Description
These granola cups with yogurt and fresh fruits are a delicious and healthy snack or breakfast option. Made with rolled oats, nuts or seeds, mashed banana, and natural sweeteners, these crispy and flavorful cups are baked to perfection and can be filled with your favorite yogurt and fresh berries or fruits for a nutritious start to your day.
Ingredients
Dry Ingredients
- 1 cup old-fashioned rolled oats (or quick-cooking oats, but NOT instant oats)
- 0.5 cup chopped nuts, seeds, or additional rolled oats (e.g., sunflower seeds)
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon apple pie or pumpkin pie spice (or substitute with cinnamon)
Wet Ingredients
- 1 medium banana, mashed (or substitute with applesauce)
- 3 Tablespoons peanut butter (or any nut/seed butter such as almond or pumpkin seed butter)
- 2 Tablespoons maple syrup (adjust more to taste)
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract (optional)
To Serve
- 1/2 cup yogurt
- Fresh berries or any fresh fruits
- Nuts or seeds (optional toppings)
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 345°F (175°C) to prepare for baking the granola cups.
- Mix Dry Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, combine the rolled oats, salt, and your choice of spice—apple pie spice, pumpkin pie spice, or cinnamon. Stir to evenly distribute the spices.
- Add Wet Ingredients: Add the mashed banana, peanut butter, maple syrup, and vanilla extract (if using) to the dry ingredients. Mix thoroughly until the mixture is well combined and holds together.
- Form Cups: Scoop about 2-3 tablespoons of the oat mixture into each silicone muffin cup. Using the back of a spoon or your fingers, firmly press the mixture into the bottom and up the sides to form a sturdy cup shape with a well in the center to hold the yogurt. If using a regular muffin tin, grease it lightly with oil before pressing the mixture.
- Bake: Place the muffin tin in the preheated oven and bake for 12-15 minutes, or until the granola cups turn golden brown and crispy at the edges. This ensures the cups hold their shape and are crunchy.
- Cool: Remove the muffin tin from the oven and allow the granola cups to cool completely inside the tin. This cooling step helps them firm up further for easier removal.
- Remove Cups: Once cooled, carefully remove each granola cup from the muffin tin.
- Fill and Serve: Just before serving, spoon about 1 tablespoon of your preferred yogurt into each granola cup. Top with fresh berries, fruits, and optional nuts or seeds. Enjoy immediately for the best texture and flavor.
Notes
- You can customize the nut or seed selection to your preference or dietary needs.
- For a nut-free version, use seeds instead of nuts and a seed butter like sunflower seed butter.
- Ensure the granola cups cool completely before removing to prevent breaking.
- If you don’t have a silicone muffin tin, greasing a regular muffin tin well will help prevent sticking.
- Adjust the amount of maple syrup depending on desired sweetness.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Breakfast, Snack
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
