granola: Perfect for the fall season, this granola brings all the cozy vibes with its mix of pumpkin spice and everything nice.
• Apple Pie Granola: Get the flavors of a classic apple pie. This granola is filled with fresh apple bits and a dash of cinnamon for that homey feel.
• Gingerbread Granola: Ideal for the holidays or anytime you’re craving that ginger-spice kick, this granola delivers a comforting crunch.

Each of these recipes offers a unique twist on granola, making your breakfast or snack time extra special.