Description
Honey Nut Clusters are a delicious and crunchy homemade granola snack, perfect for breakfast or a healthy treat. Made with rolled oats, a mix of nuts and seeds, honey, and a touch of cinnamon, these clusters are baked to golden perfection and offer a delightful combination of sweet and nutty flavors with a satisfying crunch.
Ingredients
Scale
Dry Ingredients
- 3 cups old fashioned rolled oats
- 1 cup sliced almonds
- 1 cup chopped pecans
- 1/2 cup sunflower seeds
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
Wet Ingredients
- 1/2 cup honey
- 1/3 cup light brown sugar, packed
- 1/3 cup coconut oil, melted
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Other
- 1 cup crispy rice cereal
Instructions
- Preheat and Prepare Baking Sheet: Preheat your oven to 325°F (163°C). Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper to prevent sticking and ensure easy cleanup.
- Mix Dry Ingredients: In a large bowl, combine the rolled oats, sliced almonds, chopped pecans, sunflower seeds, salt, and ground cinnamon. Stir these dry ingredients together to distribute the spices evenly.
- Warm Wet Ingredients: In a small saucepan over medium heat, gently warm the honey, light brown sugar, and melted coconut oil. Stir occasionally until the mixture is melted and smooth. Remove the saucepan from heat and stir in the vanilla extract for added flavor.
- Combine and Coat: Pour the warm honey mixture over the dry ingredients. Stir thoroughly until all the oats and nuts are evenly coated with the sweet mixture.
- Add Crispy Rice: Gently fold in the crispy rice cereal to preserve its texture and add lightness to the clusters.
- Form Clusters on Baking Sheet: Spread the mixture evenly on the prepared baking sheet. Press it down firmly using the back of a spatula to help the granola form larger clusters during baking.
- Bake the Granola: Place the baking sheet in the preheated oven and bake for 20 to 25 minutes. Stir gently halfway through the baking time to ensure even browning. Bake until the granola turns golden brown.
- Cool Without Stirring: Remove the granola from the oven and let it cool completely on the baking sheet without stirring. This allows the clusters to set and form properly.
- Break Into Clusters and Store: Once fully cooled, break the granola into clusters of desired size. Store the clusters in an airtight container at room temperature for freshness.
Notes
- For extra flavor and texture, add 1/2 cup dried fruit such as raisins, cranberries, or chopped apricots after baking and cooling.
- You can substitute different nuts or seeds depending on your preference or what you have on hand, such as walnuts, cashews, pumpkin seeds, or chia seeds.
- Pressing the mixture firmly before baking is key to creating larger, satisfying clusters instead of loose granola.
