Homemade Chai-Spiced Granola Recipe

This 30-minute homemade granola recipe is packed full of chai spice flavor, nutritious old fashioned rolled oats, slivered almonds, chopped Medjool dates, and shredded coconut! Recipe is vegan and gluten free.

Granola is one of my favorite things to make at home. There are certain store bought brands that I love, but homemade definitely takes the cake! As a Registered Dietitian, I enjoy being able to control the ingredients and amount of added sugar I add.

This healthy homemade granola has tons of chai spice flavor, thanks to cinnamon, cardamom, ginger, and cloves. Combined with rich coconut and caramel-y dates, I just can’t get enough! It’s easy enough to make for beginners and cooks up in about 30 minutes. This recipe makes a big batch of granola (about 6 cups) – enough to last all week!

Love homemade granola as much as I do? Try my tahini granola with giant clusters, this gluten free granola recipe, or this vegan granola recipe!

Ingredients in chai-spiced granola

Here is everything you need to make this granola:

• Old fashioned rolled oats
• Unsweetened shredded coconut
• Slivered or chopped almonds
• Coconut oil
• Maple syrup
• Vanilla extract
• Medjool dates
• Kosher salt
• Chai spices: Cinnamon, Ginger, Cloves, Cardamom

How to make homemade granola

1. Mix oats, shredded coconut, slivered almonds, and spices together in a mixing bowl.
2. To the same bowl, add melted coconut oil, maple syrup, and vanilla extract.
3. Stir everything up to combine.
4. Bake for 30-35 minutes.
5. Let granola cool completely to harden, then use your hands to break into large clusters.
6. Chop up medjool dates and mix them in with the granola.

Recipe tips

• Bake low and slow. We bake this granola at a lower temperature (325 degrees F) to prevent burning while it bakes for 30 minutes.
• Don’t mix the granola while it is baking. Spread the granola into one large “sheet” and don’t mix it! Baking at a lower temperature prevents burning, and by not mixing the granola, it allows us to have those giant clusters.
• Let granola cool completely before breaking into clusters. The granola will harden as it sits and cools, so wait until it is room temperature to break it up into clusters.
• Store in a wide, shallow airtight container. Carefully layer the big granola clusters in a wide, shallow container instead of a tall, narrow one to maintain the structure.

Can you prepare homemade granola in advance?

Yes! Homemade granola keeps well for 2-3 weeks. You can store it at room temperature, or keep it in an airtight container in the fridge to keep it fresh for even longer.

Can you freeze granola? If you’d like to keep your granola for even longer, you can freeze it for up to three months. To freeze granola, put it into an airtight, freezer-safe container or baggie and let out as much air as possible. Pop it in the freezer until you need it next. You can eat it right from frozen, or let it come down to room temperature if you prefer.

What to eat with granola

Homemade granola is a versatile breakfast or snack. You can eat granola with nutritious Greek yogurt and fruit, eat it like cereal with milk, or just snack on it dry! You can also use it as a crunchy topping for a smoothie or smoothie bowl.

Nutrition tip: Pair this granola with a source of protein for a well-balanced, filling meal. Some easy options include yogurt, soy milk, or cow’s milk. The complex carbohydrates and healthy fats in the granola, paired with high quality protein will keep you full for longer and help prevent a dramatic spike in blood sugar.

Is granola good for you?

Granola is an fairly energy-dense food, meaning it has a high calorie content in relation to its weight. But this is certainly not a bad thing! Granola, made from oats, nuts, and seeds, is rich in several nutrients, including dietary fiber, plant-based protein, healthy unsaturated fats, magnesium, and iron. Paired with protein-rich milk or Greek yogurt and fiber-rich fresh fruit, granola is part of a healthy, well-balanced meal.

One thing to be wary of with granola is the sugar content. Some store-bought granolas can have upwards of 15 grams of added sugar per serving, which can come from various sweeteners and dried fruits. This is just another reason to love homemade granola – you control the amount of added sugar!

Old fashioned rolled oats nutrition benefits

The main ingredient in granola is oats – a super healthy food to include in your diet. Old fashioned rolled oats are a good source of dietary fiber – one half cup of oats provides 4 grams, or 15 percent of your daily fiber needs. Oats also provide protein, with 5.3 grams of protein in that same half cup serving.

Old fashioned rolled oats are a source of several micronutrients as well, including:

• B Vitamins
• Copper
• Iron
• Magnesium
• Phosphorus
• Selenium
• Zinc

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

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