Crunch Time.
I rarely eat granola at breakfast — it just gets in the way of my morning cocoa. The two just don’t get along. I do, however, find myself nibbling it in the afternoon as a semi-healthy snack. It’s nice and crunchy to wake me up, and it is filled with flavor.
Why “semi” healthy? Because I like my granola sweet and use a goodly amount of maple syrup to sweeten it. If I didn’t, I would just be eating plain boring oats, like a horse.
Unlike some lavish granola recipes, I keep mine pretty simple… you won’t find pumpkin seeds, sunflower seeds, flaxseed, millet, chocolate chips, or coconut flakes in my granola. Just oats, nuts, and fruit (plus the oil and maple syrup).
No, this recipe will not change the world, and I am sure there are many out there just like it. But good is good, and that is why I wanted to share it with you.
~ David
Almond Apricot Granola
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Ingredients
- 1/3 cup neutral oil
- 1/2 cup maple syrup
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- pinch salt
- 3 cups old-fashioned rolled oats
- 1 cup sliced almonds
- 1 cup diced dried apricots (about 15)
Instructions
- Heat the oven to 300°F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Place the oil, maple syrup, cinnamon, and salt in a large bowl and whisk to combine.
- Add the oats and almonds toss well to combine.
- Scrape the mixture onto the prepared baking sheet and spread into an even layer.
- Bake for 40-45 minutes, stirring halfway through until golden brown. Remove from the oven and evenly sprinkle the diced apricots overtop. Cool completely on the baking sheet set on a wire rack.
- Put the granola in an airtight container, preferably glass, and store in the refrigerator or at room temperature.
- Makes about 5 cups.
- Note: you can use different nuts (pecans, walnuts) but watch them as they cook – some nuts brown faster than others. You can also substitute different fruit for the apricots: dried cherries, blueberries, and golden raisins all work well.
© 2025 Copyright Cocoa & Lavender
FEL!X
April 26, 2025 at 4:47 amI tried some like this several times – but I’m definitely not a müesli nor a cornflakes lover!!!
Cocoa & Lavender
April 26, 2025 at 11:13 pmNot everyone is, Felix! I wouldn’t eat a cornflake either!
Mimi Rippee
April 26, 2025 at 6:08 amSimply perfect!
Cocoa & Lavender
April 26, 2025 at 11:12 pmThanks, Mimi.
Mad Dog
April 26, 2025 at 6:35 amAlmonds and apricots sound really good, but I’d probably skip the maple syrup and chocolate chips.
Cocoa & Lavender
April 26, 2025 at 11:11 pmI would never add the chocolate chips, either, Nad Dog — but I do like the sweet crunch that the maple syrup gives!
Barb
April 26, 2025 at 7:12 amThis sounds like a much tastier way to eat oats than oatmeal. I never cared for the texture of oatmeal and also thought it bland. Your granola recipe takes care of both of those issues. I also like that all the ingredients are healthy foods, unlike commercial granola. I would probably use less maple syrup though. I like the addition of the almonds to add crunch and great taste.
Cocoa & Lavender
April 26, 2025 at 11:10 pmThanks, Barb — I have never been an oatmeal fan, either, though I have tried! You can reduce the maple syrup — that’s the beauty of recipes like this — but, honestly, it doesn’t come across as all that sweet.
Marie-Claire
April 26, 2025 at 11:19 amJ’aime le granola et j’adore les abricots, alors j’ai hâte d’essayer cette recette. Merci!
Cocoa & Lavender
April 26, 2025 at 2:13 pmC’est assez facile à faire, Marie-Claire — et super por les «Les snacks.»
Eha Carr
April 26, 2025 at 3:00 pmBeing a ‘boring’ Scandinavian open sandwich ‘with the kitchen sink atop it’ , with a huge mug of very strong black coffee, breakfast type eater I am not much into granola and, God forbid, ‘breakfast cereals’ but your simple recipe very much draws – it is healthy and the apricots, almonds and cinnamon would give quite enough taste for me to enjoy – shall try 🙂 !
Cocoa & Lavender
April 26, 2025 at 11:07 pmThanks, Eha — it is really something I enjoy but not for breakfast!
Gerlinde de Broekert
April 27, 2025 at 5:19 amYour granola is perfect, there are no coconut flakes in it. I enjoy making my own granola because I can adjust the taste and the flavor to my liking and it doesn’t have any additives added to preserve it like the commercial ones .
David Scott Allen
April 27, 2025 at 7:31 amThanks, Gerlinde! Yes, coconut is wine thing I definitely don’t want in my granola!
Ronit
April 27, 2025 at 10:14 amThis granola must be so addictive! The combination of maple syrup, almonds and dried apricots is brilliant. 🙂
Cocoa & Lavender
April 29, 2025 at 7:11 amThanks Ronit — and it really isn’t as sweet as I say.
Ben | Havocinthekitchen
April 28, 2025 at 7:43 pmI’m quite conservative too when it comes to granola – oats, nuts, dried fruit, maple or honey. Well, I love and addition of pumpkin and sunflower seeds, though 🙂 This version looks just I’d enjoy my granola most of the days.
Cocoa & Lavender
April 29, 2025 at 7:13 amThanks, Ben — I do think it’s pretty good and quite addictive.
Marcelle
April 28, 2025 at 10:01 pmHomemade granola is definitely the best kind, David 🙂 I have to add some apricots and maple into my next batch, it’s sounds so good! Definitely a delicious snack any time of the day.
Cocoa & Lavender
April 29, 2025 at 7:13 amThanks, Marcelle — let me know what you think!
sherry
April 29, 2025 at 2:48 amhomemade is best! I am not a breakfast eater really but i don’t mind a bowl of this (toasted) muesli now and then 🙂 Granola must be in the ether atm; i know some other bloggers are talking about it too – hehehe…
sherry
Cocoa & Lavender
April 29, 2025 at 7:15 amThanks, Sherry — every once in a while there is a convergence in the blogosphere and several of us post the same thing all at once. It must be Granola week!
Jeff the Chef
April 29, 2025 at 7:01 amMorning cocoa! Love it! Also loved the “horse” comment. I’ve never made my own granola. Yours looks delicious enough to want to make!
Cocoa & Lavender
April 29, 2025 at 7:17 amYWe can’t survive mornings without cocoa, Jeff, similarly to those who cannot live without coffee! If you try this granola, I hope you. Like it!
angiesrecipes
April 29, 2025 at 8:02 pmI would snack on them until all gone! That’s why I dare not to make them…so good and addictive.
Cocoa & Lavender
May 2, 2025 at 12:31 amI don’t know if I have your conviction, Angie — but I figure a couple of spoonfuls a day can’t hurt!
Jean | DelightfulRepast.com
May 8, 2025 at 7:16 amPerfect, David! Very similar to mine, but I use half the amount of maple syrup. I so agree with you—no seeds, no coconut, and (most definitely) nooooo chocolate chips!
David Scott Allen
May 8, 2025 at 11:45 pmAs you know from our prior discussions, I have quite a sweet tooth. Although this isn’t really all that sweet. To me, it’s the perfect balance. I’m glad we are in agreement about all the add-ons… Especially no chocolate chips.
Raymund
May 15, 2025 at 2:48 pmI love the honesty here, sometimes simple is exactly what you need! That crunchy, sweet granola sounds like the perfect afternoon pick-me-up, especially with that maple syrup goodness.