Fitness / January 11, 2024

Granola Clusters Recipe

Go DIY with this recipe for homemade Granola Clusters—a wholesome mix of oats, nuts, and seeds, held together with maple syrup and flavored with cinnamon.

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Everything tastes better in cluster form.

There, I said it. Is it true? Dunno. But if we limited our sample size to just this recipe for Granola Clusters, then it is indubitably true!

Why clusters are so great is that they make on-the-go eating so much easier (not to mention tidier). How many times have I scooped loose granola into a Ziploc bag then headed out the door, only to reach my hand into said bag and fumble with the bits and pieces inside? By the time said hand makes it to my mouth, half the granola has made its way onto my clothes.

These clusters are a step up from my other granola endeavors—Grain-Free Low-Carb Keto Granola, which is delicious but almost more of a cereal than a snack; and my Protein Granola, which emphasizes the protein boost but not convenience. These clusters are where it’s at. Whip up a batch and see for yourself—you need not lose oats down your blouse ever again!

Are Granola Clusters Healthy?

Yes. All the ingredients are natural, so no added sugars or unwanted ingredients are gonna find their way into the mix. With these ingredients you’ve got fiber, carbs, fat, and protein—everything you could want in a snack. It’s ideal for those on vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free (ensure the oats are gluten-free), and paleo (replace the maple syrup with honey) diets.

INGREDIENTS

3 cups rolled oats
2/3 cup maple syrup
1/3 cup olive oil
1 tsp fine sea salt
1 tsp ground cinnamon
1 vanilla pod
1 cup peanuts
1/3 cup chia seeds
1/3 cup flax seeds

INSTRUCTIONS

Mix

Set the oven to 325°F. In a bowl, mix the rolled oats, chopped peanuts, ground cinnamon, chia seeds, flax seeds, and salt.

Add

Add the olive oil, maple syrup, and vanilla pod seeds. Mix all the ingredients until they are slightly sticky.

Cluster

Separate the mixture into small clusters on a baking tray greased with oil.

Bake

Bake for 20 minutes.

DEVOUR!

Tips & Tricks to Making Perfect Granola Clusters

Use old-fashioned rolled oats. They have the ideal texture and roll easily into clusters.
Ensure you mix the syrup in with the other ingredients really well. This way, you mitigate the chances of your clusters falling apart.
Don’t stir during baking. If you disturb the clusters, they won’t stick together.
To make your clusters crispier, lower the temperature to 300°F and bake for longer. This will dry out the oats and promote clustering.
Let the granola cool after coming out of the oven. They’ll stick together better.

FAQs

why are my clusters not sticking together?

Are you using the right amount of syrup? What about the oats? I recommend old-fashioned rolled oats for ease of clustering. If nothing else works, consider adding a nut butter or an egg white to aid in stickiness.

can i use instant oats?

You could, though rolled oats have a better texture and cluster more easily.

why are my clusters really hard?

You either baked them for too long a time or at too high a temperature. Try lowering both for your next batch.

can i add fruit to my clusters?

Yes, but wait until after they’ve baked to roll the clusters in small bits of fruit. If you add the fruit before baking, their moisture may compromise the adhesion.

can i make this into a cereal?

Sure, just don’t cluster them. Leave them spread out in the pan.

Other Granola Recipes to Try

Best Homemade Granola Bars: The perfect snack, with honey, chocolate chip, oats, coconut & peanut butter.

Vegan Granola Bars: Gluten-free granola bars made without dairy or egg.

Healthy Oatmeal Breakfast Cookies With Granola: Granola… but in cookie form! Give them cookies but feel good about giving them something healthy.

Healthy Chewy Granola Bar Recipe With Chocolate Chips: Chewy and moist granola bars with something to satisfy your sweet tooth.

How to Store Granola Clusters

Let the clusters cool completely then store them in Ziploc bags for portability or an airtight container. You can keep them at room temperature or store them in the fridge for up to 2 weeks. Alternately, you can freeze the granola clusters for up to 3 months. Before taking a bite out of them, let them sit at room temperature until the desired texture/temperature is attained.