Homemade Coconut Cranberry Chia Seed Granola: Your Perfect Healthy Breakfast & Snack
Whip up a batch of this delightful Coconut Cranberry Chia Seed Granola with just a few wholesome ingredients: rolled oats, shredded coconut, tangy dried cranberries, nutrient-rich chia seeds, crunchy almonds, and healthy coconut oil. It’s incredibly simple to make and serves as a fantastic, energizing breakfast with yogurt and fresh fruit, or a convenient snack for your busy days.
Spring is here, and with it, a renewed desire for fresh, wholesome foods. While my kitchen often buzzes with exciting side dishes and comforting dinner recipes, it’s time to bring back a breakfast favorite that truly shines: homemade granola. And this Coconut Cranberry Chia Seed Granola has quickly become a household staple.
There’s nothing quite like the aroma of freshly baked granola filling your home. This particular blend of coconut, cranberries, and chia seeds creates an irresistible crunch and a perfect balance of sweet and tart flavors. It’s so good, in fact, that it disappears from my pantry almost as quickly as I can make it! If you’re looking for another similar on-the-go option, you might also love these Cranberry Almond Energy Bites, which offer a delightful bite-sized snack.
Why Choose Homemade Granola? The Benefits Are Endless
Granola is a versatile food, equally satisfying whether it’s soaked in milk for a quick breakfast, layered with creamy yogurt and fresh fruit, or simply enjoyed by the handful as an energizing snack. While store-bought options are plentiful, making your own at home offers a multitude of advantages that are hard to beat.
1. Unmatched Ingredient Control
One of the primary reasons I love making my own granola is the complete control it gives me over the ingredients. Many commercial granolas, despite their “healthy” image, are often loaded with excessive sugar and unhealthy oils. With homemade granola, you dictate what goes in. For this Coconut Cranberry Chia Seed Granola recipe, you’ll find natural sweetness from the shredded coconut and dried cranberries. However, if you’re aiming to reduce sugar even further, opt for unsweetened shredded coconut and look for cranberries with minimal added sugar. You can also adjust the amount of honey or brown sugar to suit your preference, ensuring a truly wholesome treat.
2. Endless Customization Possibilities
Homemade granola is a blank canvas for culinary creativity. This recipe provides a fantastic base, but feel free to experiment! Not a fan of almonds? Swap them for pecans, walnuts, cashews, or even pistachios. Want to boost the nutritional profile? Add a mix of other seeds like flax seeds or pumpkin seeds. The same goes for dried fruits – raisins, chopped apricots, dried blueberries, or cherries can all be wonderful substitutes or additions to the cranberries, allowing you to tailor each batch to your taste or what you have on hand.
3. Superior Freshness and Flavor
There’s simply no comparison to the fresh taste and crisp texture of granola made right in your own kitchen. The ingredients are baked to perfection, resulting in a vibrant flavor profile that pre-packaged granolas struggle to replicate. The warmth and aromatic spices, like cinnamon in this recipe, truly come alive when fresh from the oven, making your breakfast or snack experience all the more enjoyable.
4. Cost-Effective and Eco-Friendly
Buying pre-made granola, especially those with premium ingredients, can be surprisingly expensive. Making it at home is a much more economical option, allowing you to enjoy high-quality ingredients without the hefty price tag. Plus, you can reduce waste by buying ingredients in bulk and storing your homemade granola in reusable airtight containers, contributing to a more sustainable lifestyle.
The Simplicity of Granola Making: A Family Affair
Beyond the benefits of control and customization, homemade granola is incredibly easy to prepare. It truly boils down to three simple steps: measure your ingredients, mix them together, and bake until golden brown. It’s a rewarding process that yields delicious results with minimal effort.
It’s also a wonderful recipe to get kids involved in the kitchen. My son, Will, particularly enjoys helping with the measuring and pouring of ingredients – simple tasks that even a 3 1/2-year-old can master. He also takes great pleasure in tasting each ingredient as it goes into the bowl, even the chia seeds!
