Easy Air Fryer Granola
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Air Fryer Granola is super easy to make and totally scrumptious!! Featuring old-fashioned oats, honey, roasted nuts, vanilla, and cinnamon, it boasts a warm and comforting flavor that just can’t be beat. Whip up some granola in the air fryer to keep on hand for breakfast and snacking… be careful not to eat the whole batch in one sitting!
Air Fryer Granola
Another day, another recipe that I’m thrilled to announce can be made in the air fryer!!
I’ve been making homemade granola for years now — it’s so much more affordable and you don’t have to worry about any weird additives or ingredients you can’t pronounce.
My favorites are definitely my Maple Almond Granola Clusters and this Spiced Honey Nut Breakfast Granola… and now I’m adding this simple air fryer granola recipe to the mix!
Full of chunky clusters just like it should be, I’m using mixed nuts, honey, vanilla, and cinnamon for flavor.
There’s a reason why you see this combination everywhere — it’s so tasty and pairs well with so many other things! Yogurt, smoothies, or perhaps a whipped cream, granola, and mixed berry parfait anyone?!
Versatile, delicious, and incredibly easy, you’re going to want to make my homemade air fryer granola recipe ASAP!
Ingredient Notes and Substitutions
- Oats – I used old-fashioned oats for the crunchiest results. You can use 1-minute oats if that’s all you have on hand, but your granola will come out a bit chewier.
- All-Purpose Flour – Adding flour to the oats helps make your air fryer granola even crunchier, and will also give you bigger, chunkier clusters.
That said, this ingredient is optional… sometimes I use it, other times I don’t. It depends on what kind of texture I’m craving!
Feel free to omit it if you want to make this gluten-free.
- Mixed Nuts – I loved roasted and salted mixed nuts for granola in the air fryer — they’re so much more flavorful!
However, if sodium is a concern you can certainly opt for unsalted ones. Your granola will still be delicious.
Buy a pre-roasted bag, or roast nuts yourself!
- Ground Cinnamon & Vanilla Extract – Both add so much warmth and flavor! Cinnamon and vanilla are the perfect pair… and taste great with oats and nuts too.
- Honey – Here’s where the sweetness comes from! You could use maple syrup instead for a slightly different flavor.
- Vegetable Oil – This is an air fryer recipe so you don’t need too much oil! Just a teaspoon is enough.
Tips and Tricks to Make Perfect Granola in the Air Fryer
- Mix until well combined.
Some of my recipes call for you to mix until just combined… and this is not one of them!!
You really need to be careful to mix thoroughly until everything is combined and the dry ingredients are well-coated in the wet ones.
I like to use a fork for mixing — it makes things super easy and ensures that everything comes together the way it should.
- Room temperature honey for easier mixing.
Good quality honey will be sticky as can be! But if it’s chilled, it will be very difficult to mix.
I personally always keep my honey in my pantry but I know some people who refrigerate it to keep it from crystallizing too quickly.
If you’re one of those people, pull it out of the fridge at least an hour before starting your air fryer granola. It should be enough time to bring it to room temperature!
- Prep the air fryer basket.
You’re going to want to line your air fryer basket with air fryer-specific parchment paper (the one with the holes) so it’s easier to remove the granola once it’s done.
I don’t always have it on hand myself. In that case, I simply put a little bit of oil on a paper towel and use it to wipe down my basket. Easy peasy!
- Let your granola cool.
My air fryer granola recipe moves pretty quickly once you get started… until you get to the cooling step!
When the timer goes off, remove the basket from your air fryer and set aside to cool completely. Once it’s cooled, leave it for another hour totally undisturbed.
Be patient here! When you let the granola sit, the better (and bigger) your clusters will be.
Prep Ahead
- Pull honey out of the fridge if needed
- Chop the nuts
- Measure out the other ingredients
Kitchen Tools You Will Need
- Quality Knives and a big solid Cutting Board make prepping a breeze and are well worth the investment.
- Mixing Bowls – I like to have a variety of sizes on hand, and this set has them all.
- Air Fryer – Different brands and sizes may require different cooking times, so be familiar with your model and make adjustments as needed.
Serving Suggestions
Once your air fryer granola has cooled, you can use it in so many different ways. I love it most at breakfast — there’s nothing like some yogurt with fresh granola and berries on top!
I’ve also sprinkled it on top of oatmeal, or just enjoyed it like cereal in a bowl with milk. It would also taste great on top of a smoothie!
Use it to make homemade granola bars, sprinkle it on top of some ice cream for a tasty crunch, or add it to a Creamy Grape Salad.
It would also be a welcome addition to some trail mix… or these Trail Mix Cookies!!
Storing and Freezing
Air fryer granola will keep in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3-5 days. To extend its shelf life, you can store it in the fridge for up to 2-3 weeks.
Did you know that you can also freeze granola?! It was news to me, but I tried it and can confirm it works.
Once it has cooled completely, transfer it to a freezer-safe bag — try to remove as much air as you can.
It will keep in the freezer for up to 3 months. Let it thaw on the countertop until it comes to room temperature and you should find that the texture is the same!
And, if you want to crisp it back up a bit, simply toss it back in the air fryer at 320°F for 5-8 minutes.
Air Fryer Granola Recipe FAQ
First, make sure to let it cool completely before you place it in an airtight container to store. Second, double-check that your container really is airtight — the granola will start to go stale if it comes in contact with any air!
I’ve also heard about another trick: whip up some egg whites! You can add them directly to the granola mixture before you air fry. For this recipe, 1 egg white would be enough.
You got it!! Again, that’s why the cooling step is so crucial here. Remember to leave your granola in the air fryer basket undisturbed for at least 1 hour before digging in. The longer it has to harden, the bigger and crunchier the clusters will be.
Making it in the air fryer certainly helps! A low temperature is the other key to preventing burning — 320°F is just hot enough to crisp everything up but low enough that burning isn’t an issue.
Enjoy!
With love, from our simple kitchen to yours.
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Easy Air Fryer Granola
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 cups old-fashioned oats
- 1/4 cup all-purpose flour, optional (you can leave the flour out)
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- pinch kosher salt
- 1/2 cup chopped roasted salted mixed nuts
- 1 teaspoon vegetable oil
- 1/3 cup honey
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions
- In a large mixing bowl combine oats, flour, cinnamon and salt. Mix well.
- Add chopped mixed nuts and mix until nuts are coated.
- Add vegetable oil, honey and vanilla extract.
- Mix until you have no more dry flour/oats.
- Pour the mixture into the air fryer basket and spread evenly. With a fork or back of your hand gently press down.
- Cook on Manual at 320 degree F for 13-15 minutes until golden. Don’t shake
- Let cool completely, do not disturb for 60 minutes
- Transfer to a plate or bowl.
- Keep in an airtight container for 3 to 5 days or in the fridge.
Donna’s Notes
Nutrition
All nutritional information is based on third party calculations and is only an estimate. Each recipe’s nutritional value will vary depending on the ingredients used, measuring methods, and portion sizes.
Originally published October 2024
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