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Making your own granola at home is simple and much less expensive than store-bought granola. This small batch maple granola recipe is crunchy, flavorful, and comes together with just a handful of ingredients. It’s perfect for a quick breakfast, a snack, or a topping for yogurt. With no preservatives and plenty of customizable options, homemade granola is a healthier option that you can easily make your own.
If you’re craving more small batch granola recipes, try our rich and buttery Butter Pecan Granola, warmly spiced Pumpkin Spice Granola, sweet and fruity Apple Granola, or our festive Gingerbread Granola.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Small Batch: No need to make a huge batch—this recipe makes just enough for a few servings.
- Healthier Option: Homemade granola contains no preservatives or artificial ingredients.
- Customizable: Add your favorite dried fruits or swap out nuts to suit your taste.
- Less Expensive: It’s more budget-friendly than store-bought granola.
- Easy to Prepare: With just 10 minutes of prep and 30 minutes in the oven, you’ll have fresh, homemade granola in no time.
This small batch maple granola shines with its simplicity and irresistible flavor. You only need basic kitchen tools to make a delicious maple butter that coats the oats and nuts. The flavors come together beautifully with the buttery maple sweetness, warm cinnamon, and a hint of nutmeg. Every bite is filled with a satisfying crunch and a perfect balance of sweetness and spice. This easy recipe is perfect for when you want something homemade, fresh, and flavorful without a lot of fuss. You’ll want to make it again and again!
Ingredients and Substitutions
If you have any ingredients leftover from this small batch granola recipe, check out our Leftover Ingredients Recipe Finder.
- Old fashioned oats: Use rolled oats for the best texture. Consider using leftover oats in Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Cookies or an Apple Crisp.
- Nuts (walnuts & almonds): Adds crunch. Feel free to substitute with pecans, cashews, or your favorite nuts. Leftover nuts can be added to Banana Nut Bread, Blondies, or Fudge.
- Brown sugar: Adds a touch of sweetness. If you don’t have brown sugar, consider using our easy brown sugar recipe to make a small batch.
- Spices (ground cinnamon & nutmeg): These spices give the granola a warm flavor. You can adjust the amounts or even add ground ginger for a different twist.
- Salted butter: Provides richness and helps bind the ingredients together. Coconut oil is a good dairy-free alternative.
- Maple syrup: Naturally sweetens the granola with a deep, rich flavor. Maple syrup can also be used to make a Maple Muffin, Pecan Pie, or Apple Cinnamon Scones.
- Vanilla extract: Adds depth and enhances the sweetness. It blends beautifully with the maple syrup and spices.
- Dried fruit: I love using dried cherries or dates for a chewy, sweet addition. Raisins, cranberries, or other dried fruits work well too—feel free to use your favorite! Consider using any extra dried fruit in Hermit Cookies, a Broccoli Salad, or Morning Glory Muffins.
Recipe Variations
This maple granola recipe is incredibly flexible, so you can mix and match ingredients to suit your taste. Here are some easy variations to try:
- Add shredded coconut: For a tropical twist, mix in about 1/4 cup of shredded coconut before baking. It adds a light sweetness and extra texture.
- Mix in pumpkin seeds: Stir in a quarter cup of pumpkin seeds for a subtle crunch and a boost of nutrients. These pair beautifully with the maple flavor and spices.
- Add chocolate chips: If you’re craving something sweet, toss in some chocolate chips after the granola has cooled. It adds a touch of indulgence without overpowering the other flavors.
How To Make A Small Batch Of Maple Granola
These step-by-step photos and instructions help you visualize how to make maple granola.
See the recipe box below for ingredient amounts and full recipe instructions.
- Preheat the oven to 300°F (150°C).
- In a large bowl, mix together the oats, chopped walnuts, almonds, brown sugar, cinnamon, and nutmeg.
- In a small pot, melt the butter over medium heat, then stir in the maple syrup. Remove from heat and mix in the vanilla extract.
- Pour the butter and syrup mixture over the oats and nuts. Stir until the oats are well coated.
- Spread the granola mixture evenly onto a rimmed baking sheet lined with parchment paper or a baking mat.
- Bake for 30 minutes, stirring every 10 minutes to ensure even baking.
- After the granola has finished baking, remove it from the oven and stir in the dried fruit.
