These 6-ingredient no-bake granola cups are filled with creamy nut/seed butter and are packed with flavor and nutrients, perfect for breakfast, snack, or dessert! They’re also highly customizable, gluten-free, low-sugar, and vegan!
Creamy, Crunchy No-Bake Granola Cups
When it comes to grab-n-go breakfast options, it’s been years since I succumbed to the lure of convenient grocery-store breakfast bars and similar treats. A quick look at their ingredients shows that most are loaded with sugar, fats, and unhealthy ingredients. The ones that aren’t, often come with a heavy premium instead. So, I’ve learned to make low-fuss make-ahead no-bake snacks, like healthy granola bars, bliss balls, and delicious granola cups.
Not only are they packed with protein and fiber, but these oat cups also contain plenty of heart-healthy fats to fuel your body and keep you satisfied until your next meal. Fill them with peanut butter to make (child-approved) peanut butter cups! Who wouldn’t want to nosh on them as a no-bake dessert, snack, or breakfast?!
These breakfast granola cups rely on just a handful of pantry-friendly ingredients and are easy to adjust to your dietary requirements (i.e., gluten-free, nut-free, low-sugar, etc.). Plus, they can be made ahead with as little as 10 minutes of hands-on prep to store in the freezer for up to 3 months.
And if you’re not a fan of the seed/ nut butter filling, you can swap it out with a delicious combination of dairy-free yogurts and fruit. It’s up to you! Interested in more vegan meal prep breakfast options like these creamy chocolate granola cups? Check out my healthy breakfast cookies, banana baked oatmeal, and strawberry oatmeal bars.
Looking for more desserts with granola? Try my delicious strawberry yogurt parfaits!
The Ingredients
The Granola Cups
- Granola: Use any vegan (free from honey and dairy) granola that is optionally gluten-free if desired. If possible, I recommend using a healthier low-sugar option, but the type and brand are up to you.
To have even more control over the ingredients I consume, I also love using homemade granola to make this granola dessert/ snack.
- Nuts/Seeds: I used sunflower seeds, but other nuts or seeds work too. I.e., pumpkin seeds, hemp seeds, peanuts, almonds, walnuts, pecans, etc.
- Liquid sweetener: You can use agave nectar, maple syrup, or date syrup. To reduce the sugar content, use a sugar-free maple syrup alternative or another sugar-free syrup.
- Salt: To balance the sweetness and enhance the various flavors in these granola cups.
The Filling
I love combining either sunflower seed butter or peanut butter with a dark chocolate topping (sugar-free, if preferred). Almond butter, pistachio butter, etc., also work for this delicious granola dessert. You could also experiment with peanut butter powder like PB2 for a lower fat/calorie version.
Alternatively, make these into yogurt granola cups by filling them with your favorite dairy-free yogurt and, optionally, some fresh fruit (i.e., fresh berries, mango, kiwi, banana, etc.) on top. Add a drizzle of nut or seed butter/ chocolate/ fruit compote for extra decadence.
What Else Could I Add to Vegan Granola Cups?
The granola you use to make this no bake dessert/ snack has the largest impact on the flavor and nutrition of this recipe. If using a plain one, though, you’re able to tweak them really easily to your liking with the addition of:
- Dried fruit: Such as raisins, cranberries, blueberries, chopped dates, or even tropical fruits like papaya, etc.
- Shredded coconut: Raw or toasted to add texture and flavor to this no bake dessert/ snack.
- Spices: I particularly love adding cinnamon to these granola cups, but other spices like pumpkin spice or Chai spice could be delicious, too.
- Vanilla extract: Add to the oat cups or the filling (i.e., the nut/seed butter or yogurt).
- Orange zest: A small amount of orange zest added when making granola yogurt cups is fresh and delicious.
Please read the recipe card below for the full ingredients list, measurements, complete recipe method, and nutritional information.
How to Make Healthy Granola Cups?
Unlike my healthy granola bars, this easy no-bake granola cup recipe doesn’t even require the oven. Just follow 5 simple steps for this delicious vegan meal prep breakfast/ dessert in no time!
- First, combine all the granola cup ingredients in a bowl and stir with a spoon or your hands. Alternatively, use a food processor. The mixture should stick together when pressed between your fingers. If it doesn’t, add a little more liquid sweetener until it does.
- Then, grease a cupcake tin or silicone mold with cooking spray, and divide the mixture between the holes (this recipe yields 6-8 cups depending on the size of the pan).
