Crunchy Nut Granola With Cardamom and Maple
Crunchy Nut Granola With Cardamom and Maple
By: Merritt Allen
Granola is like cereal but better. It is crunchier, holds up to milk better, and is always a little heartier! This crunchy nut granola with cardamom and maple is a spiced granola that combines cardamom, cinnamon, and dates for one of the most flavorful and delicious granolas you can make at home!
My secret ingredient is puffed rice cereal that adds lightness and extra texture to this granola! It makes the granola feel light and airy without taking away flavor. Puffed cereal is a such a great way to make your granola feel like “the real thing” and I highly recommend checking out other puffed grains. There is puffed quinoa, amaranth, or millet that you can find at most grocery stores.
Once you start making granola at home, it is hard to go back! I love make this granola as a little morning snack served with Yogurt and eggs but you can enjoy it as a dessert too! I hope you give this crunchy hazelnut granola a try and love it as much as I do.
Why You Will Love This Granola:
Making granola at home is a great way to have a healthy alternative to the store bought versions. You will love the opportunity to mix and match what goes in your crunchy nut granola! I love hazelnuts and pumpkin seeds but you can choose to use pecan nuts, walnuts, or almonds.
You will also love the flavor of this granola. The cardamom mixed with the maple is a little spicy, warm, and sweet. Maple is one of those beautiful flavors that brings so much to your granola. Paired with sticky dates, you will be making this on repeat.
Is Crunchy Nut Granola with Cardamom and Maple Gluten Free?
This granola is gluten free. The main components of this granola are rolled oats and puffed rice cereal, which are both naturally gluten free. If you need to be completely gluten free, be sure to find gluten free rolled oats as some are processed in facilities that also process wheat. I like the Bob’s Red Mil brand for this, though you can find huge bags of rolled oats in bulk that are really cheap but might always be processed as 100% gluten free.
What Else Can I Add To This Granola?
As I mentioned above, you will love this granola for how versatile it is and how well it pairs with other flavors. I have listed some of my favorites below.
Dried fruit like dried cherries, apples, or raisins are a great way to make a fruity granola. I recommend adding these in once the granola has baked and while it is still warm. If you bake dried fruit, sometimes it can dry hard depending on brand.
Chocolate chips are a great way to make this a cardamom chocolate granola. Chocolate also pairs so well with hazelnuts! With about 4-5 minutes of bake time left, toss in your chocolate and it will be warm enough to meld with the other ingredients but will not liquify.
Other seeds are a wonderful addition. Try adding sunflower seeds, sesame seeds, or chia seeds. These will all add crunch and fiber once cooked.
What Makes This Crunchy Nut Granola?
Hazelnuts are the main nut in this granola. Nuts add oil and flavor to your granola and are a great way to bulk up the batch without having add more oats.
How To Store This Granola:
Store this granola in an airtight container or jar. Wait for the granola to cool completely before sealing it up! The granola can be stored on your counter top for a couple of weeks, but it will not last that long!
What To Serve With Granola:
Try serving this granola with yogurt or milk! If you want to check out my other granola recipe it is a tahini chocolate granola and it is so good!
For a bulky and filling breakfast, try serving crunchy nut granola with a Leek, Mushroom, and Cheesy Frittata! It is a great savory pairing that you will love.
You can also serve this granola with whipped coconut cream and berries. It makes a great dessert and the granola adds crunchy sweetness to the berries and coconut. This is one of my favorite summertime desserts but can be made anytime, especially with this spiced granola!
Ingredients For Crunchy Nut Granola with Cardamom:
Recipe:
- 1 cup Rolled oats Rolled oats make up the body of the granola
- 1 Cup puffed rice cereal Any brand will do. These add lots of crunch and air to your granola!
- 1/3 cup coconut oil melted and cooled slightly. You can also use olive oil or melted butter.
- 1/3 cup pumpkin seeds Untoasted and unsalted is preferable since they must bake in the oven.
- 1/3 cup hazelnuts Roughly chopped
- 1/4 cup flax seeds If you can not find the unhulled flax seed, sub for sunflower seeds.
- 1/3 cup coconut flakes Untoasted is best as they will toast in the oven.
- 1/2 cup dates Roughly chopped
- 1/4 cup maple syrup Maple syrup adds sweetness, flavor, and helps hold the granola together.
- 1/4 cup honey Honey adds sweetness and structure
- 1 tsp vanilla
- 1 tsp fresh cardamom You can also crush 5-6 cardamom pods
- pinch of salt Salt helps balance the flavors
How to Make Crunchy Nut Granola
Preheat the Oven to 350 F
Melt the coconut oil either on the stove in the microwave. Set aside to cool
Rough chop the hazelnuts and dates, set aside
To a large bowl add the oats, puffed rice, flax, coconut, pumpkin seeds, salt, and cardamom. Roughly stir to combine.
Add the coconut oil, maple syrup, honey, dates, and hazelnuts. Stir to combine with your hands or a large spoon.
2. Bake the Granola
Spread the granola in a thin layer on baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
Bake in the oven for 30 minutes or until the granola is golden and very fragrant.. Stir every 10 minutes or so to get an even bake.
Once the granola is ready to remove from the oven, remove and allow to cool.