Curl up in comfort with a bowl of these Gluten-Free Granola Clusters packed with maple pecan flavor. These homemade, crunchy clusters make a nutrient-dense snack or easy breakfast. Made with just 8 ingredients, this simple granola recipe is perfect for topping yogurt or grabbing straight from the fridge.
"I gave up on any store-bought granola and found your recipe to make my own. I love the flavor and the cluster idea for a fun snack." -Jere Cassidy
A Quick Look At The Recipe
- ⏲️Ready In: 30 Minutes
- 👪Serves: 5
- 🍽 Calories and Protein: 356 kcals and 6 grams of protein
- 📋Main Ingredients: Rolled oats, Pecans & coconut flakes, hazelnut butter, maple syrup, coconut oil and cinnamon.
- 📖 Dietary Notes: Dairy-free, gluten-free, refined sugar-free, vegan-friendly, andhigh fiber.
- ⭐ Why You'll Love It: These homemade granola clusters are crunchy, naturally sweet, and perfect for topping yogurt, smoothie bowls, or enjoying as a snack.
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Finding those big crunchy granola clusters in a box is always the best part, but now you can enjoy that same bliss with a full homemade batch. These vegan granola clusters are easy to make and perfect for meal prep, especially if you love having something ready to sprinkle over yogurt or smoothie bowls like this strawberry smoothie bowl.
These maple pecan granola clusters come out of the oven soft and lightly set, but the texture changes depending on how you store them. Keep them at room temperature for a softer bite (like these chocolate chip cookie dough protein balls), or pop them into the fridge and you’ll get those delicious, crunchy clusters everyone digs for.
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💭Why You'll Love This Recipe
Meal prep: These vegan granola clusters store well, making them perfect for meal prep to use as a snack or on top of recipes like a dairy-free yogurt parfait.
Texture: They're crisp and crunchy with a drool-worthy maple cinnamon flavor.
Healthy: Packed with fiber and sweetened naturally, these clusters top store-bought granola every time.
Ingredients and Substitutions
You won't find any brown sugar in this granola recipe as it's sweetened with only maple syrup- like this chocolate protein granola. But know that brown sugar isn't needed. This homemade granola is just as delicious and comforting as you'd expect from a nutty blend.
- Regular Oats: Make sure to grab gluten-free oats if you need them. Know that quick oats won’t work for this recipe.
- Large coconut flakes: You want the thick-cut pieces of coconut, as these are going to make the granola recipe have some texture.
- Hazelnut butter: This is for maximum indulgence, but know that any nut butter will work fine. Just make sure to use fresh nut butter so that it’s still runny.
- Coconut oil: Cold-pressed, extra virgin coconut oil has the best health perks, but it also has a slightly coconut taste. So, use what you’re comfortable with, but know that the coconut oil is what helps crisp up the granola clusters because it hardens when chilled.
See the recipe card for full information on ingredients and quantities.
Flavor Variations
Dried fruit: You can add dried fruit to the mixture, but no more than ⅛ cup, as it'll make it harder for the clusters to hold together.
Peanut butter chocolate: If you're a die-hard peanut butter lover, make the crunchy granola clusters with homemade, no oil peanut butter, skip the cinnamon, and then, while it's cooling, drizzle them with melted chocolate chips.
Grain-Free: I did make this recipe once with pumpkin seeds in place of the oats to make it grain-free. It can be done (and I think sunflower seeds would work too), though cooking times may be slightly longer.
How To Make Gluten-Free Granola Clusters
Step 1: Process the pecans and oats for 5-10 seconds, keeping them chunky.
Step 2: Melt the coconut oil and add in the remaining ingredients.Mix well until everything is coated and sticky.
Step 3: Portion onto a baking tray and press together and flat.
Step 4: Bake and do not stir. Let cool fully before breaking into clusters.
Expert Tips
The secret to making crisp, crunchy clusters is to make sure that the granola is packed down together both at the start and not stirred throughout. You also need to let it cool completely (even pop the pan into the fridge) before you break it off into clusters.
Don’t just rip off homemade granola clusters; use a silicone spatula to loosen up the bottom and then break clusters off with your hands.
If you want soft clusters, leave them at room temperature. If you prefer crunchy clusters, pop them into the fridge where they’ll firm up.
Make sure to use parchment paper or a silicone baking sheet to make it easier to break the clusters after baking. Baking granola in the pan results in a sticky mess.
Store leftover granola clusters in an airtight container on the counter for 5-7 days or in the fridge for up to 1 month.
How To Enjoy Them
These easy clusters are a delicious food all by themselves, popped into your mouth out of the fridge! However, they’re also amazing as:
- Avocado smoothie bowl toppers
- On top of cookied dough protein overnight oats, or protein chia pudding recipes.
- In place of cereal with some creamy homemade hemp milk.
Gluten-Free Granola Clusters FAQs
Your granola may not be clumping because you didn't use coconut oil, didn't press it down and together, or stir the mixture throughout baking. For the best clumps, make sure youhave a sticky mixture before you lay it on the pan and then really press it down together before baking. Let the homemade granola cool fully to give it time to firm up before breaking it into pieces.
If you leave the pecans too large, the granola will have a harder time sticking together (this can happen with dried fruit, too). It will also fall apart right out of the oven before it is fully cooled.
