Create perfectly crunchy, golden granola clusters for breakfast bowls and snacks. This recipe focuses on simple ingredients and clear baking steps to achieve large, satisfying clumps.
Author:purejoyalex
Prep Time:10 min
Cook Time:30 min
Total Time:40 min
Yield:About 6 cups1x
Category:Breakfast
Method:Baking
Cuisine:American
Diet:Vegetarian
Ingredients
Scale
4 cups rolled oats
1 cup chopped nuts (almonds, walnuts, or pecans)
1/2 cup unsweetened shredded coconut
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup honey or maple syrup
1/4 cup neutral oil (like canola or melted coconut oil)
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions
Preheat your oven to 300°F (150°C). Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper.
In a large bowl, combine the rolled oats, chopped nuts, shredded coconut, cinnamon, and salt. Stir well.
In a separate small bowl, whisk together the honey (or maple syrup), oil, and vanilla extract.
Pour the wet ingredients over the dry ingredients. Stir until everything is evenly coated.
Spread the mixture in a single layer on the prepared baking sheet. Press down firmly with a spatula to create a packed layer. This helps form clusters.
Bake for 25-30 minutes, or until the edges are golden brown and the granola feels dry. Avoid stirring during baking to maintain cluster integrity.
Let the granola cool completely on the baking sheet without disturbing it. This is crucial for forming hard clusters.
Once fully cooled, break the granola into desired cluster sizes.
Store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 weeks.
Notes
For extra crunch, you can bake for an additional 5 minutes, watching carefully to prevent burning.
Experiment with different nuts, seeds, and dried fruits.
Add a pinch of cardamom or nutmeg for a different flavor profile.
This granola is excellent as a topping for yogurt or smoothie bowls, or as a standalone healthy snack.