Granola is one of those foods that you probably don’t think about making at home but totally should. Making granola at home is easy, takes about 30 minutes and tastes worlds better than that $9 bag of granola at the grocery store. This granola recipe uses just 8 ingredients, is gluten free and vegan and completely delicious. Healthy and tasty, you’ll be amazed at just how good this Easy Homemade Granola with Cranberries and Pecans can be.
The Casual Foodist contains affiliate links, when you make a purchase through these links the Casual Foodist receives a small commission that helps support this site at no additional cost to you.
Homemade granola is healthier, tastier and cheaper than store bought granola. Once you make homemade granola you’ll never go back to granola from the store. The best thing about making homemade granola is you can customize the flavors based on what you want or what you have on hand. The variations for homemade granola are just about limitless.
How to make homemade granola
The first step to making granola is mixing together old fashioned oats (instant or steel cut oats won’t work too well here), pecans, cinnamon and salt. In a small saucepan melt coconut oil and stir in maple syrup and then pour this over the oat mixture, stirring to ensure everything is well combined. Spread the oats evenly over a baking sheet lined with parchment paper or a silicon baking mat and pop that in the oven.
As the granola bakes your kitchen will smell amazing. If you like your granola with smaller pieces stir the granola after about 10 minutes, if you like chunkier granola let it bake for the entire 20 minutes untouched. After 20 minutes add the cranberries ( you don’t want to bake dried fruit for the entire time or it will get sticky) and bake for 5 more minutes.
How to serve granola
Granola is commonly served for breakfast with milk but round my house we love eating granola as a topping for greek yogurt (or my ginger matcha smoothie bowl). More often than not we just can’t resist grabbing a handful of granola as a snack. I also love baking a double or triple batch and giving this homemade granola as a gift around the holidays.
If you like this Easy Homemade Granola with Cranberries and Pecans be sure to take a look at some of my other recipes!
Apple Scones with Maple Cinnamon Glaze
The Very Best Homemade Cranberry Sauce with Apple Cider
Baked Chocolate Coffee Granola (from Coffeewise)
Butternut Squash Quiche with Goat Cheese and Rosemary
If you make this Easy Homemade Granola with Cranberries and Pecans please be sure to leave a comment and/or give this recipe a rating! Also, if you do make this recipe please tag me on Instagram, I’d love to see what you guys are making!
Easy Homemade Granola with Cranberries and Pecans
Equipment
- Baking Sheet
- Silicon baking mat
Ingredients
- 1/3 cup coconut oil
- 1/3 cup maple syrup
- 1 tbsp fresh grated orange zest (optional)
- 3 cups old fashioned oats not instant!
- 1 tsp cinnamon
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1 cup pecans
- 1/2 cup dried cranberries
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees Melt the coconut oil in a small saucepan over medium heat. Whisk in maple syrup (and orange zest if using) and mix until thoroughly combined.
- In a large bowl add oats, cinnamon, salt and pecans and stir. Drizzle maple syrup mixture over oats, stir making sure oats are thoroughly coated.
- Bake for 10 minutes, and stir. Bake for another 10 minutes and then add the cranberries to the granola. Bake for 5 more minutes (total 25 minutes). Remove the pan and let cool completely.
Notes
- This granola will keep for 3 weeks in a sealed container or you can freeze it for up to 3 months.
Jessica Stroup says
I love homemade granola! Recipe sounds amazing. I can’t wait to try this soon!
Michelle Frank | Flipped-Out Food says
I’m all about this homemade granola! I do prefer chunky pieces, so I bake undisturbed. I also love mine over yogurt—fabulous!
Soheila says
I love granola! Was actually feeling like not working today and doing something fun for once and I think I just found my ‘something fun’. Thanks for the inspo! It’s perfect!
Nora says
Never made granola myself! But now I’ll try! Thanks for sharing!
AISilva says
This looks so delicious and healthy too!
Kristina says
I put this in homemade yogurt for an extra healthy and nutritious snack. My kids like it better than store bought.
Jeri says
This is one of the best homemade granola recipes I have ever made, so delicious!
Ramona says
This granola came out perfect. I’m saving the recipe 🙂
Elizabeth Flight says
Absolutely delicious recipe! We loved it!
Sabrina says
Simple and perfect, thanks!
Lilly says
This is such a delicious granola recipe! I’ll def be making it again!
Swathi says
Homemade granola with cranberries and peacans sounds yumm.
Cendi says
This is VERY good! There is only one thing I would do differently next time I make it. I would add the pecans right before the 2nd 10 minutes of baking. They were just a tad bit too roasted for my taste. But it’s still wonderful! Thanks for recipe. I’ve been searching for a good one, and I’ve found it.
Brianna says
Cendi, thanks for your review. I’m thrilled you liked it (and I do like my pecans on the toasty side).