Savvy cafes choose Maple Nut Crunch! Elevate your cafe menu with these premium granola bowl recipes using award-winning granola. Discover gourmet ideas your customers will love.

What does it take to create a menu item that customers don’t just like, but actively rave about? It often comes down to one thing: exceptional quality. When you use an ingredient that has a story, a pedigree, and an award-winning taste, you’re not just serving food; you’re creating an experience.

I once spoke to a café owner in Melbourne who told me her breakfast sales shot up after she switched to a premium, locally made granola. Customers could taste the difference. They started asking what was in the granola bowl, and it became a real conversation starter. That’s the power of a standout ingredient. It can elevate a simple dish into something truly special.

If you’re looking to create that same "wow" factor on your menu, then this post is for you. We’re going to explore some premium granola bowl ideas using a truly exceptional product: Plum Foods’ Maple Nut Crunch. This isn’t just any granola; it's one of the few Australian food products to win a Gold Medal at the prestigious Great Taste Awards. Let's look at how you can use these award-winning granola recipes to set your café apart.

The Power of a Premium Ingredient

In a competitive market, every detail matters. Using a premium, award-winning granola like Maple Nut Crunch sends a clear message to your customers: you care about quality. It’s a talking point for your staff, a story for your social media, and a justification for a premium price point.

What makes Maple Nut Crunch so special?

• Award-Winning Taste: It’s internationally recognised for its flavour and texture.
• Wholesome Ingredients: It’s handmade in Australia with natural ingredients, including organic oats and Australian almonds.
• Vegan-Friendly: It’s made with plant-based ingredients, sweetened with maple and agave syrup, catering to a wide audience.
• Incredible Texture: It’s baked to create large, satisfyingly crunchy clusters that hold up perfectly in a bowl.

By building recipes around this star ingredient, you’re not just following healthy granola bowl trends; you’re setting a new standard.

Recipe 1: The "Gold Medal" Signature Bowl

This recipe is designed to be your café’s signature dish. It’s elegant, sophisticated, and perfectly showcases the premium quality of the Maple Nut Crunch. It’s the kind of bowl that gets photographed and talked about.

Granola Spotlight: Plum Foods Maple Nut Crunch
The hero of our recipes. Its distinct maple aroma and nutty, crunchy texture provide the perfect gourmet foundation. It's available in a 9kg bulk pack, making it a smart and efficient choice for busy kitchens.

Ingredients:

• Base: 200g of thick, high-quality Greek yoghurt or a premium coconut yoghurt for a vegan option.
• Granola: A generous handful (approx. 50g) of Plum Foods Maple Nut Crunch.
• Toppings:
• • Poached pear slices (see tip below).
  • A sprinkle of edible flowers (like violas or borage) for visual appeal.
  • A few fresh, high-quality raspberries.
  • A drizzle of the poaching syrup or a high-quality local honey.

How to Make It:

1. Prep the Pears: To create a truly premium experience, make a batch of poached pears. Gently simmer peeled and cored pears in water with a cinnamon stick, a star anise, and a touch of vanilla until tender. Let them cool and slice them. This can be done in advance.
2. Create the Base: Spoon your chosen yoghurt into a stylish, shallow bowl.
3. Add the Granola: Generously sprinkle the Maple Nut Crunch over the yoghurt. Make sure those beautiful clusters are visible.
4. Arrange with Care: Delicately fan the poached pear slices across one side of the bowl. Place a few raspberries strategically for a pop of colour.
5. Finishing Touches: Scatter a few edible flowers over the top. Finish with an elegant drizzle of the pear poaching liquid or honey.

Why it works: This is the ultimate premium offering. The soft, spiced pear contrasts beautifully with the crunchy, nutty granola. The edible flowers signal to the customer that this is a special, handcrafted dish, instantly elevating its perceived value.

Recipe 2: The "Gourmet PB&J" Bowl

This recipe takes a nostalgic favourite—peanut butter and jelly—and gives it a sophisticated, gourmet makeover. It’s a playful yet refined bowl that taps into comforting flavours while still feeling upscale.

Ingredients:

• Base: 200g of natural, unsweetened yoghurt.
• Granola: A generous handful (approx. 50g) of Plum Foods Maple Nut Crunch.
• Toppings:
• • One tablespoon of high-quality, natural peanut butter (slightly warmed to make it drizzlable).
  • One tablespoon of house-made raspberry chia jam (see tip below).
  • A few slices of fresh banana.
  • Crushed peanuts for extra texture.

How to Make It:

1. Make the Jam: Create a quick and healthy raspberry chia jam by simmering 1 cup of frozen raspberries with 1 tablespoon of maple syrup. Once soft, mash with a fork and stir in 2 tablespoons of chia seeds. Let it cool and thicken. It’s a simple step that screams "house-made quality."
2. Start with the Base: Spoon the yoghurt into your serving bowl.
3. Add the Granola: Sprinkle the Maple Nut Crunch over the top, creating a crunchy layer.
4. The "PB&J" Effect: Artfully add dollops of the chia jam and drizzle the warmed peanut butter across the bowl.
5. Finish the Dish: Arrange the fresh banana slices and finish with a sprinkle of crushed peanuts for that extra crunch.

Why it works: This is one of the most creative premium granola bowl ideas. It balances salty, sweet, and tart flavours perfectly. The Maple Nut Crunch, with its almond and oat clusters, adds a sophisticated texture that elevates it far beyond a simple kids' snack.

Recipe 3: The "Local Harvest" Bowl

This recipe is all about celebrating seasonality and your connection to local producers. It’s a flexible concept that can be adapted throughout the year, keeping your menu fresh and exciting while showcasing the best of Australian produce.

Ingredients (Example for Autumn):

• Base: 200g of creamy Greek yoghurt.
• Granola: A generous handful (approx. 50g) of Plum Foods Maple Nut Crunch.
• Toppings:
• • Roasted figs, halved.
  • A dollop of fresh ricotta cheese.
  • A sprinkle of toasted pecans (to complement the almonds in the granola).
  • A generous drizzle of local honey from a supplier you can name on the menu.

How to Make It:

1. Prep the Fruit: Roasting the figs for a few minutes deepens their flavour and makes them incredibly tender.
2. Assemble the Base: Spoon the Greek yoghurt into a bowl.
3. Add the Crunch: Cover the yoghurt with the Maple Nut Crunch.
4. Showcase the Season: Arrange the warm, roasted figs on top. Add a spoonful of fresh ricotta, then sprinkle with toasted pecans.
5. Tell a Story: Finish with a generous drizzle of your featured local honey. Mention the supplier on your menu (e.g., "drizzled with Honey from the Blue Mountains").

Why it works: This recipe positions your café as one that values quality and community. It taps into healthy granola bowl trends that focus on fresh, seasonal eating. By changing the fruit with the seasons (mango in summer, citrus in winter), you give regulars a reason to keep coming back to see what’s new.

Elevate Your Menu with Award-Winning Quality

Incorporating award-winning granola recipes into your menu is a powerful statement. It tells your customers that you don’t cut corners and that you are committed to offering them the very best. Plum Foods' Maple Nut Crunch provides the perfect foundation to build these premium dishes.

It’s more than just granola; it’s a story, a mark of quality, and a simple way to turn a humble breakfast bowl into a signature experience your customers will remember and recommend

Our award-winning maple nut crunch is available as a 9kg catering pack, or if you aren't ready to commit, why not try a 1kg bag and see for yourself?