Crunchy Golden Granola Clusters (Printable Page)

Golden clusters of rolled oats, nuts, and honey. Crunchy, homemade, and perfect for breakfast or snacking.

# What You Need:

→ Dry Ingredients

01 - 2 cups old-fashioned rolled oats
02 - 1 cup mixed nuts such as almonds, pecans, walnuts, coarsely chopped
03 - 1/2 cup shredded unsweetened coconut
04 - 1/4 cup pumpkin seeds pepitas or sunflower seeds
05 - 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
06 - 1/4 teaspoon fine sea salt

→ Wet Ingredients

07 - 1/3 cup honey or maple syrup for vegan option
08 - 1/4 cup melted coconut oil or neutral oil
09 - 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

→ Optional Add-ins after baking

10 - 1/2 cup dried cranberries, raisins, or chopped dried apricots
11 - 1/3 cup dark chocolate chips

# Steps:

01 - Preheat the oven to 325°F. Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper.
02 - In a large mixing bowl, combine oats, nuts, coconut, seeds, cinnamon, and salt. Stir to mix evenly.
03 - In a separate bowl, whisk together honey, melted coconut oil, and vanilla extract.
04 - Pour the wet mixture over the dry ingredients. Stir until everything is evenly coated and clumps start to form.
05 - Spread the mixture onto the prepared baking sheet in an even layer. Gently press down with a spatula to encourage clusters to form.
06 - Bake for 22 to 25 minutes, rotating the pan halfway through, until golden brown.
07 - Remove from the oven and let cool completely on the baking sheet without stirring. This helps clusters set.
08 - Once cooled, break into clusters. Mix in dried fruit or chocolate chips if desired. Store in an airtight container.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • These clusters stay perfectly crunchy for days, unlike those disappointing store versions that get stale by day two.
  • You can customize every batch with whatever nuts and seeds are hiding in your pantry, making each version uniquely yours.
02 -
  • The granola continues to crisp as it cools, so dont panic if it feels slightly soft when first removed from the oven.
  • The secret to good clusters is pressing the mixture firmly onto the baking sheet before baking and then not touching it until completely cool.
03 -
  • For extra-large clusters, use an egg white whisked with the wet ingredients which creates an additional binding effect as it bakes.
  • Let the granola cool completely in the oven with the door cracked open for the ultimate crispy texture.
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