This homemade orange walnut granola is bursting with flavor! It's crunchy, lightly sweetened, and packed with the warm flavors of cinnamon and allspice. With toasted walnuts, bright citrus zest, and chewy dried apricots, this healthy granola makes the perfect topping for smoothie bowls and plant-based yogurt. It can also be enjoyed as a cereal with almond milk and fruit or as a snack straight from the jar! Great for kids and adults alike.
This recipe makes 8 servings and is great for meal prep.
Why You'll Love This Recipe
- Naturally sweetened with maple syrup—no refined sugars!
- Perfectly crunchy, thanks to toasted walnuts and rolled oats.
- Infused with citrus for a refreshing, zesty kick.
- Easy to make in just one bowl with minimal effort.
- Versatile—Enjoy it with plant-based milk, as a snack, or sprinkled over fresh fruit and this easy 5-minute soy yogurt.
- Kid-Friendly—Delicious and nutritious! Packed with healthy ingredients that are great for kids.
Why Make Homemade Granola?
Making your own granola at home is healthier, more cost-effective, and customizable. Unlike store-bought granola, which often contains refined sugars and unhealthy oils, this homemade version gives you full control over the ingredients for you and your family. Plus, the combination of citrusy orange zest, crunchy walnuts, and chewy dried apricots makes this recipe truly irresistible!
Ingredients You'll Need
This simple, whole-food recipe comes together with just a handful of pantry staples.
Dry Ingredients
- Rolled Oats: The base of any great granola, rolled oats provide a hearty, chewy texture. They’re rich in fiber, particularly beta-glucan, which helps support digestion and heart health.
- Walnuts: They add a delicious crunch and nutty richness while providing omega-3 fatty acids, which are excellent for brain and heart health. Toasting them in the oven enhances their flavor and brings out their natural oils.
- Salt: A tiny bit of salt enhances all the flavors, balancing the sweetness and bringing out the depth of the spices.
- Cinnamon: Adds a warm, comforting aroma and taste. It’s also packed with antioxidants and anti-inflammatory properties, making this granola as healthy as it is delicious.
- Allspice: Adds a subtle hint of spice, complementing the cinnamon with a slightly peppery and clove-like flavor.
- Orange Zest: The star ingredient! Orange zest gives this granola its fresh, citrusy brightness. It enhances the overall flavor, making it taste lighter and more vibrant.
Wet Ingredients
- Olive Oil: A small amount of olive oil helps create that perfect crisp texture while adding healthy monounsaturated fats.
- Pure Maple Syrup: Instead of using refined sugar, this granola is naturally sweetened with pure maple syrup, which adds a subtle, caramel-like richness and depth of flavor.
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Tips for the Best Granola
✔️ For chunkier granola: Press the mixture down before baking and avoid stirring too much while baking.
✔️ Add chocolate chips: Toss in a handful of dark chocolate chips after baking for an added treat. The kids will love it!
✔️ Try different nuts: Swap walnuts for pecans, almonds, or hazelnuts for variety.
✔️ Adjust the sweetness: Add a little more maple syrup if you prefer a sweeter granola.
How to Prepare
Making homemade granola is as simple as mix-bake-cool-enjoy!
Preheat Your Oven
Set your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper for easy cleanup.
Mix the Dry Ingredients
In a large mixing bowl, combine the rolled oats, chopped walnuts, salt, cinnamon, allspice, vanilla powder, and orange zest. Stir well to distribute the flavors evenly.
Add the Wet Ingredients
Drizzle the olive oil and maple syrup over the oat mixture. Stir until all the ingredients are evenly coated. This step ensures that every bite is crispy and delicious.
Bake to Perfection
Spread the mixture onto the prepared baking sheet in an even layer. Bake for 20 to 22 minutes, stirring around the edges of the sheet pan halfway through to ensure even browning.
