Dessert

Holiday Gingerbread Granola Recipe

ByHarry Bern October 18, 2025October 18, 2025

Introduction

This Holiday Gingerbread Granola is a festive twist on a classic breakfast favorite. Packed with warm spices and sweet molasses, it’s perfect for cozy mornings or as a crunchy snack throughout the day.

The image shows a clear glass jar filled almost to the top with chunky granola made of oats and nuts, with large clusters spilling over the rim. The granola has a mix of light golden and brown shades, with a rough, crunchy texture visible in each oat and nut piece. The jar sits on a round wooden coaster, placed on a white marbled surface. In the background, there is a soft focus of some green and red colors that add a warm, cozy feel. The photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Ingredients

3 cups rolled oats
1/2 cup nuts of choice
1 tablespoon ground cinnamon
3/4 teaspoon ground ginger
1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
1/4 teaspoon sea salt
1/4 cup coconut oil
8 tablespoons maple syrup
2 tablespoons unsulphured molasses
Splash of vanilla extract

Instructions

Step 1: Preheat your oven to 325°F and line a large baking sheet with parchment paper.
Step 2: In a large mixing bowl, combine the rolled oats, nuts, cinnamon, ground ginger, cloves, and sea salt.
Step 3: In a small saucepan or microwave-safe bowl, gently melt the coconut oil. Stir in the maple syrup, molasses, and vanilla extract until well combined.
Step 4: Pour the wet mixture over the dry ingredients and mix thoroughly to coat everything evenly.
Step 5: Transfer the granola mixture to the prepared baking sheet. Using a spatula, press it down firmly into an even layer, keeping it clumped together.
Step 6: Bake for 20 minutes. Remove from the oven and let cool completely on the baking sheet for about 15 minutes to harden.
Step 7: Once cooled, break the granola into pieces and transfer to an airtight jar for storage.

Tips & Variations

Use a mix of your favorite nuts like almonds, pecans, or walnuts for added texture and flavor.
For extra sweetness and chewiness, add dried cranberries or cherries after baking.
Pressing the granola firmly helps it clump together, making it perfect for snack bars or cluster-style granola.

Storage

Store the granola in an airtight container at room temperature for up to two weeks. It stays crunchy and fresh, perfect for topping yogurt or enjoying as a snack. If you prefer, you can reheat small portions in a toaster oven to refresh the crunch.

How to Serve

A clear glass bowl filled with chunky granola clusters sits on a white marbled surface. The granola is made up of golden brown oats mixed with large pieces of nuts like walnuts and pecans, giving it a rough, textured look. The oats are toasted to a light caramel color while the nuts show varied shades of brown, some with a shiny coating. In the blurred background, there are soft, colorful pom-poms in red, green, white, and brown that add a festive touch. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use regular butter instead of coconut oil?

Yes, you can substitute melted butter in equal amounts, though coconut oil adds a subtle tropical aroma that complements the spices nicely.

Is it possible to make this granola gluten-free?

Absolutely. Just ensure your rolled oats are certified gluten-free, as some oats can be cross-contaminated during processing.