Cinnamon Granola

Key Ingredients and Substitutions

This is very basic and easy granola recipe uses a handful of ingredients. And the best thing about making your granola is that is completely customizable so go a little crazy with nuts, seeds, and dried fruits.

In the printable recipe below, you can find a complete list of ingredients and measurements.

• Old Fashioned Rolled Oats: For the perfect granola only use old fashioned rolled oats. They have a heartier, chewier texture that holds up to baking and also have a tendency to clump together which means you will get those coveted granola clusters.
• Sweetener: Any “liquid” sweetener like honey, agave nectar, or maple syrup can be used for granola. We like using a 50-50 ratio of honey and agave nectar.
• Cinnamon: For a warm spice note in the granola cinnamon is the perfect choice. It also compliments the sweetness of the honey or maple syrup.
• Almonds: The choice between almonds and pecans in granola depends on personal preference and dietary considerations. We prefer the flavor that the toasted almonds give the granola but you can substitute any combination of nuts or seeds.

How to Make Cinnamon Granola

Here are the quick step-by-step instructions with visuals; you can find the full instructions with the exact ingredients in the recipe card below.
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Pro-tip: Granola will crisp up as it cools, so let it cool completely on the baking sheet before transferring it to an airtight container.

1. Combine Ingredients: Preheat the oven to 300℉ and line a baking or cookie sheet with parchment paper. In a large bowl, whisk together the oil, honey, cinnamon, and salt then add the old fashioned oats and almonds. Stir everything well to get the oats fully coated in the oil, and honey mixture.

2. Transfer to Baking Sheet: Spread the oats in an even layer onto the parchment lined baking sheet and then press the oats into a flat, even layer using a rubber spatula.

3. Bake: Bake for 10 minutes then give the granola a stir and spreading it back into an even layer. Bake for another 10 minutes. The granola is done when it is golden brown and the almonds are toasted. Remove the granola from the oven and sprinkle in the dried fruit if desired.

4. Cool: The mixture will still slightly wet when it comes out of the oven but will dry and harden as it cools. To create clumps of granola, press and tamp it down before it cools completely to help it stick together. Cool granola complete before storing in an airtight container.

What to Serve with Granola

Granola does not last very long in our house and we can eat it morning noon, and night. It is delicious with yogurt and berries, as an alternative for cereal with milk, or as a topping for a smoothie bowl or ice cream. Add other ingredients like dried fruit, chocolate chips, and seeds for a great snack.

Storage

Store your granola in an airtight container to keep it fresh. It can last for several weeks when stored properly.

Recipe Tips and Notes

• Make sure that all dry ingredients are evenly coated with the wet mixture (sweeteners and oils). This helps in forming clusters and flavor distribution.
• Customize your granola with your favorite ingredients. Add spices, extracts, or even a touch of cocoa powder for unique flavors.
• To create clusters, press the mixture down with a spatula or the back of a spoon before baking. After its out of the oven don’t stir it until it’s cooled.
• Keep it simple or include a mix of textures by adding a variety of nuts and seeds like almonds, pecans, sunflower seeds, or pumpkin seeds. Add dried fruits like raisins, cranberries, or apricots for chewiness.

Frequently Asked Questions