Chunky Granola Recipe

This homemade chunky granola recipe is loaded with dried fruit and whole nuts. Yummier and much healthier than store-bought, its delicious eaten as a cereal, sprinkled on yogurt or eaten plain!

If you love chunky granola with clusters, you have to give this a try! My kids eat it with homemade yogurt parfaits topped with fruit, in a bowl with milk or by the handful.

The dried fruit gives it a really nice chewy texture and the big pieces of whole nuts are crispy and delicious.

If you haven’t yet, you need to try making your own yogurt in the instant pot!

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what you need to make chunky granola

Ingredients

• Honey – Raw honey is best
• Maple Syrup – For delicious maple flavor
• Salt – Because sea salt enhances all the other flavors and sea salt is just great in everything
• Cinnamon – Cinnamon gives this granola a delicious punch of spice
• Coconut Oil – I like to use coconut oil instead of vegetable oil in homemade granola because its better for you
• Vanilla – Homemade vanilla extract just brings this whole recipe to a whole new level of yummy
• Old Fashioned Oats – Can’t have granola without oats!
• Dried Fruit – Medjool dates are a great source of potassium and fiber. They add a chewy texture to this granola
• Whole Nuts – I love using halved pecans in granola because they taste delicious baked in the oven with the honey and maple syrup.

How to Make Chunky Granola With Dates

Prep – Preheat the oven to 325 degrees. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.

Stir – In a large bowl, stir together all of the wet ingredients making sure they are mixed well. Then add in the remaining ingredients, til fully combined.

Bake – Pour the granola mixture onto the prepared baking sheet and bake for 25-30 minutes or until it looks lightly golden all over.

Cool – Dump the granola onto a clean countertop and let cool for an hour. After its cooled, break the granola into chunks as small or large as you like.

Tips for success

To Store – Store cooled granola in an airtight container at room temperature for up to two weeks. For longer storage, you can freeze it for up to 3 months.

Variations – Add chocolate chips after the granola has come out of the oven and cooled for at least 10 minutes that way they don’t melt right away.

FAQ about making chunky granola

What makes granola chunky?

The key to chunky granola is the right combination of wet ingredients and baking technique. Using ingredients like honey, maple syrup, or coconut oil will help bind the oats and nuts together. Pressing the mixture firmly onto the baking sheet before baking also helps form larger clusters.

How do I get big chunks in my granola?

To get those large, crunchy clusters:

• Use a sticky binder like honey, maple syrup, or a mix of both.
• Press the mixture firmly onto the baking sheet before baking.
• Bake at a low temperature (around 300°F/150°C) for longer to ensure the granola sets without burning.
• Let it cool undisturbed before breaking it apart.

Can I make granola without sugar?

You can sweeten granola with natural alternatives like mashed bananas, applesauce, or stevia. Keep in mind that some sugar substitutes may not bind as well, so you might need to adjust the wet-to-dry ingredient ratio.

How do I make granola crispy without burning it?

To ensure your granola gets crispy without burning, bake it at a lower temperature (around 300°F/150°C) and stir it occasionally. A slow bake will let the granola crisp up without over-browning.

Can I add chocolate to my granola?

Yes, but to keep the chocolate from melting away into the granola, wait until the granola has cooled completely before stirring in chocolate chips or chunks. You can also drizzle melted chocolate on top for extra flavor.

Baking homemade granola on a lower temperature so that it can bake longer to dry out better and clump up. Using enough honey also helps it to stick together.

Let the granola cool completely on the cookie sheet before breaking it into chunks.

Ways to Enjoy homemade Granola

• on top of yogurt or in a parfait
• in milk
• as a healthy topping on ice cream
• by itself as a snack

More Healthy Breakfast Recipes

• Chocolate Overnight Oats
• Banana Baked Oatmeal
• Healthy Jumbo Banana Muffins
• Greek Yogurt In The Instant Pot
• Apple Pie Baked Oatmeal

Pin these steps to try later. Tag @athomeontheprairie on Instagram to share what you’ve made with us!