If you love recipes that combine a nutritious crunch with a creamy topping, Granola Cups are about to become your new morning and snack-time obsession. Imagine a golden, crispy oat shell that’s just the right amount of sweet, paired with luscious Greek yogurt and a pile of juicy, fresh berries. These are not only beautiful to serve, but they’re endlessly customizable, quick to assemble, and a guaranteed way to brighten any breakfast table or party tray. Granola Cups make healthy snacking feel like a treat—and once you try them, you’ll understand why they’re an all-ages, year-round favorite in my kitchen.
Ingredients You’ll Need
What I love about this recipe is how each ingredient shines: every element has a job, whether it’s crisping up the edges, creating that chewy bite, or adding irresistible flavors. Nothing here is fussy, but each piece of the puzzle gives these Granola Cups their perfect taste, texture, and color.
- Old-fashioned rolled oats: The sturdy backbone for the cups, providing crunch and toasty flavor.
- Almond flour: Adds richness and binds the mixture, and makes these gluten-free friendly.
- Honey or maple syrup: Natural sweetness and the magic that holds everything together.
- Melted coconut oil: Gives moisture and helps the cups crisp up in the oven (sub with sunflower seed butter if nut-free).
- Vanilla extract: A little warmth and aroma goes a long way in rounding out the flavors.
- Cinnamon: Adds just a hint of spice that pairs perfectly with the oats and sweetness.
- Salt: A pinch makes all the flavors pop—it’s the secret to an addictive bite.
- Mini chocolate chips or chopped nuts (optional): For an extra hit of texture or a chocolatey kick.
- Greek yogurt and fresh berries (for filling): Creamy and tangy, these are the stars for topping off your homemade cups.
How to Make Granola Cups
Step 1: Prep Your Pan
Set your oven to preheat at 350°F (175°C) and either generously grease a 12-cup muffin tin or line it with silicone or paper muffin liners. This tiny bit of prep work is what ensures your Granola Cups lift right out when they’ve cooled—no broken shells or sticky disasters!
Step 2: Mix the Granola Base
Grab a big mixing bowl and toss in the rolled oats, almond flour, your chosen sweetener (either honey or maple syrup), melted coconut oil, vanilla extract, cinnamon, and salt. Mix everything together thoroughly until the mixture looks glossy and all the dry bits are nicely coated. If you’re feeling fancy, this is the moment to fold in some mini chocolate chips or nuts for an extra-indulgent touch.
Step 3: Shape into Cups
Divide your sticky granola mixture evenly among the prepared muffin tin cups. Here’s the fun part: use your fingers or the back of a spoon to press it firmly into the bottom and up the sides, creating a well in each one. The tighter you pack them, the crispier and sturdier they’ll be when they’re done baking.
Step 4: Bake Until Golden
Pop the tray into your preheated oven and bake for 12 to 15 minutes. Keep an eye on them—the cups should look toasty and golden brown around the edges. Resist the temptation to take them out early; that extra minute or two means extra crunch.
Step 5: Cool and Fill
This is the hardest part: let your Granola Cups cool completely in the tin. They’ll firm up as they cool, so don’t rush! Once set, gently remove each cup. Fill with creamy Greek yogurt, top with those vibrant fresh berries, and add any toppings you like right before serving. Pure breakfast joy!
How to Serve Granola Cups
Garnishes
Get creative! These golden cups beg for beautiful garnishes. Think a drizzle of honey, a scatter of toasted coconut flakes, a handful of chopped nuts, or even a few extra chocolate chips for sparkle. Citrus zest or a sprig of mint will make your Granola Cups pop on the plate—almost too pretty to eat (but only almost!).
Side Dishes
Granola Cups are wonderful paired with other breakfast favorites. Serve alongside a plate of scrambled eggs, a fruit salad, or a smoothie for a brunch spread that will wow your guests. They also make a brilliant addition to lunchboxes and snack boards—with their balancing act of crunch and cream, they go with just about anything.
