Gingerbread Granola

Check out this fun and festive homemade gingerbread granola recipe that is perfect for holiday breakfasts and snacking!

I don’t know about you, but I love the smell of gingerbread. It’s one of those smells that make me feel all warm and cozy inside.

This gingerbread granola recipe is perfect for the holidays. It’s crunchy, sweet and has plenty of spices to make it taste like Christmas in a bowl!

With spices like nutmeg, cinnamon, ginger and all-spice mixed in this delicious breakfast cereal it’ll be hard not to get into the holiday spirit as soon as you take a taste.

You can enjoy this as an afternoon snack or spread it on top of yogurt in the morning. If you’re looking for a special breakfast recipe that will get your day off to a great start, look no further than this gingerbread granola recipe!

Why You will LOVE this Homemade Gingerbread Granola

You are going to love eating this homemade granola over the holidays and here is why:

• Just perfectly sweet
• Crunchy clusters of yum!
• Gingerbread flavoured
• Festive breakfast idea!
• Stores well for up to 2 weeks
• Freezes well.

How to Serve Gingerbread Granola Recipe

Gingerbread Granola can be served in several different ways. Gingerbread lovers tend to enjoy it the most when mixed into cereal, yogurt or oatmeal before eating. You can also sprinkle Gingerbread Granola on top of ice cream, applesauce, roasted plums and other fruits.

Gingerbread Granola makes a delicious snack when enjoyed alone, but also makes a tasty addition to seasonal salads. You can keep it simple too and just enjoy Gingerbread Granola with your favorite milk.

Perfect for Gift Giving

It’s simple to make a big batch of this granola to give as gifts.

Package cooled off homemade granola in cellophane bags or scoop into quart-sized mason jars. Decorate with some ribbon and a cute gift tag.

This Gingerbread Granola makes a wonderful hostess gift too!

How to get Chunky Granola!

Most people love big lumps of granola in their mix. Here are some ways you can get perfect clumpy granola every time.

• Make sure your oats are a little crowded on the baking sheet, but in a single layer so it all toasts evenly.
• Be sure to either grease the pan well, or line the pan with parchment paper.
• Don’t over-bake the granola or it will be more brittle and break apart.

How do you Know When Granola is Done Baking?

The first time you bake Granola, the hardest part is knowing when the granola is done. The bake times given are a guideline, but you will want to watch your granola to make sure it doesn’t get over-baked.

Granola won’t be dry right out of the oven — it will dry as it cools. You want to take it out of the oven when it looks and smells lightly toasted.

How to Store Homemade Granola

Granola can be stored in an airtight container in the pantry for up to 2 weeks.

If you want to make it last longer, you can store granola in the refrigerator or freezer.

To freeze your granola, place it in an airtight container and make sure that there is no excess moisture present. To serve your granola, once you have taken it out of the freezer, we recommend letting it sit on the counter to thaw for an hour or two.

About the Ingredients for Gingerbread Granola

Oats – Old-Fashioned rolled oats are best for making granola with. Do not use steel cut oats or instant oats.

Spices – We use a blend of warming spices to create a gingerbread flavour – cinnamon, ginger, allspice and nutmeg.

Salt – Brings out all the flavours.

Vanilla extract – Pure vanilla extract is best, but you can use artificial vanilla extract instead.

Molasses – Fancy molasses.

Maple syrup – You want to use only real 100% pure maple syrup and not table syrup.

Oil – Use your favourite oil, I like coconut oil or avocado oil.

Nuts – Optional, if you want a bit of nuttiness and to bulk out the granola feel free to add a generous cup of raw nuts to your oats. Almonds, pecans and walnuts are all great choices.

Looking for More Easy Holiday Recipes?

Check out some of my favourite easy to make festive recipes perfect for the holiday season!

This peppermint cheesecake gets topped with crushed candy canes, real whipped cream and Ghirardelli chocolate to create a showstopping dessert.

This Festive Candy Cane Bundt Cake features a light and sweet peppermint cake with swirls of red smothered in a candy cane cream cheese frosting.

These easy mini Eggnog cheesecakes are festively flavoured for the holiday season and party ready with individual portions.

How to Make Gingerbread Granola

Yields: 8 cups | Prep: 5 mins | Cook Time: 20 mins

Ingredients:

• 4 cups old-fashioned rolled oats (use certified gluten free if necessary)
• 2 teaspoons cinnamon
• 1 teaspoon ginger
• ¼ teaspoon allspice
• ⅛ teaspoon nutmeg
• ¾ teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 tablespoon molasses
• ½ cup maple syrup
• ½ cup avocado oil (or coconut oil)

Directions:

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper and set aside.

In a large mixing bowl, add oats, cinnamon, ginger, allspice, nutmeg and salt. Stir to combine.

In the same bowl, add vanilla extract, molasses, maple syrup and avocado oil. Mix until all ingredients are incorporated.

Pour the granola onto the prepared baking sheet. Use a spatula to spread the granola, pressing to flatten it down slightly into an even layer.

Bake for 20-22 minutes.

Remove from oven and cool before breaking the granola apart and serving.

Notes: Enjoy this granola on it’s own, with milk or over yogurt.  Allow it to sit out on the counter for 1 hour or more before placing it in an airtight container. This allows it to harden, giving it a crunchier texture.