Easy Fruit and Nut Granola Clusters Recipe

My husband, bless his heart, is basically a human garbage disposal when it comes to snacks. But even he can’t get enough of these granola clusters. I made a batch last week and swear I turned around and half of them were GONE. It was like a ninja snacking operation. Now I have to make a double batch every time or risk a serious hangry situation. The little one loves them too, which is a win because getting him to eat anything that isn’t shaped like a dinosaur is a small miracle.

Why You’ll Love This Easy Fruit and Nut Granola Clusters Recipe

Alright, here’s the lowdown on why you’re about to become obsessed:

• It’s dangerously addictive. Seriously, try to eat just one. I dare you.
• Customizable AF. Throw in whatever nuts and fruits you have lying around. Emptying the pantry never tasted so good.
• It makes your kitchen smell amazing. Like, realtor-showing-a-house amazing.
• It’s kinda healthy-ish? Okay, maybe not health food, but it’s got nuts and fruit. That’s gotta count for something, right?
• Super easy. If I can make it without burning the house down, you definitely can.

How to Make It

Okay, so first things first, crank your oven up to 300°F (150°C). Yeah, it’s low and slow, but trust me, we don’t want burnt offerings here.

Grab a big ol’ bowl – the biggest you got, seriously – and toss in your oats. Now, I like rolled oats, but you can use quick oats if that’s what you got. Just don’t use instant oatmeal packets. We’re not savages. Throw in your favorite nuts, whatever makes your heart sing. Almonds, walnuts, pecans… go wild! Then the seeds! Sunflower, pumpkin, sesame… it’s like a party in a bowl.

In a smaller bowl – because we’re fancy like that – whisk together your melted coconut oil (or any oil, honestly), maple syrup (honey works too!), brown sugar (or white, whatever), a splash of vanilla, and a pinch of salt. Don’t skip the salt! It brings out all the flavors.

Pour the wet stuff over the dry stuff and mix it all up like you mean it. Get everything coated nicely. Now, here’s the secret: press it all into one even layer on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Seriously, press it down. That’s how you get those glorious clusters.

Bake for about 45 minutes to an hour, but keep an eye on it! You want it golden brown and toasty, but not burnt. I usually give it a stir halfway through, just to make sure the edges aren’t getting too crazy.

Once it’s out of the oven, let it cool completely on the baking sheet. This is the hardest part, I know. But trust me, if you try to break it up while it’s still warm, it’ll just crumble. Once it’s cool, break it into glorious clusters and toss in your dried fruit. I love cranberries, raisins, and chopped apricots, but you do you!

Ingredient Notes

Here’s the real talk on ingredients, because we all know substitutions are a way of life:

• Rolled Oats: These are the base, man. Don’t go using instant oats. They’ll turn to mush. Trust me, I learned that the hard way.
• Mixed Nuts: Seriously, whatever you have. I once threw in some leftover cashews from a party. It worked.
• Seeds: Adds a nice little crunch. Sesame seeds are my fave. I also sometimes use the chia seeds!
• Coconut Oil: Gives it that nice flavor. Butter works too, if you are against coconut.
• Maple Syrup: Because why not? Honey is also a good vibe. Don’t use corn syrup.
• Brown Sugar: Adds a depth. Real talk: I’ve used white sugar in a pinch, and it was fine.
• Vanilla Extract: Don’t skip this. It just makes everything better. Even the bad stuff.
• Salt: Just a pinch. Balances the sweetness. And don’t use too much or you’ll regret it, but don’t forget it either, it will not taste good at all.
• Dried Fruit: Again, whatever you like. I’m a sucker for cranberries. And don’t just toss them in when the granola is in the oven, trust me on this one.

Recipe Steps:

1. Preheat oven to 300°F (150°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
2. Combine oats, nuts, and seeds in a large bowl.
3. Whisk coconut oil, maple syrup, brown sugar, vanilla, and salt in a separate bowl.
4. Pour wet ingredients over dry and mix thoroughly.
5. Press mixture into an even layer on the baking sheet.
6. Bake for 45-60 minutes, stirring halfway through.
7. Cool completely on the baking sheet.
8. Break into clusters and add dried fruit.

What to Serve It With

Okay, so you’ve got your granola. Now what?

• On yogurt. Duh.
• With milk. Like cereal, but way better.
• On ice cream. Because why not?
• Straight out of the jar. My personal favorite.
• As a topping for smoothie bowls. Because we’re fancy.

Tips & Mistakes

• Don’t overcrowd the pan. If you do, it won’t get crispy. Use two pans if needed.
• Watch it carefully. Ovens are weird. Mine runs hot. Yours might not. Just keep an eye on it.
• Let it cool completely. Seriously, I can’t stress this enough.
• Don’t be afraid to experiment! I once added a pinch of cinnamon and it was chef’s kiss.
• Mix well! You don’t want to leave any section out, it can lead to a not even cluster distribution.

Storage Tips

Store your granola clusters in an airtight container at room temperature. They’ll stay good for about a week… if they last that long. Honestly, in my house, they’re gone in like three days. And yeah, eating it cold is totally fine. I’ve been known to grab a handful straight from the jar for breakfast. No shame.

Variations and Substitutions

• Different oils: Coconut oil is my go-to, but olive oil, canola oil, or even melted butter work too.
• Sweeteners: Maple syrup, honey, agave… whatever you’ve got. Just adjust the amount to your liking.
• Nuts and seeds: Go wild! Almonds, walnuts, pecans, sunflower seeds, pumpkin seeds, chia seeds… the possibilities are endless.
• Dried fruit: Cranberries, raisins, apricots, cherries… use your imagination! I’ve even thrown in some chocolate chips before (don’t tell anyone).
• Spices: Cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger… add a pinch for extra flavor. I once added a little bit of cardamom and it was surprisingly good.

Frequently Asked Questions

Easy Fruit and Nut Granola Clusters Recipe

This delightful homemade granola is packed with clusters of oats, nuts, and dried fruits - perfect for a snack or as a topping for yogurt and desserts.

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Prep Time: 15 minutes minutes

Cook Time: 30 minutes minutes

Total Time: 45 minutes minutes

Servings: 8

Calories: 120kcal

Ingredients

 

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Main Ingredients

• ▢ 3 cups rolled oats
• ▢ 1.5 cups mixed nuts such as almonds, pecans, and walnuts, roughly chopped
• ▢ 0.5 cup dried cranberries
• ▢ 0.5 cup dried apricots chopped
• ▢ 0.25 cup honey
• ▢ 0.25 cup maple syrup
• ▢ 0.25 cup coconut oil melted
• ▢ 1 tsp vanilla extract
• ▢ 0.5 tsp cinnamon
• ▢ 0.25 tsp salt

Instructions

Preparation Steps

• Preheat the oven to 325°F (165°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
• In a large bowl, combine rolled oats, mixed nuts, dried cranberries, and dried apricots.
• In another bowl, mix honey, maple syrup, melted coconut oil, vanilla extract, cinnamon, and salt until well combined.
• Pour the wet mixture over the dry ingredients and stir until the oats and nuts are fully coated.
• Spread the mixture evenly on the prepared baking sheet and press down firmly.
• Bake for 25-30 minutes, stirring halfway through, until golden brown and crispy.
• Allow the granola to cool completely on the baking sheet before breaking it into clusters.

Notes

Store granola clusters in an airtight container at room temperature for up to two weeks.