Amish Butterscotch Granola is a sweet, buttery granola cereal. This classic Amish granola recipe is a favorite in many Amish communities. With the warm flavor of brown sugar and a touch of graham crackers, it's soft, slightly crisp, and full of comforting butterscotch flavor - perfect for enjoying with a bowl of milk.
If you prefer a healthier, naturally sweetened option, check out my Amish Oats and Honey Granola recipe - made without refined sugar but also delicious.
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Why You'll Love This Amish Butterscotch Granola
- Sweet, buttery flavor that's comforting and nostalgic - just like the stuff from Amish kitchens.
- Quick and easy to make, this homemade granola recipe comes together in minutes with simple pantry ingredients.
- Soft with a slight crisp, the classic texture of a soft granola cereal made with quick oats and a touch of graham crackers.
- Large-batch recipe, perfect for feeding a family or keeping plenty on hand for snacking, breakfast, or granola-topped desserts.
- Brown sugar and graham cracker flavor add that signature butterscotch taste that sets this granola apart.
Ingredients
- Quick-cooking oats give the granola its soft, slightly chewy texture. (Mix with rolled oats if you want a bit more bite.)
- Graham crackers are broken by hand for that signature butterscotch flavor. (Not too fine or too big to keep the classic Amish texture.)
- Coconut flakes add subtle crunch and richness. (Sweetened or unsweetened works - unsweetened keeps it lighter.)
- Pecans are added for flavor and crunch. (Swap with chopped walnuts, almonds, or cashews if you like.)
- Butter provides rich, buttery flavor. (Coconut oil works for a dairy-free twist, but it will alter the flavor.)
- Brown sugar adds warmth and depth. (Light or dark both work depending on your taste. Feel free to cut back on the amount for less sweetness.)
- Salt balances sweetness and enhances flavor.
- Baking soda helps the granola brown evenly and keeps it from being too dense, giving a slightly lighter texture.
- Mini butterscotch chips (optional, but traditional in Amish kitchens) - mini chips give even bursts of sweetness. (Mini chocolate or peanut butter chips, or even mini M&Ms can work. Feel free to adjust the amount or even leave them out.)
How to Make Amish Granola With Graham Crackers
- Mix the dry ingredients. In a large bowl, combine quick oats, coconut flakes, chopped pecans, and graham crackers. Break the grahams into small pieces by hand (big enough to notice, but not so large that they dominate a bite). Doing it by hand like this is the classic Amish way and gives the granola its nostalgic texture. Stir until everything is evenly distributed.
- Prepare the buttery mixture. In a saucepan, melt the butter over low heat. Stir in brown sugar, salt, and baking soda until fully combined and smooth.
- Combine oats and butter. Pour the warm buttery mixture over the oat mixture, stirring well to coat all the oats evenly.
- Bake the granola. Spread the mixture onto 2 large baking sheets or a large roaster. (It will toast more evenly if it's spread thinly on large baking sheets.) Bake at 300°F for 40 minutes, stirring every 10 minutes so it browns evenly.
- Add the butterscotch chips. Remove from the oven and sprinkle the butterscotch chips on top. Allow the granola to cool completely before stirring. Unless you want the chips melted all throughout the cereal.
- (*Mini butterscotch chips - often found in Amish & Mennonite bulk food stores - are typically used in Amish homes, but mini chocolate chips or peanut butter chips work too.)
- Store and enjoy. Once cooled, stir and transfer to an airtight container. This easy homemade granola recipe makes a big batch. It stays fresh for several weeks and is perfect for snacking.
- This recipe can easily be divided in half, or store some of it in an airtight container in the freezer to keep it fresh longer.
How to Enjoy Homemade Butterscotch Granola
This Amish Butterscotch Granola is buttery, slightly soft-but-crisp, and perfect for adding comforting, nostalgic flavor to your day. Here are a few ways we enjoyed it:
- As a classic cereal with milk: Growing up, I loved a bowl-full of butterscotch granola with milk. It's perfect for a quick breakfast or snack. (I love pouring this granola into a drinking glass and filling it with milk for a quick snack. Don't ask me why it's better in a cup than in a bowl. 🙂 )
- Sprinkled over warm oatmeal: My Amish dad ate it this way every morning. After enjoying a hearty Amish breakfast of eggs, hash browns, and sausage (or something similar), he finished off his breakfast with a bowl of hot cooked oatmeal sprinkled with homemade granola over the top. It adds sweetness, texture, and a touch of indulgence to a simple bowl of cooked oats.
