Olive Oil Granola With Dried Apricots and Pistachios Recipe (2024)

By Melissa Clark

Updated Oct. 16, 2023

Olive Oil Granola With Dried Apricots and Pistachios Recipe (1)

Total Time
45 minutes
Cook Time
45 minutes
Rating
5(1,449)
Notes
Read community notes

The secret weapon in this addictive granola is, yes, olive oil, which gives the oats and coconut chips a wonderful crispy bite. Make sure to add the fruit after baking (putting it in the oven will dry it out), and feel free to improvise: swap out the apricots for dried cherries, the pistachios for walnuts, the cardamom for a little nutmeg. But double the batch. You won’t want to run out.

Featured in: Granola With a Perk of Olive Oil

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Ingredients

Yield:About 9 cups

  • 3cups old-fashioned rolled oats
  • cups raw pistachios, hulled
  • 1cup raw pumpkin seeds, hulled
  • 1cup coconut chips
  • ¾cup pure maple syrup
  • ½cup extra virgin olive oil
  • ½cup packed light brown sugar
  • 1teaspoon kosher salt
  • ½teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • ½teaspoon ground cardamom
  • ¾cup chopped dried apricots
  • Fresh ricotta, for serving (optional)
  • Fresh berries, for serving (optional)

Ingredient Substitution Guide

Nutritional analysis per serving (18 servings)

299 calories; 17 grams fat; 4 grams saturated fat; 0 grams trans fat; 8 grams monounsaturated fat; 4 grams polyunsaturated fat; 33 grams carbohydrates; 4 grams dietary fiber; 19 grams sugars; 7 grams protein; 118 milligrams sodium

Note: The information shown is Edamam’s estimate based on available ingredients and preparation. It should not be considered a substitute for a professional nutritionist’s advice.

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Olive Oil Granola With Dried Apricots and Pistachios Recipe (2)

Preparation

  1. Step

    1

    Preheat oven to 300 degrees. In a large bowl, combine oats, pistachios, pumpkin seeds, coconut chips, maple syrup, olive oil, brown sugar, salt, cinnamon and cardamom. Spread mixture on a rimmed baking sheet in an even layer and bake for 45 minutes, stirring every 10 minutes, until golden brown and well toasted.

  2. Transfer granola to a large bowl and add apricots, tossing to combine. Serve with ricotta and fruit, if desired.

Ratings

5

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1,449

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Private Notes

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Cooking Notes

Harriet Husbands

I've been making this for years and I have not added the sugar ever. I also use only 1/2 cup maple syrup or honey and it is quite sweet enough for me and everyone I've served it to. No one has ever added sugar, although they do add yogurt when eating. I eat it with milk. I also find that 300 degrees for 40 minutes is plenty. I stir only once after getting tired of the every 10 minutes. Still comes out to be just right.

Patricia

I have made this several times and varied it somewhat. I always use the oats; vary the nuts depending on what is on hand; always leave out the brown sugar -- the maple syrup and olive oil are a heavenly combo and the syrup makes it sweet enough. There is a wonderful umami with the olive oil. This granola has spoiled me for all others!

Daria

Like many here, I did not add any sugar, and the granola ended up a bit too sweet (I live in France, and we use much less sugar over here). I'd recommend using not more than half a cup maple syrup if you do not have a sweet tooth or live in Europe...

jane

Cut the maple syrup in half.
Leave out the brown sugar altogether.
Cut salt in half.
Double the cinnamon.

45 minutes is too long.

Lea

Pro-tip: store your granola in the freezer. It stays crispy that way, instead of going soft the way it does in an airtight container at room temp. I've also read that using less oil (drop to 1/4 cup) allows the granola to cluster a bit more, which is nice. I find I only need 1/2 cup maple syrup and no brown sugar for my sweetness-preference. Also: I tried a pecan, currant, and toasted coconut version and it is shut-your-mouth good.

Wendy

By all means double up as everyone loves this beautiful granola.
Add an extra 15 min to cook time, stirring from sides in until color is golden brown.
Save the bowl and some time - mix all ingredients right in the pan.
Hold the brown sugar for a still sweet taste, you won't miss it.
Makes a great hostess gift, allow to cool completely before packing.
Freezes well.

mathlady

9 cups yield 72 servings.
That means 1/8 c. per serving each with 4 g of sugar. Most people have at least 1/4 to 1/2 c. depending on whether it is eaten as straight cereal or with yogurt or something else.
This gives 8g (1/2 t) to 16g (1 t) of sugar (+ the natural sugar in milk + the sugar in whatever fruit you may add to it).

Marie Eaton

Stir in nuts halfway through. They got too toasty for my taste when added at the beginning.

Liz Ludwig

Heat maple syrup, olive oil, brown sugar and salt, in a medium saucepan over low heat until the sugar dissolves, prior to mixing with the dry ingredients. The sweetness will blend throughout the dry mix more evenly this way.