Add the Dried Apricots
Once baked, remove the granola from the oven and add in the diced dried apricots. The residual heat will help soften them just a bit while keeping their chewy texture.
Cool Completely
Let the granola cool completely on the baking sheet before transferring it to an airtight container. It will continue to crisp up as it cools.
Ways to Enjoy This Orange Walnut Granola
- Sprinkled over plant-based yogurt for a crunchy parfait.
- Mixed with fresh fruit like mandarin oranges, berries, or sliced bananas.
- Served with plant-based milk for a nutritious breakfast.
- Toppings on smoothie bowls for added texture and flavor.
- Enjoyed as a snack straight from the jar!
Storage Tips
Store your homemade granola in an airtight container at room temperature for up to two weeks. For longer storage, keep it in the freezer for up to three months—just let it come to room temperature before serving.
Frequently Asked Questions
You can enjoy granola as part of a balanced diet, but don't overeat it. It's calorie-dense, and eating large portions can contribute to excess calorie intake, leading to weight gain.
The maple syrup acts as a binder, causing the granola to stick together.
Generally, overnight oats or cooked oats without added oil and sweeteners are healthier. Oats that are cooked in water or soaked in plant-based milk and served with fresh fruit and a small amount of nuts or seeds will offer more nutrients and fewer calories per serving, such as lemon blueberry overnight oats, apple cinnamon overnight oats, or oat groats with berries.
Wrap Up
This homemade orange walnut granola is a must-try for anyone who loves crunchy, nutty, and subtly sweet flavors with a hint of citrus. It's easy to make, nutrient-dense, and perfect for meal prep.
Have you tried this recipe? Let us know in the comments how you enjoyed it! And don’t forget to share this post with fellow granola lovers on social media. 🍊🥣 Be sure to tag us @danielsplaterecipes so we can see your creation.
Other Breakfast Recipes to Check Out
Orange Walnut Granola Recipe
Ingredients
- 2 cups rolled oats use gluten-free if gluten-sensitive
- 1 cup walnuts
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
- ⅛ teaspoon allspice
- ⅛ teaspoon vanilla bean powder or 1 teaspoon vanilla extract, added to wet ingredients
- 1 Tablespoon fresh orange zest
- ¼ cup olive oil
- ¼ cup pure maple syrup
- ⅓ cup dried apricots diced (about 8 to 10, diced)
Instructions
Preheat Your Oven
- Set your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper for easy cleanup.
Mix the Dry Ingredients
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the rolled oats, chopped walnuts, salt, cinnamon, allspice, vanilla powder, and orange zest. Stir well to distribute the flavors evenly.
Add the Wet Ingredients
- Drizzle the olive oil and maple syrup over the oat mixture. Stir until all the ingredients are evenly coated. This step ensures that every bite is crispy and delicious.
Bake to Perfection
- Spread the mixture onto the prepared baking sheet in an even layer. Bake for 20 to 22 minutes, stirring around the edges of the sheet pan halfway through to ensure even browning.
Add the Dried Apricots
- Once baked, remove the granola from the oven and add in the diced dried apricots. The residual heat will help soften them just a bit while keeping their chewy texture.
Cool Completely
- Let the granola cool completely on the baking sheet before transferring it to an airtight container. It will continue to crisp up as it cools.
Notes
- Equipment & supplies: Baking sheet, parchment paper, mixing bowl
- For chunkier granola: Press the mixture down before baking and avoid stirring too much while baking.
- Add chocolate chips: Toss in a handful of dark chocolate chips after baking for an added treat. The kids will love it!
- Try different nuts: Swap walnuts for pecans, almonds, or hazelnuts for variety.
- Adjust the sweetness: Add a little more maple syrup if you prefer a sweeter granola.
- Storage tips: Store your homemade granola in an airtight container at room temperature for up to two weeks. For longer storage, keep it in the freezer for up to three months—just let it come to room temperature before serving.
Gigi & Sersie
Love this with fresh mandarin orange segments.