Creative Ways to Present
These versatile cups can steal the show at any gathering. Arrange them on a cake stand with a variety of yogurt and fruit fillings for a DIY bar, or tuck them in colorful cupcake liners for a festive, grab-and-go snack. For parties, make mini Granola Cups in a mini muffin tin and fill with dollops of whipped cream cheese and fresh fruit for an appetizer with a twist.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
If you have any Granola Cups left, store the unfilled cups in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days. Hold off on filling them until just before serving to keep the texture crisp and delicious.
Freezing
Yes, these are freezer friendly! Stack unfilled Granola Cups between layers of parchment paper in a freezer-safe container or bag. Freeze for up to 2 months. Thaw at room temperature for about 30 minutes before adding yogurt and toppings.
Reheating
If your Granola Cups have softened a bit, you can revive them by popping them in a 300°F (150°C) oven for 3–5 minutes. Let them cool before adding the filling, and they’ll be nearly as crisp as the day you made them.
FAQs
Can I make Granola Cups nut-free?
Absolutely! Simply swap the almond flour for oat flour and use sunflower seed butter instead of coconut oil. They’ll still bake up beautifully and have wonderful flavor.
Which sweetener works best for these cups?
Both honey and maple syrup give a lovely caramelized sweetness, so use whichever you prefer. Maple keeps it vegan and more subtle, while honey adds that classic granola flavor.
How do I keep the cups from falling apart?
The secret is firmly packing the granola mixture into the muffin cups and letting them cool completely before removing. Cooling is what helps them firm up and hold their shape.
Can I use quick oats instead of rolled oats?
For best results, stick with old-fashioned rolled oats. Quick oats will absorb moisture differently and may not bake up as crispy or hold together as well.
What other fillings can I try?
Besides Greek yogurt and berries, you can fill Granola Cups with nut butter and banana slices, coconut yogurt, or even serve them as a dessert bowl with ice cream and chocolate sauce.
Final Thoughts
If you’re looking for a wholesome, Instagram-worthy breakfast or snack, I can’t recommend Granola Cups enough. Once you’ve tasted the combination of crunchy oats, creamy yogurt, and bright berries, you’ll be eagerly adding them to your weekly kitchen routine. Give them a try—your mornings (and snack breaks) will thank you!
Print
Granola Cups Recipe
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: 12 granola cups
- Category: Snack, Breakfast
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Gluten-Free, Vegetarian
Description
These Granola Cups are a delicious and versatile treat that can be enjoyed for breakfast or as a snack. Made with wholesome ingredients and filled with creamy Greek yogurt and fresh berries, they are a perfect balance of crunchy, sweet, and tangy flavors.
Ingredients
Granola Cups:
- 2 cups old-fashioned rolled oats
- ½ cup almond flour
- ½ cup honey or maple syrup
- ¼ cup melted coconut oil
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- ½ teaspoon cinnamon
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- Optional: ¼ cup mini chocolate chips or chopped nuts
- Greek yogurt and fresh berries for filling
Instructions
- Preheat the oven: Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) and prepare a 12-cup muffin tin.
- Mix the ingredients: In a large bowl, combine oats, almond flour, honey/maple syrup, coconut oil, vanilla extract, cinnamon, and salt. Add chocolate chips or nuts if desired.
- Form the cups: Divide the mixture among muffin cups, pressing firmly to create a cup shape.
- Bake: Bake for 12-15 minutes until golden brown.
- Cool and fill: Let the cups cool completely, then fill with Greek yogurt and top with fresh berries.
Notes
- Store in an airtight container for up to 5 days.
- For nut-free version, use oat flour and sunflower seed butter.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 granola cup
- Calories: 180
- Sugar: 8g
- Sodium: 60mg
- Fat: 9g
- Saturated Fat: 3g
- Unsaturated Fat: 5g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 22g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 3g
- Cholesterol: 0mg
