Soft Crock Pot Granola The Fresh Cooky (2024)

Did you know you can “bake” granola in your crock pot? Yes! Crock pot granola comes out much softer and chewy than oven-baked granola. I’ll walk you through each step on this hands-off recipe.

Are you a “Granola“? I grew up in the 60’s with a mom ahead of her time who embraced whole foods. I remember making and eating granola long before it was cool. So I guess, I am a Granola, I’ve always loved the nutty, crunchy, lightly sweetened oaty breakfast snack. This recipe for soft baked granola is so versatile with a bonus for yogurt parfaits!

Word origins have always been interesting to me, as I was thinking about doing this post, I wondered where in the world did we get the word “Granola” from?

Perhaps it’s a twist on the word “grains”, but while I haven’t vetted this article, it is certainly an interesting story on the alleged history of granola and how the name came about; born out of a couple of cereal moguls you will still recognize today. Read it if you have the time.

I enjoy giving precise details in my recipe posts to lead my readers through any questions. If you’re just here for the printable recipe, use the Jump to Recipe to head straight there!

Simple Ingredients for Crock Pot Granola

• Old-fashioned Rolled Oats | Don’t use quick-cooking oats; if it’s important, use gluten-free oats.
• Butter or Oil | I used grass-fed butter for a richer flavor, but you can use half and half or use all oil if preferred, coconut oil and avocado oil would be my favorite choices.
• Honey or Maple Syrup | A combination of the two also works great. To keep it vegan, use maple syrup.
• Spices | Use your favorites here; I used cinnamon which is classic, but also add nutmeg or your favorite pie spice blend. Also a little touch of kosher salt is important here too.
• Vanilla Extract | Adds depth to all baked goods!
• Optional Add-Ins | Be creative, toss in your favorite nuts, some Chia seeds, or Flax seeds or flax meal, add a few tablespoons of brown sugar (reduce the honey).

Some might balk at the very first ingredient, it’s ½ cup of melted butter, you can use a good oil or a combination.

I like coconut oil or avocado in its place. This makes a large batch, so don’t let half a cup of any fat scare you away. Plus I use grass-fed butter; well the butter wasn’t grass fed, but the cows that gave the milk were…ha!

How to Make Soft Baked, Chewy Granola

Lightly spray your crock pot with some non-stick spray, then pour in your melted butter* and toss in your 5-6 cups of rolled (not quick) oats and give it a quick stir. You can also wait and pour the butter at the very end.

Add a generous tablespoon (or two) of ground flax meal (or whole flax seeds if you prefer the seeds), my boys don’t notice the meal which is why I use that instead.

Additionally toss in a couple tablespoons of light brown sugar, this is optional, but I am making a Maple Pecan Granola, and brown sugar and maple go hand in hand. Pour in a couple of teaspoons of vanilla.

Likewise, add some Chia seeds (optional), but the more good stuff the better, no?! Every time I see a chia seed I am reminded of the Cha-Cha-Chia Pet commercials of old. Do they still have those? Recently I’ve discovered hemp hearts as well; they are delicious; raw, tossed in yogurt or in your granola.

Finally, add your kosher salt, yes, salt, it brings out the ultimate “oaty-ness” of the oats…yum.

Now, add your honey; good local raw & unfiltered honey, is so very good for you.

Lastly, if adding, add pure maple syrup, the real stuff. If you use maple syrup, reduce your honey by the amount of syrup you add. If only a few tablespoons, then don’t worry about it.

Give it all a good stir with a wooden spoon, it will start out rather clumpy as things stick to the honey and syrup, but don’t worry as it melts and cooks it will mix about.

Set crockpot on high and place the wooden spoon between the lid so that you prop the lid open slightly, this allows some heat and steam to escape while it’s baking.

Stir every 15 minutes for about 1 to 1-½ hours, being careful towards the end as it can actually burn, so watch around that hour mark.

When it’s finished to your liking, pour onto a large piece of parchment or wax paper or onto a cookie sheet to allow to cool completely before bagging.

Scoop granola into quart size freezer baggies (it will make between 3-4 full baggies worth). I like to keep one in the cupboard and the rest in the freezer, or give it away, it makes a lovely hostess gift or neighbor gift.

Ways to Use Granola

My favorite way eating this granola (besides sneaking handfuls) is as a mid morning snack with a little vanilla yogurt (try Vanilla Bean Greek Yogurt) and berries or lemon curd!

I love serving these yogurt parfaits during a breakfast or brunch, they are such a fun, healthy and wholesome dessert, treat, protein packed breakfast.

Try it with vanilla yogurt, blackberries and pomegranate arils, a favorite combo of mine.

WOW! Give it a go and let me know what you think or your unique flavor combinations!

How to Make Yogurt Parfaits with Granola

Choose a couple of pretty glasses for the yogurt parfaits; any glass will do (a mason jar, wine glass, martini class or pretty glasses or bowls).

Alternate layers, starting with granola, then yogurt and berries, topped with more granola and finally a dollop of yogurt on top with a few additional berries. Layer a little of this granola butter in there too! It’s so delicious!

Suddenly plain ol’ granola all dressed up and is looking a lot like dessert!

Makes a great gift too! I’d love to hear your take on it, and what you combine to make it your own!