This deliciously crunchy cashew butter granola is perfect for breakfast or as a snack. With the combination of natural cashew butter, rolled oats, maple syrup, and spices, this homemade granola is super easy to make and will surely become a staple in your kitchen. Plus, it’s easily customizable with your favorite add-ins.
If you haven’t tried cashew butter granola yet, you’re missing out! It’s incredibly simple to make – just mix the ingredients, bake, and let it cool. The result is absolutely delicious! You can enjoy it in various ways, and I’m sure that you’ll love it.
There’s always homemade granola in my house. It makes breakfast more exciting and snacks more enjoyable. Since college, I’ve been creating my own granola recipes, constantly experimenting with new variations. From traditional vegan and grain-free options to savory varieties, there’s a whole world of possibilities to explore if you haven’t already.
One of my favorite granola recipes is this cashew butter granola version. It’s rich, packed with flavor, and highly customizable. You can whip it up in about 30 minutes with minimal effort.
This granola is fantastic with milk, giving you a delightful crunchy cereal experience. It also pairs perfectly with yogurt and fresh fruits, elevates the goodness of overnight oats or creamy oatmeal, and can even bring a playful twist when sprinkled over ice cream!
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Why you’ll love this recipe
- Crunchy & Delicious: This cashew butter granola is incredibly flavorful with a delightful crunch in every bite.
- Easy to Make: With just a few simple steps, you can whip up a batch of this cashew butter granola in no time. It’s a fuss-free recipe that even beginners can confidently tackle.
- Versatile & Customizable: You can easily customize this recipe by adding your favorite mix-ins, such as dried fruits, chocolate chips, or additional nuts and seeds, allowing you to create a granola that suits your taste preferences. Plus, you have the flexibility to adjust the quantity according to your needs by using the same ingredient proportions. Check out the “Variations, Additions & Swaps” section for more inspiration.
- Healthier Option: Made with wholesome ingredients like cashew butter and rolled oats, this granola offers a more nutritious alternative to store-bought options.
- Perfect for Meal Prep: Prepare a generous batch of this granola and store it in an airtight container. It will stay fresh for up to a month, providing you with a convenient and delicious breakfast or snack option.
- Enjoyable in various ways: This granola can be enjoyed with yogurt, milk, smoothie bowls, or overnight oats. It also adds a satisfying crunch and flavor when used as a topping for desserts.
Ingredients you’ll need
Whip up a batch of this irresistible cashew butter granola using just a few pantry staples!
- Cashew Butter: It adds a rich and creamy taste to the granola while providing healthy fats, protein, and fiber to keep you satisfied. Opt for natural store-bought or homemade cashew butter without additives like oil or sugar.
- Old-Fashioned Rolled Oats: Rolled oats are the ideal choice for making granola as they contribute a delightful crunch and are perfect for creating clusters or chunks in the mixture. Use certified gluten-free rolled oats if necessary.
- Maple Syrup: This natural sweetener adds sweetness without overpowering the flavor and acts as a binding agent to hold the ingredients together. If you don’t have maple syrup, you can easily substitute it with agave nectar or honey.
- Melted Coconut Oil: Acting as a binding agent, it adds moisture and improves the texture of the granola. Light olive oil or avocado oil can be used as alternative liquid oil options.
- Cinnamon: Enhance the flavor of the granola with a warm and comforting touch. Feel free to omit it if you prefer.
- Vanilla Extract: Pure vanilla extract provides a subtle sweetness and depth of flavor.
- Salt: Sea salt balances the sweetness and enhances the overall taste. Omit if using salted cashew butter.
Full ingredient measurements and detailed instructions are located in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post. This section covers notes on ingredients and possible substitutions.
How to make cashew butter granola
Making your own homemade granola is super easy with this simple recipe! Just follow two steps, and in just around 30 minutes, your delicious cashew butter granola will be ready.
Before you start
- Preheat your oven to to 356°F (180°C).
- Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicone mat for easy cleanup. A quarter sheet pan works well for this recipe, but you can also use any larger baking sheet.
- Gather the ingredients.
- If your coconut oil is solid, melt it by microwaving it for about 20 seconds until it liquefies. Mix well to ensure a smooth consistency.
Step 1: Mix the ingredients
To make things easier, start by whisking together the wet ingredients (cashew butter, maple syrup, and melted coconut oil) along with the spices (cinnamon, vanilla extract, and salt) in a large mixing bowl. Aim for a smooth and creamy mixture.
Next, add the rolled oats to the bowl and gently fold them into the cashew butter mixture using a spatula. Make sure each oat is evenly coated with the blend.
Step 2: Bake
Spread the granola mixture evenly onto a baking sheet, creating a flat layer. If the entire batch doesn’t fit on one baking sheet, you can use two trays instead.
Place the baking sheet in the preheated oven and bake for 10 minutes. After 10 minutes, remove the baking sheet from the oven and give the granola a gentle stir. This will ensure even browning and prevent any pieces from burning.
