This maple and cinnamon flavored granola is just the perfect edible gifts, this festive season. Warm, nutty and crunchy, granola has always been my weakness. Lately, I have taken to whipping up small batches at a moment’s notice in my air fryer oven.
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My new Instant Pot Vortex Air Fryer Oven is a keeper! Slightly bigger than a regular air fryer but smaller than the traditional oven, this gadget is the newest cool in my kitchen.
Ever since I got it, I have been making different flavors of granola in it and the process is simple and fuss-free.
Coming to the recipe itself, you will love this because-
- it has no added preservatives and additives.
- you can decide how much sugar goes into it.
- the nuts and dried fruit can be customized according to your preferences.
- store bought granola costs a bomb but making it at home is so much more economical.
- it makes for a fabulous gift. Aren’t food gifts the best?
Jump to:
Ingredients
As someone who loves all the flavors of Christmas time, I wanted this to reflect that mood. So this one has got warm and earthy cinnamon and vanilla for flavors. You will need these for this recipe-
- Rolled oats- traditional rolled oats are the best. I love Bob’s Red Mill! (This is my personal preference and this post is not sponsored)
- Seeds– a combination of pumpkin, flax and chia. You can also use hemp hearts and sunflower seeds.
- Pecans and almonds– Since I wanted this to be Christmassy and all that, I added pecans. You can also add walnuts instead. Or just use only almonds.
- Coconut – because the flavor is incredible. You will need unsweetened desiccated coconut flakes for this.
- Maple syrup
- Molasses- I have just used medium molasses here. Please do not use blackstrap molasses here since it has a pronounced bitter taste.
- Cinnamon
- Almond butter – use any other nut butter you have on hand if you do not have this.
- Vanilla
- Coconut oil – for flavor and to crisp up the granola. I recommend using virgin coconut oil.
- Dried cranberries – add a wonderful element of tartness and chewiness to this recipe. You can use raisins instead.
Dietary specifications
Largely free from refined sugars, this recipe is also naturally vegan and gluten-free. You can keep it nut free by choosing to not use any nuts and switching the almond butter to some seed butter.
Shelf life and storage
Store cooled granola in an air tight container at room temperature for up to 3 weeks. You can also make a large batch and freeze them for upto 3 months.
Freezing granola
To freeze this, place in a Ziploc bag or a similar freezer-safe bag. Squeeze all the air out before sealing. Label and freeze. I recommend freezing in small portions for easier handling.
Thaw at room temperature and if you prefer a crispy, warm granola, reheat it in a preheated air fryer at 300F for 2 to 3 mins.
Homemade Granola- a great edible gift
Pack cooled granola in small mason jars. I use 8oz jars for this purpose. Label them, add a hand written note, wrap them and gift them during the festive season.
You can also check out this Chocolate Chia Granola if you are looking for more flavor ideas.
Recipe Notes
- You can make this recipe in an air fryer, air fryer oven or a regular oven. Read the ‘Method’ column for more details.
- For making a bigger batch, I suggest using the oven since its easier and more convenient.
- If you are making this in the air fryer, half the recipe if your air fryer basket is small. I have a 5 quart air fryer and was able to bake the entire batch in one go.
- Add the pecans 3 to 4 minutes before the baking time comes to a finish. This will minimize burning. Nuts like pecans and walnuts burn when baked for a longer duration.
- I recommend lining the air fryer basket with parchment paper for easy transfer and clean up.
- Allow the granola to cool completely before storing. This helps in crisping up the granola.
- Do not add the dried fruit while baking. You will end up with burned dried fruit.
- Spread the mixture evenly into a thin layer to achieve an even crispy texture.
Method
Prep Work
Gather all the ingredients and assemble. Make sure all the ingredients are at room temperature.
Tossing the oats, nuts and seeds
In a large mixing bowl, add the rolled oats, pumpkin seeds, chia seeds, flax seeds and almonds. Toss well and set aside.
Combining the liquids
To a saucepan, add the maple syrup, almond butter, coconut oil and molasses along with the vanilla.
Heat this mixture on medium heat, whisking gently until everything is well incorporated and you have a smooth mixture. Let it cool for a few minutes until it is warm to touch.
Preheating
- If you are making this in the oven, preheat the oven to 275F (135C).
Air fryer granola
We will have to preheat the air fryer to make this recipe. If your air fryer comes with a preset preheat function, allow it to preheat at 300F (150C).
Alternatively, set your air fryer to preheat manually at 300F for 5 minutes.
Instant Pot Vortex Air Fryer Oven
Choose the BAKE Option and set the timer to 10 minutes. Wait for the display to read ADD FOOD. This is when the air fryer oven has reached the ideal temperature for baking.
Adding the liquid mixture to the oats mixture
Pour in the maple syrup mixture to the oats mixture. Add the ground cinnamon. Toss well using a spatula, making sure that the mixture coats the dry ingredients evenly and thoroughly.
How to bake/ air fry?
Oven
- Spread the mixture into a single layer that is 1 inch thick, on a parchment lined baking sheet. I used a 10 inch by 15 inch baking pan.
- Bake in the preheated oven at 300F for 30 minutes.
