The French winger was moved into a more central role with striker Mario Mandzukic rested for Wednesday's Champions League quarter-final second leg against Real Madrid.
And Griezmann proved his versatility with just five minutes played, slamming an overhead kick past Deportivo goalkeeper Fabricio from 12 yards out.
That was never likely to be the end of the scoring for Griezmann, who tortured the Deportivo defence throughout with his outstanding pace, and so it proved.
Griezmann's second, a much simpler but equally effective finish on the half-volley, felt like a game killer even if there was still 70 minutes left to play.
From that point on, Atletico allowed Deportivo control of the ball but not of the game, as the visitors posed the only real threat with occasional breakaway attacks.
Oriol Riera did set up a grandstand finish with a powerful header at the near post in Deportivo's only really presentable opening, but they could not find the leveller they so craved.
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