- Use the back of a tablespoon measuring spoon (or a shot glass) to press the oat mixture firmly into the pan and make a ‘cup’ dent in the center of each.*
- Then, place a heaped teaspoon of the nut or seed butter of your choice into the center wells of each granola cup and transfer it to the freezer for about 60 minutes.
*If you want to make granola yogurt cups, just transfer the un-filled cups to the freezer to solidify for just 20 minutes. Optionally add the yogurt now for frozen yogurt granola cups.
- Then, melt the dairy-free chocolate chips in a microwave or over a water bath, optionally with 1-2 teaspoons of coconut oil, and pour this over each granola cup (it will solidify quickly). Remove them from the tray, and enjoy!
Storing Instructions
Store: Store the chocolate granola cups in an airtight container at cool room temperature or in the fridge for a few days.
If you make granola yogurt cups, note that they should be eaten immediately. Otherwise, the yogurt will turn the granola soggy (unless stored in the freezer as a frozen no bake snack). However, you could refrigerate the actual cups for 5-7 days and top them just before serving.
Freeze: Flash freeze the granola desserts until solid within the tray, then transfer them to a Ziplock bag to store for 2-3 months. Allow them to thaw overnight in the fridge or at room temperature until tender enough to bite into.
Recipe Notes and Top Tips
- Break up large granola clusters: If it’s full of clusters, I recommend popping it in a food processor for a few seconds to break up. Otherwise, you’ll have issues with it not holding its shape properly.
- For crispier granola cups: Process the granola, then combine it with the liquid sweetener and a small amount of coconut oil or vegan butter. Once in the cupcake tin, bake for 10-12 minutes at 350F/175C.
- For easy pan removal: I recommend using a silicone mold. Otherwise, grease the pan well.
- Experiment with flavors: There are plenty of ways to customize this granola dessert/ snack to your liking. Be it with your choice of granola, adding mix-ins, and even your choice of filling.
- Adjust the size: You could use a larger muffin tin, if preferred, and fill them up slightly less.
More Vegan Meal Prep Breakfast Recipes
- Avocado toast (+ multiple toppings)
- One-pan cinnamon apple baked oatmeal
- Chocolate keto chia pudding
- Healthy oatmeal chocolate chip bars
- Chocolate granola bars
- Healthy banana bread (sugar-free)
- Peanut butter overnight oats
- Savory vegetable muffins
If you try this healthy vegan granola cups recipe, I’d love a comment and ★★★★★ recipe rating below. Also, please don’t forget to tag me in re-creations on Instagram or Facebook with @elavegan and #elavegan—I love seeing them.
Granola Cups
Ingredients
Granola cups:
- 1 1/2 cups (170 g) granola
- 1/2 cup (70 g) sunflower seeds chopped (see notes)
- 2 tbsp (40 g) agave syrup (or maple syrup)
- 2 heaped tbsp (50 g) sunflower seed butter (or nut butter of choice)
- 1 pinch of salt
Filling:
- 1/4 cup (60 g) sunflower seed butter (melted) or nut butter of choice
Topping:
- 1/2 cup (90 g) dairy-free chocolate chips (or dark chocolate, chopped)
Instructions
- I recommend measuring the ingredients in grams on a kitchen scale. You can watch the video in the post for visual instructions.
- First, combine all the granola cup ingredients in a bowl and stir with a spoon or your hands. Alternatively, use a food processor. The mixture should stick together when pressed between your fingers. If it doesn’t, add a little more liquid sweetener until it does.
- Then, grease a cupcake tin or silicone mold with cooking spray, and divide the mixture between the holes (this recipe yields 6-8 cups depending on the size of the pan).
- Use the back of a tablespoon measuring spoon (or a shot glass) to press the oat mixture firmly into the pan and make a ‘cup’ dent in the center of each.
- Then, place a heaped teaspoon of the nut or seed butter of your choice into the center wells of each granola cup and transfer it to the freezer for about 60 minutes.
- Then, melt the dairy-free chocolate chips in a microwave or over a water bath, optionally with 1-2 teaspoons of coconut oil, and pour this over each granola cup (it will solidify quickly). Remove them from the tray, and enjoy!
Notes
- You can use nuts of choice instead of sunflower seeds
- I made my own Nut-Free Granola (click for the recipe)
- Store them in the fridge or freeze them in a Ziplock bag for up to 3 months.
- Recipe makes 8 granola cups. Nutrition facts are for one cup.
Recipe inspired by Omgchocolatedesserts
Nutrition information is an estimate and has been calculated automatically
Simple and Delicious Vegan Cookbook by ElaVeganCLICK HERE to order!IF YOU ARE USING PINTEREST, FEEL FREE TO PIN THE FOLLOWING PHOTO:
These cupcakes are perfect! And also the granola recipe ?
