Blueberry Muffin Granola (PLUS: How-To DIY Any Granola)
There are very few baked goods in this world more flawless than the blueberry muffin.
Whether it's fresh out of the oven or in plastic wrap at a bodega, there's just something about a blueberry muffin that always hits. I don’t feel this way about any other muffin - not chocolate, not poppyseed, not pumpkin, and definitely not a corn muffin (unless it’s homemade and being served with a big bowl of chili).
When a buttery crumb and sweet, juicy blueberries meet, it’s a combination that is just too perfect for words.
But as much as I LOVE a freshly baked blueberry muffin for breakfast, making them at home can be a project. I recently had a conversation with someone about how to bake the perfect muffin, and it’s like - yes, I can make them at home, but is it going to come out the same as when the bakery makes it? Prob not.
Not to mention, the time I’m most likely to crave a freshly baked blueberry muffin is on a Sunday morning when I’m too lazy to do absolutely anything. And sure, I could make them ahead of time and freeze them, but then they won’t really be fresh. I am high maintenance, sorry!!!
So, hear me out. What if you could get all the flavor of a homemade blueberry muffin, but in granola? Granola is more shelf-stable, and (I would argue) even easier to make at home than muffins.
How Do You Make Granola Taste Like a Blueberry Muffin?
The first secret to making this granola taste like a blueberry muffin is corn flake cereal, which forms the base along with oats. The resulting crackly crunch is everything, and is giving big streusel energy.
The second secret is using butter as the fat in this recipe. At first I wasn't sure if this would hold up to science, but it actually worked perfectly! With that said, you could swap out half or all of the butter for another fat of your choice, but you might lose some of that blueberry muffin flavor. You could try supplementing with a teensy bit of butter extract, but be careful not to overdo it, or it may taste artificial.
Finally, dried blueberries are mixed in after baking (that order is important) to complete the vibe.
Make Any Flavor of Granola
I'm a big fan of non-recipe recipes, because I love having freedom to play with flavor. And with this granola formula, not only will you get a delicious treat at the end, but it will makes your whole home smell delicious for hours.
I have made SO many different flavors of granola with this formula (including this Blueberry Muffin Granola) and I absolutely swear by it. Some of my other favorite variations have been Citrus, Rosemary, Ginger & Olive Oil, and Spiced Maple Pecan.
P.S. Homemade granola also makes for an incredible gift! Throw it in a mason jar with a cute ribbon and you’re set. Not to brag, but one time when I gave someone granola as a gift, they told me my granola was “better than Eleven Madison Park’s.” Put that on my grave, honestly!
Bonus Recipe!
Any Granola Formula
You’ll Need:
4 cups dry ingredients (oats, grains, cereal, seeds, nuts, etc). Note: If using nuts, use about 1 cup for every 3 cups of grains.
1/2 tsp. salt
Spices, to taste (optional)
1/3-1/2 cup sweetener (e.g. sugar, honey, or maple syrup)
1/4 cup fat (in a liquid state, e.g. oil, nut butter, melted butter)
1-2 tsp. extract (vanilla, almond, etc.)
1/2 cup egg whites (optional, but important if you like clumpy, clustery granola)
Dried or freeze-dried fruit (optional) Note: Always mix in dried fruit after baking.
Toss dry ingredients, salt, and spices in a large bowl. In a separate bowl, whisk together your sweetener, fat, extract, and egg whites. Add the wet mixture to the dry and stir until evenly coated.
Pat down into an even layer on a sheet tray lined with parchment paper. Bake at 300˚F for a total of 45 mins. About 30 mins into baking, flip the granola over in large pieces to let the other side brown for the remaining 10-15 minutes. Let the pieces cool and dry out completely before breaking them up with your hands or a spatula.
Mix in dried fruit after baking and separating in clusters. Store in an airtight container or jar.
Blueberry Muffin Granola
