Honey Nut Granola Clusters (Printable Version)

Golden clusters blend oats, nuts, honey, and spices baked to a crunchy, wholesome finish.

# What You’ll Need:

→ Dry Ingredients

01 - 3 cups old-fashioned rolled oats
02 - 1 cup mixed nuts (almonds, pecans, walnuts), roughly chopped
03 - 1/2 cup unsweetened shredded coconut (optional)
04 - 1/3 cup sunflower seeds or pumpkin seeds
05 - 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
06 - 1/4 teaspoon salt

→ Wet Ingredients

07 - 1/2 cup honey
08 - 1/4 cup coconut oil or unsalted butter, melted
09 - 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

# Step-by-Step Guide:

01 - Preheat the oven to 325°F. Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper.
02 - In a large bowl, mix together rolled oats, chopped nuts, shredded coconut if using, seeds, cinnamon, and salt.
03 - In a small saucepan over low heat, gently warm honey and coconut oil or butter until melted and blended. Remove from heat and stir in vanilla.
04 - Pour the warmed wet mixture over the dry ingredients. Stir thoroughly until all components are evenly coated.
05 - Spread the mixture evenly onto the prepared baking sheet, pressing down gently to create a compact layer to encourage cluster formation.
06 - Bake for 20 to 25 minutes, rotating the pan halfway through, until golden brown and fragrant.
07 - Remove the baking sheet from the oven and allow the clusters to cool completely without stirring. Once cooled, break into pieces.
08 - Transfer clusters to an airtight container. Store at room temperature for up to two weeks.

# Expert Tips:

01 -
  • These clusters stay impossibly crispy for days, unlike most homemade granolas that go soft by day two.
  • The ratio of honey to oats is perfectly balanced so you get sweetness without that cloying, sticky feeling.
  • It comes together in under an hour from start to finish, including baking time.
02 -
  • Don't skip the cooling step or try to hurry it along—that's what separates proper clusters from expensive granola dust.
  • If your clusters feel soft the next day, it means either the oven temperature was too low or you didn't bake it long enough; trust the golden-brown color more than the timer.
03 -
  • Rotate your baking sheet even if your oven feels even—ovens lie, and that half rotation makes the difference between golden and burnt edges.
  • The moment you smell it in the oven and think it might be close to done, it probably has about five more minutes; that's your cue to start watching closely.
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