5.0 from 3 votes
Big Clusters Maple Cinnamon Chocolate Chip Granola
This granola is a cinch to make, vegan, gluten-free, and highly adaptable based on personal preferences. Swap out the type of oil, nuts, or dried fruit based on taste preference. Reduce the cinnamon and use certified gluten-free oats, if desired. Don’t stir the granola in order to create big clusters, and the longer it’s exposed to air to cool, the crispier it gets. This granola is on the chewy and sticky side rather than crispy, hard, dry, or overly crunchy.
Prep Time
5 mins
Cook Time
5 mins
Total Time
30 mins
Servings: 8
Calories: 566 kcal
Ingredients
- ½ cup maple syrup
- ½ cup honey/agave/brown rice syrup use the later choices to keep vegan
- ¼ cup liquid-state coconut oil
- ¼ cup light brown sugar packed
- 2 tablespoons cinnamon reduce to 1 tablespoon if sensitive to cinnamon, or to taste
- 1 tablespoon molasses not blackstrap, too pungent
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 1 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- pinch salt optional and to taste
- 2 ½ cups old-fashioned whole-rolled oats (not quick-cook or instant; use certified GF
- 1 cup almonds I used raw unsalted; or use your favorite nut
- 1 ½ cups dried fruit I used 3/4 cup raisin medley, 1/2 cup candied ginger, 1/4 cup orange-scented dried cranberries; use your favorite dried fruits, or omit
- 1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350F, line a baking sheet with a Silpat or line with parchment paper. This granola is messy, sticky, and I recommend either a Silpat or parchment rather than just spraying a baking sheet with cooking spray.
- In a large mixing bowl, whisk together first 9 ingredients, through optional salt.
- Add oats, almonds, and toss to coat evenly.
- Turn mixture out onto prepared baking sheet, keeping mixture lightly piled. Smoothing lightly with a spatula is okay, but don’t pack down too much. You want air to be able to flow without it being tightly packed.
- Bake for about 25 minutes, or until the sauce that pools slightly at the edge of the baking sheet begins to barely caramelize. Watch your granola closely to make sure it’s not burning since ingredients and ovens vary. Remove baking sheet from oven and don’t stir.
- Evenly sprinkle with dried fruit.
- Evenly sprinkle with chocolate chips.
- Do not stir granola and allow it to cool, for at least 1 hour, overnight if possible. The longer it’s exposed to air, the crispier and crunchier it becomes.
- Break granola apart and store in airtight containers with lids or in Ziplocks. Granola will keep airtight for at least 2 weeks.
Cup of Yum
Nutrition Information
Serving
1serving
Calories
566kcal
(28%)
Carbohydrates
79g
(26%)
Protein
9g
(18%)
Fat
26g
(40%)
Saturated Fat
12g
(60%)
Polyunsaturated Fat
3g
Monounsaturated Fat
9g
Trans Fat
0.02g
Cholesterol
1mg
(0%)
Sodium
11mg
(0%)
Potassium
514mg
(15%)
Fiber
8g
(32%)
Sugar
51g
(102%)
Vitamin A
18IU
(0%)
Vitamin C
0.3mg
(0%)
Calcium
142mg
(14%)
Iron
4mg
(22%)
Nutrition Facts
Serving: 8Serving
Amount Per Serving
Calories 566
% Daily Value*
| Serving | 1serving | |
| Calories | 566kcal | 28% |
| Carbohydrates | 79g | 26% |
| Protein | 9g | 18% |
| Fat | 26g | 40% |
| Saturated Fat | 12g | 60% |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 3g | 18% |
| Monounsaturated Fat | 9g | 45% |
| Trans Fat | 0.02g | 1% |
| Cholesterol | 1mg | 0% |
| Sodium | 11mg | 0% |
| Potassium | 514mg | 11% |
| Fiber | 8g | 32% |
| Sugar | 51g | 102% |
| Vitamin A | 18IU | 0% |
| Vitamin C | 0.3mg | 0% |
| Calcium | 142mg | 14% |
| Iron | 4mg | 22% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.