If you're making homemade granola, yes, you should stir it while baking. If you're making granola clusters, no, you should not stir it or it will have trouble holding together.
More Granola Recipes You’ll Love
If you tried this Gluten-Free Granola Clusters Recipe or any other recipe on my blog, please leave a 🌟 star rating and let me know how it goes!
Homemade Granola Clusters (Gluten-Free)
Video
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1 cup Regular rolled oats Gluten-free if needed
- ½ cup Halved or chopped pecans Generous half cup
- ½ cup Large coconut flakes
- ¼ cup Hazelnut butter
- ¼ cup Maple syrup
- 2 tbs Coconut oil measured solid
- 1 teaspoon Cinnamon
- 1 teaspoon Vanilla extract
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 300 degrees farhenheit.
- In a mini food processor, process the pecans and oats for 5-10 seconds. You don’t want them to be a powder. Make sure there are still lots of chunks.
- In a small bowl, combine the oat mixture, coconut, and cinnamon. Mix well.
- Melt the coconut oil and add in the remaining ingredients (alternatively, you could whisk them together first and pour them in).
- Mix well until everything is coated and sticky.
- Line a baking tray with parchment paper and dump out the granola mixture. Use a spatula to press the mixture down to about ¼ inch and firmly together.
- The better pressed down and even it is, the better your clusters will be.
- Bake for 22 minutes and let cool completely once done (for 30 minutes).
- Use a silicone spatula to loosen the granola and use your hands to break it into small clusters.
Notes
Disclaimer:
Nutrition values are estimates only, using online calculators. Please verify using your own data"
Nutrition
Katie says
Oh these are an absolute dream! The best crunch from a homemade granola I have ever had!
fitasamamabear says
Happy to hear it, that's the best part!
Sarah says
These have got my husband written All over them he loves and kind of ceral cluster, we akways have several boxes in the cupboard. Never thought to make my own. Might have to make a double batch as I'm sure I'll need to 'taste test' lots before I give then to him 😀
fitasamamabear says
Haha clusters are just so easy to eat! But it's SO easy to make your own... double the batch lol I eat half to tray waiting for them to cool lol
Andrea says
these granola clusters are the perfect snack! oh so good!
fitasamamabear says
Glad ou enjoy them!
Stacey says
I love that these are in nice clusters for snacking! Rarely do I add milk to granola. I can bring these on a hike in a bag for munching. I like the maple pecan flavor too!
fitasamamabear says
I'm the same! My kids want milk sometimes but mainly we just munch lol
Sharina says
Brought these homemade granola clusters on our family picnic and they were a hit! I love the crunchy while kids love the soft and chewy. We also topped these with whipped cream, so yummy!
fitasamamabear says
Omg they'd be perfect with whipped cream!
nancy says
i make a big batch every sunday to munch thru the week. So tasty and your tips were really helpful
fitasamamabear says
Such a great meal prep recipe, glad you loved them!
Donny says
These are so good! And all your tips were super helpful. I probably would not have waited long enough for them to cool but I'm glad I did, lol.
fitasamamabear says
Haha it is HARD to wait for them to firm up. I'll be the first to admit that half the tray is gone before then...
Janessa says
Clusters are definitely the best part of granola! These turned out so tasty and chunky- perfect for packing along for a quick snack on the go.
fitasamamabear says
They truly are!
jennifer says
The perfect snack for kids' lunchboxes, and by kids lunchboxes, I mean . . my purse and gymbag!!
fitasamamabear says
Haha definitely perfect for purses!
Megan says
Shelby, this is such a delicious treat!! I LOVE the hazelnut butter option, as they're my favorite nut, and it puts the whole flavor of these over the top. Definitely dessert-meets-snack/breakfast!! SO yummy, thank you!
fitasamamabear says
Hazelnuts just make everything more INDULGENT!
Sherry says
I have been addicted to granola lately and wanted to learn how to make my own granola pieces. Your maple pecan homemade granola recipe was so easy to make and it tasted amazing!!
fitasamamabear says
Glad it hit the spot!
k says
I shouldn't be, but I am so in love with the crunch of granola. I try to limit it cuz I know it's a 'sometimes' snack. But these clusters?! OMG they are so good! I like that I can batch out my crunch craving and save the rest for later.
fitasamamabear says
Haha granola is one of my biggest weaknesses to be honest so I feel yah!
Rupali says
I made a large batch of it, and it makes me so happy to crunch through these at breakfast! The maple flavor just makes it wonderful.
fitasamamabear says
Hehe glad you liked it!
Genevieve says
I really love granola and this was a super delicious flavor combination. I'm a sucker for both pecans and maple so this was a winner for me. Thank you for the delicious recipe and helpful notes!
fitasamamabear says
It's such a comfort flavor, glad you enjoyed them!
MacKenzie says
These granola clusters are perfect. Can’t wait to try it with my morning yogurt bowl. So much better than store bought,
fitasamamabear says
They're SO YUMMY in yogurt, enjoy!
Jere Cassidy says
I love this idea of making granola in clusters and your recipe works great and is perfect to munch on.
fitasamamabear says
I never thought to make it into clusters until I kept only eating that part of the granola haha