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Healthy Chunky Granola Recipe (GF): learn how to make chunky granola with clusters! The best homemade chunky granola—vegan, gluten free & yummy! Super chunky clusters with crispy edges, packed full of nuts & nutrients! Dairy-Free.
Are you a SUPER CHUNKY Granola fanatic? Like, no, I mean, for real chunky granola clusters fanatic? If so, I’ve got just the healthy chunky granola recipe for you!
If you’ve ever met my sister, Penny, you’d know a couple things about her. Right off the bat. She’s kind, bright and funny, warm and intelligent, puts people at ease (like, instantly)… and has a cheesy, like hella cheesy, sense of humor. And, drumroll please:
She LOVES chunky granola.
Like if the FBI were putting together a dossier or vetting her or some fancy-sounding thing like that, there would be a section, in bright, yellow highlighter saying “LOVES CHUNKY GRANOLA” in the Top Weaknesses section of her, ya know, dossier.
So guess what I’ve been trying to create for years and years and decades and millennia? A homemade and healthy chunky granola recipe with chunky granola clusters that would put an end to all chunky granola cluster recipes. Like, even better than the super cluster-y Homemade Chunky Paleo Granola or Hemp Granola that she knows, loves, and makes once every few weeks. And this is it, folks.
Call the FBI or the Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. or Space, because I’ve got exactly what they need to take Penny down! Or, er, make her super, duper happy!! 😉 LOL.
Healthy Chunky Granola Recipe (GF)
Allow me to introduce you to my vegan + gluten free Healthy Chunky Granola Recipe (GF). Here’s what you, Penny and all fellow chunky granola cluster lovers have been looking for all your lives. My homemade chunky granola recipe yields super crispy, BIG, colossal chunks of granola clusters.
It’s just the right amount of sweet, crispy, perfectly spiced, and crunchy as heck (crisp and easy to munch on—not a tooth-breaker ha!). It’s healthy: refined sugar-free, dairy-free, vegan, gluten-free and made with super wholesome ingredients.
And speaking of sweet ‘n’ crunchy granola treats, you absolutely must try these Healthy Homemade Coconut Granola Bars! They will nock your socks and your shoes off. 😉
How to Make Chunky Granola
Learning how to make chunky granola is easy! Add all dry ingredients to a bowl and stir. Add wet ingredients and stir until well coated. Pour the granola mixture onto the sheet. Press and pack it all down into one tightly-packed layer.
Nudge a small divide in the center of that layer and bake. Cool completely, then break apart the granola into your preferred size of cluster. Or, just eat it like one BIG sheet of granola! 😉
The Trick to Super Chunky Granola Clusters
The trick to making my super chunky clusters in this homemade chunky granola cluster recipe? Baking all the granola in one large sheet. With, like, a split right between the middle of that sheet (for a lil’ extra air to come through).
I tested trial after trial, made adjustment after adjustment, until I could bake this healthy chunky granola in one layer—without any soft, chewy texture in the center. You seriously get crispy clusters all the way through.
Best Tools for Healthy Chunky Granola Recipe
Here are my favorite tools to use for this homemade chunky granola recipe. Click the links below to explore.
- Oxo Mixing Bowls: my go-to mixing bowls. I’ve been using them for ages, and love the grippy bottoms and handles.
- Baking Sheet: I’ve probably used these baking sheets over 1,000 times at this point, and they always get the job done.
- Unbleached Parchment Paper: a great brand of parchment paper!
- Coconut Sugar: one of my favorite sweeteners to use. It adds the perfect flavor to this healthy chunky granola recipe.
- Ground Flaxseed: the flax helps hold together the chunky granola cluster mixture & adds healthy nutrients!
Are you ready for the best healthy chunky granola recipe ever? 🙂 I thought so! You grab the gluten free rolled oats and I’ll grab everything else. Let’s make this! In case I don’t say it enough, thank you. Thank you for stopping by and sharing in these kitchen adventures with me. Is there anything better? ‘Til the next one…
Sending you all my love and maybe even a dove, xo Demeter ❤️
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Did you make this healthy chunky granola recipe? Take a pic & share it on Instagram with the hashtag #beamingbaker & tag @beamingbaker. I’d love to see it!