- At the halfway mark, add in the pecans, rotate the pan, break down the granola pieces using a fork and gently toss it all up.
- Continue baking for the remaining time.
- The granola will be soft immediately after baking but will crisp up as it cools down.
- After it is completely cool, tip in the dried cranberries and mix well.
Air fryer and air fryer oven
- Line the air fryer basket/ air fryer oven tray with parchment paper.
- Spread the mixture into a 1 inch thick layer on the parchment paper.
- Bake in the preheated air fryer at 300F for 20 to 23 minutes.
- At the half way mark (10 to 11 minutes), shake the basket and continue to bake.
- When there are five minutes left for the baking to complete, add the pecans and toss well. Continue to finish baking.
- The granola will be soft immediately after baking but will crisp up as it cools down.
- After it is completely cool, tip in the dried cranberries and mix well.
Explore More Breakfast Ideas
Maple Cinnamon Granola
Equipment
- 1 Mixing bowl
- 1 Saucepan
- 1 Baking sheet
- Parchment paper
- 1 set of measuring cups and spoons
- 1 air fryer/ air fryer oven/ regular oven
Ingredients
Dry ingredients
- 2 cups old fashioned rolled oats
- 2 tbsp unsweetened desiccated coconut flakes
- 2 tbsp pumpkin seeds
- 1 tbsp chia seeds
- 1/8 cup almonds
- 1/4 cup pecans
- 3/4 tsp ground cinnamon
- 3 tbsp dried cranberries
Wet ingredients
- 2 tbsp maple syrup
- 1 tbsp coconut oil in melted state
- 2 tbsp molasses
- 2 tbsp almond butter
Instructions
Prep Work
- Gather all the ingredients and assemble. Make sure all the ingredients are at room temperature.
Tossing the oats, nuts and seeds
- In a large mixing bowl, add the rolled oats, pumpkin seeds, chia seeds, flax seeds and almonds. Toss well and set aside.
Combining the liquids
- To a saucepan, add the maple syrup, almond butter, coconut oil and molasses along with the vanilla and ground cinnamon.
- Heat this mixture on medium heat, whisking gently until everything is well incorporated and you have a smooth mixture. Let it cool for a few minutes until it is warm to touch.
Preheating
- If you are making this in the oven, preheat the oven to 275F (135C).
Air fryer granola
- We will have to preheat the air fryer to make this recipe. If your air fryer comes with a preset preheat function, allow it to preheat at 300F (150C).
- Alternatively, set your air fryer to preheat manually at 300F for 5 minutes.
Instant Pot Vortex Air Fryer Oven
- Choose the BAKE Option and set the timer to 10 minutes. Wait for the display to read ADD FOOD. This is when the air fryer oven has reached the ideal temperature for baking.
- Adding the liquid mixture to the oats mixture
- Pour in the maple syrup mixture to the oats mixture. Toss well using a spatula, making sure that the mixture coats the dry ingredients evenly and thoroughly.
How to bake/ air fry?
Oven
- Spread the mixture into a single layer that is 1 inch thick, on a parchment lined baking sheet. I used a 10 inch by 15 inch baking pan.
- Bake in the preheated oven at 300F for 30 minutes.
- At the halfway mark, add in the pecans, rotate the pan, break down the granola pieces using a fork and gently toss it all up.
- Continue baking for the remaining time.
- The granola will be soft immediately after baking but will crisp up as it cools down.
- After it is completely cool, tip in the dried cranberries and mix well.
Air fryer and air fryer oven
- Line the air fryer basket/ air fryer oven tray with parchment paper.
- Spread the mixture into a 1 inch thick layer on the parchment paper.
- Bake in the preheated air fryer at 300F for 20 to 23 minutes.
- At the half way mark (10 to 11 minutes), shake the basket and continue to bake.
- When there are five minutes left for the baking to complete, add the pecans and toss well. Continue to finish baking.
- The granola will be soft immediately after baking but will crisp up as it cools down.
- After it is completely cool, tip in the dried cranberries and mix well.
Notes
- You can make this recipe in an air fryer, air fryer oven or a regular oven. Read the ‘Method’ column for more details.
- For making a bigger batch, I suggest using the oven since its easier and more convenient.
- If you are making this in the air fryer, half the recipe if your air fryer basket is small. I have a 5 quart air fryer and was able to bake the entire batch in one go.
- Add the pecans 3 to 4 minutes before the baking time comes to a finish. This will minimize burning. Nuts like pecans and walnuts burn when baked for a longer duration.
- I recommend lining the air fryer basket with parchment paper for easy transfer and clean up.
- Allow the granola to cool completely before storing. This helps in crisping up the granola.
- Do not add the dried fruit while baking. You will end up with burned dried fruit.
- Spread the mixture evenly into a thin layer to achieve an even crispy texture.
For Instant Pot & Air Fryer Recipes
Instant Pot timings may vary based on your geographic location. Air fryer settings and timings may vary based on the capacity and the model of the Air fryer.
Disclaimer
Nutrition values are provided here as a courtesy and are only a rough guide. Please consult a health care provider if you have any concerns.
Nutrition
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