Healthy Almond Cranberry Granola

This Healthy Almond Cranberry Granola recipe is loaded with wholesome ingredients, like rolled oats, oat bran, flaxseeds, almonds, pepitas, cranberries, honey (or pure maple syrup), cinnamon, and vanilla. This nutritious blend requires zero chopping and is quick and easy to make.

So much better than store bought granola, this crunchy and healthy granola makes a great breakfast or snack, and is scrumptious over yogurt and fresh berries. It’s a breeze to make and will give you energy for hours! To learn how to make this healthy granola recipe, see the printable recipe card below or take a look at the recipe video. For other recipe variations and to learn about the health benefits of this Healthy Almond Cranberry Granola recipe, visit the Pimp My Recipe section in my Blog Comments & Tips below.

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RECIPE

(Printable recipe card below. Please rate this recipe.)

Recipe Updated: 1/21/24

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Snacks, Breakfast and Brunch, Vegetarian, Vegan, Dairy Free, Gluten Free, Healthy, Quick and Easy

American, Healthy

Servings: 18

Author: Prep My Recipe

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HEALTHY ALMOND CRANBERRY GRANOLA

This amazing recipe for Healthy Almond Cranberry Granola is packed with delicious and wholesome ingredients, requires zero chopping, and is quick and easy to make. So much better than store bought granola, this crunchy and healthy granola makes a great breakfast or snack, and is scrumptious over yogurt and fresh berries. It’s a breeze to make and will give you energy for hours!

Prep Time: 5 MinBaking Time: 20 MinCooling Time: 1 HourTotal Time: 1 H & 25 M

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Ingredients

• 4 cups old fashioned rolled oats
• ¾ cup oat bran
• ¾ cup whole flaxseed (see Note #1)
• 2 ½ teaspoons ground cinnamon (Ceylon)
• 1 ½ cups raw sliced almonds (see Note #2)
• ½ cup unsalted raw pepitas
• ¾ cup sweetened dried cranberries
• ⅛ teaspoon fine Himalayan salt (or Celtic sea salt)
• ½ cup avocado oil (or coconut oil)
• ½ cup honey
• 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

Instructions

1. Place oven rack in the center of the oven and preheat oven to 350°F. Line a large baking sheet (13 x 18) with parchment paper, and set aside.
2. To a large mixing bowl, add rolled oats, flaxseed, cinnamon, almonds, pepitas, cranberries (see Note #3), and salt, and mix well with a large silicone spoon.
3. To a heat proof measuring cup (2 cup), add avocado oil and honey, and stir. Microwave on high for about 40-50 seconds to warm through (should be hot, but not boiling). Add vanilla, and stir to combine. Pour hot mixture evenly over granola, and mix thoroughly to combine and coat all ingredients well (It may take a few minutes to thoroughly coat all ingredients. Mixture will become heavy once it’s well mixed.). Pour onto the prepared baking sheet, and using the back of the large silicone spoon, spread into an even layer. Bake granola for 10-12 minutes. Remove from the oven, stir granola, and bake for another 10-12 minutes (total of 20-24 minutes - see Note #4) until golden brown. Remove from the oven, stir again, and spread granola into an even layer. To create clumps of granola, press down on the mixture. Then let cool completely in the baking sheet pan (about 1 hour or more).
4. Once completely cooled, transfer the granola into an airtight container (or mason jars) or Ziploc freezer bags, and store in the refrigerator for up to 1 month, or in the freezer for up to 3 months (see Note #5). Serve as a snack, or with your favorite milk as a cereal, or my favorite way is to top Greek yogurt with fresh berries and this granola. Enjoy!

Notes

1. I prefer using whole organic flaxseed to give this recipe a bit more texture, but you can use ground organic flaxseed if you cannot find whole. 
2. To kick up the flavor even more, you can use Trader Joe’s honey roasted sliced almonds, or a 50/50 ratio of TJ’s honey roasted sliced almonds and raw sliced almonds. As an alternative to sliced almonds, you can use roughly chopped pecans or walnuts instead.
3. Dried cranberries will have a chewy texture when combined and baked with the other ingredients. For a slightly softer texture, add the cranberries during the last half of the baking process. To retain their original texture, you can toss them in immediately after removing the baked granola from the oven, but make sure to mix them in thoroughly.
4. Baking times will vary based upon your oven. I like my granola a darker golden brown and quite toasted, and bake it for about 23-24 minutes total. If you prefer a more lightly toasted granola, bake for only 20 minutes (stirring halfway through). 
5. You can store granola at room temperature in the pantry in an airtight container (or mason jars), but it will not last as long. For freshest granola, store in the refrigerator or freezer. If stored in the freezer, dried fruit will freeze solid, so bring to room temperature so the mixture is not too hard to chew (about 10-15 minutes).
6. For more baking tips, visit my Blog Comments & Tips for this recipe on the website.
7. Makes about 18 servings (½ cup per serving - total of 9 cups)

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Nutrition Facts

Calories

276.85

Fat (grams)

13.96 g

Sat. Fat (grams)

1.47 g

Carbs (grams)

32.08 g

Fiber (grams)

5.94 g

Net carbs

26.16 g

Sugar (grams)

11.85 g

Protein (grams)

6.19 g

Sodium (milligrams)

18.88 mg

Cholesterol (grams)

0 mg

Nutritional information provided is strictly an estimate and will vary based on ingredient brands and cooking methods.