Chiffonade

This is the only granola I make. I vary the nuts - I sometimes use hazelnuts or macadamias; and I vary the fruit by using dried blueberries or cranberries. I use Sciabica Orange Olive Oil and it lends a brightness to the granola but the cardamom fragrance absolutely makes it.

Gill

After 45 minutes in the oven and stirring every 10 minutes, the granola is still not crispy...it is thicker, but still
moist...Will it dry and crisp up when I take it out of the oven? Or should I keep it in the oven until crisp?

arjay

I have made this for years -- my recipe explicitly calls for Grade B maple syrup and I have found it makes a difference. My version also calls for 1 c sunflower seeds and instead of the pistachios, I use pecans. Otherwise, it is the same and just great! I give it for holiday gifts, too.

Francesca

We like clumpy granola for snacking, so I don't stir it; I also add a lightly beaten egg white and I sub fresh-ground allspice for the cardamom. Most store-bought granolas are stale; this freshly made one is a treat.

A

Really great base recipe - olive oil really does make a difference in overall crunch and depth of flavour.

Loved the one-bowl approach - perfect, quick and easy. Didn't have apricots, flaked coconut, pistachios or ground cardamom - but used what I had on hand - cranberries, hazelnuts, pecans, almonds, pepitas, etc. added vanilla and touch of almond extract (and generous salt).

Extremely well received by a discerning audience of granola fans.

charles

We've made this a couple times and it is LOVED by all. In the same vein as the others—too sweet as written. I usually make a double batch, & I double everything except for the syrup or sugar, instead using a total of 1c of maple syrup to sweeten the double batch. Really, any combination of nuts/oats/fats/sugar/salty seems to work well, so go crazy with whatever you have on hand! The cinnamon/cardamom spice is also a nice touch.

Jane

Reduced to 1/3 c maple syrup

shellshell40

Delicious but way too sweet. You can leave the sugar out completely and just use maple syrup and it’s much better. I’ve now made this many times and I like it best when I sprinkle the granola on top of a bowl of yogurt and fruit for a little crunch.

Magpie

Stir together:3 cups oats1 cup rough chopped whole almonds1/3 cup pepitasHeat on low heat till sugar is melted:1/3 cup not packed light brown sugar1/3 cup real maple syrup1/3 cup EVOO1 tsp kosher salt1/2 tsp ground cinnamon1/2 tsp ground cardamonAdd liquid mix to dry mix and stir well.After granola is baked add:1 cup chopped dried fruit3/4 cup ultra fine shredded coconut (Cadia brand)Freeze for storage.Vary nuts and dried fruits. Try adding vanilla?

cindy

This is easy and good. Very adaptable. I use only the maple syrup and it is plenty sweet. Load it with all kinds of nuts.

cindy

Also, the salt is key....definitely use it.

Sandra

This is my absolute favorite, go-to granola recipe! I do make a few alterations: 1) I always leave out the brown sugar. It's sweet enough with the maple syrup, really don't need it.2) I often sub pecans for the pistachios since a little more economical.3) I wait to fold in the coconut chips until halfway through baking so don't burn/overcook them (they cook faster than the rest of the granola)

tammy

150 Celsius

Cathy T

Love this! It's very addictive. Considering omitting the sugar. I leave out the salt. Use whatever nuts I have. Love the pumpkin seeds!

kf

As suggested by some commenters, I made these cookies with less sugar (3/4 C coconut sugar,1/4 C golden cane- what I had on hand). I think it produced a drier but still perfectly edible cookie. Next time, if I cut the sugar- I might add an extra egg. Overall, a very good recipe.

Linda

I was short of pistachios so added sliced almonds to make the difference. I think that was a good move, and will add sliced almonds in future as well. Otherwise (with reduced added sugar) a great recipe.

1/2 c brownsugar

3/4 c pecans3/4 c almonds

Squeaky

I've been making this at least weekly for a couple of years. I omit the brown sugar as it makes the granola too sweet, I bake it at 300F for an hour, and I don't bother stirring it as it's not necessary until removed from the oven. But today I forgot about it and accidentally left it in the oven for an hour and 20 minutes. It turned out to be the best I've ever made! The beautiful darker color and the extra crunch were fantastic. I'm going to bake it for 80 minutes from now on.

Watson

I leave out the brown sugar, but add a tablespoon or two of unsulphured molasses. Results in a nice, deep flavor and perhaps even helps with the toasting.

Eric

So good!!! This turns out perfect every time! I’ve never added the brown sugar as it’s perfectly balanced just using the maple syrup.

zeynep

Best to mix in pistachios halfway through, they burn otherwise

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Olive Oil Granola With Dried Apricots and Pistachios Recipe (2024)

FAQs

Does granola need to be cooked? ›

Yes! Granola can be delicious raw. There are a ton of ways you can eat granola on its own, too. Try grabbing a handful of granola as a snack, and throw in a few other hearty ingredients like nuts and dried, chopped fruit to make it even more satisfying.

