Maple Spiced Homemade Granola with Nuts
This post may contain affiliate links, which means I’ll receive a commission if you purchase through my links, at no extra cost to you. Please read full disclosure for more information. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.
This homemade granola is loaded with nuts, infused with warm holiday spices, and sweetened with real maple syrup—no refined sugar in sight. It’s a cozy, crowd-pleasing granola that will satisfy even the pickiest relatives this Christmas.
Homemade Granola for Busy Holiday Mornings
I love making homemade granola, especially around the holidays. It’s one of the few ways I can get my kids to eat nuts without commentary, negotiations, or dramatic sighing. It’s filling, practical, and actually keeps everyone full long enough to get out the door—or at least survive the morning chaos.
This is my go-to when family is in town because it feeds a crowd and can be customized without extra effort. Serve it with yogurt, applesauce, or whatever milk happens to be in the fridge. Add fruit, chocolate chips, or nothing at all. It’s forgiving, flexible, and not precious—exactly what breakfast should be.
It also makes an easy homemade holiday gift. Spoon it into a mason jar or cellophane bag, tie it up with velvet ribbon, and suddenly you look far more put together than you feel. This recipe never disappoints, so be prepared to hand out the recipe when people ask.
I make a big batch every December fully intending it to last through the season. It never does. And yes, I keep making it long after the decorations come down.
Ingredient Notes
Oats
Use old-fashioned rolled oats for the best texture. Skip steel-cut oats and quick oats—this is granola, not oatmeal cosplay.
Maple Syrup
Real maple syrup is key here. It gives this granola a deep, caramel-like sweetness that refined sugar just can’t touch. Honey works as a substitute if needed or preferred.
Coconut Oil
This adds richness and helps everything crisp up evenly. Bonus: it subtly enhances the flavor without overpowering the spices.
Nuts
This is a true granola with nuts. I use pecans, walnuts, and almonds, but cashews, hazelnuts, or pistachios are all fair game. Use what you love—or what you have lurking in the pantry.
Spice Blend
Warm, cozy, and very holiday-forward. This blend gives the granola its “Christmas granola” status, but you can tweak it to your taste or simplify it for everyday use.
Tools You Will Need
- Large and small mixing bowl
- Sheet pan. This Nordic Ware sheet pan is my go-to.
- Parchment paper
(That’s it. No special equipment, no nonsense.)
Favorite Granola Add-Ins (After Baking)
Storing Granola
Store your homemade granola in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 weeks—if it lasts that long. For gifting, mason jars or cellophane bags tied with ribbon work beautifully and keep the granola fresh and crunchy.
What to Pair with Homemade Granola
Greek Yogurt + Fruit – Fresh or dried, a filling, fuss-free breakfast.
Milk – Classic and simple, dairy or non-dairy.
Baked Apples or Pears – Warm, cozy, and effortlessly impressive.
Applesauce – Dairy-free, kid-friendly, and surprisingly genius.
Substitutions & Variations
- Nut-free: Swap the nuts for pumpkin seed or sunflower seeds.
- Honey: Swap the maple syrup for honey. I recommend adding a 1/4 cup of hot water to help thin the honey a bit so it’s easier to mix in.
- Everyday version: Skip some of the holiday spices and add cinnamon only for an all-season granola.
- Extra crunch: Add sesame seeds or flax seeds for more texture and nutrition.
Whether you’re feeding a crowd, stocking the pantry, or gifting jars to unsuspecting relatives, this homemade Christmas granola is a winner. Simple, cozy, and lightly sweet, it’s the kind of breakfast that makes mornings feel…almost civilized.
Happy Baking!
♥ Jessica
Maple Spiced Homemade Granola with Nuts
Equipment
- Large & small mixing bowls
- Sheet Pan
- Parchment Paper
Ingredients
- 10 cups Old Fashioned Rolled Oats
- 1 cup Almonds whole or halved
- 1 cup Pecans whole or halved
- 1 cup Walnuts whole or halved
- ¾ cup Coconut Oil melted
- 1 cup Pure Maple Syrup
- 1 tsp Pure Vanilla Extract
- 1 tsp Cinnamon
- 1 tsp Ginger
- 1 tsp Clove
- 1 tsp Nutmeg
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 300°F
- Add the melted coconut oil, maple syrup and vanilla to a small bowl or 1qt measuring cup and stir to combine.3/4 cup Coconut Oil, 1 cup Pure Maple Syrup, 1 tsp Pure Vanilla Extract
- Add the oats, nuts and spices to a large bowl and stir to combine.10 cups Old Fashioned Rolled Oats, 1 cup Almonds, 1 cup Pecans, 1 cup Walnuts, 1 tsp Cinnamon, 1 tsp Ginger, 1 tsp Clove, 1 tsp Nutmeg
- Pour the syrup mixture over the oats and mix to coat everything evenly.
- Spread evenly on parchment lined baking sheet. It will be very full!
- Bake for 1 hour, stirring after 30 minutes. Cool completely before serving.
Notes
- Store in an airtight container for up to 3 weeks.
- The granola will crisp up more as it cools, but if you want it extra crispy you can bake it for another 15-30 minutes.
More Sides, Snacks & Appetizers
Small bites that do the heavy lifting. This is where the crunchy, creamy, salty, and snackable things live—the sides and appetizers that disappear first and get talked about later. Think classic crowd-pleasers with just enough flair to make them feel intentional, not fussy.
Save This!
We'll email this post to you, so you can come back to it later!
