Forget the stovetop simmering spices and air fresheners. I’m turning my house into a magical, holiday-scented wonderland by baking continual batches of Gingerbread Granola.
Just like when I make Gingerbread Cinnamon Rolls with Cinnamon Cream Cheese Frosting or Gingerbread Bread Pudding with Bourbon Sauce, the smell wafts into every square inch of my kitchen. It’s truly magical and instantly makes the room feel warm and cozy.
The aromas of ginger, molasses, maple syrup, and toasting nuts are positively intoxicating. I now see why the witch tempted Hansel and Gretel with a house made of gingerbread, versus any other cookie. I nearly burned my second batch, purely because I didn’t want the smell to end.
With the help of a prolific supply of Bed Bath and Beyond coupons, I secured a bargain-priced, powerful gingerbread-scented candle, which fulfills my apparent need to smell gingerbread baking at all hours and should prevent a granola-induced oven fire. It also has the side effect of causing me to crave gingerbread granola whenever it is lit (all the time).
I’m viewing this side effect as a positive, because the sooner we run out of granola, the sooner I have an excuse to bake another batch and transform our kitchen into an enchanted gingerbread bakery once more.
As much as I love homemade granola, I’m sometimes tempted to purchase it from the grocery store. Store-bought granola is alluring. It’s in sleek packaging, usually has a hipster brand name, and makes me feel athletic in the checkout line. It’s also expensive and often loaded with sugars and unhealthy oils. Making it at home is ridiculously easy, less expensive, and because you can control the ingredients, much better for you too.
The Most Delicious Gingerbread Granola Recipe
In addition to being addictive in the best possible way, gingerbread granola is truly healthy. It’s whole grain, naturally sweetened, gluten free and vegan too. The base of the granola is a power mix of oats, flaxseeds, and millet, an inexpensive, fiber-rich whole grain that adds killer crunch (if you don’t have access to millet, you can swap uncooked quinoa or additional oats).
For gingerbread flavor, I used a trio of warm spices (ginger, cinnamon, and cloves), deep dark molasses, and candied ginger. To bind and sweeten the granola, I used a touch of pure maple syrup and coconut oil.
Because I’m of the opinion that granola should be super-chunked with nuts, this granola recipe is packed with three that are especially festive with the gingerbread theme—pecans, almonds, and hazelnuts—but feel free to use any kind of raw nuts you enjoy or have on hand.
Gingerbread Granola Storage Tips
- To Store. Store leftover granola at room temperature in an airtight container for up to 2 weeks or in the refrigerator for up to 4 weeks.
- To Freeze. Freeze granola in an airtight freezer-safe storage container for up to 3 months.
More Healthy Granola Recipes
- Gluten Free Granola
- Pumpkin Granola
- Honey Almond Flax Healthy Granola
- Crock Pot Granola
- Chocolate Almond Olive Oil Granola
Holiday spiced, irresistibly crunchy, and healthy, gingerbread granola is perfect for lazy weekends, rushed Monday mornings, or “Hey, I’m within 10-feet of the kitchen, so clearly I need a snack” situations. Make a batch for you, one for a friend, and one for Santa.
Then, make a fourth batch just so you can smell it bake one more time. After all, this is the perfect time of year to live in a gingerbread (granola) house.
Gingerbread Granola
Ingredients
For the Granola:
- 1 1/2 cups old-fashioned rolled oats
- 1/4 cup uncooked millet or uncooked quinoa, or substitute additional rolled oats
- 1/4 cup ground flaxseed or substitute rolled oats
- 3/4 cup raw nuts (I used a mix of almonds, pecans, and hazelnuts)
- 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon ground ginger
- 1/8 teaspoon ground cloves
- 1/4 cup melted coconut oil or olive oil
- 3 tablespoons pure maple syrup
- 2 tablespoons molasses
- 3/4 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
Mix-ins:
- 1/4 cup chopped candied ginger
- 1/4 cup golden raisins dried cranberries, or diced dried apricots
Instructions
- Place rack in the center of your oven and preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper or a silpat mat.
- In a large mixing bowl, stir together the oats, millet, flaxseed, nuts, salt, cinnamon, ginger, and cloves. Drizzle the coconut oil, maple syrup, molasses, and vanilla over the oat mixture, then stir until well combined and evenly moistened.
- Spread the granola in an even later on the prepared baking sheet, then use the back of a spatula or your fingers to press it into a flat, even layer. Bake for 20 minutes, remove from oven, stir in the candied ginger and golden raisins, then press back into a flat layer. Bake 10 additional minutes, until golden and fragrant (the granola will still be a little moist). Remove from oven and let cool completely. The granola will continue to crisp and dry as it cools.
Notes
- TO STORE: Store leftover granola at room temperature in an airtight container for up to 2 weeks or in the refrigerator for up to 4 weeks.
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This was an easy recipe to make. So easy that my 3 year old triplets helped make it and eat almost all of it! LOL! Full of flavor and easy to make. Win, win for this recipe!
SOOO HAPPY to hear that Lara, thank you! (Also triplets, WOW! So many cute helping hands :). Their approval is the best!)
Just pulled the granola out of the oven! The house smells delicious. I’m looking forward to breakfast tomorrow. Thank you for sharing your recipe.
Thanks for taking the time to leave a comment, Star! I’m happy to hear you enjoyed the granola!
Can you explain the uncooked Millet? Is it hard? Does it blend in enough or is it like eating hard quinoa?
Alicia, it is hard and crunchy. I love the texture it adds! You could use uncooked quinoa if you prefer.
WOW. Absolutely love this and in the land downunder I just use Treacle instead of Molasses. My daughter requested a batch after tasting it and gave some to a friend as a gift. Forget Christmas time I’m making my umpteenth batch and will be enjoying it year round. Thank you for sharing such a lovely recipe ??
Melita, thank YOU for taking the time to review the recipe! I’m so happy you enjoyed it!
I love this recipe! It’s my go to granola now. I’m making it for the third time in a month and love it on plain greek yogurt with a touch of honey. I add extra nuts and go heavy on salt, lighter on syrup but it’s yummy! thank you!
YAY Karen! I am so pleased to hear this, thank you!
Really yummy! I had the oats, Quinoa, pecan and added cranberries and golden raisins. It was outstanding. I doubled the recipe and brought some to a neighbor. One way I served it to my young son was to slice apples, sread peanut butter on them and top with granola. Messy, but wonderful!
Thank you for sharing this kind review, Lou! I’m so happy this recipe was a hit!
Would honey work on place of he maple syrup? I want to make these today so could you help me.
I haven’t tried this swap myself, but it should work fine. I hope you enjoy the recipe!
super easy granola with great gingerbread flavor!
I’m so happy that you enjoyed it, Francie! Thank you for sharing this kind review!