Earlier this year I introduced your to my homemade walnut raisin granola and my reason for making my own, which is that you can control what goes in it and thus make it healthier than store bought. Store bought granola tends to have a lot of sugar. The market I frequent sells about 20 different types of granola in bulk and there is only ONE that has less than 14 grams of sugar per serving. The rest are anywhere from from 16 to 25 grams which is way too much sugar for me. Therefore, homemade it is.
So with that said, here is another granola that I make frequently – Cranberry Pecan Granola. This is a light and slightly sweet granola with lots of flavor and crunch, and the delightful addition of pecans and cranberries – the flavors of the holidays. I use it in cereals, stir into yogurt or cottage cheese, throw it on top of salads, and just enjoy it as a snack. It’s very easy to make and easier to eat so make sure you make a full batch because it disappears quickly.
I call this my Thanksgiving granola because of the delightful addition of pecans and cranberries. Slightly sweet and crunchy.
*See Kitchen Notes for more information.
- 3 cups rolled oats
- 1 ½ cup chopped pecans, large pieces
- ½ cup pumpkin seeds (pepitas)
- ¼ cup maple syrup
- 1 Tbsp. packed brown sugar
- ½ tsp. vanilla extract
- 3 Tbsp. canola or vegetable oil
- ½ tsp. salt
- 1 cup dried cranberries (craisins)
- Preheat oven to 325° F (165° C).
- In a large bowl mix together the oats, pecans, and pumpkin seeds.
- In a smaller bowl whisk together the remaining ingredients except for the cranberries.
- Using a spatula combine the wet and dry ingredients. Combine thoroughly to coat all of the dry ingredients with the wet ingredients.
- Spread evenly in large sheet pan with 1-inch sides.
Bake for 20 minutes. Remove from oven and stir with an ovenproof spatula. Return to the oven for another 20 minutes. Remove and stir in the cranberries. (I pour the granola back into the original mixing bowl to mix in the cranberries. It prevents the granola from going everywhere.)
- Let cool, stirring occasionally. Store in an airtight container. Add to cereal, yogurt, cottage cheese, or just eat as a snack.
As with any granola, you can add or substitute as much as you like; however, I like the simplicity of this granola so I’ve never really altered it.
For the dried cranberries, I use Craisins.
It’s not as sweet as most granola, so if you like your granola sweet, you can increase the brown sugar to 2 Tbsp. or, for an even sweeter granola, increase the maple syrup to 1/2 cup.
If you like this cranberry pecan granola, I’m sure you will also like these other granola.
Walnut and Raisin (or Date) Granola
Homemade Muesli Mix from Where is My Spoon?
Company’s Coming Granola from Eliot’s Eats
Cinnamon and Anise Granola (Biscochito Granola) from Tortillas and Honey
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Ooo, this looks so hearty and delicious. I’m going to try it!
I love granola but never made one at home. I love cranberries and pecans and your granola sounds extra delicious with my favorites in it. 🙂
I haven’t made granola in a while. This recipe looks great!
I love granola but have not had it in such a long time…great recipe 🙂
Thanks everyone for your comments! I’ll be making this again tomorrow, it’s go good and we ran out this morning!
I love all of the fall flavors in this. I’d probably follow your instructions and kick up the brown sugar a bit, but the use of maple syrup with the pepitas and cranberries sounds amazing
What wonderful ingredients..healthy and yum snack!
This is a healthy snack to have around. I like the combo you used.
I love homemade granola. cranberries and pecans are a lovely addition. thanks for sharing MJ! 🙂
The granola is looks delicious and healthy too. Happy Thanksgiving! Hope you had a wonderful celebration with family, friends and delicious meals too.
Simple but with abundance of flavorful and healthful ingredients. Btw, not sure if you noticed. The background of your photo has almost exact color of the background of your page or am I just color blind. It looks like the food is under the white background with a square hole. Amazing, MJ! Forgive me if I see these kind of things — I’m just weird, Hahaha!
Have an enjoyable rest of the week, MJ! 🙂
~ ray ~
Good eye Ray! I didn’t notice the coloring until you mentioned it! Yes, the two colors are the same, but it wasn’t intentional. Great little eye play. 🙂
This looks so perfect to lighten up in between holidays without starving! So satiating and delicious. I love it!
Your Thanksgiving Granola looks so good! Cranberries and pecans always make me love granola more!
Mmm…love granola with cranberries! And totally perfect for post-Thanksgiving snackage 🙂
I love this, Thanksgiving granola.. full of flavor and healthy!! thanks for sharing, have a great week!
This looks so good and healthy.
Mmm this sounds yummy! I love pumpkin seeds. I love that you call it Thanksgiving granola too, that makes it sound more delicious for some reason. I’m a sucker for marketing. 😉
Making granola at home instantly makes me feel super healthy….
Yours look really yummy…
Perfect.
I loves me some good granola – I actually just made some muesli last night – my wife had been wanting some for a while, though my next thing after that will be another batch of granola I think! Lovely colours in the bowl there – looks delicious!
MJ…this is so beautiful and timely! I actually have some pepitas for a recipe that I just didn’t get the chance to make. And I have an extra bag of craisins! Would you believe I’ve never yet made my own granola?! I think I will start with this recipe! Hope you had a wonderful Thanksgiving! : )
Hey – I never made granola until a couple of years ago but I’ve eaten it for a couple of decades! This is a great one to start with.
MJ, this looks like a very tasty and healthy granola. Love the addition of pecans my favorite nut besides brazil nuts. I will have to make this. Happy Sunday to you!
What a gorgeous presentation MJ – rustic, country beautiful. And so full of goodness. I like that you have kept the sugars to a minimum and maximized on the natural sweetness from the cranberry. Wonderful recipe. I hope you’re enjoying your holiday weekend!
I love love love homemade granola and can’t wait to try this recipe! It looks just perfect.
Looks like a very tasty granola!
I love.. granola. When I bake it the whole house smell with sweet nutty aroma of oats. the craisins and pepitas in you granola are giving a nice colour.
I agree. I love the way the house smells! It’s like making bread!
Nice and healthy granola recipe.
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Regards
Spoon and Chopsticks
http://spoon-and-chopsticks.blogspot.com/