Thank you, Bella! I am glad you loved both recipes. 🙂
Ela, I made these breakfast granola cups and they were not only to die for, they were to kill for as well. They are so good. I mixed in some cookie butter and had a hard tune trying not to eat each and every one. When is your cookbook coming out? You are a creative genius..
Aww, thanks so much, Molly! You are such a sweetheart. I appreciate your support, I would love to write a cookbook in the future (I just wish I had more time, haha).
My house is neither vegan, nor gluten free, but I still love your creative food posts! Do you think honey would work in place of the agave? I’d prefer to use pantry items I already have, if possible. Thanks again!
Sure, it should work. So glad you love my posts! 🙂
Make that NOT willing to share.
Hi Ela.
I am loving your recipes. I have one question: Although I have no problem creating my own or buying it bulk from a variety of health food stores, I’m curious as to why you won’t you share your granola recipe. So many have asked and the requests have clearly been ignored. Is there a reason you’re willing to share?
I just didn’t have the time to do it yet! Perfecting a recipe takes a lot of tweaks and time. I still have so many other recipes in the queue who needs to be shared first. 😉
Understood. Thank you for your reply. ??
Hi Ela,
You know I’ve messaged you several times and I absolutely love your recipes! They’re easy to make, not a lot of crazy ingredients and tasty too! I made these bfast granola cups and I absolutely love them for a healthier but amazingly. delicious sweet treat! I am so thankful infound you!!
Wow, thanks for your kind comment, I really appreciate it! And I am glad you loved this recipe! 🙂
I do and by the way I would like that recipe for granola when you get time? I buy vegan but I do like to make bulk myself and use as needed. Thanks in advance????????????
This looks amazing! I’m going to make this and the potato pancakes in my meal prep next week. This would be the perfect mid-afternoon snack!
Will you share the granola recipe as well?
Just made these and they are Deeelicious! I simply cannot believe how good they are……nutritious AND delicious are rarely seen holding hands….this recipe is clearly an exception! Thanks for creating and sharing such wonderful recipes! Keep ‘em comin’ please!
Aww, thanks for your kind feedback, Simone! I am so glad you love it. 🙂
Bring on the granola recipe please!!????
These look so amazing and seem like an awesome breakfast or snack for my kids! Do you think you could you make this with just an oat base without it being granotal?
You can try it, but I am afraid they might turn out rather soggy and not as crispy as with granola. 🙂
Ok, awesome. Thanks for responding! Going to make some *granola and fry them out. Love your recipes!!
Great! 🙂
Ela made these today but used cashew butter, they are delicious very moreish. Thank you for another great recipe and idea. Xx
Cashew butter sounds so good! So happy you loved the recipe, Caroline. 🙂
I would love your granola recipe as well! Thanks in advance! ????
These look fabulous – I can’t wait to try them! (And, I would definitely be interested in your granola recipe too. ????) Thank you for all of the awesome recipes you share!
Hi Ela.
This breakfast/dessert recipe is awesome. I will be making these this week. Do I need a silicone muffin pan to make these pop out easily?
Hi Grace! 🙂 No, you don’t need a silicone muffin pan, you can use a normal muffin pan, just make sure to grease it a little bit. 🙂
Would this work with date paste instead of syrup?
I think it should work. You might need to use a little bit more because date pasta is thicker and doesn’t sweeten as much as syrup! 🙂
Couldn’t think of a better recipe to eat for breakfast!
Thank you, Jess! 🙂
Yum! Thank so for sharing. Would love to make your granola!! ????
Can rice malt syrup be used instead agave/maple?
Yes, sure! That’s totally possible. 🙂
These granola cups are incredible! They’re easy to make and addicting. They also give you a boost of energy in the morning for breakfast. I almost ate them all.
I am so glad you loved them, Ann! Thanks for your feedback! 🙂
Hello!
I love your recipes, they’re so yummy and practical! Great ideas and really like the variety of them!! Do you think you could put the nutritional value also? (Calories, serving size) thanks!!
Yes, please make your granola again and post with measurements…….. please! Thank you so much! I love making your recipes!!!!!
I would LOOOOVE the granola recipe! Dying to make these. I love ALL your recipes, seriously. You’re my vegan life hack secret.
The recipe of the nut-free granola has been posted on my blog on May 2nd and also linked in the recipe above. Here is the link: https://elavegan.com/nut-free-granola/ 🙂
Hi! Love your recipes. Would you please write your recipe for granola?
Thank you ~
Cindi