Healthy Homemade Granola Recipe with Pecans, Cranberries & Dark Chocolate

If you’re looking for a healthy homemade granola recipe that’s simple to make and full of delicious ingredients, this maple pecan granola is one to keep in your recipe box.

It’s made with old-fashioned rolled oats, crunchy pecans, coconut oil, maple syrup, cinnamon, dried cranberries, and dark chocolate chips. It’s lightly sweet, wonderfully crunchy, and makes an easy breakfast or snack for the whole family.

I especially love having a batch of homemade granola sitting in the pantry. It’s perfect with yogurt, fresh fruit, milk, or simply eaten by the handful.

And the best part?

Homemade granola is incredibly easy to make.

Why You’ll Love This Healthy Homemade Granola

There are plenty of granola options at the grocery store, but making your own gives you control over the ingredients.

This recipe is:

• Easy to make
• Made with simple ingredients
• Naturally sweetened with maple syrup
• Full of crunchy pecans
• Perfect for breakfast or snacking
• Easy to customize
• Delicious with yogurt or fresh fruit
• Great for making ahead

The combination of maple syrup, cinnamon, pecans, dried cranberries, and dark chocolate makes this granola taste like a special treat while still being made with simple pantry ingredients.

Ingredients for Homemade Granola

Here’s what you’ll need to make this easy homemade granola recipe.

Old-Fashioned Rolled Oats

Old-fashioned rolled oats are the base of this recipe. They give the granola its hearty texture and delicious crunch once baked.

Pecans

I use 1½ cups of pecans, but you can substitute another raw nut mix if you’d like.

Almonds, walnuts, or a combination of your favorite nuts would all work well.

Coconut Oil

Melted coconut oil helps coat the oats and nuts while adding richness and helping the granola crisp up beautifully in the oven.

Maple Syrup

Pure maple syrup provides just the right amount of sweetness and pairs especially well with the pecans and cinnamon.

Cinnamon & Sea Salt

A little cinnamon adds warmth and flavor, while sea salt helps balance the sweetness.

Vanilla

Vanilla extract adds another layer of flavor to the granola.

Dried Cranberries

Dried cranberries are added after baking so they stay soft and chewy rather than becoming hard in the oven.

Dark Chocolate Morsels

Dark chocolate and maple pecan granola are a combination I just can’t resist.

The chocolate is added after the granola has completely cooled so it doesn’t melt into the warm oats.

Healthy Homemade Granola Ingredients

• 4 cups old-fashioned rolled oats
• 1½ cups raw nuts or pecans
• 1 teaspoon sea salt
• ¾ teaspoon ground cinnamon
• ½ cup melted coconut oil
• ½ cup maple syrup
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• ⅔ cup dried cranberries
• ½ cup dark chocolate morsels

How to Make Healthy Homemade Granola

Making homemade granola couldn’t be much easier.

1. Prepare Your Baking Sheet

Preheat your oven to 350°F.

Line a rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper.

Using parchment makes cleanup easy and helps prevent the granola from sticking.

2. Combine the Dry Ingredients

In a large mixing bowl, add the rolled oats, pecans, sea salt, and cinnamon.

Give everything a good stir so the cinnamon and salt are evenly distributed.

3. Add the Wet Ingredients

Pour in the melted coconut oil, maple syrup, and vanilla extract.

Stir everything together until the oats and pecans are evenly coated.

You want all of those delicious ingredients mixed together really well.

4. Spread the Granola on the Baking Sheet

Pour the mixture onto your prepared baking sheet.

Use a large spoon or spatula to spread it into a fairly even layer.

5. Bake

Bake at 350°F for 22–24 minutes.

Keep an eye on it toward the end of the baking time. You want the granola to become golden and fragrant without burning the nuts.

6. Let the Granola Cool Completely

This step is important!

Once you remove the granola from the oven, leave it alone and let it cool completely for about one hour.

Don’t add the chocolate while the granola is warm.

If you do, your chocolate chips will melt.

I know it’s tempting to dig right in, but letting the granola cool completely gives you those delicious crunchy pieces.

7. Add the Cranberries & Chocolate

Once the granola has cooled completely, sprinkle the dried cranberries and dark chocolate morsels over the top.

Then you can begin breaking the granola into pieces and transferring it to an airtight container.

How to Serve Homemade Granola

There are so many ways to enjoy this easy granola recipe.

Try it:

• Over plain Greek yogurt
• With fresh berries
• With milk as a simple cereal
• Over a smoothie bowl
• With sliced bananas
• As an afternoon snack
• By the handful straight from the container

One of my favorite ways to enjoy it is layered with yogurt and fresh fruit for a simple breakfast.

How to Store Homemade Granola

Once the granola has cooled completely, store it in an airtight container at room temperature.

Keeping it sealed will help maintain that delicious crunchy texture.

Make sure the granola is completely cool before storing it. Any leftover warmth or moisture can cause it to lose some of its crunch.

Easy Granola Recipe Variations

One of the best things about homemade granola is how easy it is to change up.

Change the Nuts

Instead of pecans, try:

• Walnuts
• Almonds
• Cashews
• Pistachios
• A combination of raw nuts

Change the Dried Fruit

Instead of cranberries, try raisins, chopped dried apricots, or another dried fruit you enjoy.

Try Different Chocolate

I love dark chocolate morsels, but semi-sweet chocolate chips or mini chocolate chips would also be delicious.

Add More Cinnamon

If you love cinnamon, you can add a little extra for an even warmer flavor.

A Simple Homemade Breakfast

I love recipes that make everyday life a little easier, and homemade granola definitely falls into that category.

Make a batch on the weekend and you’ll have an easy breakfast or snack ready to go throughout the week.

Pair it with yogurt and fruit for a quick breakfast, or grab a handful when you need something crunchy and satisfying.

And because you’re making it yourself, you know exactly what’s going into it.

Simple ingredients. Simple preparation. Delicious results.

That’s exactly the kind of recipe I love keeping in my kitchen.