Maple Pecan Granola Clusters

Name: Maple Pecan Granola Clusters
Prep time: 5 min
Total time: 35 min
Ingredients: 3 cups old-fashioned rolled oats; 1 cup chopped pecans; ⅓ cup avocado oil (or coconut oil); 1/2 cup, plus 2 tbsp pure maple syrup; 1 tsp pure vanilla extract (or maple extract)

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These Maple Pecan Granola Clusters are perfect in a bowl with milk or atop your favorite breakfast dish. The combination of maple syrup and nutty pecans pair beautifully with the oats. Homemade granola clusters are simple to make and ready in just 30 minutes!

Maple pecan granola clusters on a baking tray with a wooden spoon.

We almost always have homemade granola on hand for easy, healthy breakfasts or snacks. The beauty of homemade granola is that you can control what you put into it. These maple pecan granola clusters are full of maple flavor which pairs beautifully with the nutty pecan pieces. While these are typically fall-like flavors, these granola clusters can be enjoyed all year long!

Homemade granola is more economical and versatile than storebought. Making granola clusters from scratch is no different! We certainly love them here. Check out our other great granola cluster recipes including these Chocolate Coconut Pecan Granola Clusters and Peanut Butter Chocolate Granola Clusters. Both are delicious with milk or yogurt.

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Ingredients
How to Make Granola Clusters
Recipe Tips
Other Yummy Granola Recipes
Frequently Asked Questions
Maple Pecan Granola Clusters

Ingredients

Old-Fashioned Rolled Oats - Old-fashioned rolled oats are the oats of choice most of the time when baking. They hold their shape better when baked in the oven. Visually, you can see the difference between old-fashioned oats and quick-cooking oats. Quick-cooking oats are cut into more pieces during processing, in addition to being rolled thinner. For the purpose of this recipe, old-fashioned rolled oats are necessary. They hold their own when combined with the other ingredients.
Maple Syrup - Obviously if maple is in the name, it is going to be an important component of this recipe. You want to use pure maple syrup, not the artificially flavored stuff. Pure maple syrup is 100% maple sap, while the artificial kind is simply maple flavored sugar syrup.
Pecans - You can buy pecans already chopped into pieces or chop them yourself. The key is to use pecan pieces so they will blend and eat better in these granola clusters.
Oil - My first oil suggestion for this recipe is avocado oil for its health benefits and neutral flavor. You can, however, also use {melted} coconut oil. It may bring in a subtle coconut flavor to the final product though.
Vanilla Extract - Vanilla extract is in this recipe to amp up the flavor. If you have maple extract, you can use that here instead.

How to Make Granola Clusters

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Line a sheet pan with parchment paper or a Silpat.

In a large bowl, combine the rolled oats and pecans. In a separate bowl, combine the liquid ingredients. Pour the liquid ingredients over the oat mixture, and stir until everything is well coated. Pour the oat mixture onto the center of the prepared baking sheet.

This next step is crucial to achieving clusters of granola:

With your hands or a rubber spatula, flatten and press the granola down into a tight rectangle.
Press everything together as much as you can, almost like a giant granola bar. This process is what is going to give you those lovely clusters of granola.

Bake in the oven for 15 minutes. Rotate the pan, and bake for approximately 15 more minutes. Once cooled, break into clusters. *You may have some bits that break off.

Recipe Tips

Line your baking pan with parchment paper or a Silpat for easy clean-up and less chance of sticking.

If using your hands to press together the granola, use a sheet of wax paper between your hands and the granola. This will keep your hands sticky-free. In addition, the wax paper does not stick to the oat mixture, which makes it much easier to form.

Other Yummy Granola Recipes

Granola clusters on a Silpat-lined tray with a wooden spoon.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does homemade granola stay fresh for?

Stored in an airtight container, granola stays fresh for up to one week. Afterward, it will begin to slowly lose its freshness. To extend shelflife, store the granola in the refrigerator.

How should I store homemade maple pecan granola?

Store granola in an airtight container or tightly sealed mason jar. Store at room temperature in a cool dark place. To extend the shelf life, you can also store the granola in the refrigerator. Granola is freezable too. Transfer it to a freezer-safe zip-top bag. Freeze for up to 3 months.

Is it cheaper to make your own granola?

Yes, it is significantly cheaper to make your own granola from scratch. The added beauty of homemade granola is that you can control what goes into it. This means you can control the sugar content or added ingredients like dried cranberries or chocolate chips.

While you can purchase granola clusters from the store, like most things, they are so much more fun to make on your own. Homemade is substantially cheaper as well. These clusters are easy to munch on with your hands, but they are also great in a bowl with milk. Don't forget to crumble a few onto your next smoothie bowl!

These snackable morsels are perfect for breakfast or as an afternoon snack. This maple pecan granola clusters recipe is definitely one you will want to try.