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This healthy Gingerbread Granola Recipe is wonderfully flavored with molasses and spices, perfect for the holidays. Package this granola in a jar with a ribbon for a delicious edible homemade Christmas gift.
Considering my insane love for granola, I was surprised to realize it has been almost 2 years since I last posted a cleangranola recipe.
For a while there, overnight oats and (newly discovered) baked oatmeal were dominating my oats for breakfast habit. But I am back on the granola bandwagon, at least for a while. And I make sure to make a new batch of granola weekly to have on top of my yogurt.
For the last few weeks leading up to the holidays, this gingerbread flavored Christmas granola has been my go-to.
How to make Gingerbread Granola?
Every year around the holidays I mix up a batch of my favorite gingerbread spice mix, get a jar of molassesand give a few of my favorite recipes a gingerbread spin.
This year it was gingerbread muffins and finally gingerbread granola.
So, as you may already guess, my key to gingerbread flavor is the combination of molasses and my spice mix, which includes cinnamon, ginger, cloves and also cardamom, star anise and a touch of black pepper.
I always associate honey with gingerbread, since traditional German gingerbread is also called 'Honigkuchen' - honey cake. So I chose honey as sweetener for thisholidaygranola recipe. However, to make this recipe vegan version, the honey can easily be replaced with maple syrup or agave.
I also added almonds, pecans, sunflower seeds and golden raisins. If you like a ginger kick, you could also add chopped crystallized ginger to the mix.
Is Granola Healthy?
It depends. Whether granola is good for you depends on what is in it and who made it.
Homemade granola can definitely be healthy, but unfortunately manystore-bought granola brands include trans fats and a lot of refined sugar.
All of my homemade gluten free granola recipes can be considered healthy and most are even clean eating granola recipes. Coconut oil is myhealthy fat of choice and I use honey and maple syrup as unrefined sweeteners.
With today's honey and molasses granola you are also getting the benefits of vitamins, minerals and amino acids. Especially blackstrap molassesis a great source of iron and potassium.
Things to Do with Granola
I am so glad you are asking.For the most part, I consume granola for breakfast on top of a bowl of yogurt with sliced fruit - like a deconstructed (or lazy men's) granola yogurt parfait.
Only on rare occasions will I eat my healthy granola like cereal, just with some cold milk.
When a recipe for granola comes out with nice big clusters - like this gingerbread holiday granola, it also becomes one of mygo-to snacks. Perfect for munching on while out and about or even duringa movie.
Finally, a granola jar also is a wonderful gift idea for the holidays. Especially granola flavors like today's gingerbread version.
Pick a large Mason jar, tie it with a pretty ribbon and add a label. And ready is an easy homemade gift that will be much appreciated!
More delicious Gingerbread Recipes:
- If you are looking for a healthier recipes to make classic gingerbread man cutout cookies, try theseHealthy Gingerbread Cookies
Gingerbread Granola Recipe - gluten free, clean eating
5 from 2 votes
This healthy Gingerbread Granola Recipe is wonderfully flavored with molasses and spices, perfect for the holidays. Package this granola in a jar with a ribbon for a delicious edible homemade Christmas gift.
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Prep Time 5 minutes mins
Cook Time 15 minutes mins
Total Time 20 minutes mins
Course Breakfast
Cuisine American
Servings 4 cups (approx.)
Ingredients
- 2.5 cups old-fashioned rolled oats certified gluten free, if required
- 1 cup nuts I used almonds and pecans
- ½ cup shelled sunflower seeds
- 2 teaspoons gingerbread spice mix
- ⅛ teaspoon sea salt
- ⅓ cup honey or maple syrup to make vegan
- 2 tablespoons coconut oil melted
- 1 tablespoon blackstrap molasses
- ½ cup golden raisins
- optional: ¼ cup chopped crystallized ginger
Instructions
Preheat your oven to 300°F.
In a large bowl, stir together oats, nuts and seeds. Add gingerbread spice mix and salt.
Stir in the wet ingredients (honey, melted coconut oil, and molasses) until fully combined.
Spread the gingerbread granola mix onto a large cookie sheet and bake for 15-20 minutes until obviously browned but not too dark. Stir once half way in.
Remove baking sheet from oven and sprinkle the hot granola with the golden raisins (and optional crystallized ginger).
Let the granola cool on the baking sheet. Break it into smaller chunks as you are filling it into an airtight storage container. I like to store my granola in large Mason jars.
Keyword gingerbread granola
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Random Questions
Why are homemade granola not crunchy?
Homemade granola may not be crunchy if it has too much moisture or if it's not baked for long enough. Ensuring the granola is spread thinly on the baking sheet and baking it at a low temperature can help achieve the desired crunchiness.
What ingredient makes granola clump together?
Ingredients such as honey, maple syrup, or molasses are often used to help bind the granola together, creating those desirable clumps. Ensuring the mixture is evenly coated and compacted before baking can help achieve the desired clumping effect.
How do you make Christmas granola?
To make Christmas granola, you can incorporate festive flavors like gingerbread spices and molasses into your standard granola recipe. Adding nuts, seeds, and dried fruits can further enhance the holiday theme. Package it in a jar with a ribbon for a delightful homemade Christmas gift.
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