Mix up breakfast with these fun Muffin Tin Granola Cups for Kids! Simply press this homemade granola into a muffin pan, bake until golden and crispy, then fill with creamy yogurt and your favourite fresh fruit. A fun, nourishing breakfast the whole family will love.
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Sometimes breakfast can be a huge struggle getting a toddler to come the table, at least it is in my house. But when I offer something novel, like building your own parfait in these fun granola cups, it's a total game changer!
For other fun build-your-own breakfast ideas, check out these Smoothie Bowls.
Table of Contents
Why You'll Love These Muffin Tin Granola Cups
- Fun and interactive - kids love having some choice and building their own parfait cup with their favourite toppings! This is a great way to support curiosity towards foods.
- No added sugar - the granola base is naturally sweetened with dates, no added sugar needed!
- Wholesome and nourishing - packed with oats, hemp hearts and flax for a breakfast that will keep kids fuelled.
- Easy to make ahead - bake a batch of granola cups at the start of the week and you have breakfast ready to go in the morning.
- Totally customizable - top with whatever fruit your child loves, which is helpful for varying family member's preferences.
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Looking for more breakfast ideas? I have a full round up of over 21 Easy & Healthy Breakfast Recipes for Toddlers featuring my popular Blueberry Chia Baked Oatmeal and these Easy Strawberry & Banana Breakfast Bars.
Ingredients for Kid-Friendly Granola Cups
Here is what you'll need to make these granola cups, and swaps are provided below.
- Almond butter - helps with binding and provides a subtler flavour than peanut butter
- Banana - provides some natural sweetness and softens the granola slightly making it the perfect toddler consistency
- Medjool dates - provide the binding and sweetening for these granola cups without needing added sugar
- Coconut oil - really helps bring these granola cups together!
- Vanilla - provides a subtle sweet flavour
- Oats - the base of these granola cups, oats are a great source of fibre and complex carbohydrates to keep little ones full and energized!
- Hemp hearts - hemp hearts are packed with plant-based protein, iron, and healthy omega-3 fats to support growing brains.
- Ground flax - another great source of fibre and omega-3 fats
- Cinnamon - adds that warm cozy flavour
See recipe card for quantities.
Here's How To Make Granola Cups
1. Add the dates, coconut oil, almond butter, and vanilla to a food processor.
2. Blend until smooth and creamy.
3. In a large bowl combine the oats, hemp hearts, ground flaxseed and cinnamon. Pour the date and almond butter purée over the dry ingredients.
4. Stir well until everything is coated and you have a sticky mixture.
5. Scoop the mixture evenly into the lined muffin tin.
6. Press down firmly in the centre of each cup using the back of a spoon or your fingers to form a cup shape. Bake in oven at 350 degrees F for 18-22 minutes, until golden brown around edges. Allow to cool for at least 15-20 minutes before removing.
Hint: It is very important that the muffin tin is lined with liners or extremely well-greased with a non-stick spray. If the granola sticks, it will fall apart when you try to take them out. I find parchment liners or silicone liners work best.
Substitutions
- Almond butter - any nut or seed butter works well here. Try peanut butter, cashew butter or sunflower seed butter for a nut-free option.
- Dates - you can swap for ¼ cup maple syrup, this is a slightly sweeter option.
- Coconut oil - melted butter works as an equal swap.
- Oats - make sure to use rolled oats, not quick oats. Quick oats will make the cups too soft and they won't hold their shape.
Variations
This is the base recipe, and then feel free to get creative with the toppings!
- Berry blast - Top with mixed berries
- Tropical - Sprinkle some unsweetened shredded coconut on top paired with some mango or pineapple
- Banana split - Add bananas and a drizzle of peanut butter
Equipment
- Food processor
- Muffin tin
Storage
Store these cups (unfilled) in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 5 days. They do soften slightly in the fridge, so you can toast them back up in the oven at 350 degrees F before serving.
Toddler Tip
Let them build their own! Set out a selection of fruit toppings and let your toddler fill and top their own granola cup. This is a great way to encourage food exploration and autonomy at mealtimes, and kids are much more likely to try something they helped make!
FAQ
Yes! These granola cups are great for meal prep. Bake a batch at the start of the week and store unfilled at room temperature for up to 5 days. Simply fill with yogurt and fruit just before serving to keep them crispy.
There are two common culprits! First, make sure your muffin tin is well lined or greased, this is essential for getting the cups out intact. Second, make sure you allow them to cool fully in the tin for at least 15-20 minutes before removing. They may feel fragile when warm but will firm up significantly as they cool.
Absolutely! Simply swap the almond butter for sunflower seed butter for an equally delicious nut-free version that is safe for daycare and school.
Recipe
Muffin Tin Granola Cups For Kids
Equipment
- 1 Food processor
- 1 Muffin tin
Ingredients
- 6 dates pitted
- 1 banana small-medium
- ⅓ cup almond butter
- ¼ cup coconut oil melted
- 1 teaspoon vanilla
- 2 cups rolled oats not quick oats
- 2 tablespoon hemp hearts
- 2 tbsp ground flax
- ½ teaspoon cinnamon
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350°F. Line a muffin tin with liners or grease well with coconut oil. This step is essential - the granola cups will fall apart if the tin is not lined or greased!
- Add the dates, banana, coconut oil, almond butter, and vanilla to a food processor and blend until smooth and creamy. *If your dates are quite dry, soak them in some water first for about 5-10 minutes.
- In a large bowl combine the oats, hemp hearts, ground flaxseed and cinnamon.
- Pour the date and almond butter purée over the dry ingredients and stir well until everything is coated and you have a sticky mixture.
- Scoop the mixture evenly into the lined muffin tin. Press down firmly in the centre of each cup using the back of a spoon or your fingers to form a cup shape.
- Bake for 18-22 minutes until golden brown around the edges.
- Allow to cool in the tin for at least 15-20 minutes before removing, this is important for the cups to hold their shape.
- Fill with yogurt and your favourite fresh fruit and serve!
Nutrition
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