Homemade Cranberry Orange Granola

Bright, Cozy, and Perfectly Crunchy

If you love a breakfast that feels wholesome, fresh, and a little bit special, this Cranberry Orange Granola is about to become your new go-to. It’s the perfect mix of cozy fall flavor and sunny citrus brightness — the kind of granola that makes your whole kitchen smell like orange zest, warm spices, and toasted oats.

I love making this granola on slow weekend mornings, especially during the holidays. It’s simple, customizable, and way better than anything you’ll buy at the store. You get crunchy clusters, tart pops of cranberry, the richness of almonds, and that incredible aroma when the orange zest hits the sugar. It’s chef’s-kiss perfect.

Sprinkle it on yogurt, layer it in a parfait, add it to oatmeal, or just eat it by the handful (I do!). And because it stores beautifully, it’s also great for gifting around the holidays.

Why You’ll Love This Granola

• Sweet citrus flavor from fresh orange zest

• Cozy spices: cinnamon, ginger, and a hint of cloves

• Crunchy clusters that stay crisp for days

• Naturally sweetened with maple syrup or honey

• Easy to customize with any nuts you have on hand

• Makes your house smell amazing

Ingredients

• Zest of 1 large orange

• 2 tablespoons granulated sugar of your choice

• 4 cups old-fashioned rolled oats

• 1 ½ cups raw sliced almonds (or ANY nuts you love — pecans, walnuts, pistachios, cashews… all delicious!)

• 1 teaspoon fine-grain sea salt (use ¾ tsp if using table salt)

• 1 teaspoon cinnamon

• A dash of cloves

• ½ teaspoon ginger

• ½ cup melted coconut oil

• ½ cup maple syrup or honey

• 1 cup dried cranberries

• ⅓ cup chia seeds

• 1/2 cup of flakey coconut

How to Make Cranberry Orange Granola

1. Infuse your sugar

In a small bowl, combine the orange zest with the sugar. Massage it with your fingertips until it smells incredibly fragrant — this step releases the oils and gives the granola its bright flavor.

2. Mix everything together

In a large bowl, add:

• oats

• almonds (or your nuts of choice)

• salt

• cinnamon

• cloves

• ginger

• the orange-sugar mixture

Stir in the melted coconut oil and maple syrup (or honey) until everything is evenly coated. Fold in the chia seeds.

3. Bake

Spread the granola evenly onto a parchment-lined baking sheet. Bake at 350°F for 22–28 minutes, stirring once halfway through. The longer it bakes, the crunchier it’ll get!

4. Cool + add cranberries

Let the granola cool completely — it crisps up as it cools. Then stir in the dried cranberries.

5. Store

Transfer to an airtight container. It stays fresh for 2–3 weeks at room temperature.

Ways to Enjoy Your Granola

• Over vanilla Greek yogurt

• Sprinkled on oatmeal

• On top of smoothie bowls

• With milk, like cereal

• Over ice cream for a cozy fall dessert

• By the handful straight from the jar ✨

• Packaged in mason jars for holiday gifts

Make It Your Own!

This recipe is incredibly flexible. Try mixing in:

• Pecans, walnuts, pistachios, or cashews

• Pumpkin seeds or sunflower seeds

• Chocolate chips (add after cooling)

• Dried cherries or blueberries

• A splash of vanilla before baking

I Hope You Enjoy!

This Cranberry Orange Granola has quickly become one of my favorite fall and winter staples. Bright, cozy, and perfectly crunchy — it’s everything I want on a busy morning. If you try it, tag me on Instagram @weeknight_homemaker so I can see how you enjoy it!

Thank you for supporting my dream!

Lauren Morgan