Easy Homemade Vegan Granola: Your Customizable Recipe for a Perfect Plant-Based Breakfast

Discover the joy of making your own vegan granola – an incredibly versatile and easy recipe that you can tailor precisely to your taste! Whether you crave the crunch of nuts, the chewiness of dried fruit, or the warmth of spices, this foundational recipe serves as your ultimate blueprint for endless delicious flavour combinations.

There’s nothing quite like the aroma of freshly baked granola filling your kitchen, and this vegan granola recipe makes it astonishingly simple to achieve. It’s not just quick and easy to prepare; it’s also an incredibly adaptable base recipe, allowing you to customize it to your exact preferences. This guide will walk you through creating a wholesome, delicious, and perfectly crunchy granola that is entirely plant-based and far superior to most store-bought options.

For this particular version, I opted for a subtle blend, incorporating a few seeds and a touch of mixed spice to enhance the flavour profile. However, if you prefer a truly minimalist approach, you can easily omit these additions for a perfectly basic, yet delightful, granola. The real magic lies in its flexibility – you can introduce almost any mix-ins you desire. Imagine hearty nuts, an assortment of seeds, succulent dried fruits, tropical coconut flakes, decadent chocolate chips, energizing cacao nibs, or a medley of fragrant spices. The possibilities are truly boundless, making this a recipe you’ll return to again and again.

The beauty of this recipe is its robust foundation. While you have complete freedom with mix-ins, the critical element to maintain for consistent results is the ratio of the base ingredients: oats, maple syrup, and coconut oil (or another neutral-flavoured oil of your choice). These three components are essential for achieving that ideal crunchy texture and delicious taste.

Crafting your own granola at home offers several compelling advantages. Firstly, it’s significantly more economical than purchasing pre-made versions from the supermarket. Beyond the cost savings, homemade granola grants you full control over the ingredients, ensuring you avoid any unwanted additives, excessive sugars, or allergens. Many commercial granolas also contain honey, rendering them unsuitable for vegans. With this recipe, a simple swap from honey to maple syrup transforms it into a perfectly vegan-friendly delight, suitable for everyone.

This easy vegan granola relies on just a few simple, wholesome ingredients to create a remarkably delicious basic granola. It’s incredibly versatile and pairs wonderfully with a variety of meals and snacks. Enjoy it with your favourite plant-based milk for a classic breakfast, sprinkle it generously over yogurt or smoothie bowls for added texture and flavour, or simply grab a handful straight from the jar for a satisfying, on-the-go snack. The simple act of combining ingredients in a bowl and stirring them is all it takes – if you can do that, you can absolutely make this incredible granola!

Mastering Homemade Vegan Granola: A Step-by-Step Guide

(For a complete list of ingredients and detailed instructions, please refer to the comprehensive recipe card provided below.)

Embarking on your granola-making journey begins with the dry ingredients. In a generously sized mixing bowl, combine your rolled oats with a pinch of salt. This simple addition helps to balance and enhance the overall flavour. If you’re planning to incorporate any spices, seeds, or finely chopped nuts into your granola, now is the perfect moment to gently stir them through the oat mixture, ensuring they are evenly distributed before proceeding to the wet ingredients.

Next, introduce your chosen liquid components. Add the melted oil (coconut oil is highly recommended for its subtle flavour and excellent texture contribution) and the maple syrup to the dry mixture. This step is crucial: take your time to give everything a really good, thorough stir. You want every single oat flake and mix-in to be completely coated with the sticky syrup and oil mixture. This even coating is key to achieving that desirable golden crunch and prevents dry, unbaked patches.

Once your granola mixture is uniformly coated, it’s time to prepare it for baking. Spread the mixture out evenly onto a large roasting tray that has been lined with baking parchment. The parchment paper is vital to prevent sticking and makes for easy cleanup. If you’re a fan of those satisfyingly large clusters of granola that you can break apart, firmly pack the mixture down with a spatula. This compression encourages the oats to stick together during baking, forming those coveted clumps.

Place the tray in your preheated oven and bake for an initial 20 minutes. After this time, carefully remove the tray from the oven. If you prefer a flakier, looser granola, give the mixture a good stir to ensure even toasting. However, if your goal is those delightful large clumps, skip the stirring entirely at this stage to allow them to form undisturbed.

Return the tray to the oven for another 20 minutes. Throughout this second baking phase, keep a close eye on your granola. If you notice the edges starting to darken too quickly, gently give it a stir to prevent burning, particularly if you’re not aiming for large clusters. If you are striving for large clusters, be exceedingly gentle when you check on it, and try your best not to break the forming clumps. The key here is patience and observation, as oven temperatures can vary.

Following this second 20-minute bake, if you plan to add delicate mix-ins like coconut flakes or cacao nibs, stir them through the granola now. These ingredients toast quickly, so adding them later prevents them from burning. Return the granola to the oven for an additional 5-10 minutes. Continue baking until the granola achieves a beautiful pale golden hue and the coconut flakes (if added) are lightly toasted. It’s important to note that the granola won’t feel completely crisp at this point; it will firm up and become perfectly crunchy as it cools completely.

Once baked to perfection, remove the tray from the oven and resist the urge to disturb it. Allow the granola to cool completely on the tray. This cooling period is crucial for developing its final crisp texture. If your recipe includes dried fruit or chocolate chips, wait until the granola has fully cooled before stirring them in. Adding them too early will cause dried fruits to become overly hard or chocolate chips to melt. Once cooled and mixed, transfer your homemade vegan granola to an airtight container. Stored properly, it will retain its freshness and delightful crunch for at least a month, providing you with a wholesome and delicious breakfast or snack option whenever you desire.

