Once you make this Holiday Spiced Crunchy Granola, you will NEVER want store-bought again!
I am a granola girl for sure. Cinnamon, ginger, and cloves combine to create that wonderful gingerbread granola taste. The perfect addition to my pumpkin yogurt.
This Christmas granola in a jar makes the perfect food gift for the holidays. All the wonderful spices of the season. I think you need to give my pumpkin latte a try too.
NOW that I have experienced the awesomeness of this over-the-top delicious goodness, bought granola will NEVER make an appearance again. This is the BEST granola ever.
RECIPE and INSTRUCTIONS for this easy homemade granola are at the bottom of this post.
Don’t ask me what took so long, but hey better late than never. I made this about 2 days ago, and I can still smell the wonderful aroma when I go into the kitchen. Want to make your house smell wonderful? Make some of this granola, works like a charm. You will instantly be in the Christmas spirit!
I still love my versions of Healthy Granola, Soft Chewy Granola Bars, and No-bake Granola Bars but this crunchy granola is my favourite so far. I cannot believe it took me so long to get on the bandwagon. One batch and I am totally addicted.
So many flavour combinations are rolling around in my head right now. HOW did I NOT try this sooner? The same thing happened with I made homemade cranberry sauce for the first time. I have never bought canned cranberries again.
What Is In Holiday Granola?
This homemade gourmet granola combines all the flavours of the season. You will need:
- old fashioned oats
- raw whole almonds
- hemp hearts
- raw pumpkin seeds
- raw pistachios
- dried cranberries
- coconut oil
- maple syrup
- molasses
- cinnamon
- ginger
- cloves
Super simple ingredients. In fact, if you don’t like something on this list, substitute what you do like. There is NO wrong way to make this spicy granola recipe trust me.
Just reading this list of ingredients gets me super excited. I love the aroma as this bakes. It smells like gingerbread granola. I am all about the holiday spices.
Since my mom is no longer with us, I try to make some of her recipes during the holidays to keep her spirit alive. She did love making lots of wonderful holiday cookies, and for this granola recipe, I used the flavours from her Crispy Molasses Cookies.
Speaking of molasses, did you know there are many different kinds of molasses? I was blown away to find out that so many kinds existed. From dark to light, blackstrap, and pomegranate too. There is even a difference between sulfured vs unsulfured molasses.
Ok, so it is now November! OMG, don’t even get me started on how many shopping days are left till Christmas. I know my USA blogger friends are getting geared up for Thanksgiving (and your awesome Black Friday deals). I can feel my stress level starting to rise just thinking about the next couple of months.
I know I have got to start my holiday baking very soon.
How To Make Homemade Holiday Granola
This granola recipe is so incredibly easy to make. It only takes about 30 minutes. Customize the ingredients to suit your palette. Simple ingredients, no artificial flavours or preservatives. You can never go wrong with easy, healthy and delicious.
- Mix up some oats and whatever nuts and seeds you like.
- Add the coconut oil, maple syrup, molasses, and spices.
- Bake.
- Let cool (it will turn nice and crunchy).
- Add some cranberries (or other dried fruits) and even chocolate chips too.
- Pour into a bowl and let everyone serve themselves. Perfect on its own, or as a topping on yogurt.
- Place in a sealed container, and it will keep for several weeks.
I love using these *(affiliate) silicone mats on my *(affiliate)baking sheets. It keeps the granola from sticking and makes cleanup a breeze.
People Ask
Keep it in an airtight container or sealed ziplock bag. It will stay crunchy for weeks.
The directions on the recipe card are pretty accurate, but everyone’s oven tends to vary in temperature. When you kitchen smells like the holidays and the granola is a light golden brown it is ready.
Since they are much thinner, you can use them they will cook much faster. You will have to adjust your cooking time to avoid burning. Steel cut oats WILL NOT work in this recipe.
Keep an eye on it during baking. Be sure to mix it to allow for even browning. If your oven runs high, turn the temperature down.
This granola recipe will get you dreaming of sugar plums and Cookies for Santa. Cinnamon, ginger, and cloves combined with maple syrup and molasses.
Not only is this delicious to eat, what a great “food gift” to take to all the hosts/hostesses of the Christmas parties this season.
Talking about homemade holiday food gift ideas, have you tried my Homemade Bourbon Fudge? OMG, this is a huge hit every year. A must for the holiday treat tray.
White Chocolate Popcorn Balls are super festive. Just like mini snowballs covered in holiday sprinkles.
Do you love making and receiving food gifts for Christmas? Well, you REALLY need to check out this post 28 Unique Edible Gifts for Christmas! Great for stocking stuffers, teacher’s gifts and to take to holiday parties too. You just might even want to make a few of these all for yourself.
This Homemade Holiday Spiced Festive Crunchy Granola would make a great stocking stuffer too. Perfect for the gluten-free and vegans on your list.
Have I got you dreaming of Christmas spices yet? It is NOT too early to start enjoying the foods of the holiday season.
What is YOUR favourite kind of homemade granola?
Be sure to CLICK THE SUBSCRIBE BUTTON located in the TOP MENU. You will get a FREE PRINTABLE and recipes! FOLLOW ME on social media too.
