Go Back

Easy Grab-and-Go Granola Cups for Busy Mornings

Homemade Granola Cups are a game-changer for busy mornings or relaxed weekend treats. They are wholesome, convenient, pop-able, and incredibly easy and quick to make. You'll wonder where they've been all your life!
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 12 minutes
Total Time 35 minutes
Servings: 6 cups
Course: Breakfast, Snack
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

  • 1/4 cup applesauce or mashed banana for binding
  • 1/4 cup honey or agave for sweetness and binding
  • 1/2 tsp pure vanilla extract
  • 1/2 tsp cinnamon
  • 1/4 tsp salt
  • 1 1/4 cup rolled oats or old-fashioned oats, not quick oats

Equipment

  • Standard or Mini Muffin Tin
  • Medium bowl
  • Whisk
  • Spoon or spatula

Method
 

  1. Step 1: Generously grease a standard or mini muffin tin using cooking spray, butter, or oil. Set aside.
  2. Step 2: In a medium bowl, whisk together the applesauce (or mashed banana), honey (or agave), and vanilla extract until nicely combined.
  3. Step 3: Add the rolled oats, cinnamon, and salt to the wet mixture. Stir everything together thoroughly with a spoon or spatula until the oats are completely coated.
  4. Step 4: Scoop the granola mixture into the prepared muffin cups. For a standard tin, this makes about 6 cups; for a mini tin, it makes 12-18. Press the mixture firmly into the bottom and up the sides of each cup to create a sturdy bowl shape, using the back of a spoon or a small glass.
  5. Step 5: Preheat your oven to 330°F (165°C).
  6. Step 6: Bake for about 12 minutes, or until the edges are lightly golden brown.
  7. Step 7: Carefully remove the hot tin from the oven. While still warm, use the back of a spoon to gently press the puffed-up sides back down into the tin to reshape the cups.
  8. Step 8: Let the granola cups cool completely in the muffin tin for at least 10 minutes. This crucial step helps them firm up and prevents crumbling.
  9. Step 9: Once slightly cooled, carefully run a knife around the edges if needed and gently lift them out. Serve immediately with yogurt or fresh fruit, or let them cool completely to store.

Notes

Serve with a dollop of your favorite yogurt and some fresh berries or sliced fruit.
Customize by adding chopped nuts (almonds, walnuts, pecans), seeds (chia, flax, sunflower), dried fruit (cranberries, raisins, apricots, blueberries), or mini chocolate chips along with the oats. Experiment with other spices like nutmeg, cardamom, or ginger.
Ensure the muffin tin is well-greased and press the mixture firmly into the cups for best results. Cooling in the tin for at least 10 minutes after baking is crucial to prevent crumbling.
Store completely cooled granola cups in an airtight container at room temperature for 3-4 days, in the fridge for up to a week, or freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw at room temperature for about 30 minutes before serving.