Homemade Chunky Granola & Granola Bar Recipes
- Healthy Chocolate Granola
- Low Calorie Granola
- Chunky Paleo Granola with Clusters
- Healthy Pumpkin Spice Granola Bars
- 4 Ingredient Best Keto Granola
- Healthy Almond Butter Granola
- Cinnamon Grain Free Granola
- Chai Spiced Healthy Granola
- The BEST Healthy Homemade Granola Recipes
Healthy Chunky Granola Recipe (Vegan, Gluten Free)
Ingredients
- 1 ½ cups nuts, roughly chopped
- 1 cup unsweetened coconut flakes
- ½ cup gluten free rolled oats
- ¼ cup ground flaxseed
- ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon, optional
- ¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg, optional
- ¼ teaspoon salt, optional
- 1 tablespoon coconut sugar
- 2 tablespoons melted coconut oil
- ¼ cup pure maple syrup
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 300°F. Line a medium or large baking sheet with parchment paper or greased foil. Set aside for later.
- Add all ingredients except coconut oil and maple syrup to a large bowl. Stir until well mixed.
- Add coconut oil and maple syrup. Using a rubber spatula, stir and fold until well mixed.
- Pour mixture onto the prepared baking sheet. Using a rubber spatula, press down and pack the granola mixture together to create an even, flat, and very tightly-packed layer, about ½ inch thick. Your granola may not cover the entire baking sheet. Now, nudge the sheet of granola apart in the center (dividing the tightly-packed layer in half), to let air through.
- Bake for 20 minutes. Rotate baking sheet. Bake for 18-22 more minutes, until granola is a deep golden brown. Mine took 40 minutes total. Do not flip or move granola—it is fragile and needs to crisp up while cooling.
- Place baking sheet on a cooling rack. Allow to cool for about 30 minutes, or until completely cooled and firm. Break sheets of granola into clusters. Enjoy! Storing instructions below.
More Healthy Gluten Free Vegan Granola Recipes
Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Your kind words are absolutely making me blush, Linda! 😊 I know exactly what you mean on both counts–the smell is one of my favorite things of all time, and whenever I make it for guests, it’s literally all gone before they leave. Thank you for stopping by with your sweet comment!
Your kind words are absolutely making me blush, Linda! 😊 I know exactly what you mean on both counts–the smell is one of my favorite things of all time, and whenever I make it for guests, it’s literally all gone before they leave. Thank you for stopping by with your sweet comment!
This is the easiest and best granola! I did not have coconut sugar and I used chia seeds bc did not have flax. I even overcooked it a little and it still came out SO amazing! If you are expecting company, have some of this in the oven and not only will your house smell truly wonderful, but I think your company will immediately feel warmth and relaxed. WARNING: extremely addictive.
Your kind words are absolutely making me blush, Linda! 😊 I know exactly what you mean on both counts–the smell is one of my favorite things of all time, and whenever I make it for guests, it’s literally all gone before they leave. Thank you for stopping by with your sweet comment!
Can’t wait to try! Can I omit the coconut flakes? Or sub for more nuts?
Hi Christina! Yep, that should be fine. Hope you enjoy! 🙂
Could I swap maple syrup for date paste? I’ve been trying to make chunky granola with date paste for ages but it always ends up chewy in the middle ☹️
Hm, I haven’t tried it so I can’t say for sure. I know date paste isn’t as sweet as maple syrup, and it’s much thicker, so it might take a bit of tweaking to get the best results. If you do try it, let me know how it goes! 🙂
This is the best granola I have ever had. My whole family loves it. I’ve made it at least twice a month for the last several months and it never lasts long! Thank you so much for this amazing recipe!
I’m so happy that everyone has been enjoying the recipe Julia! 😊 Thank you for taking the time to stop by and let me know!
Can’t wait to try! Can I omit the coconut?
First time reviewing recipes ever , I just have to do it ! Because it’s ssoooo good ! My picky eater loves it for breakfast/snack !
Wow what an honor! 😊 I’m just so pleased that the granola is such a hit with your fam. Nothing beats the approval of a picky eater!
Sorry, but migh be a silly question. What do you mean by nudge it, like split it in half😬. Can I use regular old fashion oats. I don’t have gluten free. Help. Thanks.
No such this as a silly question here! Yep, once it’s packed gently split it in half. And non-GF old fashioned oats are fine. 🙂 Happy baking!
I have made this recipe several times with nut variations. It’s the granola recipe I’ve been searching for! Have you ever made any variation with dried fruit? I wanted to add some but afraid to disturb the granola during cooking and lose those amazing chunks.
Hi Whitney, I’m so glad you’re enjoying my recipe. 🙂 The easiest way to incorporate dried fruit is to allow the granola to cool completely, break it into chunks, and simply fold it in. 🙂