Why we love this homemade granola recipe

Quick and super easy to make with simple nutrient-dense ingredients.

Packed with healthy oats, nuts, and dried fruit.

Oats are are a good source of fiber and high in so many vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants.

Vegan (if using vegan butter substitute) and gluten free (if using certified GF oats) recipe.

Deliciously sweet clusters with a satisfying crunch.

Customizable and flexible recipe that you can fill with your favorite mix-ins.

Perfect for make-ahead breakfasts and after-school snacks.

If you love making things from scratch, but are super easy, you will love our homemade ice cream rolls and copycat cosmic brownies.

Ingredients

Rolled oats: Instant oats won’t work for this recipe, so make sure to use rolled oats. This is also known as old fashioned oats.

Whole almonds: You can use salted or unsalted almonds.

Whole pecans: If you don’t have any pecans, walnuts are a great substitute. You can also use more almonds or pistachios.

Dried cranberries: Feel free to replace this with raisins.

Dark brown sugar: Light brown sugar can easily be used instead. You could also use granulated white sugar.

Salted butter: Feel free to use unsalted butter or coconut oil. If you use either of these options, add an extra pinch of salt for that kick of extra flavor.

Agave nectar: Substitute this with either honey or maple syrup.

Orange juice: You can use fresh or from concentrate orange juice.

Ground ginger

Allspice

Orange zest (optional garnish)

Substitutions & Additions

Swap The Sweetener: Pure maple syrup, honey, coconut sugar, or molasses can replace the sweeteners in this recipe.

Seeds: Add some pumpkin seeds, sunflower seeds, chia seeds, or flax seeds for a boost of nutrition and texture.

Add-Ins: Raisins, dried blueberries, dried cherries, shredded coconut.

Nuts: You can replace the almonds with pistachios, walnuts, cashews, or more pecans. If you choose to add pistachios, mix them in with the almonds and pecans. I would decrease the almonds and pecans by ¼ cup each, then add ½ cup of pistachios. To replace the almonds or pecans with cashews, or decrease both by ½ cup and add 1 cup of cashews.

Chocolate Chips: Feel free to add about ¾ cup of chocolate chips to the granola after it has been baked and cooled. You can use dark chocolate morsels for a healthier option, or add milk chocolate, white chocolate chips, or even peanut butter chips. TIP: Be sure to add this after the granola has baked otherwise the chocolate will melt.

Cinnamon and salt – add a touch of cinnamon and a sprinkle of salt to enhance the rich warm sweet and salty flavors.

How to make homemade granola

This homemade granola recipe is so quick and easy to make at home using wholesome ingredients that are deliciously flavored. A spiced butter mixture binds the simple combination of oats, nuts, and dried fruit together and bakes into delicious sweet cinnamon clusters. You are going to love this granola!

Mix together the rolled oats, almonds, pecans, and dried cranberries in a large bowl and set aside.

Heat the dark brown sugar, butter, agave nectar, orange juice, ground ginger, and allspice in a skillet over medium high heat.

Once the butter has melted, whisk everything together until completely combined and remove from heat.

Pour the butter mixture into the bowl with the granola mixture and toss together until the dry ingredients are well coated.
Pro-Tip: Mix the orange zest into the melted butter mixture before you add it to the rest of the ingredients. You can also sprinkle the zest on top of the granola, right out of the oven for a more intense flavor.

Spread the granola on a 18×13 sheet pan.
Pro-Tip: Be sure to line the pan with parchment paper so the sweetener sticks to your oats rather than the pan.

Bake at 320 degrees Fahrenheit for 20 minutes or until the top turns golden brown.
TIP: All ovens cook differently. Cooking time will be between 15 minutes and 25 minutes. Watch for the top to start browning)

Let cool to room temperature before serving. Enjoy!
Pro Tip: For chunkier granola, make sure not to stir the granola until it is completely cooled.

Storage Tips

To Store: You can store this granola at room temperature in an airtight plastic bag for around 2 weeks.

To Freeze: You can freeze your granola in a freezer-safe container for up to 6 months. Let the granola thaw on the counter at room temperature overnight before serving.