There is nothing better than homemade gingerbread granola that makes your home literally smell like the holidays. This gluten-free, vegan, and refined-sugar free granola is packed with rolled oats, warm winter spices, rich molasses, sweetened with maple syrup and has a generous amount of pecans, almonds and cranberries. Make extras because this granola is crave-worthy.
When you are craving gingerbread cookies, but you don't want eat them for breakfast, festive and perfectly crisp gingerbread granola is the solution. It's so quick and easy to prepare a batch that will last up to 2 weeks, which is such a life-saver on busy mornings. It's also an amazing choice to add to your Christmas morning breakfast or brunch menu.
Ingredients
To make festive gingerbread granola, you will need the following ingredients:
- rolled oats - use rolled oats and not quick oats.
- pecans and slivered almonds - or substitute with any other type of nuts that you like. Try pistachios, walnuts or hazelnuts.
- ground cinnamon
- ground ginger
- olive oil - you can substitute this with coconut oil or melted butter.
- maple syrup
- molasses
- vanilla extract
- salt
- dried cranberries
You will also need measuring cups and spoons, mixing bowls, and a ½ pan baking sheet.
How to Make the Best Gingerbread Granola
- Combine ingredients. In a large bowl, combine rolled oats, pecans, slivered almonds, cinnamon, ginger and salt. In another bowl, combine olive oil, maple syrup, molasses, and vanilla extract. Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients and stir to combine until fully incorporated.
- Bake the granola. Spread the granola mixture onto a large parchment-lined half sheet baking pan. Bake in a 350 F preheated oven for 25-30 minutes, tossing the granola once halfway.
- Cool down and add cranberries. Remove from oven and let it cool down (about 15 minutes). Then, mix in dried cranberries and toss to combine.
How to Serve Gingerbread Granola
Granola is such a versatile item to have on hand because you can serve it in so many different ways. Have it for breakfast over a bowl of milk or yogurt, or layer it in a yogurt parfait, serve it for lunch sprinkled over banana toast with honey, or just snack on it by the handfuls throughout the day.
How to Store Granola
- How to store: Store homemade granola in an airtight container (such as a glass canning jar) for up to 2 weeks.
- How to freeze: Wrap granola tightly in plastic cling wrap and place inside a freezer bag. Store in the freezer for up to 3 months.
More Granola Recipes
- Pumpkin Pie Granola
- Easy Apple Cinnamon Granola
- Chewy Peanut Butter Granola Bars
- Almond Cranberry Chocolate Granola Bars
- Coconut Maple Walnut Granola
- Almond Pecan Granola
- Almond Butter Granola Bars
- Fruit and Yogurt Parfait with Granola
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Recipe
Gingerbread Granola
- Total Time: 35 minutes
- Yield: 6 cups
- Diet: Gluten Free
Description
Quick and easy gingerbread granola with nuts, cranberries and warm winter spices is vegan, gluten-free, and refined sugar-free. The best Christmas snack.
Ingredients
- 3 cups rolled oats
- 1 cup pecans, loosely chopped
- ¾ cup slivered almonds
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ½ teaspoon ground ginger
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ⅓ cup olive oil
- ⅓ cup maple syrup
- 2 tablespoons molasses
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- ¾ cup dried cranberries
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 F.
- In a large bowl, combine rolled oats, pecans, slivered almonds, cinnamon, ginger and salt. In another bowl, combine olive oil, maple syrup, molasses, and vanilla extract. Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients and stir to combine until fully incorporated.
- Spread the granola mixture onto a large parchment-lined baking sheet. Bake for 25-30 minutes, tossing the granola once halfway.
- Remove from oven and let it cool down (about 15 minutes). Then, mix in dried cranberries and toss to combine. Store in an airtight container for up to 2 weeks at room temperature.
Notes
Equipment used: measuring cups and spoons, mixing bowls, half sheet baking pan.
How to store: You can store homemade granola in an airtight container such as a glass canning jar for up to 2 weeks.
How to freeze: You can freeze granola by wrapping it tightly in plastic cling wrap and place inside a freezer bag. Store for up to 3 months in the freezer.
How to serve granola: You can serve granola in so many different ways. The easiest is just on its own as a snack by the handfuls. You can also add it on top of milk or yogurt, or layer it in a fruit and yogurt parfait, or top it on banana toast with honey. It is also pretty amazing on top of a couple scoops of vanilla ice cream.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Breakfast
- Method: Oven
- Cuisine: American
Melanie B says
This Granola is lovely! Very delicious. I have made it twice this month already. It is great with Trader Joe's Maple Oat milk (seasonal).
Diana B. says
I made this several times before, during and after the holidays for family members and friends who kept requesting more. It is the BEST granola I have ever eaten, and much healthier than most! My only “tweak” is that I prefer light olive oil, that I buy only for this recipe (I tried EVOO, canola and corn oils). It is SO delicious, plus it’s easy to make! YUM!
Sam Hu | Ahead of Thyme says
Thank you so much Diana! This totally made my day!
Katie says
Looks so delicious. I'm sure my family will love this one!
Sam Hu | Ahead of Thyme says
Thanks Katie! Let me know if you make it.
Izzy says
This looks good and healthy. The holidays just got better, I am going to get on this. Thank you for sharing.
Sam Hu | Ahead of Thyme says
That is so great to hear! Thank you Izzy, let me know how it goes!