9 Ways to Use Granola

For a little bite of sweet crunch, just add granola.

There are a zillion ways to make granola and almost as many ways to use it. Here are a few fun ideas to take the crunchy cereal out of the bowl.

1. Breakfast baked goods: Toss a handful of granola into your muffin or pancake batter to add texture and crunch, or make your own granola bars.

2. Salads: Use this chef trick and sprinkle salty-sweet granola over salads. The crispy garnish is better with naturally sweet veggies, like snap peas or roasted carrots.

3. Gratins: Instead of breadcrumbs, top a root vegetable gratin with granola after baking.

4. Fruit crisps: In a food processor, pulse granola with softened butter, flour, and sugar for a different kind of streusel topping.

5. Puddings: Bring the yogurt parfait into the 21st century and sprinkle granola over your chia seed pudding.

6. Cookies: Turn your coffee companion into a hiking snack by adding granola to biscotti or other cookie dough.

7. Pie crust: Riff on the Rice Krispie Treat for a granola and marshmallow pie crust, or skip the marshmallows and simply combine with butter and oil.

8. Trail mix: Toss granola with chocolate chips and more nuts and dried fruit for a quick energy-boosting snack.

9. Cupcakes: Sprinkle it on top of the frosting for a little crunch.