This super tasty, healthy granola is addictively good! It’s made with chewy old-fashioned oats, tart dried cherries, and crunchy toasted pecans and sunflower seeds. And sweetened with a bit of maple syrup (or honey). Plus, it’s so easy to make!
Healthy Granola with Cherries and Pecans
Much like overnight oats, homemade granola is a no-fuss breakfast option, especially if you’re in a rush. It’s easy to make a big batch in advance. And it will keep for weeks if stored in an air-tight container.
It’s great with milk (or your favorite milk alternative) or spooned it over your favorite yogurt (and fruit). You can also add a sprinkle to the tip of your oatmeal.
How to Make Granola Healthier
The key to making granola healthier is to watch the sugar and the oil (and your portion size!).
Granola is loaded with protein, minerals, and cholesterol-lowing ingredients like nuts, seeds, and oats. But store-bought granola is often also full of sugar. And it can also contain high saturated fat like palm oil and hydrogenated oils.
But when you make your own granola, you can control what you put into it — without compromising on taste. For this recipe, which is adapted from Elizabeth Rider, I used old-fashioned oats, slightly tart, unsweetened dried cherries, toasted raw pecans and sunflower seeds, and a sprinkle of chia seeds.
I also used just a bit of maple syrup as a sweetener (you can also use honey), as well as organic coconut oil (melted). You could also use high-quality olive oil.
Tips on Making Homemade Granola
This cherry and pecan granola is super easy to make. But here are a few things to keep in mind.
- Use Old-Fashioned Oats: These are also called rolled oats. They’re flat and flaky. Don’t use instant or quick-cooking or steel-cut oats. I use these.
- Use Dried Fruit, Nuts, and Seeds of Your Choice: This recipe is pretty versatile. If you don’t love cherries or pecans, you can sub out for any dried fruit or raw nut (or seed) you prefer. Just remember to use unsweetened dried fruit.
- Don’t Dry Out Your Fruit: To keep your fruit from drying out, don’t bake it with the other ingredients. Wait to add it until the granola comes out of the oven. This applies especially to raisins, which can get rock hard during the baking process.
- Storing Tips: You can store your granola at room temperature in a air-tight container for up a month.
Looking for more? Make sure to check out these too!
Matcha Chia Seed Pudding with Nice Cream
The Best Coconut Vegan Birthday Cake
Easy Piña Colada Smoothie Bowls {Vegan}
Easy Chocolate Pumpkin Protein Balls
Yummiest Cherry Almond Ricotta Cake
If you make this recipe, I’d love to hear from you! Make sure to tell me what you think in the comments below. And tag me in your photos on Instagram.
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Easy and Healthy Granola with Cherries and Pecans
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 8 servings 1x
Description
Healthy homemade granola with cherries and pecans. Addictively good — and so easy to make!
Ingredients
- 2 cups old-fashioned oats
- 1/2 cup raw pecans nuts, roughly chopped
- 1/3 cup sliced raw almonds
- 1/4 cup raw sunflower (or pumpkin seeds)
- 1/2 cup unsweetened dried cherries, chopped
- 1 tablespoon chia seeds
- 1/3 cup maple syrup (or honey)
- 2 tablespoons virgin coconut oil, melted (or high-quality olive oil)
- 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1 pinch kosher salt
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 300 degrees. Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper and set aside.
- Whisk together the melted coconut oil, maple syrup, salt, and cinnamon in a large bowl.
- Mix in the oats, nuts, and seeds.
- Spread the mixture in a thin layer onto your prepared baking sheet.
- Bake until just lightly toasted, about 10-15 minutes, stirring half-way through.
- When the mixture has cooled slightly, add the dried fruit.
- Cool completely before serving or storing.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 10-15 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Bake
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size:
- Calories: 255
- Sugar: 8.5 g
- Sodium: 157 mg
- Fat: 14.1 g
- Carbohydrates: 26.1 g
- Protein: 5.4 g
- Cholesterol: 0 mg
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