Cinnamon Granola Recipe (Low-Sugar)

ByViolet Parcha on Updated on
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Simple and flavorful, this cinnamon granola recipe (low-sugar) is the perfect healthy breakfast or snack. It’s quick and easy to make with nourishing ingredients, so you’ll never need to buy cereal from the store again!

Spoon scooping low-sugar granola on a baking sheet.

Quick Look at the Recipe

  • 🥣 Flavor: Nutty oat and cinnamon flavor brightened with cranberries
  • ⏱️ Prep Time: 5 minutes
  • 🔥 Cook Time: 30 minutes
  • 🕒 Ready In: 35 minutes
  • 👥 Servings: 12
  • 🥣 Main Ingredients: Oats, walnuts, maple syrup, shredded coconut, cinnamon, dried cranberries
  • 📖 Dietary Info: Gluten-free, dairy-free, egg-free, vegan
  • 👩‍🍳 Tip: Maple syrup gives this granola, a rich, subtly sweet flavor.
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Healthy Breakfast for Busy Mornings

Maybe it’s due to my love of healthy sweets, but breakfast has always been my favorite meal of the day. Often I’ll whip up an oat Dutch baby with berry compote, but on busy days when I’m getting the kids out the door, I need something quick.

That’s why I love homemade granola so much! After years of testing recipes, this is my all-time favorite version. It’s healthy and packed with flavor, and perfect with milk or spooned over homemade yogurt. I try to always keep it on hand for an easy breakfast option.

What Makes this Granola Special?

  • Healthy, low-sugar recipe made with simple pantry staples.
  • Rich, spiced flavor with plenty of cinnamon, vanilla, and a touch of maple syrup.
  • Quick & easy making it perfect for breakfast prep!
Labeled ingredients on a wooden table including oats, salt, cinnamon, coconut oil, coconut, maple syrup, vanilla, walnuts, dried cranberries, and chia seeds.

Ingredients

  • Rolled oats – Not quick oats. For the most nutrition, I use sprouted rolled oats.
  • Chopped walnuts – For a tasty twist, you can substitute pecans.
  • Maple syrup – Most homemade granola is sweetened with honey, but since honey should never be heated, maple syrup is a much healthier (and absolutely delicious) choice.
  • Coconut oil – You can use butter instead if you prefer.
  • Shredded coconut – Make sure it’s unsweetened!
  • Dried cranberries – Dried cranberries are often loaded with sugar, so it’s best to use a low-sugar variety. Apple juice sweetened cranberries are my favorite!
  • Chia seeds – You can substitute flax seeds or leave them out if you prefer.

Tools Needed

Step-By-Step Instructions

Oats, walnuts, and other ingredients in a mixing bowl on a wood table.

Step 1: First, preheat your oven to 325 degrees. Then in a large mixing bowl, stir together the oats, walnuts, maple syrup, coconut oil, shredded coconut, vanilla, cinnamon, and salt.

Unbaked granola on a cookie sheet on a wood table.

Step 2: Spread the mixture evenly across a large rimmed baking sheet and bake for 20 minutes, stirring halfway through.

Baked granola on a metal cookie sheet.

Step 3: Then, use a spatula to press and pack down the granola as tightly as possible and bake for an additional 10 minutes or until golden brown. (This will help it to form clumps.)

Stirring dried cranberries and chia seeds into homemade granola on a cookie sheet.

Step 4: Finally, remove the granola from the oven, let it cool completely, and then gently stir in the cranberries and chia seeds.

Step 5: Store in an airtight container and enjoy!

A glass mason jar filled with homemade granola.

If you’re looking for more healthy breakfast prep recipes, check out my pumpkin chia seed pudding and cheesy egg bites!

Tips for Success

Use fresh cinnamon – For a rich cinnamon flavor, make sure your container is fresh.

Don’t forget to stir – This helps the granola cook evenly and prevents burning.

Let cool completely – For chunkier granola, make sure it’s fully cooled before stirring in the dried cranberries and seeds. This also prevents it from getting soggy during storage.

Choose your own add-ins – Not a fan of cranberries and chia seeds? No problem! You can substitute your favorite dried fruits and other add-ins or skip them all together.

A bowl of homemade low-sugar granola with milk and a spoon.

How to Store

After your granola has cooled completely, break it up and place in an airtight container (such as a large mason jar), and store it at room temperature. It keeps for up to 4 weeks.

For longer storage, you can freeze it. To do so, after it has cooled, place in an airtight container or plastic freezer bag, and freeze for up to three months.

Violet’s Tips for Serving

For a fun treat, mix homemade granola with melted dark chocolate and spread thinly on parchment paper for granola bark!

FAQs

Is homemade granola gluten-free?

Yes, homemade granola can be gluten free if you use certified gluten-free oats.

Can I use quick oats instead of rolled oats in homemade granola?

Yes, you can use quick oats in homemade granola, but the texture will be softer and less chunky. For the best classic granola, use rolled oats.

If you try this recipe, let me know in the comments! Tag me on Instagram @violet_rightathome

A spoon scooping cinnamon granola off of a baking sheet.

Cinnamon Granola

This flavorful cinnamon granola recipe (low-sugar) is the perfect quick and healthy breakfast made with simple ingredients.
5 from 1 vote
Print Pin Rate
Course: Clean Eating Breakfast
Cuisine: American
Diet: Gluten Free
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 30 minutes
Total Time: 35 minutes
Servings: 12 servings (6 cups)
Calories: 247kcal
Author: Violet Parcha

Equipment

Ingredients

  • 3 1/2 cups rolled oats if this recipe needs to be gluten-free, use certified gluten-free oats
  • 3/4 cup chopped walnuts
  • 1/3 cup maple syrup
  • 1/3 cup shredded coconut unsweetened
  • 1/3 cup coconut oil softened
  • 2 tablespoons vanilla extract
  • 1 teaspoon cinnamon
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 1/3 cup dried cranberries
  • 1 tablespoon chia seeds

Instructions

  • Preheat your oven to 325 degrees.
  • In a large mixing bowl, stir together the oats, walnuts, maple syrup, coconut oil, shredded coconut, vanilla, cinnamon, and salt.
    3 1/2 cups rolled oats, 3/4 cup chopped walnuts, 1/3 cup maple syrup, 1/3 cup shredded coconut, 1/3 cup coconut oil, 2 tablespoons vanilla extract, 1 teaspoon cinnamon, 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • Spread the mixture evenly across the baking sheet, and place it in the oven for 20 minutes, stirring halfway through.
  • Using a spatula, press the granola down as tightly as possible and bake for an additional 10 minutes or until golden brown.
  • Remove the granola from the oven and let it cool completely.
  • Once it has cooled, gently stir in the dried cranberries and chia seeds.
    1/3 cup dried cranberries, 1 tablespoon chia seeds
  • Store at room temperature in an airtight container.

Notes

Substitutions

  • Can use pecans instead of walnuts
  • Can use butter instead of coconut oil
  • Can use flax seeds instead of chia seeds

Store

  • Store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 4 weeks or freeze for up to 3 months.

Nutrition

Calories: 247kcal | Carbohydrates: 28g | Protein: 5g | Fat: 14g | Saturated Fat: 7g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 4g | Monounsaturated Fat: 2g | Trans Fat: 0.002g | Sodium: 58mg | Potassium: 157mg | Fiber: 4g | Sugar: 10g | Vitamin A: 2IU | Vitamin C: 0.1mg | Calcium: 38mg | Iron: 1mg

If you tried this cinnamon granola, I’d love to hear how it turned out for you! Please make sure to come back and leave a comment and a ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ rating.

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