- Topping for yogurt or desserts: Some people use this soft granola cereal in yogurt parfaits or sprinkle it over ice cream. I, however, much prefer my homemade Oats and Honey Granola for parfaits since it's crunchier and naturally sweetened.
How to Store Homemade Granola
Homemade butterscotch granola stores well and is great to have on hand for an easy breakfast or snack anytime.
- Store in an airtight container at room temperature for 3-4 weeks.
- For longer storage, keep it in the freezer for up to 3-4 months.
- Allow the granola to cool completely before storing so it stays fresh and doesn't become soft.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes! Rolled oats can work, but the granola will be less soft and chewy. Quick oats give it that classic Amish texture most people expect.
No, you don't have to - though I recommend the mini version. Mini chips distribute more evenly throughout the granola, giving little bursts of butterscotch flavor in each bite. Regular-sized chips can be too large, creating an overwhelming sweetness in one spot rather than a balanced, nostalgic flavor throughout. You can also swap for chocolate chips, peanut butter chips, mini M&Ms, or skip them entirely if you prefer.
Absolutely! This is a large-batch recipe inspired by Amish cooking (actually my mom made double this amount), but it scales down well if you don't need as much.
More Amish Recipes With Oats
Oats are a staple in many Amish kitchens, appearing in recipes from meatloaf, to granola, to baked goods. They add hearty, comforting flavor and nutritional value. Check out this post on why you should start your day with oats. 🙂 Then try more of my Amish recipes made with oats...
This Amish Butterscotch Granola is more than just a sweet, buttery treat - it's a delicious homemade cereal with oats that's been enjoyed in Amish kitchens for generations. Whether you enjoy it with milk, or nibble on it straight from the jar, it brings comforting, familiar flavors with every bite. Give this classic recipe a try, and taste a little piece of Amish tradition in your own home!
If you try this recipe for granola with grahams, I'd love if you left a comment and star rating below. Thank you!
And don't forget to check out my Oats and Honey Granola Recipe as well.
📖 Recipe Card
Easy Amish Butterscotch Granola Recipe
Ingredients
- 10 cups Quick-cooking oats
- 2 packages graham crackers (about 18 graham cracker sheets, broken into small pieces)
- 2 cups unsweetened shredded coconut
- 1 cup chopped pecans
- 2 cups butter, melted (1 lb.)
- ¾ cup brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 2 teaspoons baking soda
- 1 cup mini butterscotch bits
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 300°F and prepare two large baking sheets or a large roaster.
- In a large bowl, combine quick-cooking oats, coconut flakes, chopped pecans, and graham crackers. Break the graham crackers into small pieces by hand.10 cups Quick-cooking oats, 2 packages graham crackers, 2 cups unsweetened shredded coconut, 1 cup chopped pecans
- In a saucepan over low heat, melt the butter. Stir in brown sugar, salt, and baking soda until smooth and fully combined.2 cups butter, melted, ¾ cup brown sugar, 1 teaspoon salt, 2 teaspoons baking soda
- Pour the warm buttery mixture over the oat mixture, stirring well to coat all the oats evenly.
- Spread the mixture evenly onto two large, rimmed baking sheets. Bake at 300°F for 40 minutes, stirring every 10 minutes.
- Remove from the oven and sprinkle mini butterscotch chips on top. Allow the granola to cool completely before stirring (unless you want the butterscotch chips completely melted throughout the granola).1 cup mini butterscotch bits
- Once cooled, stir and transfer to an airtight container. This large-batch granola will stay fresh for several weeks. You can also divide the recipe in half or freeze some for longer storage.
- Enjoy as a bowl of cereal with milk. (Unless you like mushy cereal, wait to add the milk until you're ready to enjoy it.)
Anna
This butterscotch granola is so delicious with milk!