Simple and Healthy Honey Cinnamon Granola

Honey cinnamon granola laced with dried cranberries, walnuts, and almonds combines the perfect crunchy bite with a slightly sweet and nutty flavor. This recipe is easy to make with just a handful of pantry staples. Skip the store-bought packs and enjoy this healthful and delicious homemade granola!

If you’re tired of store-bought granola, that’s loaded with sugar and can hurt the pocketbook, then today I am excited to share with you my simple, easy, and delicious Honey Cinnamon Granola! With the addition of a secret ingredient and baking tip, you’ll end up with granola clusters every time. These clusters, combined with just a hint of sweetness and the light crunch of the almonds and walnuts, make for the ultimate granola to start your day or when you need a healthful afternoon pick-me-up. Packed with nutritious ingredients like old-fashioned oats, honey, and nuts, this granola will quickly become a household favorite!

Why Make this Granola?

Granola is a cornerstone pantry staple in households across the United States, whether it’s used to top your morning yogurt bowl or as a portable, satisfying snack on the go. While grocery stores offer countless options from peanut butter and chocolate to strawberries and cream, many are marketed with the facade of being a nutritious and healthy option, but are full of sugar.

When homemade, granola is a fantastic addition to your daily eating habits, featuring wholesome grains, dried fruit, and nuts without excessive sugar leading to an energy crash. This recipe uses honey as a natural sweetener, a less processed sugar than refined sugars, and includes nutritious add-ins, making each serving an excellent source of vitamins, minerals, and sustainable energy.

Whole grains, like the old-fashioned oats used in this recipe, provide sustainable energy, are a great source of fiber, and contain numerous vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants. Granola is quick, simple, and cost-effective, so skip the store-bought varieties and try this Baklava-inspired recipe!

Let’s Talk Nutrition!

Honey (mele) and cinnamon (kanela) are two staples in Greek and Mediterranean cuisine, along with walnuts and almonds. These ingredients not only taste great but also offer numerous health benefits.

Old Fashioned Oats: Oats are a heart-healthy whole-grain, and provide the body with complex carbohydrates, fiber, and protein. They contain manganese, zinc, and vitamin B1. The presence of fiber in oats helps regulate insulin response and lower cholesterol levels.

Honey: A natural sweetener packed with antioxidants, honey helps protect the body from oxidative stress. Buying local honey may also come with some advantages as it’s less processed and is suggested to help ease seasonal allergies. Its antimicrobial properties assist in immune function and aid in healing processes.

Cinnamon: Known for its fragrant, earthy notes, cinnamon is a spice that brings warmth and comfort to mind. Cinnamon offers anti-inflammatory properties that may help with reducing pain and swelling. It also helps in regulating blood sugar by increasing insulin sensitivity, benefiting overall health, and preventing chronic diseases such as diabetes and heart disease.

Walnuts: Rich in omega-3 fatty acids, particularly alpha-linolenic acid, walnuts reduce inflammation and are a great source of antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals. With that, walnuts are great for brain and heart health as they can potentially aid in supporting cognitive functioning and improve cholesterol while lowering blood pressure.

Almonds: Similar to that of walnuts, almonds offer healthy monounsaturated fats and magnesium. Almonds help regulate blood sugar and blood pressure. They provide numerous nutrients and antioxidants per serving.

Cranberries: Rich in antioxidants and bioactive compounds, cranberries aid in hair and nail health and support the prevention of urinary tract infections thanks to their antibacterial properties. They are a good source of vitamins C, E, and K1, as well as manganese.

As always, everything in balance. I am not a nutritionist nor a registered dietitian this is simply a brief overview and not an exhaustive source. Please seek a registered practitioner for more information.

How to Make: Ingredients and Steps

Ingredients -

Old-Fashioned Oats: Hearty wholegrain that serves as a base for granola. Gluten-free old-fashioned oats can be used.

Dried Cranberries: I used reduced-sugar dried cranberries but any kind will work fine. Raisins can be substituted.

Walnuts: Provide a soft crunch to the granola and add depth of flavor when roasted. Pecans or hazelnuts can be substituted.

Almonds: Provide a subtle sweet, fruity flavor that plays well with the dried cranberries. Pistachios or cashews can be substituted.

Honey: Adds sweetness and helps mend ingredients together. Maple syrup can be substituted.

Cinnamon: Warm and fragrant spice that adds additional flavor.

Salt: Just a pinch to balance all flavors.

Steps -

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit and line a 9”x13” baking sheet with parchment paper. Set Aside.

2. In a large mixing bowl, combine the old-fashioned oats, dried cranberries, chopped walnuts, sliced almonds, cinnamon, honey, and salt. Mix the ingredients with a spatula until everything is evenly distributed throughout the mixture.

For my secret ingredient and step, I add water! Add 2 tablespoons of lukewarm water to the mixture and gently mix again. Adding water allows for the oats to absorb the moisture and become slightly sticky. In turn, as the granola bakes it will adhere together enabling you to get clusters of granola as opposed to small pieces.

3. Add the granola mixture to the prepared baking sheet and evenly spread. Gently pat the mixture with the back of the spatula forming what will appear like a big granola bar. Place in oven on the middle rack and bake for 30 minutes or until golden brown turning the pan halfway through.

Remember that step I mentioned above about clusters, I know it’s tempting to mix the granola at this point, but do not as this will keep you from developing big clusters, trust me!

4. Remove from oven and allow to cool completely. Once cooled, break the granola into desired pieces and enjoy!

Serving suggestions:

Baking your own granola at home is a great way to save money and create delicious variations with ingredients you already have in your pantry. Whether you’re looking for a quick breakfast, a healthy snack, or a versatile topping, this Honey Cinnamon granola fits the criteria. Here are some serving suggestions to make the most of this homemade, heart-healthy, and high-fiber recipe.

Yogurt Parfait: Layer or top your honey cinnamon granola with Greek yogurt, fresh, seasonable berries, and an extra drizzle of honey for a balanced, protein-filled, and probiotic-rich meal or snack. The tang from the yogurt pairs beautifully with the sweetness of the granola and provides a textural contrast.
Smoothie or Acai Bowl: Generously sprinkle the granola atop your favorite smoothie bowl for added texture and a boost of nutrients for a blend of simple and complex carbohydrates for a satiating meal.
On-the-go snack: Keep a container of granola in your bag for a convenient and nutritious snack. It’s great for a quick energy boost during busy mornings and afternoons.
Topping: Use as a topping on salads for texture and extra fiber or as a topping for your ice cream for a balanced and nutritious dessert. The honey and cinnamon flavors will compliment a variety of dishes, sweet and savory.
Cereal: Simply enjoy with your favorite milk of choice. It’s a quick and wholesome way to start the day with no fuss. Pair with berries and a side of scrambled eggs for a perfectly balanced meal providing stable energy throughout the day.