There’s nothing quite like the aroma of freshly baked granola filling your kitchen, and this Cashew Granola recipe is a true testament to that experience. Many years ago, this particular recipe found its origins with Jif’s cashew butter – a product that, sadly, appears to have been discontinued. While we might hold out hope for its eventual return, the good news is that you absolutely don’t need Jif to recreate this phenomenal granola. Any quality brand of cashew butter will work wonderfully, bringing its unique creamy richness to bind together what will soon become your favorite crunchy treat.

This cashew granola stands out for its impeccable texture – wonderfully crisp and satisfyingly crunchy, yet never overly hard. It strikes the perfect balance of sweetness, making it an ideal start to your day or a delightful pick-me-up snack. My personal touch, and one I highly recommend, is swapping out traditional raisins for dried cranberries. Not only do they add a lovely tart counterpoint, but I also find that stirring them in after the granola comes out of the oven, rather than baking them with the oats, preserves their plumpness and vibrant flavor. This ensures they don’t get too hard or chewy during the baking process.

Why Choose Homemade Cashew Granola?

In a world full of pre-packaged breakfast options, opting for homemade granola offers a myriad of benefits. Firstly, you gain complete control over the ingredients. Store-bought granolas often hide excessive sugars, unhealthy oils, and artificial additives. By making your own, you can tailor the sweetness level, choose high-quality fats like cashew butter, and select organic or whole-grain oats. This means a healthier, more nutrient-dense breakfast for you and your family.

Secondly, the flavor profile of homemade granola is simply unmatched. The freshness of just-baked oats, the aromatic spices, and the rich nuttiness of cashews create a symphony of tastes that industrial granolas can rarely replicate. Plus, it’s incredibly versatile. You can customize it with your favorite nuts, seeds, dried fruits, and spices, adapting it to your dietary needs or personal preferences. Whether you’re aiming for a gluten-free option (by using certified gluten-free oats) or a vegan version (by substituting honey with maple syrup), homemade granola puts you in the driver’s seat.

Lastly, there’s an undeniable satisfaction that comes from creating something delicious from scratch. The process itself is therapeutic, and the result is a wholesome, delicious product that you can be proud of. It’s also often more cost-effective in the long run than continually buying expensive artisan granolas from the store.

The Rich Goodness of Cashews and Cashew Butter

Cashews are a delightful nut, known for their creamy texture and subtle, sweet flavor. They are a fantastic source of healthy monounsaturated fats, which are good for heart health. Beyond fats, cashews provide essential minerals like copper, magnesium, manganese, and zinc, all vital for various bodily functions including bone health, energy production, and immune support. They also offer a decent amount of protein and dietary fiber, contributing to satiety and digestive health.

When transformed into cashew butter, these benefits are concentrated into a smooth, luxurious spread. In this granola recipe, cashew butter serves multiple critical roles. First and foremost, it acts as a superb binder, holding the oats and other ingredients together to form those coveted crunchy clusters. Its natural oils also contribute to the granola’s rich, golden-brown color and its desirable crispness. Unlike some other nut butters, cashew butter has a milder, less overpowering flavor, allowing the other ingredients, like honey and cinnamon, to shine through beautifully without being overshadowed. This ensures a balanced and harmonious taste in every bite.

If you’re unable to find a specific brand like the original Jif cashew butter, don’t fret. Most natural cashew butter brands will work perfectly. Just ensure you’re using a smooth variety for easier mixing. For those who prefer a more rustic feel, a lightly crunchy cashew butter could also be an interesting variation, adding another layer of texture.

Crafting the Perfect Granola: Tips for Success

Achieving that ideal crisp, golden granola isn’t difficult, but a few key techniques can make all the difference:

• Even Spreading: Once your ingredients are mixed, spread them thinly and evenly across your prepared baking pan. This ensures uniform cooking and prevents some parts from burning while others remain soft. A 15×10 inch rimmed baking pan is typically ideal for the quantities in this recipe.
• Stirring is Key: While it might be tempting to just let it bake, occasional stirring (every 10-15 minutes) during the baking process is crucial. This helps the granola cook evenly, prevents the edges from burning, and encourages the formation of clusters.
• The “Drying” Phase: Don’t skip the step where you turn off the oven and let the granola dry inside for 1.5 hours, stirring occasionally. This low, residual heat is essential for achieving that ultra-crispy texture without over-browning. It slowly draws out any remaining moisture, setting the granola’s crunch.
• Cool Completely: Resist the urge to dig in right away! Granola becomes truly crisp only after it has cooled completely. As it cools, it will harden and form those satisfying clusters.
• Adding Dried Fruit: As mentioned, adding dried fruits like cranberries or raisins after the baking and drying process is a game-changer. It keeps them soft, plump, and full of flavor, providing a pleasant textural contrast to the crunchy oats and nuts.