What pairs well with granola? ›

So whether you are giving granola this year, or you got some, we've got some ideas for you!
  • Mixed it with yogurt. ...
  • Use as a topping for a baked apple!
  • Add to muffins.
  • Bake it in bread.
  • Make granola bars! ...
  • Roll bananas in granola and freeze.
  • Top a salad with it.
  • Toss it with oatmeal for a crunchy twist.
May 12, 2021

Do you add milk to granola? ›

Cereal. One of the simplest ways to eat granola is on its own with a little bit of milk! Having some good, wholesome granola on hand in the pantry is always a good idea for busy mornings. Bring out your granola, pour it into a bowl, then mix it with the milk of your choosing!

What is the healthiest way to eat granola? ›

Smoothie with Granola

Try adding it to your favorite smoothie to give it an extra boost of fiber from the whole grains, healthy fats and added flavor. It's also an easy way to increase calories in a smoothie. Personally, I think it would be a delicious addition to my Strawberry Peanut Butter Smoothie!

How do you keep homemade granola crispy? ›

Don't bake the granola too long—just until it's lightly golden on top, as described. It might not seem like it's done yet, but it will continue to crisp up as it cools. Over-baking the granola seems to break the sugar bonds. Lastly, let the granola cool completely before breaking it up.

Why is my homemade granola not crunchy? ›

Higher temperatures can cause ingredients like nuts, seeds, and coconut to burn before the batch has a chance to properly dry out and crisp up, Perry says. Stick with a low temperature, keep an eye on your mixture, and stir it from time to time to help it brown evenly.

How do you know when homemade granola is done? ›

If the granola is clumpy, use a spatula to press it into the pan. Bake for 20 minutes, stirring halfway through. Bake, stirring halfway through, for about 20 minutes total. The granola is ready when golden-brown and the almonds have toasted — it will still feel wet coming out of the oven but will dry as it cools.

Is granola good or bad for you? ›

Healthy granola contains whole grains such as oats and barley, nuts, and very little added sugar and fat. Eaten in moderation, this calorie-dense food can help fill you up, provide energy, and have a positive impact on several important metabolic health indicators (blood glucose, blood pressure, cholesterol, weight).

Is granola good for your stomach? ›

Granola is healthy in small amounts, especially because oats, nuts, seeds and dried fruit in granola provide some fiber that's good for heart and gut health. However, granola can also be a rich source of calories, saturated fat and sugar, depending on the brand you buy.

What can I eat with granola instead of yogurt? ›

Enjoy granola the way you would with any breakfast cereal- pour it into a bowl and top with milk. What to eat with granola besides yogurt? Granola can be eaten with milk, applesauce, chia pudding, cottage cheese, fresh fruit and more! You definitely don't have to be in a rut of granola with yogurt.

What ingredient makes granola clump together? ›

Clumpy Granola Method: Add Whole Wheat and Almond Flour

First, it adds a combo of whole wheat flour and almond flour (or almond meal), which act as a binder to hold the oat mixture together.

Can you eat granola at night? ›

Having some complex carbs like oats (try a quick bowl of fruit topped oatmeal) before bed can be helpful for sleep. But any grains, cereals, muffins, or granola that has a lot of added sugar will be stimulating, making it harder to fall asleep.

How do you thicken granola? ›

Add an egg white.

The whites act as a kind of glue that binds the ingredients together. To ensure that the egg whites coat all the ingredients, I beat them with a whisk until foamy and increased in volume, which makes it much easier to fold into the granola.

How are you meant to eat granola? ›

Here are a Few Ways to Eat Granola
  1. Create Your Own Yogurt Parfait. One of the best ways to eat granola is by turning it into a delicious and refreshing parfait. ...
  2. Mix it Into Baked Goods. ...
  3. Make Homemade Granola Bars. ...
  4. Add Crunch to a Bowl of Cereal. ...
  5. Create Protein Bites. ...
  6. Grab a Handful of Granola. ...
  7. Use it in a Smoothie Bowl.
Aug 9, 2022

Is it okay to eat granola by itself? ›

One of the easiest ways to enjoy granola oatmeal is to consume it on its own. It's usually a good idea to have some granola that's full of healthy ingredients stashed away in the cabinet for those hectic mornings. It's a snack that will make you feel full with minimum preparation.

How do you eat fresh granola? ›

Granola with milk or yogurt is a great option for a healthier sweet treat at the end of the day, but you can also use it to top ice cream, milkshakes or homemade sweets.

How do you eat granola with hot or cold milk? ›

The biggest distinctions are in how they are prepared and served. Muesli can be served cold (after being soaked in liquid) or heated (cooked in simmering liquid). Granola, on the other hand, is always eaten cold, with a splash of milk or over yoghurt, or even as a snack by itself.

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