Crunchy Homemade Granola Clusters (Print Version)

Golden clusters of oats and nuts with honey, perfect for breakfast or a quick snack.

# What You'll Need:

→ Dry Ingredients

01 - 2 cups old-fashioned rolled oats
02 - 1 cup mixed nuts (almonds, pecans, walnuts), coarsely chopped
03 - ½ cup shredded unsweetened coconut (optional)
04 - ¼ cup pumpkin seeds (pepitas) or sunflower seeds
05 - ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
06 - ¼ teaspoon fine sea salt

→ Wet Ingredients

07 - ⅓ cup honey (or maple syrup for vegan option)
08 - ¼ cup melted coconut oil (or neutral oil)
09 - 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

→ Optional Add-ins (after baking)

10 - ½ cup dried cranberries, raisins, or chopped dried apricots
11 - ⅓ cup dark chocolate chips

# How to Make It:

01 - Set the oven temperature to 325°F (160°C) and line a large baking sheet with parchment paper.
02 - In a large bowl, mix the rolled oats, chopped nuts, shredded coconut, seeds, cinnamon, and sea salt until evenly distributed.
03 - In a separate bowl, whisk together the honey, melted coconut oil, and vanilla extract until smooth.
04 - Pour the wet ingredients over the dry mixture, stirring thoroughly until all components are coated and clusters begin to form.
05 - Spread the mixture evenly onto the prepared baking sheet and gently press down with a spatula to encourage clump formation.
06 - Place in the oven and bake for 22 to 25 minutes, rotating the pan halfway through, until the clusters turn golden brown.
07 - Remove from oven and allow the clusters to cool fully on the baking sheet without disturbing to set properly.
08 - Once cooled, break into clusters and mix in dried fruits or chocolate chips as desired. Store in an airtight container.

# Additional Tips::

01 -
  • It's ridiculously simple yet feels like you've made something sophisticated.
  • Your kitchen smells incredible for hours afterward, naturally filling your whole home.
  • The clusters actually stay crunchy for days, making breakfast feel special without extra effort.
02 -
  • Let the granola cool completely before stirring or breaking it apart—this is where most people accidentally make granola instead of clusters.
  • Halfway rotation matters; ovens have hot spots and spinning the pan ensures even toasting and prevents burnt corners.
  • Add chocolate and dried fruit after cooling, not before, or they'll melt into the wrong texture.
03 -
  • Use a gentle hand when pressing the mixture on the baking sheet; you want clusters held together by honey, not compacted into a dense slab.
  • Coarsely chop your nuts rather than using pieces or flour—bigger pieces stay crunchier and add satisfying texture.
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