When you want all the satisfaction of homemade granola without the heavy sweetness or dense texture, this Light Fruit and Nut Granola delivers the perfect balance of wholesome ingredients and delicate flavors. Each spoonful offers a delightful mix of golden oats, toasted nuts, and colorful dried fruits, all lightly sweetened and perfectly crispy. This granola is ideal for those who prefer a more subtle sweetness that lets the natural flavors of the oats, nuts, and fruit shine through. Perfect over yogurt, with milk for breakfast, or enjoyed by the handful as a healthy snack, this recipe makes about 6 cups and takes just 45 minutes from start to finish, including baking time.
Prep Time: 15 minutes, 30 minutes baking
Makes: 6 cups (about 12 servings)
What You’ll Need
For the base:
- 4 cups old-fashioned rolled oats
- 1/2 cup sliced almonds
- 1/2 cup chopped walnuts
- 1/4 cup sunflower seeds
- 2 tablespoons sesame seeds
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
For the light sweetening:
- 3 tablespoons honey
- 2 tablespoons maple syrup
- 2 tablespoons melted coconut oil
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
For the fruit mix:
- 1/2 cup dried cranberries
- 1/2 cup chopped dried apricots
- 1/3 cup golden raisins
- 2 tablespoons unsweetened coconut flakes
Setting Up for Success
Preheat your oven to 300 degrees and line a large baking sheet with parchment paper. The lower temperature is key to achieving that perfect golden color without burning the delicate nuts and oats. A light-colored baking sheet works best to prevent over-browning.
Creating the Dry Foundation
In a large mixing bowl, combine the rolled oats, sliced almonds, chopped walnuts, sunflower seeds, sesame seeds, cinnamon, and salt. Stir everything together until evenly distributed. This mixture forms the crunchy backbone of your granola.
Preparing the Light Sweetener
In a small bowl, whisk together the honey, maple syrup, melted coconut oil, and vanilla extract until smooth. This lighter sweetening mixture provides just enough binding and sweetness without making the granola overly sticky or heavy.
Coating for Even Distribution
Pour the honey mixture over the oat and nut mixture, then use a wooden spoon or your hands to toss everything together thoroughly. Make sure every oat and nut is lightly coated with the sweetener – this ensures even browning and prevents any dry spots.
The Perfect Spread
Transfer the coated mixture to your prepared baking sheet and spread it out in an even layer. Don’t press it down too firmly – you want some loose clusters to form naturally during baking, which creates that perfect granola texture.
The Slow, Even Bake
Bake for 15 minutes, then remove from the oven and give the granola a good stir with a spatula, breaking up any large clumps and ensuring even browning. Return to the oven for another 10-15 minutes until the oats and nuts are golden brown and fragrant.
Testing for Doneness
The granola is ready when it’s golden brown and crispy. It may seem slightly soft when hot, but it will crisp up as it cools. The nuts should be toasted and aromatic, and the oats should have a lovely golden color throughout.
Adding the Fruit
Remove the granola from the oven and immediately sprinkle the dried cranberries, chopped apricots, golden raisins, and coconut flakes over the hot granola. Gently stir them in – the residual heat will slightly soften the dried fruits and help them integrate.
The Cooling Process
Let the granola cool completely on the baking sheet, stirring occasionally to prevent large clumps from forming. As it cools, it will become increasingly crispy and develop that perfect granola crunch. This usually takes about 30 minutes.
Breaking Up Clusters
Once completely cool, break up any overly large clusters with your hands, leaving some smaller clusters intact for texture. The granola should have a mix of individual pieces and small, crunchy clusters.
Storage for Maximum Freshness
Store the cooled granola in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 weeks. For longer storage, keep it in the refrigerator for up to a month, or freeze portions in freezer bags for up to 3 months.
Serving Suggestions
This light granola is perfect sprinkled over Greek yogurt with fresh berries, enjoyed with your favorite milk as a cereal, or layered in parfaits with yogurt and fruit. It also makes a wonderful topping for smoothie bowls or oatmeal.
Customization Options
Feel free to swap in your favorite nuts – pecans, cashews, or pistachios all work beautifully. For the dried fruit, try dried blueberries, cherries, or chopped dates. Just keep the total amounts similar to maintain the proper texture.
Making It Your Own
Add a pinch of cardamom or nutmeg for warm spice notes, or include a tablespoon of chia seeds or ground flaxseed for extra nutrition. Some people love adding a handful of dark chocolate chips after the granola has cooled completely.
Gift-Giving Ideas
This granola makes wonderful homemade gifts when packaged in mason jars or decorative containers. Include a tag with serving suggestions and storage instructions for a thoughtful, healthy present.
Portion Control Tips
While this granola is lighter than many recipes, it’s still calorie-dense due to the nuts and dried fruit. A quarter-cup serving provides plenty of flavor and crunch without being overwhelming.
This Light Fruit and Nut Granola proves that healthy doesn’t have to mean tasteless. With its delicate sweetness and perfect balance of textures, it’s a granola that you’ll actually want to eat every morning, providing sustained energy without the sugar crash that comes from heavily sweetened versions.
