Honey Cinnamon Granola

Sweetened with honey and made with wholesome oats and flax, this honey cinnamon granola recipe is a great breakfast or snack for busy days! Made in just one bowl, this simple recipe takes less than 10 minutes to prepare and can be easily customized.

Jump to:

• The Ingredients
• The Method
• Leftovers and Storage
• Make it Your Own
• Serving Ideas
• And if you liked this recipe...
• Honey Cinnamon Granola
• Comments

Almost as easy to make as it is to eat, our pantry is always stocked with a few mason jars of homemade granola.

While the precise flavor might change from time to time (chocolate and maple have been known to find their way into the rotation), what doesn't change is how addictively crispy and chunky it is!

I've been a long time granola lover but stopped buying it from the grocery store nearly a decade ago when I realized how much extra sugar and oils were added to many store bought versions (check out this Pumpkin Flax Granola for a completely oil free recipe).

Instead, I switched to whipping up a batch of homemade granola every week or two.

And, after regularly making my own over the past few years, I don't mean to brag but...

I think I've gotten homemade granola down to perfection.

And with three simple tricks, it turns out extra chunky.

First, I use an egg white to help provide extra structure. Secondly, it is key that you do not flip the granola during cooking. And third, allow the honey granola to cool completely before breaking it up and packaging it or eating it.

I know it is tempting to dive right in when you smell the honey and cinnamon as you remove it from the oven.

But resist!

Because the clusters are always the first thing to get picked out when you snack on it (amiright?).

The Ingredients

• Rolled Oats- I like to use large flake (old fashioned oats) but quick oats will work as well. Ensure that you are using certified gluten free oats if you need the recipe to be gluten free.
• Nuts- Be sure to use raw nuts. If you use ones that are already roasted, they may brown too quickly and burn before the granola is done baking. Leave them out if you need a nut free granola.
• Ground Flaxseed- Adding ground flaxseed to granola is a great way to add extra nutrition as it is packed with protein, fiber and Omega-3s. You can leave it out if you prefer and add an additional ¼ cup of oats instead.
• Honey- Both liquid and solid honey will work but it needs to be melted prior to using. It adds sweetness and also helps to bind the granola.
• Avocado Oil- This is important to help the granola to bind. Melted coconut oil or olive oil also work.
• Egg White- This key ingredient helps to ensure extra clusters. If you need the recipe to be vegan, you can omit it.
• Sea Salt- A bit of salt balances out the sweetness from the honey.

The Method

1. Mix. Combine oats, nuts, flaxseed and salt in a large mixing bowl. Melt the honey in a small microwave safe bowl for 15-30 seconds until very runny. Add the honey and oil to the oat mixture and stir until evenly coated and combined. Fold in the egg white.

2. Bake. Spread the granola mixture into an even layer on a parchment paper or silicone mat lined baking sheet. Bake at 300 F for 45-60 minutes until lightly golden and nearly dry to the touch. Rotate the pan 180 degrees after 30 minutes of baking.

3. Cool (the hardest part!). Allow the granola to cool completely on the baking sheet in order to achieve an extra chunky result (the best!). Once it is completely cooled (1-2 hours), break it into clusters and store.

Leftovers and Storage

To Store: Cool completely and then store this chunky cinnamon and honey granola in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 weeks.

To Freeze: Granola can be frozen for up to 3 months.

Check out this granola storage tips post for more information.

Make it Your Own

Spices and Flavorings!

• Adjust the cinnamon:
  • Add more or less depending on your tastes
  • Omit it if you simply want honey flavor
  • Use pumpkin pie spice instead
• Add Vanilla:
  • Stir in 2 teaspoon of vanilla at the same time as the honey

Add Ins! This homemade granola recipe is the perfect starting point for all of your favorite add ins:

• Nuts- Use any of the following or a combination!
  • Walnuts
  • Pecans
  • Macadamia Nuts
  • Cashews
  • Almonds
• Seeds- In place of the nuts, you could add up to 1 cup of raw seeds instead such as:
  • Shelled Pumpkin Seeds (pepitas)
  • Sunflower Seeds
• Other Add Ins:
  • Coconut Flakes- Use to replace ½ cup of oats or the flaxseed and add at the same time as the rest of the dry ingredients.
  • Dried Fruit- Mix in 1-2 cups of dried cranberries, raisins, chopped dates, etc. once the granola has cooled.
  • Chocolate Chips- Sprinkle up to 1 cup of chocolate chips (white, dark or milk) over the warm pan of granola after it has finished cooking. Allow granola to fully cool and then finish mixing in.

Serving Ideas

• Make a breakfast parfait with layers of granola, fresh fruit and Greek yogurt.
• Eat it cereal style in a bowl with your choice of milk and maybe some fresh berries.
• Snack on its own by the handful.
• Try it as a crunchy topping on ice cream or fruit salad.
• Have it on top of apple sauce for an apple crisp inspired breakfast or snack.
• Or check out this post of What to Eat with Granola for even more ideas!

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And if you liked this recipe...

...you might also like:

• Apple Granola
• Chunky Chocolate Granola
• Apple Cinnamon Overnight Oats
• Apple Cinnamon Oatmeal Pancakes

More Breakfast Ideas!