Homemade Cinnamon Crunch Granola

posted by Alex Aldeborgh on Nov 8, 2019 (last updated 1/5/23) 14 comments »

This healthy, homemade cinnamon granola is amazingly crunchy, and packed full of good-for-ingredients like old fashioned rolled oats, brown rice crisp cereal, cashew nuts, and more. Enjoy all the flavors of cinnamon toast crunch, without any of the extra refined sugar. Vegan and gluten-free.

Glass jar filled with cinnamon granola on a white backdrop

Did you used to eat Cinnamon Toast Crunch cereal when you were little? Or maybe you still eat it now! No judgement here. But as a Registered Dietitian, I love to create nutritionally balanced breakfast recipes to make you feel your best and fuel you throughout the day.

This homemade cinnamon crunch granola was inspired by Cinnamon Toast Crunch cereal, and is packed with cinnamon flavor and nutritious ingredients like rolled oats, brown rice crisp cereal, cashews, and is naturally sweetened with maple syrup.

Watch a step-by-step tutorial on how to make cinnamon crunch granola!

In case you couldn’t tell by browsing my recipes, I absolutely love to make granola to have on hand for breakfast and snacking. I’ve created several granola recipes, including this homemade gluten free granola, homemade vegan granola, and homemade honey nut granola.

Prepare this homemade granola now to have on hand for the whole week! It makes a big batch – about six cups. This recipe is vegan, gluten free (use certified gluten free oats), dairy free, and soy free. Between prep time and bake time, this recipe takes about 45 minutes to prepare.

Baking tray with cinnamon granola, with a wooden mixing spoon and a blue dish towel

Ingredients in homemade cinnamon crunch granola

Here is everything you need to make this recipe:

Old fashioned rolled oats
Brown rice crisp cereal – or regular rice crisp cereal
Raw cashews
Cinnamon
Maple syrup
Coconut oil
Salt
Vanilla extract

Cinnamon crunch granola ingredients measured out in bowls on a wooden cutting board

Substitution suggestions for ingredients and dietary restrictions

Old fashioned rolled oats substitute: For granola recipes, old fashioned rolled oats are the best type of oats to use because they provide crunchy texture. In a pinch, you can use quick oats, but note that the texture will be different, and cook time might decrease.
Use honey instead of maple syrup as a liquid sweetener. Note, the recipe will no longer be vegan.
Swap vegetable oil, or another neutral tasting oil for coconut oil.
Make it nut free by eliminating the cashews. You can replace the cashews with another 1/2 cup of rolled oats or raw pumpkin seeds.

Kitchen tools needed

To make this recipe, you will need a baking sheet, parchment paper, a wooden mixing spoon, measuring cups, and measuring spoons.

Close up of a glass jar filled to the brim with cinnamon granola

How to make cinnamon crunch granola

Preheat oven to 325 degrees F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
Combine dry ingredients in a mixing bowl: oats, brown rice crisp cereal, cashews, cinnamon, and salt.
Mix together wet ingredients in a separate, smaller bowl: melted coconut oil, vanilla extract, and maple syrup.
Pour wet into the bowl of dry ingredients, and mix to combine well.
Transfer the mixture to the prepared baking sheet. Use your hands to spread the granola out into an even layer, pressing down so it all sticks together in a single layer.
Bake until golden brown, and super fragrant. Do not stir the granola while it bakes.
Let the granola cool COMPLETELY before breaking into large cluster with your hands. This is the key to big granola clusters!

How long does homemade granola last?

Homemade granola will last two to three weeks when left in an airtight container at room temperature. You can keep it for about a month when stored in an airtight container in the fridge!

Can you freeze granola?

Yes! You can extend the life of homemade granola by freezing it. Put completely cooled granola in a freezer-safe container, like a silicone baggie, and fill it up as much as possible to minimize the amount of air stored. Freeze for up to three months.

Close up of a tray of cinnamon granola clusters on a white backdrop

Serving suggestions

You can eat cinnamon crunch granola like cereal with milk, or as a crunchy topping for a smoothie/smoothie bowl. My favorite way to eat this granola is with protein-rich Greek yogurt and fresh fruit to make it a well-balanced meal that delivers protein, fiber, and healthy fats.

Oats nutrition benefits

Old fashioned rolled oats are packed with nutrition benefits. They provide several nutrients, including dietary fiber, protein, and more! One half cup of dry old fashioned oats provides:

4 grams of fiber (15 percent of your daily needs)
5.3 grams of plant-based protein
0.186 mg thiamin (16 percent of your daily needs)
1.72 mg iron (10 percent of your daily needs)
11.7 mcg selenium (21 percent of your daily needs)
55.89 mg magnesium (14 percent of your daily needs)

Of the 4 grams of fiber in oats, about half is soluble fiber. This type of fiber is particularly important for heart health, because it can help lower cholesterol.

Rolled oats vs old fashioned rolled oats

There is no true difference between old fashioned rolled oats and rolled oats – these terms mean the same thing! Old fashioned rolled oats are whole oat grains that have been steamed and flattened into flakes. They retain their shape and texture when cooked.

Rolled oats do differ from steel cut and quick oats, and should not be used interchangeably in recipes unless specified.

Cashews nutrition benefits

Cashews are nutrient dense and are packed with several micronutrients, specifically minerals. One ounce of cashews (about a handful) has:

5 grams of plant-based protein
1 gram of dietary fiber
An excellent source of copper, magnesium, and manganese
A good source of iron, zinc, selenium, phosphorus, and thiamine

One ounce of cashews has 12 grams of fat, but most of the fat comes from heart healthy unsaturated fatty acids. This type of fat is beneficial for preventing heart disease and lowering cholesterol.

Let me know if you love this recipe by leaving a comment or rating below, and check out Instagram and Pinterest for more healthy lifestyle inspiration. Thanks for stopping by!