Homemade Granola with Cranberries is so simple to make, you’ll never need to buy it from the store again! Inexpensive and filled with hunger satisfying wholesome ingredients, this will be your new favorite snack, breakfast with milk, or topping for yogurt… and more!
Homemade Granola with Cranberries
When I need to fill the granola jar, I always make this Homemade Granola with Cranberries because it’s just so much cheaper than buying a bag from the grocery store. There are so many ways you can modify this recipe to suit your own tastes (more on that below in the variations section). You may want to use all organic ingredients. This granola recipe is very easily made gluten-free and is already vegan.
The Ingredients
Here’s what you’ll need to make Homemade Granola with Cranberries:
- Rolled oats – do not use quick oats. You’ll want to use old fashion rolled oats. Use the best quality available, gluten-free, and/or organic oats if you prefer. But also, cheap oats work great! I used old fashioned rolled oats from ALDI that are less than $2 for a large container.
- Unsalted sunflower seeds (no shell)
- Ground flaxseed – another option would be to use wheatgerm–either flaxseed or wheatgerm will work well. I used ground flaxseed because I could find a very cheap organic package at ALDI.
- Ground cinnamon
- All-natural maple syrup – you need to use real maple syrup, not the cheap pancake syrup. This ingredient can be pricey, so again, I buy it at ALDI. But my favorite thing to do is buy a big jug of fresh, local maple syrup at the farmers market. I can get it for $20 and it lasts a long time!
- Brown sugar – I used light brown sugar
- Coconut oil
- Agave nectar – Any guesses where I buy the agave nectar? That’s right… ALDI! They have a wonderful organic blue agave nectar that is perfect for this recipe.
- Vanilla extract – vanilla extract is one area that I do not cut corners when it comes to price and quality. I do spend the extra money to get good organic pure vanilla extract. The taste difference is apparent.
- Dried cranberries – you can use organic dried cranberries, Craisins, or… you know… ALDI.
How to Make Homemade Granola with Cranberries
STEP 1: Preheat your oven to 300ºF and grease a large baking sheet with non-stick cooking spray.
STEP 2: In a large mixing bowl, combine the oats, sunflower seeds, ground flaxseed, and cinnamon.
STEP 3: In a separate mixing bowl, whisk together the coconut oil (melted), brown sugar, agave, maple syrup, and vanilla extract.
STEP 4: Pour the wet mixture into the dry mixture and stir until well combined. Spread the granola onto the prepared baking sheet and very gently spread out edge to edge (do not press down).
STEP 5: Bake the granola at 300ºF for 15-18 minutes. Start checking on it by 15 minutes to make sure it doesn’t burn. You’ll want the granola to be golden brown around the edges of the pan, not burning.
STEP 6: Remove the granola from the oven and sprinkle the dried cranberries over top. Allow the granola to cool on the pan until it reaches room temperature.
STEP 7: Break the granola up into small bite-size pieces.
Variations
Blueberry – Use dried blueberries instead of cranberries.
Chocolate Chips – Sprinkle 1/2 cup (or more!) mini semi-sweet or dark chocolate chips over the granola while it is cooling.
Nutmeg – Add a pinch of nutmeg for an extra hint of warm spice.
Cherries – Use dried cherries instead of cranberries.
How to Store the Granola
Keep the granola in an airtight container (I like a jar on the counter) at room temperature for up to 10 days.
Homemade Granola with Cranberries
- Total Time: 28 minutes
- Yield: 12 servings 1x
- Diet: Vegan
Description
Homemade Granola with Cranberries is so simple to make, you’ll never need to buy it from the store again! Inexpensive and filled with hunger satisfying wholesome ingredients, this will be your new favorite snack, breakfast with milk, or topping for yogurt… and more!
Ingredients
- 3 cups rolled oats
- 1/2 cup unsalted sunflower seeds (no shell), roasted
- 1 cup ground flaxseed
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/2 cup all-natural maple syrup
- 1/4 cup brown sugar, packed
- 1/4 cup coconut oil, melted
- 2 tablespoons agave nectar
- 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
- 1 cup dried cranberries
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 300F degrees.
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the oats, sunflower seeds, ground flaxseed, and cinnamon. Set aside.
- In medium mixing bowl, whisk together the maple syrup, brown sugar, melted coconut oil, agave, and vanilla. Pour the wet mixture over the oat mixture; stir well.
- Scoop the granola onto a large greased cookie sheet and gently spread out into a thin layer (do not press down).
- Bake the granola at 300F for 15-18 minutes until golden brown, but not too dark around the edges.
- Remove the tray of granola from the oven and sprinkle with the dried cranberries.
- Allow the granola to cool on the baking sheet until room temperature. Break the granola into bite-sized pieces.
- Store the granola at room temperature in an airtight container for up to 5 days.
- Prep Time: 10
- Cook Time: 18
- Category: breakfast
- Method: baking
- Cuisine: American
Keywords: granola, cranberry granola, cinnamon
How Was the Granola?
After you make Homemade Granola with Cranberries, come back and tell me how you like it! You can leave a comment and recipe rating in the comments section below. You can also click here to see this on Pinterest and leave a comment there or even your own picture of your dessert. Another option would be to tag me on Instagram @MomNeedsChocolate. Can’t wait to hear from you!
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