granola recipe
If you’ve ever wondered how to create those irresistible clusters in homemade granola, the secret lies in choosing the right “binding” ingredients. Granola clusters form when the dry ingredients stick together during baking, creating those satisfying clumps we all love to snack on. The key to success is a combination of moisture, fat, and sugar, which help bind the oats, nuts, and seeds.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Total Time: 35 minutes
- Yield: About 4 cups of granola clusters
- Category: Breakfast, Snack
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
- 3 cups old-fashioned rolled oats
- 1 cup nuts (almonds, pecans, or walnuts, roughly chopped)
- 1/2 cup seeds (e.g., sunflower seeds, pumpkin seeds, or chia seeds)
- 1/2 cup shredded coconut (optional)
- 1/3 cup honey or maple syrup
- 1/3 cup nut butter (e.g., almond butter or peanut butter)
- 1/4 cup coconut oil (melted)
- 1/3 cup brown sugar (optional, for extra sweetness)
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 1/2 cup dried fruit (e.g., raisins, cranberries, or chopped dates; optional, added after baking)
Instructions
- Don’t Stir Too Much: Press the granola mixture firmly onto your baking sheet and avoid excessive stirring during the baking process. This allows larger clusters to form.
- Low and Slow Baking: Bake at a lower temperature (around 300°F or 150°C) to prevent burning while giving the ingredients time to meld together.
- Cool Completely: Let the granola cool completely before breaking it apart. This helps the clusters solidify and stick.
Notes
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/4 cup
- Calories: 150
- Sugar: 7g
- Sodium: 50mg
- Fat: 7g
- Saturated Fat: 2g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4.5g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 18g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 3g
- Cholesterol: 0mg
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