Holiday Spiced Granola (Food Gift Idea)
Ingredients
- 3 cups old fashioned rolled oats
- 1 cup raw whole almonds (or your choice of nuts)
- ½ cup hemp hearts
- ½ cup raw pumpkin seeds
- ½ cup raw pistachios
- 1 cup dried cranberries
- ¼ cup coconut oil
- ½ cup maple syrup
- ¼ cup molasses
- 2 teaspoons cinnamon
- 1 teaspoons ground ginger
- ¼ teaspoons ground cloves
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350º F, and line a baking sheet with parchment.
- In a large bowl combine the oats, nuts, and seeds. (I broke my almonds up slightly in the blender, but feel free to leave them whole)
- In a small microwavable bowl combine the coconut oil, maple syrup, molasses and spices.
- Microwave for about 30 seconds until the oil melts. (You can also do this on the stove as well). Mix well.
- Pour over oatmeal mixture, and mix to coat well.
- Spread mixture onto prepared cookie sheet.
- Bake for 20 minutes (or so), mixing half way through.
- I like my granola really crunchy, so I baked it a few minutes longer. Just be careful as the granola can burn easily near the end of the baking time.
- Remove from oven.
- Let cool slightly, and add in the cranberries.
- Place in a bowl (or container).
- ENJOY!!
Sam
Yum, this granola looks amazing. I love the festive flavours you have put together in there, such a perfect pairing of ingredients. You are so right about homemade being way better than storebought. It just doesn’t compare.
Gloria Duggan | Homemade & Yummy
I agree, there is NO comparison. I need to make more of this….I already ate a batch.
Neha Khanuja
This granola looks to die for good! It has all the flavors that I adore, this would make for a great holiday gift as well!
Gloria Duggan | Homemade & Yummy
This makes the perfect food gift, or snack. One of our favourite holiday recipes.
Nicole Washington
I love granola. There is something about Homemade Granola that makes the house smell good and it tastes better too.
Gloria Duggan | Homemade & Yummy
Hope you give this granola recipe a try. I promise you will not be disappointed.
Shelley
Mmmmmm … homemade granola is so easy and so yummy – plus you get to control exactly what goes into it and the precise blend of flavors. Total win! What a great idea to create this recipe to feature holiday flavors – definitely a great idea for make-ahead hostess gifts, or for snacking or a special treat Christmas morning. Maybe Santa might even like some, instead of cookies! 😉
Gloria Duggan | Homemade & Yummy
This is a winner for the holidays all the way around. Enjoy!
Aleta
Yummy! I made this the other day and it has been a house favourite, in fact, I am going to make a triple batch and give it away under the tree this year!
Gloria Duggan | Homemade & Yummy
So glad you enjoyed the recipe. This is a hit in our house (and many of our friends and family too).
Mama Maggie's Kitchen
This dish looks so deliciously good. I wish I could eat that right this minute!
Gloria Duggan | Homemade & Yummy
This makes your house smell AMAZING….I leave it out on the counter for snacking. ENJOY!
Denise
I love this! What a great recipe, I am going to make some up to add to a homemade food basket I’m giving as a gift!
Gloria Duggan | Homemade & Yummy
This makes the perfect holiday food gift….they will love it for sure.
Sharon
I love snacking on granola and putting it in my yogurt for breakfast, so this granola recipe is perfect for the holiday season.
Gloria Duggan | Homemade & Yummy
I love snacking on this too….so addictive and totally delicious. Happy Holidays.
Amy
I make my own granola on a regular basis but never thought o make a holiday version. They would make for such excellent gifts! Never tried it with molasses or ginger and it sounds amazing.
Gloria Duggan | Homemade & Yummy
It does make a wonderful food gift for sure. ENJOY!
Trish Bozeman
YES! We are huge granola lovers and have our own holiday version that we make. But this one looks fantastic and I love the addition of molasses in there! Adding this to the rotation to make before the holidays hit (so soon!). Thanks, Gloria!
Gloria | Homemade & Yummy
I have a container on my kitchen counter right now. So good.
Dana
I love holiday-themed goodies and I love how this one is subtle about it. Homemade granola is one of my favorite things to make during the cooler months. I’m saving this and pinning it for the next time I make a batch!
Gloria | Homemade & Yummy
I just made a HUGE batch of this on the weekend. It is sitting on my counter…and I snack on it all the time.
Jenni LeBaron
This is such a tremendous blend of flavors! I particularly love the pistachios and cranberries in this mix. I can’t wait to devour it on top of yogurt for breakfast!
Gloria | Homemade & Yummy
Just made some this weekend. It was delicious mixed in my pumpkin yogurt. SOOOOO good.
Sean@Diversivore
Oh man, a big ol’ bowl of homemade granola sounds fantastic right now. Love that you’ve used cranberries and almonds here, and the molasses is a great idea. Honestly I always end up with a carton of molasses and no idea what to do to finish it off. Thanks for sharing!
Gloria | Homemade & Yummy
This is so addictively good. I just made some…and mixed it in my pumpkin yogurt….soooooo good!!
Debra
I love how the color of the cranberries adds to the festive touch of this granola. A great idea for DIY holiday gifts. I’m definitely going to make this to give out. People will love it!!
Gloria | Homemade & Yummy
They sure will…..I need to make a HUGE batch myself…maybe even today!!
Chris Collins
This truly looks like the perfect breakfast! Can’t wait to try it on the weekend 🙂
Gloria | Homemade & Yummy
This is so delicious…and makes a great food gift idea too.