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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.

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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!! ๐Ÿ˜‰ LOL.

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! #Granola #Vegan #GlutenFree #Healthy | Recipe at BeamingBaker.com

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. ๐Ÿ˜‰

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! #Granola #Vegan #GlutenFree #Healthy | Recipe at BeamingBaker.com

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! ๐Ÿ˜‰

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.

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! #Granola #Vegan #GlutenFree #Healthy | Recipe at BeamingBaker.com

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? ๐Ÿ™‚ 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 ❤️

Click below to Pin

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! #Granola #Vegan #GlutenFree #Healthy | Recipe at BeamingBaker.com

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 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! #Granola #Vegan #GlutenFree #Healthy | Recipe at BeamingBaker.com
5 from 18 votes

Healthy Chunky Granola Recipe (Vegan, Gluten Free)

Healthy Chunky Granola Recipe (Vegan, 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, Refined Sugar-Free.
Prep: 10 minutes
Cook: 40 minutes
Total: 50 minutes
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Ingredients 

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.
  • a visual diagram of the baked vanilla almond granola cluster split into two sections
  • 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.

Notes

Storage notes: Store in an airtight container for 1-2 months at room temperature.
Nutrition Information is an estimate based on the best-selling, most common brands per ingredient. Also, it’s estimated based on 17 servings per recipe.

Nutrition

Serving: 1/4 cup, Calories: 126kcal, Carbohydrates: 9g, Protein: 3g, Fat: 9g, Saturated Fat: 4g, Polyunsaturated Fat: 4g, Sodium: 2mg, Fiber: 2g, Sugar: 4g

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

Course: Breakfast, Healthy Snacks
Cuisine: American
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Photo of Demeter, author of the Beaming Baker blog.

Hi there!

I'm Demeter, it's nice to meet you! Here, you'll find easy recipes that are fun & approachable. I love cozy movies, a good mystery, and chocolate. Welcome!

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60 Comments

  1. G says:

    Hi! I don’t have any flaxseed; can it be omitted? Thanks!

    1. Demeter | Beaming Baker says:

      Hi G, unfortunately, I wouldn’t recommend it. If you have ground chia seed, that would work as well. Good luck!

  2. Penny says:

    This was absolutely the BEST granola I have ever had!!! As someone who has food allergies, I want to whole heartedly thank you for sharing your recipes!!!

    1. Demeter | Beaming Baker says:

      Hi Penny!! ๐Ÿ™‚ Oh wow, what an amazing compliment. It truly warms my heart that youโ€™re able to find a yummy treat that takes into consideration your food allergies. Whoop whoop! Happy baking & eating!

      1. Lynn says:

        5 stars
        I made this granola this morning as a first time attempting to make granola. I still canโ€™t believe I had success this fast as I usually have to try a few time before itโ€™s satisfactory. My husband said it was amazing, and he is a picky eater.
        I also appreciate the entertaining introduction to your recipes.
        Thanks!

      2. Demeter | Beaming Baker says:

        Oh wow, Iโ€™m so happy to hear this, Lynn! Itโ€™s always my hope that the first timeโ€™s the charm with my recipes. ๐Ÿ˜‰ Hereโ€™s to you and your hubby enjoying all the homemade granola goodness! Thank you for your kind words. Hugs!

  3. Patti says:

    5 stars
    My 9 year old granddaughter is on a competitive cheerleading squad. I was looking for a healthy snack that would have the protein & carbohydrates needed after a long, intense practice. I made a double batch, using vanilla coconut sugar, almonds, walnuts & pecans. I handed her the bag after practice and she responded, โ€œ Nana, do I have to shareโ€? Thank you for the recipe. It is so easy to make and is delicious.

    1. Demeter | Beaming Baker says:

      Patti, your comment absolutely made my day. Thank you so much for taking the time to let me know. Just the thought of your granddaughter saying that makes my heart melt! Btw, she is so, so lucky to have an amazing grandma that makes her healthy homemade goodies. Hugs!

  4. Amanda says:

    I don’t have any coconut sugar, could I just omit it or should I sub it out? Super excited to make this for easy to-go breakfasts!

    1. Demeter | Beaming Baker says:

      Hi Amanda, that *might* just work! I havenโ€™t tried it before, so youโ€™ll have to let me know how it turns out. Good luck! ๐Ÿ™‚

    2. Dani c says:

      I made mine with brown sugar and it worked ๐Ÿ™‚

  5. Sarah says:

    5 stars
    Currently have my fourth batch in the last three weeks in the oven (my apartment smells incredible!), and have shared this recipe with friends and family who have all started making it as their “go-to” granola recipe. It is AMAZING! Perfectly chunky every time, delicious, and can easily be customized. Thank you for this one! Definitely a winner.

    1. Demeter | Beaming Baker says:

      This is so wonderful to hear!!! Omigosh, I bet your apartment smells fantastic, Sarah! Thank you for sharing my recipe with others & for taking the time to let me know. ๐Ÿ™‚ Happy granola-making!

  6. Janis Matsunaga says:

    Can I omit the flax seed meal if I do not have any? Or substitute for something else?

    1. Demeter | Beaming Baker says:

      Hi Janis! Try ground chia seeds instead. I wouldnโ€™t recommend omitting it. Good luck!

  7. Zehra says:

    Hi looks nice and delicious. I want to try it.Can I use honey instead of maple syrup

    1. Demeter | Beaming Baker says:

      Hi Zehra! I havenโ€™t tried it, but that should be fine. Let me know how it goes!

  8. Melanie Bauer says:

    5 stars
    Looks so delightful! I love homemade and healthy recipes like this, can’t wait to give this a try!

    1. Demeter | Beaming Baker says:

      Healthy and homemade is the best! . Hope you enjoy Melanie!

  9. Des says:

    5 stars
    I could snack on this healthy treat all day! I love that this will fit everyone lifestyles.

    1. Demeter | Beaming Baker says:

      Exactly! Thanks Des!

  10. Taylor says:

    5 stars
    So easy and delicious! Love homemade granola!

    1. Demeter | Beaming Baker says:

      Same here! Thereโ€™s just something about homemade that just tastes .