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SERVING SUGGESTION

Serve as a snack on its own. Or for a great breakfast, serve on plain Greek yogurt with fresh berries, drizzle a little honey, and top with Healthy Almond Cranberry Granola.

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VIDEO

How to Make this Amazing Healthy Almond Cranberry Granola!

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Blog Comments & Tips

The most amazing homemade granola recipe!

This Healthy Almond Cranberry Granola recipe is a game changer for breakfast! It’s loaded with wholesome ingredients, like rolled oats, oat bran, flaxseeds, almonds, pepitas, cranberries, honey (or pure maple syrup), cinnamon, and vanilla. This no-fuss granola recipe requires zero chopping and is quick and easy to make. Plus, your home smells amazing when it’s baking!

My good friend, Beth, told me about this “incredible granola recipe” quite a few years ago but it took me this long to finally make it. In true PMR form, I changed up the recipe to make it even more delicious! I now see why she was singing the praises of this recipe, because it is SO much better than any store bought granola! 

Aside from its great flavor and texture, the wholesome ingredients in this healthy granola offers a multitude of health benefits. 

• Fiber: Rolled oats, oat bran, and flaxseeds contribute a significant amount of dietary fiber to this granola, which supports a healthy digestive system.

• Heart-Healthy: Almonds are known for their heart-healthy properties. They contain monounsaturated fats, which can help lower bad cholesterol levels, reducing the risk of cardiovascular diseases.

• Nutrient Rich: Pepitas (pumpkin seeds) are a great source of essential minerals such as zinc, magnesium, and iron. They contribute to immune function, bone health, and overall well-being.

• Antioxidants: Dried cranberries are packed with antioxidants that may help protect cells from damage caused by free radicals. These antioxidants contribute to overall health and may have anti-inflammatory properties.

• Omega-3 Fatty Acids: Whole flaxseeds provide a plant-based source of omega-3 fatty acids, supporting brain health, reducing inflammation, and promoting cardiovascular well-being.

• Antimicrobial: The inclusion of honey as a sweetener adds a touch of natural sweetness while providing potential antimicrobial and antioxidant properties.

How do you ensure the best results from this recipe?

My 5 tips to making this Healthy Almond Cranberry Granola:

1. High quality ingredients are key in this recipe. Since rolled oats are the main ingredient, make sure you use a good quality brand, like Bob's Red Mill old fashioned rolled oats. They retain their shape and yield a great texture in the baked granola. Bulk or more inexpensive brands often break down and change the flavor and texture of the recipe.

2. I prefer using whole organic flaxseed to give this recipe a bit more texture, but you can use ground organic flaxseed if you cannot find whole. 

3. I like my granola quite toasted and a little more golden brown than store bought granola, which is why I bake it for longer. If you prefer a more lightly toasted granola, bake for only 20 minutes (stirring halfway through). 

4. After stirring the granola during and immediately after the baking process, be sure to press it down into the baking sheet. This will help create clumps of granola once it cools completely.

5. You can store granola at room temperature in the pantry in an airtight container (or mason jars), but it will not last as long. For freshest granola, store in the refrigerator or freezer. If stored in the freezer, dried fruit will freeze solid, so bring to room temperature so the mixture is not too hard to chew (about 10-15 minutes).

It’s time to customize and Pimp My Recipe. 

Pimp My Recipe:

• Make it Even More Flavorful: To kick up the flavor even more, you can use Trader Joe’s honey roasted sliced almonds instead of raw sliced almonds. Or use a 50/50 ratio of TJ’s honey roasted sliced almonds and raw sliced almonds. 

• Make it with Other Nuts: As an alternative to sliced almonds, you can use roughly chopped pecans or walnuts instead. Just make sure they are raw and not toasted. Otherwise they will brown too much and get bitter.

• Make it with Other Fruit: If you don’t like dried cranberries, try using dried cherries. It tastes wonderful when paired with almond granola. You could also replace it with chopped dried apricots. Another great flavor combination with almonds.

• Make it Less Chewy: Dried cranberries will have a chewy texture when combined and baked with the other ingredients. For a slightly softer and less chewy texture, add the cranberries during the last half of the baking process. If you want to retain their original texture, you can toss them in immediately after removing the baked granola from the oven, but make sure to mix them in thoroughly, and then press the granola firmly into the pan.

• Make it with More Cinnamon Flavor: Instead of using 2 ½ teaspoon of cinnamon, try using 1 tablespoon of cinnamon instead.

Enjoy and let me know what you think by commenting below, rating my recipes, subscribing, following, and liking Prep My Recipe on Pinterest, Instagram, Facebook, YouTube, and TikTok! Don’t forget to subscribe to get updates on new recipes and tips & tricks. 

Happy Cooking!

Mich

Footnote: Remember to press down the granola after stirring it during and immediately after the baking process to help it create clumps of granola.

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A big thank you to my longtime friend, Beth, for sending me the base recipe. I regret waiting all these years to try it, but now that I have I will be making it regularly. I made a fair amount of changes to the recipe, but kept the base ingredients from her recipe.

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