Crispy, homemade cinnamon granola is beyond scrumptious and super easy to make! This simple, healthy recipe features nuts and whole grain oats coated in a mixture of coconut oil, cinnamon, vanilla extract and salt. It's a sweet, salty medley that can't be beat.
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You'll never believe how easy it is to make your own granola! It's better than the stuff from the store and tastes super fresh. Plus, you can save money by making it at home.
Not only that, it will seriously make your home smell like a cozy dream while it bakes away in the oven.
I love using my homemade granola on these Greek Yogurt Banana Bowls. It's also really delicious sprinkled on top of Strawberry Banana Chocolate Protein Smoothies or Pumpkin Chia Pudding!
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Why You'll Love This Recipe
It makes a lot! Easily bake a large batch of granola to eat off of for weeks. If you go through it super fast, you can whip up another batch in less than 30 minutes.
Control over ingredients: Unlike store-bought granola, you have total control over the ingredients in this healthy granola recipe.
Versatile: Use it in so many different ways!
Fresh: This granola hasn't been sitting on the shelves for months (or even years). It's crispy and fresh.
Smells amazing: I'm not kidding when I say this granola will make your home smell SO good. The aroma is incredible.
Ingredients & Substitutions
This recipe requires only a handful of simple ingredients, and I'm willing to bet you've already got quite a few of them in your pantry!
- Coconut oil: or oil of choice. Note that your selection may alter flavor slightly.
- Vanilla extract: pure will offer the best taste and aroma, though imitation will work.
- Spices: salt and ground cinnamon!
- Whole grain rolled oats: this affordable ingredient makes up the bulk of our granola recipe. Quick oats can be substituted, they aren't as hearty and might cook a bit faster, so keep an eye on that. I definitely prefer the taste of a a more hearty, whole grain option.
- Nuts: I use untoasted (raw) almonds and pecans. If you want to use nuts that are already toasted, stir them in after baking. They're already cooked, so putting them in the over again will likely result in burning.
- Pure maple syrup: or sweetener of choice. Honey and agave nectar are good substitutes.
- Optional: add a tablespoon of brown sugar if you'd like a bit of extra sweet flavor.
How To Make Cinnamon Granola
Keep scrolling for the full recipe card and measurements. We’ll start here with a quick overview!
Melt coconut oil:
- Preheat your oven to 325°F!
- Melt coconut oil in the microwave and allow it to cool slightly. Add vanilla extract, salt and cinnamon to melted oil and whisk until well combined.
Mix dry ingredients:
- Measure whole grain, old-fashioned oats and raw nuts into a large bowl and mix them together.
Combine dry & wet ingredients:
- Drizzle your coconut oil mixture and maple syrup over oats. Stir VERY well, until all dry ingredients are coated.
- If you want a bit of extra sweetness, stir in a tablespoon of brown sugar!
Bake granola mixture:
- Line a 13 x 17 inch baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Press granola into an even layer on the lined sheet pan and then bake for 20-25 minutes, until golden brown!
Rest and crumble:
- Remove granola from the oven and allow it to rest for 30-60 minutes. It will crisp up even more as it cools, because moisture is still evaporating during the cooling processing.
- Crumble granola into pieces and enjoy!
Expert Tips
Let it rest: I know it's hard to wait, but it's important to let granola rest before digging in. During the cooling process, extra moisture is evaporating from the oats making them crispier and more delicious!
Don't store warm: definitely wait until granola is fully cooled before putting it in a storage container.
Variations
Dried fruit: once granola is baked and cooled, add a dried fruit like raisins, dried cranberries, chopped dates, dried blueberries, banana chips or apple chips!
Seeds: sprinkle in some chia, sunflower seeds or pumpkin seeds
Chocolate: mini chocolate chips or chunks are another fabulous addition.
A note about nuts: nuts are the most expensive part of this recipe, so feel free to use whatever you've already got on hand (walnuts, cashews, peanuts, etc.)! If your nuts are already roasted/toasted, stir them in once granola is baked and cooled. When using raw nuts, you can bake them with oats.
What To Eat With Granola
- Enjoy your granola like cereal with fruit/berries and milk (dairy or nondairy).
- Eat it with a bowl of Greek yogurt. I also like to add a swirl of peanut butter!
- Sprinkle a handful of granola on top of a smoothie or smoothie bowl.
- Layer it a tasty yogurt parfait.
- Add it to a bowl of ice cream!
How To Store Granola
Store your granola in an airtight container or mason jar. Place it in a cool, dry place such as a cupboard or pantry! It should last for a few weeks at room temperature, if it develops any odd smell or becomes stale, throw it away.
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Easy Cinnamon Granola Recipe
Equipment
- 1 Large baking sheet *I use a 13 x 17 inch sheet
- 1 Small Mixing Bowl
- 1 Large Mixing Bowl
- Parchment paper
Ingredients
- ⅓ cup coconut oil
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract *imitation will work
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
- 4 cups whole grain oats
- ⅔ cup raw almonds *see note below
- ⅔ cup raw pecans
- ⅓ cup pure maple syrup *see note below
Other Optional Mix-Ins
- Chocolate chips, raisins, dried cranberries, banana chips, apple chips, dates, etc. *see note below
Recipe notes:
Raw nuts: nuts are the most expensive part of this recipe. You can use what you've got on hand (any variety you like)! But, pre-toasted options should be mixed into granola after it's been baked and cooled. Raw nuts of all types can be roasted in the oven with the other ingredients. Maple syrup: sub honey or agave nectar if desired. Sometimes I also like to mix in a tablespoon of brown sugar in addition to my sweetener of choice (optional but very tasty)! Optional mix-ins: if you're adding optional mix-ins, stir them in once granola has been baked, cooled and crumbled!Instructions
- Preheat oven to 325°F.
- Add coconut oil to a small mixing bowl and melt in the microwave.⅓ cup coconut oil
- Add vanilla extract, salt and cinnamon to the melted oil and whisk until well combined. Place mixture aside.1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract, ½ teaspoon salt, 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
- Measure whole grain oats and nuts to a separate, large mixing bowl. Mix until well incorporated.4 cups whole grain oats, ⅔ cup raw almonds, ⅔ cup raw pecans
- Drizzle coconut oil mixture and maple syrup over the oats and nuts. Mix VERY well and make sure that dry ingredients are coated. (*Note: sometimes I'll mix in a tablespoon of brown sugar along with my maple syrup if I want some extra sweetness).⅓ cup pure maple syrup
- Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper. Transfer oat mixture to the sheet and press down into a flat, even layer.
- Bake for 20-25 minutes, until golden. Remove granola from oven and allow it to cool for about an hour. As the granola cools, it will continue to get crispier so avoid diving in right away if you can!
- Break granola into pieces and store in an airtight container for 2-3 weeks. I recommend storing in a cool, dry place such as your pantry!
Nutrition
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