As mentioned, like most homemade granola recipes, this one is incredibly flexible. If you have nut allergies or simply prefer to omit them, feel free to leave out the almonds and perhaps increase the amount of dried fruit or add more seeds for extra texture. The key is to enjoy the process and create a granola that’s perfect for you!
Serving Suggestions & Storage Tips
Once your Coconut Cranberry Chia Seed Granola has cooled and achieved its perfect crunch, the possibilities for enjoying it are endless:
- Classic Breakfast: Serve with a splash of your favorite milk (dairy or plant-based).
- Yogurt Parfait: Layer with Greek yogurt and fresh berries for a protein-packed start to your day.
- Smoothie Topping: Sprinkle generously over your morning smoothie bowl for added crunch and nutrients.
- On-the-Go Snack: Grab a handful for a quick energy boost between meals.
- Dessert Enhancement: Use it as a crunchy topping for baked apples, fruit crumbles, or even ice cream!
To keep your homemade granola fresh and crunchy for longer, store it in an airtight container at room temperature. Mason jars work perfectly and look lovely on the counter. While ours rarely lasts more than a week with the granola lovers in my house, it can typically be stored for up to two weeks, maintaining its delicious texture and flavor.
OTHER CRANBERRY RECIPES YOU MIGHT LIKE:
WARM BRIE CRANBERRY NAAN
HAM CHEESE AND CRANBERRY ROLLUPS
OVERNIGHT EGGNOG FRENCH TOAST BAKE WITH CRANBERRY MAPLE SYRUP
CRANBERRY COCNUT OATMEAL COOKIE BARS
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Coconut Cranberry Granola
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Ingredients
- 3 Tablespoons brown sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 cup coconut oil, melted
- 1/3 cup honey
- 1 teaspoon vanilla
- 3 cups old fashioned oats
- 1/2 cup sweetened coconut, shredded
- 1/2 cup almonds, or nut of your choice
- 1/2 cup dried cranberries
- 1/4 cup chia seeds
Instructions
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Preheat the oven to 300 degrees F (150 degrees C).
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In a medium mixing bowl, combine the brown sugar, cinnamon, salt, melted coconut oil, vanilla extract, and honey. Whisk these wet ingredients together until well combined. Set this mixture aside.
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In a separate large mixing bowl, combine the dry ingredients: old-fashioned oats, shredded coconut, almonds (or your chosen nuts), dried cranberries, and chia seeds. Mix these ingredients thoroughly.
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Pour the whisked coconut oil and honey mixture over the dry oat mixture. Stir everything together meticulously until all the oats and other dry ingredients are completely coated. This ensures even flavor and crispiness.
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Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper to prevent sticking and make cleanup easy. Spread the granola mixture onto the prepared baking sheet in an even, thin layer. Avoid overcrowding the pan for optimal crispiness.
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Bake the granola for 30 minutes. Be sure to stir the mixture every 10-12 minutes to ensure even baking and prevent burning, especially the edges. The granola is done when it’s golden brown and fragrant.
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Once baked, remove the granola from the oven and let it sit on the baking sheet until completely cooled. This is a crucial step for achieving that signature crunchy texture. Once cooled, serve it over yogurt with fresh fruit, or enjoy it as a standalone snack. Store any remaining granola in airtight containers, such as mason jars, in your pantry or on your counter for up to two weeks. Enjoy your homemade goodness!
Notes
- You can use whatever nut you feel like using – walnuts and pecans have worked good for me. For a nut-free option, increase the seeds or dried fruit.
- You can substitute raisins, chopped apricots, or dried blueberries for the dried cranberries if you want, or use a mix of your favorite dried fruits.
- For a less sweet granola, use unsweetened shredded coconut and consider slightly reducing the amount of brown sugar and honey.
- For extra flavor depth, you can add a pinch of nutmeg or a dash of ginger along with the cinnamon.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.