Berry Granola (Crunchy Clusters!)
This homemade mixed berry granola recipe is made with healthy ingredients like oats, nuts, almond butter, and freeze dried berries. These flavourful, crunchy clusters are perfect over yogurt, smoothies, or enjoyed on their own!
It’s been a minute since I shared a granola recipe on here. I almost forgot how fun, easy, and delicious it was to try different homemade granola variations. Not to mention how good it makes your kitchen smell!!
This colourful berry granola will keep for about 2 weeks. It’s great to have on hand for breakfasts or whenever the craving hits. I love it with a yogurt bowl, smoothies, or eaten on it’s own – it’s hard to resist those big clusters 😉
As a dietitian, I’ve made certain to create this recipe with nutritious ingredients so you can feel good about eating it, too!
About the ingredients + substitutions:
- Rolled oats: Old fashioned rolled oats make up the base of this granola recipe. If you need to follow a gluten-free diet, please ensure that you use certified gluten-free rolled oats.
- Raw nuts: Feel free to use a mixture of nuts here! I enjoy this recipe with pecans, walnuts, and/or almonds.
- Pumpkin seeds: While optional, I love some added raw, unsalted pumpkin seeds (pepitas) for more nutrition and a bit of colour!
- Cinnamon: Ground cinnamon adds a warming touch of spice.
- Salt: A pinch of salt helps to bring out the natural sweetness in the rest of the ingredients.
- Almond butter: Creamy, unsweetened almond butter is used to help everything stick together while limiting the amount of sugar. It also adds plenty of healthy fats. You may also use peanut butter or sunflower seed butter, if desired.
- Maple syrup: Used for added sweetness and to help the ingredients stick together. While the flavour will be slightly different, you may use honey here, too!
- Coconut oil: Melted coconut oil helps the ingredients stick together as well. I simply melt it in the microwave – it only takes about 30-45 seconds! Otherwise, you can purchase pre-melted coconut oil if it’s something you use often.
- Vanilla extract: For extra sweetness and flavour. If you don’t have any on hand, it’s ok to omit.
- Freeze dried berries: The star of the show! You can find freeze dried berries in either the bulk section OR in the aisle with dried berries and packaged nuts in your grocery store. Feel free to choose a variety of berries, like blueberries, raspberries, or strawberries.
Want even more flavours? Feel free to experiment by adding in dark chocolate chips or coconut flakes!
Step-by-step: how to make berry granola
Start by mixing all the dry ingredients together, including rolled oats, nuts, seeds, cinnamon, and salt.
In a large mixing bowl, combine the wet ingredients. This includes the almond butter, melted coconut oil, vanilla, and maple syrup.
Then, pour the dry ingredients into the wet ones. This is much more efficient than trying to add the wet ingredients to the dry ingredient bowl!
Stir the dry ingredients into the wet ones until they are well combined.
Then, spread the granola mixture onto a parchment-lined baking sheet. You can press it flat with a spoon or your hands.
Transfer the baking dish into the oven!
Remove the baking dish from the oven and let cool. You can then break up the granola with your hands, making the clusters as large or small as you like.
Finally, stir in the freeze dried berries. If you’d like, you can add chocolate chips and/or coconut flakes here too!
Full ingredient measurements and detailed instructions are located in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.
How to eat berry granola
There are so many ways you can enjoy this berry granola! Some ideas:
- serve it over a bowl of greek yogurt or a vegan alterative
- use it to top a simple chia pudding
- sprinkle it on top of a smoothie or make a smoothie bowl
- eat it on its own, as a snack or when a sweet craving hits (the large chunks are great for this!)
Recipe nutrition benefits
Many of the ingredients in this homemade granola recipe are packed with nutrition benefits! For instance:
- Rolled oats are an excellent source of dietary fiber, plant-based protein, B-vitamins, and various minerals like manganese, iron, and zinc.
- Freeze dried berries maintain most of the nutrient content of their fresh counterparts, save for vitamin C (which is water soluble and therefore lost in the process of drying).