Pro Tip: Always add dried fruit after baking the granola, not before. Baking dried fruit can cause it to become too hard and dry out. By stirring it in at the end, the fruit stays chewy and perfectly complements the crunchy granola.
- Let the granola cool completely before transferring it to a bowl or jar for storage.
Expert Tips
- Don’t Overbake: Granola can burn quickly. Keep an eye on it, especially towards the end of baking.
- Cool Completely: Let the granola cool on the baking sheet for the crispiest texture.
- Press It Down: For granola clusters, press it down with a spatula before baking and again after removing it from the oven.
- Add Dried Fruit After Baking: This keeps the fruit soft and chewy instead of dried out and hard.
- Use a Rimmed Baking Sheet: This prevents the granola from spilling out when you stir it.
- Store in an Airtight Container: This will keep your granola fresh and crunchy for up to a week.
Serving Suggestions
This small batch maple granola is incredibly versatile and can be enjoyed in many different ways. Here are some delicious ideas:
- Sprinkled over yogurt: Add a satisfying crunch to your morning yogurt by sprinkling a handful of granola on top. The combination of creamy yogurt and crunchy granola is a perfect match.
- On top of pancakes: For a bit of texture and extra flavor, sprinkle granola over a stack of warm pancakes. The granola adds a delightful contrast to the soft pancakes and pairs wonderfully with maple syrup.
- With milk: Enjoy a bowl of granola with cold milk for a quick and easy breakfast. The granola stays crunchy, and the milk brings out the sweetness of the maple syrup.
- As a topping for vanilla ice cream: Elevate a simple scoop of vanilla ice cream by adding a generous sprinkle of granola on top. The mix of creamy ice cream and crunchy granola is an irresistible combination.
- As a snack: Grab a handful of granola for a quick, satisfying snack.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes! Simply double the ingredients, and it will bake up just as well.
Store it in an airtight container at room temperature for up to one week.
Yes, swap out the butter for coconut oil or another plant-based oil.
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:
If you’ve tried this small batch maple granola recipe or any recipe on One Dish Kitchen please let me know how you liked it by rating the recipe and telling me about it in the comment section below.
Also, if you take a picture please tag us on Instagram (@onedishkitchen) we’d love to see it!
Small Batch Maple Granola
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1 cup old fashioned oats
- ½ cup chopped walnuts
- ½ cup chopped almonds
- 2 tablespoons brown sugar
- ¼ teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ⅛ teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 3 tablespoons salted butter
- 2 tablespoons maple syrup
- ¼ teaspoon vanilla extract
- 6-7 dried pitted dates -chopped (¼ cup), or use ¼ cup of your favorite dried fruit like raisins, dried cherries, dried cranberries, or dried blueberries.
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 300°F (150°C).
- In a large bowl, mix together the oats, chopped walnuts, almonds, brown sugar, cinnamon, and nutmeg.
- In a small pot, melt the butter over medium heat, then stir in the maple syrup. Remove from heat and mix in the vanilla extract.
- Pour the butter and syrup mixture over the oats and nuts. Stir until the oats are well coated.
- Spread the granola mixture evenly onto a rimmed baking sheet lined with parchment paper or a baking mat.
- Bake for 30 minutes, stirring every 10 minutes to ensure even baking.
- After the granola has finished baking, remove it from the oven and stir in the dried fruit.Pro Tip: Always add dried fruit after baking the granola, not before. Baking dried fruit can cause it to become too hard and dry out. By stirring it in at the end, the fruit stays chewy and perfectly complements the crunchy granola.
Notes
- Don’t Overbake: Granola can burn quickly. Keep an eye on it, especially towards the end of baking.
- Cool Completely: Let the granola cool on the baking sheet for the crispiest texture.
- Press It Down: For granola clusters, press it down with a spatula before baking and again after removing it from the oven.
- Add Dried Fruit After Baking: This keeps the fruit soft and chewy instead of dried out and hard.
- Use a Rimmed Baking Sheet: This prevents the granola from spilling out when you stir it.
- Store in an Airtight Container: This will keep your granola fresh and crunchy for up to a week.
Nutrition
The information shown is an estimate provided by an online nutrition calculator. It should not be considered a substitute for a professional nutritionist’s advice.
Good recipe.