Breakfast

Daily Cooking Staples

Almond Pecan Granola

Crunchy clusters of oats, almonds, and pecans sweetened with honey and bound with coconut oil. Cheaper than any packaged granola, far better tasting, and without the seed oils and refined sugar that make most commercial granola less wholesome than it looks.

Prep10 mins
Cook25 mins
Makes~600g
Stores3 weeks in airtight jar
🥣
Method

How to make it

  1. 1
    Preheat oven to 160°C and line a baking tray

    Low and slow is the key to even, golden granola without burning. 160°C may feel too low — trust it. Higher temperatures produce unevenly browned granola with burnt edges and raw centres.

  2. 2
    Mix dry ingredients

    Combine oats, chopped almonds, pecans, cinnamon, and salt in a large bowl. Mix well — you want the spice evenly distributed before the wet ingredients go in.

  3. 3
    Combine wet ingredients separately

    Whisk together melted coconut oil, honey, and vanilla extract in a small bowl or jug. The mixture should be uniform and fluid.

  4. 4
    Combine and mix thoroughly

    Pour the wet mixture over the dry ingredients. Mix thoroughly — every oat and nut should be coated. Use your hands for this; it is the most effective way to ensure even coating.

  5. 5
    Spread flat and do not stir during baking

    Spread the mixture in a thin, even layer on the lined baking tray. Press it flat with the back of a spoon. Do not stir during baking — undisturbed granola forms clusters. Bake for 20–25 minutes until deep golden.

  6. 6
    Cool completely before breaking into clusters

    Remove from the oven and leave completely undisturbed on the tray until fully cooled — at least 30 minutes. The granola will feel soft when warm and crisp up as it cools. Once cold, break into clusters and store in a sealed jar.

The cluster secret

The three things that make granola clump into satisfying clusters rather than staying as loose oats: pressing the mixture flat before baking, not stirring during baking, and leaving completely undisturbed until fully cooled. Honey (rather than maple syrup) also helps — its thicker consistency creates better binding. Break the cooled slab by hand rather than scooping to get the biggest, most satisfying clusters.

Use it in

Ways to use it

With cold milk or warm oat milk
Layered with yoghurt and fresh fruit
On smoothie bowls
As a snack straight from the jar
Sprinkled on ice cream
Crushed as a crumble topping
Mixed into energy balls
Broken over warm stewed fruit
Variations & tips
  • Add ½ cup desiccated coconut in the last 10 minutes of baking for a tropical version
  • Add dried cranberries, raisins, or apricots after baking (not during — they burn)
  • Use walnuts and cashews instead of almonds and pecans
  • Add 2 tbsp sesame seeds for extra nuttiness and nutritional depth
  • Add 1 tbsp maca powder for an adaptogenic, energising morning granola