This easy homemade Granola with Dates comes with a fantastic crunch! Perfect for snacking, spooning over oatmeal, or vegan yogurt for a quick breakfast. It's naturally sweetened with maple syrup or date syrup.
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💡The recipe in a nutshell
- Vegan (eggless and dairy free)
- Gluten free
- Refined sugar free
- Loaded with nutrients
- Easy to make
- Affordable – cheaper than store bought!
- Crunchy, sweet and full of flavor
💭 Benefits of homemade granola
Making your own granola has so many benefits! Overall you have full control of what goes into your granola. Homemade granola has less added fat and sugar than store-bought varieties. This granola with dates recipe is refined sugar free. Instead, it uses maple syrup or date syrup as a sweetener.
💰 Estimated cost
This recipe makes around 500g / 17.6 oz. Altogether estimated costs are between 5 and 7$ when following it exactly. The general estimated cost per serving is 0,50 - 0,65$. The most expensive ingredient: dates. If wished it can be substituted with a more affordable dried fruit. Comparing that with store-bought granola prices, that can go up to 10-15$ for only 340g / 12 oz, making your own is much cheaper.
🤔 What oil should I use?
Adding oil is making the granola crisp, crunchy and irresistible! However, oil is not a healthy food so consume it in moderation. Use unrefined oil, such as extra-virgin olive oil or unrefined avocado oil.
🍯 Using natural sweetener
Store-bought granola often has refined sugars and syrups added. A better for you alternative is pure maple syrup, or date syrup.
🧂 Seasoning
Adding different spices and flavors makes your granola unique and delicious. Be creative and try out your favorite spices such as cinnamon, vanilla, cardamom or allspice.
However, be careful with adding too much. Anything more than a teaspoon of dried spices could be overpowering! Start with adding a quarter or half a teaspoon of your preferred spice. If you feel like the flavor is not strong enough, add more.
📖 Variations
The beauty of making homemade granola? You can easily change up the ingredients, depending on what you have on hand and like.
I love to use pecans, whole almonds, and sunflower seeds. However, other tasty options are walnuts, slivered almonds, peanuts, cashews, macadamia nuts, and pumpkin seeds. So take a look at the ingredient list of your favorite store-bought granola.
Adding dried fruit gives some extra sweetness, chewy texture and fruity flavor. I like to use fresh medjool dates, but other dried fruit such as cherries, cranberries, raisins, or apricots go well too. Keep in mind: dried fruit should be added after baking, so it won't burn!
Other add-in ideas: Add fresh citrus zest (up to 2 teaspoons) into the mixture before baking for a fresh and tangy flavor. For extra indulgence add vegan chocolate chips, or chopped dark chocolate, once it has completely cooled.
🥣 Storage
Store in an airtight container at room temperature for one week. Or store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to three weeks.
❄️ How to freeze
To freeze store in a freezer-friendly container or bag for up to 3 months. Label with the date of freezing. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before using.
💭Breakfast ideas
Sprinkle your homemade granola over your favorite smoothie bowls or oatmeal. Have you tried combining granola with vegan quark? You have to try, it's superb! Browse our breakfast recipes for more ideas.
📖 Recipe
Granola with Dates (vegan + gluten free)
Ingredients
- 200 g old fashioned oats, gluten free (7 oz)
- 80 g whole raw almonds (2.8 oz)
- 50 g sunflower seeds (1.7 oz)
- 50 g chopped pecans (1.7 oz)
- 120 g diced and pitted medjool dates (4.2 oz)
- 2 tablespoon pure maple syrup, or date syrup
- 2 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil, or unrefined avocado oil
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract optional
- 1 teaspoon ground sea salt optional
- ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon optional
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 160°C / 325°F. Line a large heavy-duty rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper, or a baking silicone mat.
- In a large bowl combine oats, whole almonds, sunflower seeds, chopped pecans, and salt. Stir to combine. Add the maple syrup and olive oil to dry the ingredients. Mix until all dry ingredients are covered in liquid.
- Spread granola mixture onto prepared baking sheet evenly. Bake for 25-30 minutes. Stir and re-spread the mixture halfway through. Bake until the entire mixture is golden brown. Watch it carefully towards the end; granola burns quickly and will brown first in the corners and on the bottom.
- Take granola out and let it cool on the baking tray to room temperature. Around 45 minutes, or longer. Once cooled stir in chopped dates. Add to an airtight container and use as wished.
PS: Don't forget to rate this recipe and leave a comment on your experience - this helps improving my recipes and serve you with best instructions, tips and substitution ideas. Plus, I love hearing about your takes on my recipes! Tag me on Instagram @thesimplesprinkle to show me your pictures.
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