Elevate Your Granola: Exciting Optional Mix-Ins

One of the greatest joys of making your own vegan granola is the freedom to experiment with a vast array of mix-ins. These additions not only boost the flavour and texture but also allow you to create truly unique batches every time. Feel free to combine as many of these delightful options as you like to craft your perfect custom blend:

To Add Before Cooking (with the oats and salt):

• 150g Mixed Seeds: A fantastic way to add healthy fats, protein, and crunch. Consider a blend of pumpkin, sunflower, flax/linseed, hemp, chia, or sesame seeds.
• 150g Roughly Chopped Nuts (unroasted): Nuts provide a wonderful richness and satisfying bite. Excellent choices include pecans, walnuts, Brazil nuts, almonds, hazelnuts, pistachios, or cashews.
• 1 ¼ tsp Mixed Spice/Pumpkin Spice or Cinnamon: Infuse your granola with warmth and aromatic notes. Ground ginger, nutmeg, or cardamom also work beautifully.
• 2 tsp Vanilla Extract: A splash of vanilla deepens the flavour and adds a classic sweetness.

To Add Partway Through Cooking (during the last 5-10 minutes of baking):

• A Couple of Handfuls of Flaked Coconut: Adds a delicate tropical flavour and becomes wonderfully golden and crisp when lightly toasted.
• 35g Cacao Nibs: For a bitter-chocolatey crunch and an antioxidant boost. These tiny powerhouses should be added later to prevent burning.

To Add After Cooking (once the granola has cooled completely):

• 150g Dried Fruit: Introduce chewy sweetness and vibrant flavour. Options include raisins, cranberries, sultanas, chopped apricots, dates, figs, goji berries, diced apple, mango, papaya, blueberries, or cherries. Larger fruits should be roughly chopped.
• 100g Chocolate Chips: For a decadent touch! Ensure the granola is entirely cool before stirring these in to prevent them from melting into a sticky mess.

Top Tips for Crafting the Ultimate Vegan Granola

Achieving granola perfection is simple with a few insider tricks. Follow these expert tips to ensure every batch of your homemade vegan granola is exceptionally crisp, flavourful, and exactly to your liking:

• Choose the Right Oats: For the best texture and satisfying chew, always opt for jumbo or regular rolled oats. Avoid quick-cooking or instant oats, as they tend to become mushy and won’t give you that desirable crispiness.
• For Irresistible Clusters: If you adore large, chunky granola clusters, the key is compaction. After spreading the mixture on the baking tray, firmly press it down with a spatula. Crucially, do not stir the granola at all during baking or immediately after removing it from the oven. Allow it to cool completely and undisturbed on the tray; then, you can break it into beautiful, crunchy clumps with your hands.
• For Flakier, Looser Granola: If your preference leans towards a more classic, flaky granola, do not pack the mixture down on the baking tray. Instead, leave it looser and give it a gentle stir a couple of times while it bakes to ensure even browning and a consistent, separated texture.
• Mind the Temperature: Resist the temptation to crank up the oven heat. A lower baking temperature is always best for granola. This ensures that the oats cook through thoroughly and dry out properly without burning, resulting in a perfectly golden and crisp finish.
• Timing is Everything for Mix-Ins: Add your various mix-ins at the appropriate stage to prevent burning or melting. Nuts, seeds, and spices can go in before baking. Coconut flakes and cacao nibs are best added partway through the baking process (during the last 5-10 minutes). Delicate ingredients like dried fruit and chocolate chips should always be stirred in only after the granola has cooled completely.
• Adjust for Abundant Mix-Ins: If you decide to go all-out with a generous quantity of mix-ins, you might find it beneficial to slightly increase the amounts of maple syrup and coconut oil. This extra wet ingredient ensures that every component, especially the additional bulk, gets an even coating, leading to a uniformly crisp and delicious result.
• Oil Alternatives: While refined coconut oil is excellent for its neutral flavour and solidifying properties, you can easily swap it for another neutral-flavoured oil if you prefer. Canola, grapeseed, or even a light olive oil would be good, readily available options.
• Syrup Substitutions: If maple syrup isn’t your preferred sweetener, agave nectar makes for a fantastic alternative. Ensure you use similar quantities to maintain the correct liquid-to-dry ratio.
• Do Not Skimp on Liquids: This is a crucial point for texture! Do not reduce the specified quantities of maple syrup and oil. These liquids are essential for binding the granola together and are fundamental to achieving that desirable crisp, crunchy, and utterly delicious texture. Reducing them will likely result in dry, crumbly granola.
• Trust Your Senses, Not Just the Clock: Oven temperatures can vary significantly. While a baking time is provided, consider it a guide. The best indicator of readiness is sensory. Keep a close eye on your granola: it’s done when it looks lightly toasted, boasts a beautiful pale golden colour, and emits a wonderful, toasty aroma.

Explore More Delicious Vegan Breakfast Recipes:

Looking for more plant-based inspiration to kickstart your day? Check out these other delightful vegan breakfast recipes:

• Pumpkin Spice Granola
• Fluffy Vegan Waffles
• Comforting PB&J Porridge
• Light and Fluffy Vegan Vanilla Pancakes
• Irresistible Fluffy Vegan Banana Pancakes
• Creamy Banana Porridge with Blueberry Compote
• Seasonal Vegan Pumpkin Pancakes
• Decadent Vegan Chocolate Pancakes

If you tried this fantastic vegan granola recipe, we’d love to see your creations! Why not tag @domestic_gothess on Instagram and use the hashtag #domesticgothess?

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