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–+ servings
Cranberry Orange Granola on a sheet pan.

Crunchy Cranberry Granola Recipe with Orange & Maple

Mallory
This crunchy Cranberry Granola with Orange Zest is my favorite homemade granola recipe to make in the winter! Rolled oats are combined with toasty pecans and sliced almonds sweetened with orange zest, vanilla, and maple syrup. All baked in the oven on a sheet pan until golden brown and topped off with dried cranberries! 
5 from 2 votes
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Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 25 minutes
Course Breakfast, Snack
Cuisine American
Servings 8 servings
Calories 230 kcal

Equipment

Ingredients
  

Dry Ingredients

  • 2 cups rolled oats
  • ¼ cup chopped pecans or walnuts
  • ¼ cup sliced almonds
  • ¼ cup pumpkin seeds (pepitas)
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • 1 teaspoon cinnamon
  • ¼ cup dried cranberries *added after baking

Wet Ingredients

Instructions
 

  • Preheat the oven to 325℉ and prep a baking sheet with parchment paper sprayed with cooking spray. In a large mixing bowl, combine oats, nuts, seeds, salt, and cinnamon. Do not add the dried cranberries yet!
  • Zest your orange. In a medium mixing bowl, whisk together the wet ingredients including the oil, maple syrup, vanilla, and orange zest.
  • Add the wet mixture to the dry and stir together until well-combined. Spread the oat mixture on the baking sheet in an even layer and bake in the pre-heated oven for 25-30 minutes, stirring every 8-10 minutes. The granola is done when it’s a golden brown.
  • Remove from the oven and let the granola cool before breaking it into clumps. Once the granola has cooled, stir in the dried cranberries.

Notes

Expert Tips
  • When zesting the orange, just go over the surface once. You just want the top layer of the skin to be zested so stop when you get to the white part of the fruit. The white part is much more bitter, but the orange outer skin is sweet!
  • When the granola mixture is done baking, remove it from the oven and let it cool to room temperature before stirring it or breaking it apart. This is what helps form the clumps.
  • Add in the dried fruit (cranberries in this case) after the granola has baked and cooled. 
Storage
Granola is at the peak of freshness a day or two after it's made. But one of the great things about granola is that it stores well for a long time.
  • Fridge (or room temperature) - store it for up to 3 weeks in an airtight container in the fridge or at room temperature.
  • Freezer - store in an airtight container for 3-6 months in the freezer. Thaw in the fridge overnight or at room temperature for about an hour.
Dietitian Tip
While healthy means something different to everyone, this cranberry granola is a nutrient-rich option. It contains dietary fiber for a healthy gut, and heart-healthy fats that also support brain health and hormone health. This recipe also contains several vitamins and nutrients including antioxidants, potassium, iron, Vitamin B6 and magnesium. Add this homemade granola to Greek yogurt for extra protein!
For more nutrition information and tips, visit mallorythedietitian.com. I hope you enjoy this recipe as much as I do! 😊

Nutrition

Serving: 0.5 cupCalories: 230kcalCarbohydrates: 27gProtein: 4gFat: 12gSaturated Fat: 1gPolyunsaturated Fat: 2gMonounsaturated Fat: 7gSodium: 150mgPotassium: 150mgFiber: 3.5gSugar: 10g
Keyword 30 minute, dairy free, gluten free, vegan
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