Customize Your Granola: Endless Possibilities

This Cashew Granola recipe is a fantastic base, but don’t hesitate to make it your own! Here are some ideas for customization:

• Nuts & Seeds: Beyond cashews, consider adding almonds, pecans, walnuts, pumpkin seeds, sunflower seeds, or chia seeds for extra nutrients and crunch.
• Spices: A pinch of nutmeg, cardamom, or even a touch of ginger can add different flavor dimensions.
• Sweeteners: While honey works beautifully, you can substitute it with maple syrup for a vegan option or a slightly different flavor profile. Adjust quantities to your desired sweetness.
• Dried Fruits: Experiment with chopped dried apricots, cherries, blueberries, or even finely diced dates. Remember to add them after baking for best results.
• Chocolate: Once the granola is completely cool, stir in some chocolate chips or chunks for a decadent treat.
• Coconut: Toasted shredded coconut can add a tropical flair and extra texture. Add it during the last 10-15 minutes of baking to prevent burning.

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Recipe

Jif Cashew Granola

Cookie Madness

This Cashew Granola is an incredibly easy and delicious homemade granola recipe that utilizes creamy cashew butter as a primary binder. While the original recipe was crafted using the classic Jif brand cashew butter, it works perfectly with any good quality cashew butter, delivering a wonderfully crisp and perfectly sweet breakfast or snack.

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Prep Time 15 minutes mins

Cook Time 40 minutes mins

Total Time 55 minutes mins

Course Breakfast, Snack

Cuisine American

Servings 8

Ingredients

 

• ½ cup cashew butter such as Jif, or your preferred brand
• 1 cup honey (or maple syrup for a vegan option)
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 4 cups quick rolled oats (use certified gluten-free if needed)
• 1 cup whole cashews (or cashew pieces)
• 1 cup dried cranberries (or raisins, added after baking)

Instructions

 

• Preheat your oven to 300ºF (150ºC). Prepare a 15×10 inch rimmed baking pan by lining it with nonstick foil or parchment paper. Alternatively, you can lightly spray the pan with cooking spray.
• In a large microwave-safe bowl, combine the cashew butter, honey, and ground cinnamon. Microwave on high for approximately 30 seconds, or until the mixture is melted and easily stirrable. Stir well to combine. Once smooth, stir in the vanilla extract, quick rolled oats, and whole cashews (or cashew pieces) until all ingredients are thoroughly coated.
• Spread the granola mixture evenly in a single layer onto the prepared baking pan. Bake for 35 to 40 minutes, making sure to stir the granola occasionally (every 10-15 minutes) to ensure even browning and to help form clusters.
• Once baking is complete, turn off the oven. Leave the granola in the oven with the door slightly ajar (you can prop it open with a wooden spoon) for about 1 ½ hours to dry out and crisp up further, stirring occasionally. This crucial step helps achieve that perfect crunchy texture. After the drying period, remove the pan from the oven and let the granola cool completely on the pan before stirring in the dried cranberries or raisins.
• Store the cooled cashew granola in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 1 week. It’s perfect for breakfast with milk or yogurt, or as a healthy snack!

Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

Serving Suggestions and Storage

Your freshly made Cashew Granola is incredibly versatile. Enjoy it in a bowl with your favorite milk (dairy or plant-based) for a classic breakfast. It’s also fantastic sprinkled over yogurt parfaits, adding a delightful crunch and nutty flavor. For a quick snack, simply grab a handful on its own, or mix it with some fresh fruit. Kids love it, and it makes for a perfect post-workout fuel or an energy boost during the day.

To keep your granola at its best, ensure it is completely cool before transferring it to an airtight container. Store it at room temperature, away from direct sunlight and humidity. It will maintain its crispness and fresh flavor for up to one week. If you’ve made a larger batch, you can also freeze granola for longer storage, up to a month or two. Just thaw it at room temperature before serving.

Whether you’re reminiscing about Jif’s discontinued cashew butter or simply discovering the joy of homemade granola for the first time, this recipe is sure to become a staple in your kitchen. It’s easy to make, incredibly satisfying, and allows for endless customization. So go ahead, whip up a batch, and let us know what you think!