Are you in a rut with your vegan breakfast choices? I understand because I often get stuck in a routine of eating the same thing day after day! When I do branch out from my normal green smoothie, it is because something crunchy is tempting my tastebuds. Recently it has been this Pecan Pie Granola! It is oil free and gluten free plus has a scoop of vegan protein powder so I am still getting getting a nutritious protein filled start to the morning.
Ingredients in Pecan Pie Granola
This pecan granola is the crunchy breakfast you have been waiting for! I have always LOVED cereal and crunchy things and homemade granola is both of those things.
The ingredients in this homemade granola recipe are simple! You might already have most of these granola ingredients in your pantry. Ingredients include:
- Gluten Free Rolled Oats
- Pecans
- Maple Syrup
- Vanilla Protein Powder
- Maca Powder
- Vanilla Extract
- Almond Extract
- Unsweetened Applesauce
The combination of these ingredients create a tasty protein granola that is light and crunch and oil free! This granola might not be exactly pecan pie but it is a whole lot healthier and still has a great carmelized pecan taste!
I love the addition of vanilla protein powder in this breakfast granola recipe. It gives it a nice nutritional boost of protein that can help you stay full longer in the morning. We also use protein powder in this Vanilla Almond Butter Protein Granola recipe too.
If you have never heard of the superfood Maca, don’t worry! I had not either until I went plant based. Maca powder is the root of the Maca plant, a native plant to Peru. Maca is high in vitamin C, copper and iron. It has a nutty, earthy taste and in this recipe also has some caramel tones. The nutty taste combined with the caramelized taste make this granola resemble pecan pie!
If you only have vanilla extract on hand, you can substitute vanilla extract for the almond extract. I love using the almond extract to give it a more ‘nutty’ taste, but using extra vanilla gives it a wonderful buttery vanilla vibe.
How to Make Pecan Pie Granola
Pecan pie granola is very easy to make! You will combine your wet ingredients in a saucepan and heat on low then combine those with your dry ingredients.
Heating up your maple syrup, protein powder, extracts and applesauce on the stove makes it easier to combine with your oats. After you stir all your ingredients really well, you pour the granola on a parchment lined pan and bake until crispy!
As with most granola recipes, you will need to stir your granola often. I like to stir it every 15 minutes. This is a really important step especially as it nears to getting done. Your granola outer edges will start to brown quickly while the oats in the middle of the pan stay soft. Stirring might get a little messy but it does help each oat to get crispy.
How to Serve Oil Free Pecan Pie Granola
I love to eat this granola all day and not just for breakfast. Granola is often considered a breakfast cereal, but it makes a great snack as well! You could even add some crunch to your morning oatmeal or 8 grain hot cereal and sprinkle a bit on top!
Other options include stirring your crunchy granola into plant based milk or dairy free yogurt. When I am eating homemade granola in a bowl with dairy free yogurt, I love to top it with fresh or frozen blueberries!
Oil free pecan pie granola stores well in an airtight container either on the countertop or in the refrigerator. I prefer storing it in the refrigerator, I think it stays crispier that way!
If you make this easy pecan pie granola, I would love to know! Tag @badtothebowl on social media.
Pecan Pie Granola
Ingredients
- 3 cups rolled old fashioned oats (use gluten free if needed)
- 2/3 cup chopped pecan pieces
- 1/3 cup pure maple syrup
- 1/3 cup
- 3 Tblsp of Nut Based Milk (I used unsweetened vanilla almond)
- 3 Tblsp unsweetened applesauce
- 1 Tbsp
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 tsp almond extract*
- 1/2 tsp of salt
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 325 degrees and line a large rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Place oats in large mixing bowl. Add pecans and salt and toss to distribute evenly.
- In small saucepan combine maple syrup, vanilla protein powder, nut based milk, maca powder, unsweetened applesauce and extracts. Over medium heat, melt ingredients together – the mixture will be thick. Pour over oat mixture and stir until well combined.
- Spread evenly on parchment lined baking sheet. Bake for 45 – 55 minutes stirring every 15 minutes.
- Cool on wire rack. Store in an airtight container in fridge or on counter. (I prefer to store mine in the fridge)
