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    Home » Breakfast & Brunch

    Cherry Vanilla Granola

    Published: Feb 4, 2014 · Modified: Mar 7, 2023 by thekitchenprep · This post may contain affiliate links ·

    Jump to Recipe Print Recipe

    Cherry Vanilla Granola! Tart, chewy dried cherries and crunchy slivered almonds are sweetened with a combination of honey and maple syrup infused with fragrant vanilla bean in this easy-to-make snack.

    Cherry Vanilla Granola scattered on parchment paper in the shape of a heart.

    This post may contain affiliate links, which means that, at no extra cost to you, I may earn a small commission if you click a link and purchase an item I’ve recommended. Thanks for your support in running this blog!

    This Cherry-Vanilla Granola is what granola-filled dreams are made of. Tart, chewy dried cherries and crunchy slivered almonds are sweetened with a combination of honey and maple syrup infused with fragrant vanilla bean.

    One of my favorite parts of eating this granola is the vanilla bean-flecked milk that's left over at the end... it's the grown-up version of the thrill you got as a kid when you discovered Cocoa Puffs created its own chocolate milk byproduct.

    Full of fiber and flavor and ready in under 30 minutes, this is a snack that will become a regular craving!

    Looking for more tasty homemade granola recipes? Check these out!

    • Pumpkin Seed Chocolate Chunk Granola! This crunchy and addictive homemade granola gets a triple dose of pumpkin-y goodness thanks to the addition of pumpkin spiced pumpkin seeds, pumpkin pie spice and pumpkin puree. Semi-sweet chocolate chunks add decadence to this heavenly fall concoction! 
      Pumpkin Seed Chocolate Chunk Granola
    • Spiced Apple Granola in a glass jar.
      Spiced Apple Granola
    • Cardamom Fig Granola pouring out from a mason jar.
      Cardamom Fig Granola
    • German Chocolate Granola

    This recipe is naturally vegetarian, and can be made vegan and gluten-free. (See Variations & Substitutions below.)

    Jump to:
    • Ingredients
    • Instructions
    • Recipe FAQ's
    • Variations & Substitutions
    • Cherry Vanilla Granola

    Ingredients

    • Rolled oats
    • Sea salt
    • Slivered almonds
    • Dried tart cherries
    • Coconut oil or butter
    • Maple syrup
    • Honey
    • Vanilla bean pod (or vanilla bean paste)

    Instructions

    Prepare a small sheet pan by lining with parchment paper. Preheat the oven to 375°F.

    In a large bowl, toss together oats, salt and slivered almonds. Set aside.

    In a small saucepan over medium heat, stir together coconut oil, maple syrup, honey and vanilla bean seeds along with the vanilla pod. Bring to a bubble and allow to simmer on medium-low heat for about 5 minutes.

    Tip: If you do not have a vanilla bean pod or vanilla bean paste, simply stir in 11/2 teaspoons of vanilla extract once the mixture is removed from the heat.

    Remove the vanilla bean pod and pour the syrup mixture over the oat mixture, stirring until well-coated.

    Pour into prepared pan and bake for about 15 minutes until slightly golden and fragrant.

    Remove from oven and toss in dried cherries.

    Cool completely and store in an air-tight container.

    Recipe FAQ's

    Should dried fruit be added to granola before or after baking?

    Since dried fruit contains a lot of sugar and can burn easily, it's usually best to toss it in once the granola is finished baking.

    What is the best way to store homemade granola?

    Cool the granola completely to room temperature, then place it in an airtight container in a cool, dry place.

    Can homemade granola be frozen?

    Yes! Place cooled granola in an airtight, freezer-safe container and freeze for up to 6 months! This is a great option if you make a large batch.

    Variations & Substitutions

    Try these variations!

    • Add dark chocolate chips for a decadent twist.
    • Switch up the type of nuts you use in the granola. Try walnuts, pecans or macadamia nuts.
    • Sprinkle in some coconut flakes for a tropical twist.

    Diet-Specific Substitutions

    • Vegan: Omit honey and use all maple syrup.
    • Gluten-free: Oats, in and of themselves, are naturally gluten-free, but can often be contaminated during processing or storage. To be certain that the oats are gluten-free, buy oats that specify this on the packaging.

    Cherry Vanilla Granola

    The Kitchen Prep
    Cherry Vanilla Granola! Tart, chewy dried cherries and crunchy slivered almonds are sweetened with a combination of honey and maple syrup infused with fragrant vanilla bean in this easy-to-make snack.
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe
    Prep Time 5 mins
    Cook Time 20 mins
    Course Breakfast, Snack
    Cuisine American
    Servings 3 cups

    Ingredients
      

    • 2½ cups rolled oats
    • ¼ teaspoon sea salt
    • ⅓ cup slivered almonds
    • 2 tablespoons coconut oil or your favorite type of oil
    • ¼ cup maple syrup
    • ¼ cup honey
    • 1 vanilla bean pod scraped or 1 teaspoon vanilla bean paste
    • ½ cup dried tart cherries

    Instructions
     

    • Prepare a small sheet pan by lining with parchment paper. Preheat the oven to 375°F.
    • In a large bowl, toss together oats, salt, almonds. Set aside.
    • In a small saucepan over medium heat, stir together coconut oil, maple syrup, honey and vanilla bean seeds along with the vanilla pod. Bring to a bubble and allow to simmer on medium-low heat for about 5 minutes.
    • Remove the vanilla bean pod and pour the syrup mixture over the oat mixture, stirring until well-coated. Pour into prepared pan and bake for about 15 minutes until slightly golden and fragrant.
    • Toss with dried cherries.
    • Cool completely and store in an air-tight container.

    Notes

    Variations
    • Add dark chocolate chips for a decadent twist.
    • Switch up the type of nuts you use in the granola. Try walnuts, pecans or macadamia nuts.
    • Sprinkle in some coconut flakes for a tropical twist.
    Diet-Specific Substitutions
    • Vegan: Omit honey and use all maple syrup.
    • Gluten-free: Oats, in and of themselves, are naturally gluten-free, but can often be contaminated during processing or storage. To be certain that the oats are gluten-free, buy oats that specify this on the packaging.
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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Anonymous says

      October 19, 2015 at 3:20 pm

      Delicious! love, love, love it!

      Reply
    2. thekitchenprep says

      October 21, 2015 at 11:53 am

      @Anonymous - Thank, thank, thank you! 😉

      Reply

    Trackbacks

    1. Favorite Road Trip Snacks says:
      July 18, 2016 at 4:15 pm

      […] than a healthy snack. If you don’t mind making your own, whip up some homemade granola {like this one or this one} so you can control the ingredients added. For a treat, we like Trader Joe’s […]

      Reply

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    Hi! I'm Dianna. I used to think cooking had to be complicated to be good, so I never considered it "my thing." Now I know that's far from true, and my mission is to create & share easy, mouthwatering recipes - from weeknight dinners to simple bites for entertaining - that anyone can make! Join me in my South Florida kitchen and let's get cooking!

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