You’ll love this easy Chunky Granola recipe. Homemade granola is a nutritious and delicious treat that you can enjoy for breakfast or as a snack.

a bowl of chunky granola with a jar of granola in the background

Is it worth the trouble to make your own granola when there are 102109291028 brands on the supermarket shelves? Yes!

Supermarket granola runs the gamut.

On the one end you have granolas that are loaded with sugar and fat. They’re delicious because it’s basically like eating chopped up cookies.

At the other end of the spectrum we have “healthier” granolas that, as my son says, taste like rocks.

This granola is abundant with wholesome ingredients like oats, walnuts and sunflower seeds. It has just a hint of honey sweetness and it is light, crunchy and crisp.

That special texture is thanks to just the right amount of sugar, honey and oil in the recipe. An egg white binds the ingredients together without weighing everything down.

Scroll through the process photos to see how to make Chunky Granola with honey and egg whites:

a bowl of granola ingredients and a measuring cup with egg whites — Combine the granola ingredients in a large bowl. Whisk the egg white until foamy and fold into the granola.

two side by side photos showing granola before and after baking — Use your hand to press the granola into a flat layer. Bake until golden brown and dried.

two photos showing how to break baked granola into large chunks and tossing in dried fruit — Break the cooled granola into large chunks, then toss in the dried cranberries.

Tips for making Homemade Chunky Granola:

Use old fashioned rolled oats as the base for this recipe. Quick cooking oats will break down too easily and the granola won’t have the right texture.
You can substitute any nut for the walnuts and any dried fruit for the cranberries.
You can use maple syrup in place of the honey.
Add the dried cranberries after the granola is baked. This prevents the cranberries from burning in the oven and becoming leathery.
The dried fruit will draw moisture from the granola to keep it crisp.
Store the granola in an air tight container at room temperature.

a tray of chunky granola with walnuts and cranberries

a bowl of yogurt topped with chunky homemade granola

You should also try Sourdough Granola, Peanut Butter Granola or these chewy Sunflower & Apricot Granola Bars for a tasty and satisfying snack or breakfast on the go.

Here are a few more hearty, oaty treats that you’ll love:Apple Baked Oatmeal, Oatmeal Cookies with Maple Glaze, Iced Apple Oatmeal Cookies, Oatmeal Cranberry Chocolate Chip Cookies.

If you love this recipe as much as I do, I’d really appreciate a 5-star review.

Print Recipe

5 from 4 reviews

Chunky Granola Recipe

By: Eileen Gray

Homemade Chunky Granola is a nutritious and delicious treat that you can enjoy for breakfast or as a snack. This recipe is abundant with healthy ingredients like walnuts, oats, protein-rich egg whites and has a hint of honey sweetness. This recipe makes about 12 cups of granola.

Prep Time20

Bake Time30

Total Time50

24 servings

Ingredients

13 oz old-fashioned rolled oats (4 cups)
4 oz walnuts (1 cup, coarsely chopped)
2 oz flax seed meal (½ cup, or almond meal)
1 oz sunflower seeds (¼ cup)
2 oz brown sugar (¼ cup)
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1 teaspoon ground ginger
½ teaspoon table salt
3 oz honey (¼ cup)
3 oz vegetable oil (⅓ cup)
1 tablespoon vanilla extract
1 egg white
9 oz dried cranberries (1 ½ cups)

Instructions

Preheat the oven to 300 °F. Line a half sheet pan with parchment paper or a silicone baking mat.
In a large bowl, combine 13 oz old-fashioned rolled oats, 4 oz walnuts, 2 oz flax seed meal, 1 oz sunflower seeds, 2 oz brown sugar, 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon, 1 teaspoon ground ginger, and ½ teaspoon table salt. In a small bowl or measuring cup, combine3 oz honey, 3 oz vegetable oil and 1 tablespoon vanilla extract. Drizzle the liquid ingredients over the oat mixture and toss to combine.
Whisk 1 egg white until frothy then fold it into the granola. Toss the mixture to evenly distribute the wet ingredients and break up any clumps. Pour the granola into the prepared pan. Moisten your hands with water and use them to press the granola firmly into an even layer.
Bake until the granola is dry and nicely browned around the edges, about 30 minutes.
Set the pan on a wire rack and cool to room temperature. Break the granola into large clumps and toss in the 9 oz dried cranberries. Keep in an airtight container for 1-2 weeks.

Equipment

My Book

Half Sheet Pans

Silpat Baking Mat

Kitchen Scale

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Notes

This is an endlessly adaptable recipe. Try swapping out the walnuts with pecans, almonds or peanuts. You can use any mix of dried fruit to replace the cranberries and any combination of spices that you prefer. You can use maple syrup in place of the honey.

Nutrition

Have you tried this recipe?Mention @eileen.bakingsense or tag #bakingsense!

Sunday 1st of November 2020

Hi can we substitute chia seeds for flax/almond meal? Those are very expensive in my area :(

Eileen Gray

Yes. This is an incredibly adaptable recipe.

Jesse-Gabriel

Wednesday 7th of October 2020

Ich könnte Müsli morgen, mittags und abends essen und wenn es selbst gemacht ist ist es doppelt so gut lecker! Viele Grüße, Jesse-Gabriel

Sheryl Edwards

Friday 25th of September 2020

Can you substitute applesauce or something a bit healthier for the vegetables oil?

Thanks

Saturday 26th of September 2020

It would change the recipe. The oil it here to work with the little bit of sugar and honey to glue everything together and make a crisp texture.