Shamelessly easy, 5-minute microwave mug granola is your busy morning bestie! Healthy, crunchy, cluster-ific, is is also vegan & gluten-free. Yum!
Make a Mug of Granola in Minutes–in Your Microwave
You could hang around the kitchen for 45 minutes to an hour, hand-crafting a jumbo batch of artisanal granola. Follow it up with 20 minutes of scrubbing bowls, measuring cups, countertops and a cookie sheet.
Or, you could make my above-pictured, wondrously delectable granola. In 5 minutes. In one mug.
You don’t have to share.
You can pinch yourself now. You’re not dreaming!
The 5 Ingredients for Healthy Microwave Mug Granola
This is all that you need ingredients-wise. The salt is optional, so I’m not including it–or the water–in the “five” ingredients:
1 tablespoon maple syrup (I have options for using other sweeteners)
1 tablespoon chopped nuts or seeds
1 tablespoon chopped dried fruit
2 teaspoons oil of choice
How to Make Granola in the Microwave
Now get your granola groove on! Here’s how:
Step One” Mix the Ingredients in a Large Mug
Place everything EXCEPT the dried fruit into a large mug.
Stir it up with a fork so the oats and nuts/seeds are coated. It’s important to leave out the dried fruit at this stage. Microwaving chopped dried fruit for several minutes leads to teeth-breaking bits of coal.
Step Two: Set Microwave to MEDIUM (50%) Power
Next, a moment of abject TERROR: You will need to (gulp) set the power level button (yes, said button exists on your microwave) to Medium (50%). You may have never touched this button before now. You can do it. Apply finger and push until it reads either Medium or 50% power. Breathe. You did it.
Step Three: Microwave the Granola on Medium Power
Microwave on Medium (50%) for 3-1/2 to 4-1/2 minutes total, stopping halfway through to stir (the oats and nuts/seeds at the bottom of the mug will toast faster than those at the top).
You read the correctly: toast. The oats and nuts/seeds get toasty, golden and fragrant. In the microwave. Really and truly!
Step Four: Stir in the Dried Fruit
Add the dried fruit (if using) and stir things up one last time. The granola will be perfectly crispy in a few minutes as the oats cool.
Step Five: Eat!
Eat the granola straight up as an energizing snack, or add a splash of your favorite milk for a complete meal. With the energy you’ve gained (oat power!), and the time you’ve saved, you will want to run, skip and jump for joy!
Add Flavors to Suit your Tastes
You can tweak this basic recipe with whatever nuts, seeds, dried fruit, dried coconut, extracts, citrus zest that suit your fancy. My fancy tends to be very fancy, so I often add a little bit of everything :). The base recipe is pretty forgiving, so adjust the sweetener and salt—a bit more, a touch less—or add a pinch of a favorite spice.
1/3 cup quick-cooking or old-fashioned rolled oats (gluten-free if needed)
1 tablespoon chopped nuts or seeds
1 tablespoon chopped dried fruit (e.g., raisins, apricots, cranberries)
Instructions
In the large mug (14 to 16 oz), mix the maple syrup, water, oil, salt, oats and nuts until blended.
Microwave on Medium (50%) power for 2 minutes. Stir, making sure to stir up any syrup on the bottom of the mug. Microwave on Medium (50%) power for 1-1/2 to 2 minutes longer until oats are golden brown.
Mix in the dried fruit, if using. Let stand for 2 to 3 minutes to cool before eating.
Notes
*Other sweeteners: Use an equal amount of the liquid sweetener of your choice (e.g., agave nectar, brown rice syrup, honey if not vegan) to replace the maple syrup. An equal amount of granulated sugar (any variety) can also be used in place of the syrup; add 2 teaspoons more water along with the sugar.
*Spices: Add between 1/4 tsp and 3/4 tsp (1 to 3 mL) of any sweet spice (e.g., cinnamon, ginger, pumpkin pie spice, allspice) along with the salt in step 1.
*Extracts & Zest: Consider adding a few drops of vanilla or almond extract to the syrup mixture, or 1/2 tsp (2 mL) finely grated citrus zest (e.g., lemon, orange or lime).
Microwave Mug Challenge: Vegetarian Style - Girl Spring
Saturday 4th of July 2020
[…] For the full recipe visit: SHAMELESSLY EASY, 5-MINUTE, 5-INGREDIENT MICROWAVE MUG GRANOLA […]
Jazz
Thursday 2nd of July 2020
The freshest, crunchiest muesli I have ever had - and it was toasted in the microwave?! What kind of dark magic is this?!
Camilla
Saturday 4th of July 2020
You are cracking me up, Jazz :) I know, it's crazy that it works and works so well. Enjoy the dark magic!
Nita Pollard
Thursday 2nd of January 2020
This was so good. Quick, easy and so versatile so you don't have to have the same flavors every time. My version was with coconut oil, cinnamon, pecans and craisins. It made a perfect bowl of granola with milk. I don't think I will buy store bought granola again.
Camilla
Wednesday 8th of January 2020
I am thrilled to hear it Nita! This is a tried and true favorite at our house, so glad you found it and tried it!
I’m Camilla, food writer, author, runner, and spin instructor. PowerHungry® is where I share my easy, minimalist, plant-based recipes, designed for living a healthy, delicious, empowered life.
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Microwave Mug Challenge: Vegetarian Style - Girl Spring
Saturday 4th of July 2020
[…] For the full recipe visit: SHAMELESSLY EASY, 5-MINUTE, 5-INGREDIENT MICROWAVE MUG GRANOLA […]
Jazz
Thursday 2nd of July 2020
The freshest, crunchiest muesli I have ever had - and it was toasted in the microwave?! What kind of dark magic is this?!
Camilla
Saturday 4th of July 2020
You are cracking me up, Jazz :) I know, it's crazy that it works and works so well. Enjoy the dark magic!
Nita Pollard
Thursday 2nd of January 2020
This was so good. Quick, easy and so versatile so you don't have to have the same flavors every time. My version was with coconut oil, cinnamon, pecans and craisins. It made a perfect bowl of granola with milk. I don't think I will buy store bought granola again.
Camilla
Wednesday 8th of January 2020
I am thrilled to hear it Nita! This is a tried and true favorite at our house, so glad you found it and tried it!