Crunchy Golden Granola Clusters (Printable Version)

Crunchy golden clusters with oats, nuts, and honey—ideal for breakfast or snacking on the go.

# Ingredient List:

→ 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
04 - ¼ cup pumpkin seeds or sunflower seeds
05 - ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
06 - ¼ teaspoon fine sea salt

→ Wet Ingredients

07 - ⅓ cup honey or maple syrup
08 - ¼ cup melted coconut oil or neutral oil
09 - 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

→ Optional Add-ins

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

# Directions:

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 until evenly mixed.
03 - In a separate bowl, whisk together honey, melted coconut oil, and vanilla extract until smooth.
04 - Pour the wet mixture over the dry ingredients. Stir until everything is evenly coated and small clumps begin to form.
05 - Spread the mixture onto the prepared baking sheet in an even layer. Gently press down with a spatula to help clusters form.
06 - Bake for 22 to 25 minutes, rotating the pan halfway through, until golden brown and fragrant.
07 - Remove from the oven and let cool completely on the baking sheet without stirring. This step is essential for clusters to set properly.
08 - Once cooled, break into clusters of desired size. Mix in dried fruit or chocolate chips if using. Store in an airtight container.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • The clusters hold together beautifully, so you get those big, crunchy pieces instead of dusty crumbs at the bottom of the jar.
  • You can swap nuts, seeds, and sweeteners based on what you have, and it still turns out golden and delicious every time.
02 -
  • Do not stir the granola while it cools or you will break up all your clusters into loose cereal.
  • If your granola isn't clustering well, you may need a bit more honey or oil to bind everything together before baking.
03 -
  • Use a light hand when stirring the wet and dry ingredients together—overmixing can make the oats gummy instead of crispy.
  • Rotate your baking sheet halfway through to ensure even browning, especially if your oven has hot spots.
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