This homemade Flaxseed Granola transforms your breakfast routine with clusters of golden, crunchy goodness packed with nutritious flaxseed, hearty oats, and warm spices. Unlike store-bought versions loaded with excess sugar and preservatives, this granola lets you control every ingredient while boosting the nutrition with omega-3 rich flaxseed. The result is a satisfying crunch that’s perfectly sweet, wonderfully aromatic, and incredibly versatile. Each bite delivers fiber, protein, and healthy fats that keep you satisfied throughout the morning. Whether sprinkled over yogurt, eaten with milk as cereal, or enjoyed by the handful as a snack, this granola brings together wholesome ingredients in the most delicious way. The kitchen fills with the most amazing smell as it bakes, creating anticipation for this nutritious treat that’s so much better than anything you can buy.
Makes: About 6 cups
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 25 minutes
Cool Time: 30 minutes
Total Time: 1 hour 5 minutes
Ingredients
Dry Ingredients:
- 3 cups old-fashioned rolled oats
- 1/2 cup ground flaxseed (flax meal)
- 1/2 cup chopped almonds
- 1/2 cup chopped walnuts or pecans
- 1/4 cup sunflower seeds
- 1/4 cup pumpkin seeds
- 2 tablespoons chia seeds (optional)
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
- 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
Wet Ingredients:
- 1/3 cup honey or maple syrup
- 1/4 cup melted coconut oil or vegetable oil
- 2 tablespoons almond butter or peanut butter
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Add After Baking:
- 1/2 cup dried cranberries or raisins
- 1/4 cup dried coconut flakes (optional)
Instructions
Preheat and Prepare
Preheat your oven to 325°F. Line a large rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper or lightly grease it with oil. Using a large baking sheet ensures the granola spreads in an even layer for consistent browning.
Mix the Dry Ingredients
In a large mixing bowl, combine the rolled oats, ground flaxseed, chopped almonds, chopped walnuts or pecans, sunflower seeds, pumpkin seeds, chia seeds (if using), cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, and salt. Stir everything together until evenly distributed. The mixture should look colorful and varied with all the different nuts and seeds.
Prepare the Wet Mixture
In a medium bowl or measuring cup, whisk together the honey or maple syrup, melted coconut oil, almond butter or peanut butter, and vanilla extract. If the nut butter is thick, you can warm the mixture slightly in the microwave for 20-30 seconds to make it easier to combine. Whisk until smooth and well combined.
Combine Wet and Dry
Pour the wet mixture over the dry ingredients and stir thoroughly with a large spoon or spatula. Make sure every piece of oats, nuts, and seeds gets coated with the sweet mixture. The granola should hold together slightly when squeezed but not be overly wet.
Spread on Baking Sheet
Transfer the granola mixture to the prepared baking sheet and spread it out in an even layer. Press it down gently with the back of a spoon or spatula to help it clump together as it bakes. Don’t spread it too thin or it won’t form nice clusters.
First Baking Phase
Bake for 12-15 minutes, until the edges start to turn golden brown. The granola should smell toasty and fragrant, but don’t let it get too dark as it will continue cooking when you stir it.
Stir and Continue Baking
Remove the baking sheet from the oven and stir the granola gently, breaking up any large pieces but trying to maintain some clusters. Spread it back out in an even layer and return to the oven for another 8-12 minutes, until it’s golden brown all over.
Check for Doneness
The granola is done when it’s golden brown and feels dry to the touch. It will continue to crisp up as it cools, so don’t worry if it seems slightly soft when hot. If some areas are browning faster than others, stir once more and bake for a few additional minutes.
Cool Completely
Remove the granola from the oven and let it cool completely on the baking sheet, about 30 minutes. Don’t stir it during this time as this is when the clusters form. The granola will become crunchier as it cools.
Add Final Ingredients
Once completely cool, stir in the dried cranberries or raisins and coconut flakes if using. These are added after baking to prevent them from burning and to maintain their texture.
Serving Suggestions
This Flaxseed Granola is delicious served over Greek yogurt with fresh berries for a protein-packed breakfast. Try it as a cereal with cold milk, or sprinkle it over smoothie bowls for added crunch. It’s also perfect eaten by itself as a healthy snack, or mixed into homemade trail mix for hiking or travel.
Storage Tips
Store the completely cooled granola in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 weeks. For longer storage, keep it in the refrigerator for up to 2 months or freeze for up to 6 months. If the granola loses its crunch, spread it on a baking sheet and toast in a 300°F oven for 5-10 minutes to refresh it.
Recipe Notes
Old-fashioned rolled oats work best for this recipe as they hold their shape and create better texture than quick oats. Steel-cut oats are too hard and won’t work well.
Ground flaxseed is important here rather than whole flaxseed, as it distributes more evenly and provides better nutrition absorption. Store ground flaxseed in the refrigerator to maintain freshness.
The key to good granola clusters is not stirring too much during baking and letting it cool completely undisturbed. If you prefer smaller pieces, you can break it up more after cooling.
Feel free to customize the nuts and seeds based on your preferences or what you have on hand. Cashews, hazelnuts, or Brazil nuts all work well. Just keep the total amount of nuts and seeds the same.
For a vegan version, use maple syrup instead of honey and make sure your nut butter doesn’t contain any animal products.
The granola should not be overly sweet – the natural sweetness comes mainly from the honey or maple syrup and any dried fruit you add. If you prefer it sweeter, add an extra tablespoon of sweetener.
Don’t skip the salt – it enhances all the other flavors and balances the sweetness perfectly.
If your oven runs hot, reduce the temperature to 300°F and increase the baking time slightly. Every oven is different, so watch for the golden brown color rather than relying solely on timing.
