Description
Bake crunchy granola clusters with honey and seeds in 35 minutes. Perfect snackable chunks with oats, nuts, and natural sweetness.
Ingredients
- 3 cups old-fashioned rolled oats
- ⅜ cup sliced almonds
- ½ cup pumpkin seeds (pepitas)
- ½ cup sunflower seeds
- ⅜ cup unsweetened coconut flakes
- 2 tablespoons chia seeds
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ½ teaspoon sea salt
- ½ cup honey
- ¼ cup coconut oil
- 2 tablespoons brown sugar
- 1½ teaspoons vanilla extract
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 325°F and line a large rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Combine oats, sliced almonds, pumpkin seeds, sunflower seeds, coconut flakes, chia seeds, cinnamon, and sea salt in a large mixing bowl and stir thoroughly.
- Add honey, coconut oil, brown sugar, and vanilla extract to a small saucepan and heat over low heat, stirring continuously until melted and completely smooth.
- Pour the warm honey mixture over the dry ingredients and stir with a large spoon until everything is evenly coated and no dry spots remain.
- Transfer the granola mixture to the prepared baking sheet and spread into an even layer, then press down firmly with the back of a spatula to compact it.
- Bake for 25 to 30 minutes without stirring, until the granola is golden brown around the edges.
- Remove from oven and let cool completely on the baking sheet for at least 1 hour without touching or stirring, as this is when clusters form.
- Once fully cooled, break the granola into large clusters with your hands or a spatula.
- Store clusters in an airtight container at room temperature and consume within 2 weeks.
Notes
- Replace coconut oil with melted butter or vegetable oil for different flavors.
- Use maple syrup instead of honey for a deeper caramel sweetness.
- Swap almonds for chopped walnuts, pecans, or cashews based on preference.
- Add 2 tablespoons of ground flax seeds for extra fiber and omega-3s.
- Mix in ½ cup of dried cranberries or raisins after baking for chewy fruit additions.
- Use quick oats instead of old-fashioned oats for a finer texture.
- Press the granola mixture down very firmly on the baking sheet to ensure large clusters form.
- Do not stir or disturb the granola while baking to prevent cluster formation.
- Let granola cool completely before breaking into clusters; it continues to crisp as it cools.
- Store in an airtight container to maintain crispness.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Snack
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American