Return the baking sheet to the oven and continue baking for an additional 5-10 minutes, or until the granola turns a beautiful golden brown. It’s important to keep a close eye on it to prevent burning or over-browning, as the time may vary depending on your oven or the moisture content of your granola.
Tip: To quickly test if your granola is done, remove a few pieces from the baking pan and allow them to cool on a plate. If they harden within 3 minutes, it’s done. If not, continue baking until it reaches a crunchy texture at room temperature. Just remember to remove the baking sheet from the oven while you wait.
Once done, remove the baking sheet from the oven. The granola may still be slightly soft, but it will firm up as it cools. Allow the granola to cool completely on the sheet.
- If you prefer crunchy clusters of oats, avoid stirring the granola while it cools. This will help the clusters form.
- However, if you prefer a looser texture, you can stir the granola during the cooling process.
Recipe video
Watch how to make this recipe:
Tips & recipe notes
- Remember that natural cashew butter tends to separate, with the oil rising to the top. Before measuring the required amount, be sure to thoroughly stir the cashew butter in the container. The desired consistency should be runny. If it appears too dry, you can try microwaving it for about 30 seconds or adding extra oil to the granola recipe.
- To ensure even baking and prevent burning, I prefer to gently stir my granola halfway through the baking process, although this may break up some of the larger clusters. If you want to maintain larger clusters, you can opt not to stir during baking and take extra care to avoid any potential burning.
- It’s also important not to overlap the granola on the baking sheet for it to bake uniformly. If the granola is too crowded on the tray, some portions may become undercooked or soggy while others become overcooked. By arranging the granola in a single layer without overlapping, you’ll achieve a more consistent and delicious outcome.
Variations, additions & swaps
While I love this recipe just as it is, this cashew butter granola is a great base recipe to add-ins and flavor variations. Feel free to get creative and customize your homemade granola to suit your taste preferences! Here are some ideas:
- Add a variety of nuts and seeds for extra flavor and crunch. Try chopped almonds, walnuts, pecans, or pumpkin seeds. You might need to adjust the amount of wet ingredients in this case, adding a little more cashew butter or coconut oil to make sure all nuts, seeds, and rolled oats are coated.
- Mix in dried fruits like raisins, dried cherries, cranberries, or chopped dates after baking for a touch of sweetness and chewiness.
- To recreate the flavors of Nature’s Path Coconut Cashew Butter Granola, simply incorporate chopped raw cashews into the mixture prior to baking. After the granola has cooled down, sprinkle it with dried coconut flakes. This delicious combination will bring you a homemade version that is close to the original.
- For a touch of indulgence, stir in some chocolate chips or chunks once the granola has cooled completely. It’s absolutely delicious!
- Experiment with different spices and flavors to enhance the flavor profile of your granola. Ground ginger, ground nutmeg, almond extract, or orange extract are some ideas.
- If you don’t have cashew butter, you can use other nut butters like almond butter, hazelnut butter or peanut butter for a different taste. The recipe also works for seed butters like tahini or sunflower seed butter. Just remember that the flavor profile will change.
Serving suggestions
I first came up with the idea of substituting graham crackers with granola to craft a healthier topping alternative for recipes like these delicious blueberry cheesecake overnight oats. Having made peanut butter granola for years, I decided to switch to cashew butter for its neutral taste, enhancing it with a touch of cinnamon and vanilla. The result was absolutely perfect, and I highly recommend giving it a try!
However, the possibilities are endless when it comes to enjoying this cashew butter granola. Here are some of my personal favorites:
- Yogurt Bowl: Sprinkle cashew butter granola over a bowl of your preferred yogurt and complement it with fresh fruits like sliced bananas and blueberries. This combination makes for a nourishing and filling breakfast or snack.
- Granola Cereal: Pour a serving of granola into a bowl and add your choice of milk. Allow the granola to soak for a few minutes to slightly soften or enjoy it immediately for a satisfying crunch.
- Smoothie Bowl: Top your smoothie bowl with a sprinkle of cashew butter granola for a delightful contrast in texture.
- Parfait: Create a visually appealing and delicious parfait by layering cashew butter granola, yogurt, and a variety of chopped fruits in a glass or jar.
- Snack On-The-Go: Pack small portions of granola in resealable bags or containers for a convenient snack while you’re on the move. Whether in the car, during trips to parks, or hikes, it is an ideal option for snacking.
- Ice Cream Topping: Elevate your favorite ice cream flavor by generously sprinkling granola over it. Once you’ve tried it, you won’t want to enjoy ice cream without this addition!
- Trail Mix Addition: Mix cashew butter granola with other nuts, dried fruits, and seeds to create a personalized trail mix. It serves as a energizing snack for hiking, picnics, or any outdoor adventures.
- Overnight Oats, Oatmeal, and Chia Pudding: Add cashew butter granola on top for a crunchy texture and added flavor. It’s a great way to start your day with a nutritious and satisfying breakfast!
