Gingerbread Granola

This homemade gingerbread granola recipe is loaded with plenty of warming spices, a mixture of nuts and sweetened with molasses and maple syrup. Crunchy and delicious, it’s such a fun holiday recipe that can be enjoyed in so many ways.

Though I regularly make homemade granola, I save this recipe for gingerbread granola for just this time of year.

Granola is super easy to make. Once you make it, there is no going back to store bought. With lots of flavour and texture, it tastes so yummy. Plus, it’s easily customizable with add-ins (like dried fruit and chocolate), and it makes for a perfect homemade food gift.

Around this time of year, I usually prepare a foodie basket for my parents. I fill it with all sorts of homemade goodies, such as shortbread cookies, cashew butter, cookie spread and granola. The homemade gift is always so well received, and I get so much joy from making it. I love to see the look on their faces as they pick through the basket looking at each item.

And you better believe it, I always make myself a batch of gingerbread granola too!

Ingredients

• Coconut oil: I use melted coconut oil and don’t find that it gives the granola a coconut-y flavour. Other options are melted unsalted butter, vegetable oil or olive oil.
• Maple Syrup: Use the real stuff. It’s such a treat, especially in this homemade granola recipe.
• Molasses: I used fancy molasses. For some reason, I always associate molasses with Christmas. It goes so well with the other ingredients in the granola.
• Seasoning/spices: Include salt, ground cinnamon, ground ginger, ground cloves and ground nutmeg. They add such an amazing flavour. Bonus, as the granola bakes, it makes your home smell amazing.
• Oats: Use old-fashioned rolled oats, not quick oats, instant oats or steel cut oats.
• Nuts: I used a mixture of unsalted nuts that included things like hazelnuts, almonds, brazil nuts, pecan halves and cashews. If you don’t want to use a variety of nuts, that’s completely okay. You can stick to one variety. It pretty much goes without saying, but use what you enjoy best.

How To Make Gingerbread Granola

Here is an overview of how to make gingerbread granola (full details are in the recipe card below):

1. In a large bowl, whisk together the wet ingredients (coconut oil, maple syrup and molasses) and seasoning/spices (salt, cinnamon, ginger, cloves and nutmeg) until combined.
2. Stir in the oats and nuts, making sure they are coated well with the wet ingredients.
3. Spread the mixture out onto a parchment paper-lined sheet pan, pressing down with a spoon or spatula so it’s a compact and even layer.
4. Bake the granola for 12 minutes. Then, carefully remove the sheet pan from the oven. Give the granola a good stir. Once again, spread it out and press it down.
5. Return the sheet pan to the oven and continue to bake the granola for another 12 to 15 minutes.
6. Let the granola cool completely before breaking up into pieces.

How To Enjoy Gingerbread Granola

I mean, honestly, I often enjoy this gingerbread granola as is because it’s so darn tasty. However, it’s also delicious enjoyed these ways:

• Over cottage cheese drizzled with a touch of maple syrup
• Over plain (or vanilla flavoured) Greek yogurt
• Generously sprinkled over chocolate or vanilla pudding
• As a topping for ice cream
• With milk (like you would enjoy cereal)
• On top of fruit salad for a tasty crunch

Storing

Store the granola in an airtight container or resealable food storage bag in a cool, dark place (like your pantry) and enjoy within 1 to 2 weeks.

Tips

• Use a large sheet pan. Spread out the granola so you don’t end up having too thick of a layer. You want it to get nice and toasty.
• In order to get big crunchy clusters of granola, be sure to pack the granola onto the sheet pan in an even later. Once baked, let it completely cool before breaking apart. You can break the granola apart into as big (or as little) pieces that you wish.
• Let your heart (and belly) be your guide when adding additional granola toppings to the finished product. I love to add chopped chocolate (particularly orange chocolate) and dried cranberries.

More Gingerbread Recipes

• Banana Gingerbread
• Glazed Gingerbread Donuts
• Gingerbread Coffee Creamer

If you make this gingerbread granola recipe, be sure to leave a comment below!