Cinnamon Granola Recipe
This cinnamon granola recipe is packed full of tasty, healthy goodness – with oats, chia seeds, and flaxseed meal – and naturally sweetened with agave, honey, and orange juice. It’s delicious for breakfast, a snack, or topped on an apple crisp.
Homemade granola is a family staple, dating back to my high school days. Our recipe has evolved over the years, as we’ve learned more about the healthful benefits of grains and natural sweeteners. Switching to natural sweeteners is easy in this recipe, and actually enhances the flavor. We combine honey and agave to give the granola a sweet, but not overly honey flavor. Agave has a more neutral taste than honey, with a slightly caramel flavor. Fresh orange juice lends a citrusy sweetness, a lovely blend with the warmth of cinnamon. We go heavy with cinnamon in this granola. If you’re less of a fan, reduce the amount added to the recipe.
We boost the fiber, protein, antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals by adding our Grain and Seed Mix. Made of equal parts chia seeds, flaxseed meal, wheat germ, and oat bran, the mix substitutes for 1 cup of whole oats. We keep a big batch of the Grain and Seed Mix at the ready, so adding a cup to the cinnamon granola recipe is a cinch. It’s just as easy to add the components one at a time or omit and use another cup of oats.
This cinnamon granola recipe is quick and easy. It’s perfect for getting the kids involved in the kitchen. Each step is quick and fun – measuring, pouring, and stirring. Then enjoy the warm, cinnamon baking aroma that fills the house.
Make and Freeze
We’ve provided our bulk recipe using 7 cups of dry ingredients. This big batch makes enough to keep half fresh and freeze the rest for up to 3 months. We store half of the batch in our pantry in a repurposed food container.
Stored in a freezer safe container, the granola retains its flavor and crunch. When you’re ready to defrost the granola, pull as much as you need from the freezer and give it about 10 minutes to come to room temperature. Then it’s ready to enjoy!
Check out another recipe you can make as a big batch and save half – Fire Roasted Green Tomato Salsa.
Our Favorite Ways to Enjoy Cinnamon Granola
Cinnamon granola is a favorite breakfast for each of our three generations. We all love it added to our morning cereal or on top of yogurt.
It’s especially tasty topped on oatmeal, giving some much needed crunch. If you love yummy breakfast, check out our aebleskiver recipe.
We combine granola with nuts and dried fruit for an afternoon snack. Or just enjoy a plain handful as a quick boost.
Of course, we can’t leave out dessert. We substitute 1/2 oats with cinnamon granola (and leave out any extra cinnamon) in our favorite fruit crisp recipes.
Customize Cinnamon Granola with Optional Add-ins
We make our big batch of cinnamon granola as a base with ingredients all of our varied tasters enjoy. Our preferences range from absolutely plain (my 4-year old) to fully loaded (my dad), and everywhere in between. The crunchy cinnamon base is delicious as is, but it’s easy to add flavor and texture with a small handful at the time of serving. Our favorite add-ins are pumpkin seeds, sunflower seeds, dried cranberries, raisins, unsweetened coconut flakes, and chopped nuts. These tasty seeds, dried fruit, and nuts can also be added halfway through baking if everyone in your family is on board.
Cinnamon Granola Recipe
Makes 9 cups*
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 30 minutes
Serving size: 1/4 cup
*This recipe makes enough to freeze. Halve the ingredients for a smaller batch to keep fresh.
Ingredients:
6 cups whole grain oats
1 cup Healthful Boost: Grain & Seed Mix*
1/3-1/2 cup cinnamon
1 tablespoon ginger
1/4 cup honey
1/4 cup agave
3/4 cup orange juice (strained with pulp removed)
1/4 cup olive oil (or other oil)
3 tablespoons vanilla
*Grain and Seed Mix: 1/4 cup chia seeds, 1/4 cup flaxseed meal, 1/4 cup wheat germ, 1/4 cup oat bran
How to Make Cinnamon Granola
Preheat oven to 350°F. Line 2 large, rimmed baking sheets with parchment paper or a silicone baking mat.
Combine oats, Grain & Seed Mix, cinnamon, and ginger in large mixing bowl.
In separate, microwave-safe bowl, combine honey and agave. Heat for 30 seconds to soften honey. Stir in orange juice, oil, and vanilla.
Pour wet ingredients over dry. Stir to combine.
Pour granola into prepared pans and spread into an even layer.
Bake 30 minutes, stirring gently every 10 minutes. Rotate pans if on different shelves in oven. If you like granola extra toasty, bake for another 5 minutes.
Let us know if you like our cinnamon granola recipe!
Cinnamon Granola Recipe
This tasty homemade granola is naturally sweetened with agave, honey, and orange juice. It's delicious for breakfast or a snack healthy.
Ingredients
- 6 cups whole grain oats
- 1 cup Healthful Boost: Grain & Seed Mix*
- 1/3-1/2 cup cinnamon
- 1 tablespoon ginger
- 1/2 cup honey
- 1/4 cup agave
- 3/4 cup orange juice (strained with pulp removed)
- 1/4 cup olive oil (or other oil)
- 3 tablespoons vanilla
- *Grain and Seed Mix: 1/4 cup chia seeds, 1/4 cup flaxseed meal, 1/4 cup wheat germ, 1/4 cup oat bran
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F. Line 2 large, rimmed baking sheets with parchment paper or a silicone baking mat.
- Combine oats, Grain & Seed Mix, cinnamon, and ginger in large mixing bowl.
- In separate, microwave-safe bowl, combine honey and agave. Heat for 30 seconds to soften honey. Stir in orange juice, oil, and vanilla.
- Pour wet ingredients over dry. Stir to combine.
- Pour granola into prepared pans and spread into an even layer.
- Bake 30 minutes, stirring gently every 10 minutes. Rotate pans if on different shelves in oven. If you like granola extra toasty, bake for another 5 minutes.
- Remove from oven. Cool to room temperature, then break up chunks.
- Store cinnamon granola in an airtight container in cool, dry place, for up to 3 weeks. Store extra in the freezer for up to 3 months.
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