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These adorable edible bird nests are made with crunchy granola and filled with candy eggs! It's the perfect snack or dessert to serve for Easter!
I'm hosting Easter brunch for the first time at my house this year and I'm so excited! I'm making spanakopita, scalloped potatoes florentine, roasted maple balsamic brussels sprouts, and wild rice salad. For dessert, I'm picking up a pie from a local vegan bakery and I'm making these festive granola bird nests! This adorable treat is perfect for Easter brunch because they're bite-sized, delicious, and they represent new life which is the ultimate meaning of the season.
Not to mention, the nests look so lovely arranged on a platter! You can use any candy you like for the "eggs." Jelly beans, chocolate chips, small candies, or giggles/skittles are all good options. This easy to make recipe is based on my crunchy vegan granola bar recipe that everyone loves and devours!
How To Make Granola Bird Nests
In a large bowl, stir to coat the oats with coconut oil and then transfer them to a large parchment-lined tray. bake until toasty. While the oats are toasting, combine the maple syrup and coconut sugar in a small pan over medium heat until the sugar has dissolved. Then stir in the cinnamon and vanilla extract.
Remove the oats from the oven and pour them back into the mixing bowl. Add the nuts, coconut flakes, and seeds. Stir in the syrup mixture until everything is evenly coated. Scoop the oats out of the bowl and back on to the tray.
Spread the oats out evenly, and lay a piece of parchment paper on top and press down firmly with your palm. Pressing down will help the oats stick together better and form the bars. Bake until the granola is lightly browned.
Take the oats out of the oven and let them cool for a few minutes so you can touch them. Use a 2-inch biscuit cutter to cut out 15 circles. Then use a ½ teaspoon to make a small indention in the center of each circle to make it look like a nest. Let the granola cool completely before topping with candy eggs.
Serving Suggestions
I used M&M's for "eggs" because I liked the pretty pastel colors that they made for Easter, but you can use any small candy! Jelly beans, skittles, giggles, Unreal chocolate candies, or any candy eggs you find at the store can be used. You could also pipe little multicolored eggs with icing if you're feeling creative.
How to Store It
Store the nests in an airtight container on the counter, not the fridge, and they will stay fresh and crispy for up to 4-5 days.
Substitutions & FAQ
- Maple Syrup Substitutions: You can substitute date syrup, coconut nectar, or agave.
- Coconut Sugar Substitutions: Date sugar or can sugar can be used interchangeably.
- Nut & Seed Options: You can use any combination of nuts and seeds you like. I've made this recipe with cashews, brazil nuts, pistachios, hemp seeds, and chia seeds.
- Can I use quick oats? I have not tested this recipe with any other type of oats besides old fashioned/rolled oats.
- What can I do with the rest of the granola? After you remove the cooled nests from the tray, you're left with a large rectangle filled with empty circles. I like to break up the leftovers into small chunks and serve it with almond milk like you would eat cereal for breakfast.
- How long will the nests stay crunchy? If the nests are stored properly in an airtight container on the counter, they usually stay crunchy for 3-4 days before they start to soften a little bit.
Success Tips
- Check the granola a few minutes before the timer goes off to make sure it's not getting too browned. If it is getting a little dark on one side, you can rotate the tray or take it out of the oven.
- When the granola comes out of the oven, it's important that you let it cool for a few minutes until you can touch it without burning yourself, but don't let it cool completely or you won't be able to cut the circles out because it will harden.
- Press lightly to make the small indentation to hold the eggs. If you press too hard, you might split the nest in half.
- Store the granola bird nests in an airtight container on the counter for 4-5 days.
Want More Vegan Holiday Recipes?
Delicious Thanksgiving Recipes
Spring-Inspired Easter Recipes
Granola Bird Nests
Equipment
- Large Mixing Bowl
- Large Baking Tray
- 2-inch Biscuit Cutter
- ½ Tsp Measuring Spoon
Ingredients
- 3 ½ cups old fashioned oats
- ¼ cup virgin coconut oil
- ¼ cup coconut sugar
- ½ cup maple syrup
- 1 tbsp vanilla extract
- 1 ½ tsp ceylon cinnamon
- ½ tsp salt
- 1 cup almonds
- ½ cup pumpkin seeds
- ½ cup sunflower seeds
- ¼ cup shredded coconut
- 30-45 M&M’s®
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 375°.
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the oats and coconut oil. Stir until the oats are lightly coated in the oil. Spread the oats out on a parchment-lined baking tray and then bake for 20 minutes.
- While the oats are toasting, combine the maple syrup and coconut sugar in a small pan over medium heat until the sugar has dissolved. It should take about 5 minutes. Then stir in the cinnamon and vanilla extract.
- Remove the oats from the oven and pour them back into the mixing bowl. Reduce the oven heat to 300 degrees.
- Add the almonds, shredded coconut, pumpkin seeds, and sunflower seeds to the bowl with the oats. Pour the syrup mixture over the oats and stir to combine everything. Scoop the mixture out of the bowl and back on to the baking tray.
- Spread it out evenly and place a piece of parchment paper on top. Press down firmly with your hand and repeat this step all over the tray. Doing this will help the oats stick together better and form a solid bar.
- Bake for 35 minutes and then remove the tray from the oven. Let the granola cool for 3-4 minutes or until you can touch them without burning yourself.
- While the granola is still warm (but not hot), use a 2-inch biscuit cutter to cut out 15 circles. Then use a ½ tsp to press a small circle into the center of each nest. Let the granola cool completely, it should take about 1 hour.
- Add 2-3 candy eggs to each nest before serving.
Notes
- Check the granola a few minutes before the timer goes off to make sure it's not getting too browned. If it is getting a little dark on one side, you can rotate the tray or take it out of the oven.
- When the granola comes out of the oven, it's important that you let it cool for a few minutes until you can touch it without burning yourself, but don't let it cool completely or you won't be able to cut the circles out because it will harden.
- Press lightly to make the small indentation to hold the eggs. If you press too hard, you might split the nest in half.
- Store the granola bird nests in an airtight container on the counter for 4-5 days.
