This homemade air fryer granola recipe packs a CRUNCH! With flavors of cinnamon and maple syrup and tart, chewy cranberries, it's a 15-minute breakfast that you're going to love.
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Y'all, I've been on a real granola kick lately, but store-bought granola is expensive! They're out here charging an arm and a leg for some toasted oats.
It's especially wild when you realize how easy it is to make your own granola in the air fryer. You truly just mix, air fry, and eat! It's crispy, crunchy perfection.
If you don't have an air fryer, don't worry! You can make amazing granola in the oven, too. Try my cinnamon French toast granola, ginger apricot granola, or birthday cake granola. They're all super easy to make and magically delicious!
✓ Ingredients and substitutions
- rolled oats - This is the base for your granola. Don't use steel cut or quick oats. Steel cut oats need to be cooked in water to be tasty, and quick oats are too small and will burn.
- sliced almonds - You can substitute other nuts and/or seeds of choice, so have fun with this recipe!
- maple syrup - Adds moisture and sweetness. You can use agave instead, if you prefer.
- olive oil - Adds more moisture and helps the granola brown. If you don't want to use oil, use more maple syrup instead.
- cinnamon - Makes this granola so delicious! If you want, you can use pumpkin pie spice or apple pie spice instead or different flavor profiles.
- salt - Brings out all of the other flavors.
- vanilla extract - Makes this granola SO delicious! You can add a few drops of almond extract, too, if you want to bring out that almond flavor even more.
- dried cranberries - Feel free to use your dried fruit of choice! If you're using larger fruits, like dried apricots, chop into small, bite-sized pieces before adding. You can also use other mix-ins at the end, like shredded coconut or hemp or chia seeds.
💡 Tips for the best granola
- Don't skip lining the air fryer basket! Your granola will stick like mad if you skip this step. It's also easier to remove with the paper in there.
- Check in on your granola often, because it can burn easily. Like with air fryer almonds, it continues to cook as it cools, so it's ready before it looks 100% ready.
🥣 How to make air fryer granola
- Cut a piece of parchment paper so it fits into your air fryer basket and place it inside.
- Add all of the ingredients except for the dried cranberries to a large bowl and mix well.
- Spread the granola into the basket into a single layer.
- Air fry at 325° F for 5 to 15 minutes until it starts to get nice and crispy but not too brown. Let it cool for a few minutes in the air fryer basket.
- Transfer to a bowl with the dried cranberries.
- Mix well.
❓Why the range of cooking times?
Air fryers can vary so much in how quickly they cook, and oats are fragile! I have two different air fryers that I use for testing. My Ninja cooks this in 5 to 7 minutes, while my Dash takes closer to 12 to 15. The humidity in your kitchen, your oats, etc. can also impact cooking times. Check in often, and when the granola is toasty-looking, it's ready!
🫙 Storage directions
Let the granola cool completely before storing in an airtight container. It will keep for up to three weeks. Do not store it while it's still hot! That can create condensation which can cause spoilage.
You can also freeze air fryer granola! Transfer it to a freezer-safe container for up to three months. Thaw in the fridge overnight, and if it's a bit soggy, toast it back up in the air fryer for a few minutes.
💬 Frequently asked questions
You can use other oils, like sunflower or avocado oil. Or you can use more maple syrup.
You can, but you do need to make some adjustments. If you halve the recipe, it may cook more quickly, because more hot air is circulating. Check in early and often! If you double it, you'll need to air fryer your granola in batches.
🍴 More delicious ways to eat oats
📖 Recipe
Crunchy Air Fryer Granola
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1 cup rolled oats The kind that takes 5 minutes on the stovetop.
- ¼ cup sliced almonds or chopped nuts and/or seeds of your choice
- ¼ cup maple syrup
- 1 tablespoon olive oil or use more maple syrup
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon or pumpkin pie spice or apple pie spice
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- ⅓ cup dried cranberries or your dried fruit of choice, chopped into bite-sized pieces if needed
Instructions
- Add all of the ingredients except for the dried cranberries to a large bowl, and mix well.
- Cut a piece of parchment paper so it fits into your air fryer basket and place it inside. Spread the granola into the basket into a single layer. If you're using an air fryer with a split basket, you'll want to divide the mixture between the two baskets.
- Air fry at 325° F for 5 to 15 minutes until it starts to get nice and crispy but not too brown. Let it cool for a few minutes in the air fryer basket, then transfer to a bowl and toss with the dried cranberries. You can eat it while it's still warm, but don't store it until it's completely cool.
Got a question? Tried this recipe? Leave a reply!