- Nuts are great sources of heart-healthy monounsaturated fats, plant proteins, fiber, and various micronutrients like vitamin E and magnesium. Walnuts, if you use them, are also rich in omega-3s!
- Pumpkin seeds are also sources of healthy fats, fiber, and plant-based proteins. They’re contain micronutrients like iron, magnesium, and zinc.
- Almond butter is (you guessed it!) rich in healthy fats, fiber, and plant-based protein. It’s also a source of magnesium, calcium, iron, and vitamin E.
More homemade granola recipes:
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Get the Recipe: Berry Granola (Crunchy Clusters!)
Ingredients
Dry Ingredients:
- 2 cups rolled oats (use certified gluten-free oats if needed)
- 1 cup raw nuts, mixed (almond, pecans, and/or walnuts)
- 1/4 cup raw pumpkin seeds (pepitas)
- 1 tsp ground cinnamon
- Pinch of salt
Wet Ingredients:
- 1/2 cup almond butter, creamy + unsweetened
- 1/4 cup maple syrup
- 3 Tbsp coconut oil, melted (melt in microwave!)
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
Add After Baking:
- 1 cup freeze dried berries (blueberries, raspberries, and/or strawberries)
- Optional: dark chocolate chips, large coconut flakes
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350F. Line a smaller baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Add dry ingredients to a mixing bowl and stir to combine.
- In a separate mixing bowl, add wet ingredients and stir to combine well.
- Pour dry ingredients into the mixing bowl of wet ingredients. Mix together until well-combined.
- Pour ingredients onto the lined baking sheet. Spread in an even layer and press down firmly. If you want those big granola chunks, you'll want the ingredients to stick together well.
- Bake in the oven for 20 mins, rotating baking sheet halfway through for even cooking. Remove from oven and let the granola cool and harden for 20 minutes (don't touch!)
- Once cool, break the granola into chunks with your hands. Stir in the freeze dried berries and enjoy! If you'd like, you can also add in some chocolate chips and/or coconut flakes too 🙂
Notes
- I find it easiest to pour the mixed DRY ingredients into the mixed wet ingredients, rather than the other way around. Otherwise, you will be scraping away at the wet ingredients stuck to the mixing bowl and will likely lose out on a bunch! Make sure you choose a large enough mixing bowl for your wet ingredients to ensure you can accommodate the dry ones 🙂
- When spreading the un-cooked granola onto the baking sheet, make sure you press everything down firmly in a way that the ingredients are stuck together. You want it to be in one big mass of oats, not in loose pieces. It’s easiest to use a smaller baking sheet for this.
- Keep an eye on your granola when it’s in the oven (particularly in the last 5 or so minutes). All ovens are a little different, and you want to make sure the granola doesn’t burn.
- When you remove the granola from the oven, be sure to let it sit and cool for at least 20 minutes before breaking it up with your hands. This will allow the oats to solidify, and is necessary if you want to have chunky granola!
- I find that almond butter has a nice neutral taste in this recipe, but if needed you can try making it with peanut butter or sunflower seed butter.
- Instead of maple syrup, you can also try using honey or another sweetener with a similar consistency. Consistency is important, as it helps bind the granola together (needed for those clusters!)
- Pumpkin seeds (pepitas) are optional, but I love them for added nutrition and colour. You may leave them out, if needed.
Nutrition
As a dietitian, I create recipes with whole food ingredients that provide the nutrients needed for optimal health. My nutrition philosophy does not focus on numbers; however, I understand that this information can be helpful.
Do note that the nutrition info provided is an estimate and I cannot guarantee correctness of the displayed values. These numbers will differ depending on brands used, recipe modifications, and amount eaten. If you require specific nutrition information due to medical reasons, please consult with your dietitian or physician.
Did you make this recipe?
Let me know by leaving a recipe rating below, or by tagging @walderwellness on Instagram. I love seeing your beautiful creations!
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