This coconut oil granola is so addictive and makes the perfect granola clusters! Sprinkle on chocolate chips & dried fruit and/or coconut flakes after baking, and it’s hard to stop eating.
This coconut oil granola has been in my family for years and over time, we’ve customized the recipe with our favorite mix-ins and figured out a couple of tricks to help the granola stay in big, crunchy clusters.
Here’s what you do:
Mix the oats, cinnamon, and salt, and then add the nuts and stir together. The base of the granola has oats, honey, coconut oil, cinnamon, and nuts. 
For the nuts, I use a combination of whatever I have on hand, which usually includes almonds, walnuts, pecans, and Brazil nuts. Cashews and pumpkin seeds are great, too.
Then, spread the oat mixture on a parchment-lined baking sheet for easy clean-up, and pop it in the oven.
How to Make Perfect Granola Clusters
To help the granola cluster together, I use a little trick. When the granola comes out of the oven, I press it down with the back of a spatula to help it form clusters.
Then, I let it cool completely before breaking it into large pieces. It’s hard to wait, but it’s worth it!
The Best Granola Mix-Ins
Once the granola is completely cooled, it’s time to add all of the extra yummy mix-ins! The best thing about this sort-of kitchen sink granola is that you can toss in just about any type of nuts and mix-ins you want.
Dried Fruit and Coconut: I like to add raisins, dried cranberries, and unsweetened coconut chips.
Chocolate Chips: I love dark or semisweet chocolate chips. Around the holidays, I’ll sometimes add white chocolate chips. Peanut butter chips would be great, too!
I usually make a double batch so there’s some for our family and extra to give away. I love giving kitchen sink granola as a gift around the holidays to friends in a clear bag or mason jar with a cute, festive ribbon.
If you try this coconut oil granola recipe, let me know in a comment or take a photo and tag me @livbane on Instagram– I’d love to see!
Easy Coconut Oil Granola
Ingredients
- 3 cups old-fashioned oats
- 1/2 tsp. cinnamon
- 1/2 tsp. salt
- 1/4 cup melted coconut oil (can sub olive oil)
- 1/2 cup honey
- 1 1/2 cup nuts (I use a mix of walnuts, almonds, pecans, cashews, etc.)
- 3/4 cup total other mix-ins to add after baking: raisins, dried cranberries, other dried fruit, unsweetened coconut chips or flakes, chocolate chips, white chocolate chips, etc.) (add up to 1 cup if desired)
Instructions
- In a medium bowl, combine oats, cinnamon, and salt. Add oil and honey to the oats, measuring out oil first so honey doesn't stick to measuring cup. Add nuts and stir until oats are coated with the liquid mixture.
- Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and pour oat and nut mixture onto the baking sheet.
- Bake at 325 degrees for 15 to 20 minutes, until starting to lightly brown, stirring once during baking. Remove from oven and immediately press down with a spatula to help clusters form.
- Let granola cool completely before breaking up or moving it from the baking sheet. Once cool, add dried fruit, coconut chips or flakes, and/or chocolate chips. Break into large clusters.
- Store in airtight container for up to 2 weeks or freeze for up to several months.
Notes
Nutrition
Another granola recipe you may love: this double peanut butter granola
Recipe originally published in 2016; updated in 2021.
Homemade granola is the best, and I love all those big clusters! Some of the first things I learned to make are stuffed shells, omelets, fluffy pancakes, and shrimp scampi. A pretty random mix 😀
I love making granola! It’s my boyfriends favorite so I love surprising him with a batch of homemade granola! I can’t wait to try your method out he is a huge fan of big chunk granola!
Wish I had some right now.
This is the granola I made for you while I stayed at your house earlier this summer! 🙂
This what we enjoy on Fridays, but with the savory ingredients in our fridge! We end up making big sandwiches and I love it! It’s the chance to concoct new flavor combos, and I love it. I’m totally into this idea of throwing it into granola just like trail mix!
I love your chunky granola tips!
Woah this looks so crispy & delicious! I love when granola is super chunky! I am horrible at portion control with granola- I’m a 9 or 10 handful gal like you lol! I love big dark chocolate chunks and dried cherries in my granola!
Dark chocolate chunks are my weakness!
I think this is my third (or maybe fourth…?) time making this granola! LOVE how it’s guilt free and not chock full of sugar. Thanks for another great recipe Liv!
Wow, I”m so happy to hear that, Sophie! So glad you’re enjoying the granola!
Looks great! Going to try very soon!
Question: on some of the comments they say they have it for breakfast…do you just “handfuls” or have it like a cereal breakfast with milk in a bowl? Just wondering????
I like to eat it by the handful or sprinkle it on my yogurt versus eating it as cereal!
We love granola. I will try to make this recipe.
Hope you enjoy! This is the granola recipe I always bake for you 🙂
Just finished eating the whole batch!
So glad you enjoyed this granola 😀
A great home snack preparation idea. I will do it for the whole family to enjoy