Fruit and Nut Granola Recipe

This Fruit and Nut Granola is one of my favorite things to make ahead of time for a quick and easy breakfast. On those mornings when we don’t have time to make something hot, granola is the perfect combo of crunchy and sweet. This is our family’s favorite granola recipe!

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Confession: I’m not a huge cereal person. But granola is a whole different story. I’m pretty sure I could eat homemade granola 3 meals a day, especially on top of some fresh homemade yogurt and covered in fresh berries. Seriously that’s like dessert, you guys.

My kids LOVE granola too, and I love that it’s a quick and easy breakfast option. I don’t give them very much sugar, and it’s super difficult to come across store-bought granola that isn’t loaded with refined sugar! So a couple years ago, I decided I just needed to get into the habit of making healthy granola from scratch on a regular basis, and I’m so glad I did. We rotate through a few variations of this recipe, but this fruit and nut granola recipe is certainly the favorite. Especially if I add some extra dried blueberries.

ingredients –

• 2 C organic oats
• 1 T ground flax seed
• 1 tsp cinnamon
• 1/2 tsp real salt
• 1/2 C chopped nuts (pecans and walnuts work well)
• 1/3 C honey
• 2 T coconut oil
• 1 tsp pure vanilla extract

Oats – I use organic sprouted rolls oats that I find at Costco for granola, But any old-fashioned oats will be just fine.

Ground Flax – It doesn’t impact the taste or texture, but it packs a nutritional punch! Ground flax seed is a good source of fiber and is full of Omega-3 fatty acids.

Spices and Redmond Real Salt – We love the warm flavor of cinnamon in this recipe. And don’t skip the salt! It’s only a little bit, but it definitely makes a difference. It enhances the flavors of the cinnamon and toasted oats. Yummy!

Pecans and/or Walnuts – Use one or the other, or a combination of both! Adding nuts is a really easy way to incorporate some extra protein. You could also try chopped almonds, cashews, peanuts, pumpkin seeds, sunflower seeds, etc.

Honey – Did you know that honey is rich in antioxidants? Can’t say the same about refined sugar! Plus, the honey adds a really delicious flavor that makes this Fruit and Nut Granola even better.

Coconut Oil – Try to use organic, unrefined if you can.

Vanilla Extract – Make sure you’ve got the real stuff! The only ingredients should be vanilla beans and alcohol. The imitation vanilla just doesn’t cut it, in my opinion.

Dried fruit – We love dried blueberries and dried organic cranberries, but swapping those for some organic raisins, dried apricots or coconut flakes would be really yummy too. Lots of dried fruits come loaded with extra sugar though, so try to avoid those if you can. 

how to make fruit and nut granola –

• Preheat the oven to 300 degrees F.
• Combine the oats, flax, cinnamon, salt and nuts into a large mixing bowl.
• In a small saucepan over low heat, combine honey and coconut oil just until melted together. Add vanilla and remove from heat.
• Pour honey/oil mixture over the dry ingredients and stir to thoroughly incorporate.
• Pour Fruit and Nut Granola mixture onto a baking sheet lined with parchment paper and spread evenly.
• Bake for 20 minutes, and remove from the oven to stir.
• Bake for another 15 minutes, or until the granola has started to turn golden brown.
• Allow the granola to cool completely before breaking it apart.
• Add the dried fruit.
• Store in a sealed mason jar for up to 2 weeks.

The BEST WAY to enjoy this hearty granola is with this Raw Milk Plain Yogurt drizzled with organic maple syrup or organic honey. The delicious whole grain oats and chewy fruit make an easy breakfast or healthy snack that is so delicious.

tools you will need –

• Mixing Bowl
• Wooden Spoon
• Small Saucepan
• Cookie Sheet
• Parchment Paper

tips for making extra chunky granola

If you like big chunks in your granola, there’s a few things you can do to make sure your granola has lots of those delicious bigger pieces.

• Press down on the granola mixture after you pour it onto the parchment paper. Skip the step that says to stir halfway through. Just keep it in the oven, and check to see if you need to reduce the baking time a little bit.
• Take the granola out of the oven when it’s just started to get browned on top and around the edges. It might not seem like it’s done yet, but it will continue to crisp up as it cools.
• WAIT! Let the granola cool – completely. It’s hard, I know. But don’t stir your granola around or break it apart until it’s completely cooled. You can even leave it covered overnight and not take it off the pan until the next day.

how to store homemade granola

Seal the granola in an airtight container like a quart mason jar with a reusable plastic cover. It will keep for up to 2 weeks, although I don’t think it will hang around in your pantry that long anyway.

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