Pecan Granola With Coconut & Cranberries

Start your morning off right with this delicious and nutritious Pecan Granola With Coconut & Cranberries. This easy-to-make recipe combines the nutty flavor of pecans with sweet coconut flakes, tart cranberries, and warm spices to create a crunchy breakfast that will satisfy even the pickiest eaters. Best of all, you can customize it to fit your tastes by adding in different nuts or dried fruits. Enjoy!

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Why you’ll love this recipe

Here are four reasons why someone would love pecan granola with coconut and cranberries:

1. Delicious taste: Pecan granola with coconut and cranberries is simply delicious! The combination of sweet and nutty flavors creates a mouthwatering taste that is perfect for breakfast or a snack any time of day.
2. Healthy ingredients: Pecans are a great source of healthy fats and protein, while coconut provides healthy medium-chain triglycerides. Cranberries are packed with antioxidants, and all ingredients are generally low in sugar and high in fiber.
3. Customizable: Pecan granola with coconut and cranberries is very customizable and can be tailored to your individual taste preferences. You can add or substitute ingredients like seeds, oats, or different types of nuts to create your own unique recipe.
4. Convenient and easy to make: Making homemade granola is very easy and convenient. It requires only a few minutes of active preparation time, and the recipe can be scaled up or down to suit your needs. You can store it in an airtight container for up to a few weeks, and it makes a great grab-and-go snack or breakfast option.

What is granola?

Granola is a type of cereal that is made from oats and other ingredients like nuts, seeds, and dried fruit that are mixed together and baked until crispy. It is typically eaten as a breakfast food, often served with milk or yogurt.

Granola is usually considered a healthy food because it contains nutrients like protein, fiber, and healthy fats. It can also be customized by adding or substituting different ingredients to suit individual taste preferences. Granola can be found in most grocery stores or can be made at home relatively easily.

Ingredients

• Oats: You’ll want 180grams of rolled oats for this recipe
• Pecans: Use pecan nuts chopped into small pieces to make a nice consistency in the granola
• Cranberries: Dried cranberries are best for this as fresh ones will make the mixture too moist
• Coconut: You will use coconut flakes in the granola and also melted coconut oil to bind everything together
• Cinnamon: Ground cinnamon works perfectly for this recipe
• Honey: Use your favourite honey to bind everything and add a little sweetness

Grab the full ingredients details and instructions in the recipe card below!

Substitutions and Additions

• Cranberries: Dried blueberries, cherries, or raisins can be used as a substitute for cranberries in pecan granola.
• Coconut: If you don’t have coconut, you can use chopped almonds, pecans, or cashews instead for added crunch. You can also use sunflower seeds or pumpkin seeds for a nut-free option.
• Cinnamon: If you don’t have cinnamon, you can replace it with nutmeg, allspice, cardamom, or ginger for a warm and spicy flavor.
• Honey: Maple syrup, agave nectar, or brown rice syrup can be used as a substitute for honey in granola. If you prefer a low-sugar option, you can use unsweetened applesauce or mashed bananas instead.

Instructions

Step 1: Prepare the baking tray

Preheat the oven to 300°F (150°C). Line a baking tray with baking paper.  

Step 2: Prepare the oats and pecans

In a large bowl, stir together the rolled oats, pecans, ground cinnamon and salt, then set aside. 

Step 3: Heat the honey and oil

In a small pot, combine the honey, coconut oil and vanilla extract. Place over a medium heat and cook, stirring constantly, until smooth. Pour the honey mixture into the oat mixture and stir well until combined. 

Step 4: Add to the baking tray

Pour onto the baking sheet and spread the mixture out in a single layer. 

Step 5: Cook the granola

Bake in the oven for 25 minutes until golden brown, stirring twice during the cooking time. Then remove the tray from the oven and set it aside to cool completely.

Step 6: Add dried fruit and serve

Once cooled, stir through the dried cranberries and coconut flakes. Place in an airtight container with a tight fitting lid and store on the counter top.

Recipe tips

Here are four tips to help make a pecan granola with coconut and cranberries recipe successful:

1. Measure ingredients carefully: It’s important to measure the ingredients carefully, especially if you’re using different types of nuts or dried fruit. This will help ensure that the granola has a good balance of flavors and textures as well as the right consistency.
2. Stir the granola frequently: During baking, stir the granola frequently to avoid burning. This will also help ensure that it bakes evenly and every piece gets crispy.
3. Don’t over-bake: It’s important to watch your granola closely and not over-bake it. Over-baking can result in a burnt taste, a hard texture, and a loss of flavor from the added ingredients.
4. Let it cool before serving: Once the granola is out of the oven, let it cool completely before serving. This will allow it to crisp up even more and make it easier to store without losing its texture.

Recipe FAQ

Is this recipe gluten-free?

It depends on the ingredients used. If using certified gluten-free oats and ensuring all other ingredients are gluten-free, then this recipe can be gluten-free.

Can I use different types of nuts or dried fruit?

Yes, you can customize this recipe to use your preferred nuts or dried fruit. Just ensure you measure the ingredients carefully.

Can I make this recipe ahead of time?

Yes, this granola can be made ahead of time and stored in an airtight container. It should stay fresh for up to a few weeks.

How can I serve this granola?

This granola can be served as a breakfast cereal with milk or yogurt, or as a snack by itself. You can also add it to smoothie bowls or sprinkle it over fruit for added crunch.

Can I make this recipe vegan?

Yes, you can make this recipe vegan by using maple syrup or agave nectar instead of honey and ensuring all other ingredients used are vegan.

Storage & reheating

• Fridge: To store leftover pecan granola, allow it to cool completely and then transfer it to an airtight container. You can keep the container at room temperature, and it should stay fresh for up to a few weeks.
• Freezer: To freeze, transfer the granola to a freezer-safe, airtight container or a resealable plastic bag and label it with the date. It should stay fresh for up to three months when stored properly in the freezer.
• To use frozen granola, simply remove the desired amount from the freezer and allow it to come to room temperature before serving. Do not thaw and re-freeze granola as it can lead to a loss of texture and quality.

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• Instant Pot Chicken Salad with Strawberries, Feta, and Pecans
• Cherry Pecan Nice Cream
• Homemade Peanut Granola With Blueberries