Steel Cut Crunchy Granola Recipe (Easy Homemade)

We love granola in our house! It’s our go-to quick and easy breakfast and a necessary staple in our weekly routine. If you’re tired of the same old cereal and looking to add a little crunch to your mornings, along with the pride of making something simple from scratch, you’ve got to try this steel cut crunchy granola recipe.

The Lowdown on Steel Cut Oats

First things first, let’s talk oats. There’s a whole family of oats out there, from quick oats to old-fashioned oats, but today, we are working with steel cut oats. These little guys are less processed, giving them a heartier, chewier texture and a nuttier flavor. They’re loaded with fiber and essential nutrients, making them a top-notch choice for a healthy breakfast.  I will say that, when it comes to granola, I prefer old-fashioned rolled oats over steel cut. But many people prefer steel cut due to their lower glycemic index and impact on blood sugar.  You can make this exact recipe with rolled oats or steel cut oats, so you’re call! You can also combine the two for some real snaz!

Seasonality of Oats and Nuts

The good news about grains is that they store in a cool dry place, in an airtight container, really well. So while oats are typically harvested in late summer or early autumn, they can be used throughout the year for oatmeal, granola, flour, cookies, etc. Most nuts are similar. As they are harvested at various times during the year, they store well, so you can eat seasonally while enjoying your granola year-round! Just be sure to store your nuts in the refrigerator or freezer to keep freshness.

So let’s fiber up our morning and get into this steel cut granola recipe! 

Ingredients

• 2 cups steel cut oats (if you’re using rolled oats go for 3 cups since they are more airy than steel cut)
• 1 cup nut of choice (we usually use good ol’ raw almonds or raw walnuts since we can source those within the US)
• 1/3 cup seed of choice (I like ground flax seeds, but feel free to mix it up!)
• 1/3 cup honey or maple syrup (we prefer maple)
• 1/3 cup nut butter of choice (we love raw almond butter, but cashew butter is pretty fantastic a well)
• 1/4 cup butter (or coconut oil to make this vegan)
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• A pinch of salt

Instructions

Cook time: you can cook these for about 30 minutes or so at 300°F, but I always burn my granola if I go much above 200°F. That’s because I don’t stick around to stir it and I sometimes forget it’s in there. It burns quickly, so if you want the long and slow method, try your oven around 170°F and bake/dehydrate for several hours until you get a crunchy granola. The benefit of this is that you can walk away and you don’t have to worry about burning the granola. However, it takes MUCH longer. Your call, but want to throw out some options. 

1. In a large bowl, combine oats with the nuts and seeds and a pinch of salt.
2. In a saucepan, melt the butter, maple syrup, and nut butter, stirring frequently until combined
3. Add in the vanilla extract, and a pinch of salt.
4. Once melted, add the wet ingredients to the dry ingredients, ensuring all the oats are well-coated.
5. Spread the oat mixture evenly onto a large baking sheet (you can use parchment paper if you desire, but I find that the paper gets in the way when I stir, so I go without)
6. Bake for 30-45 minutes or until the granola turns golden brown, stirring every 10 minutes for large clusters. This is if you preheat to 300°F. If you set it at 200°F or lower, it will take a few hours.
7. Allow it to cool completely before breaking it into clusters.

Making Large Clusters

The secret to getting those super large granola clusters is giving it space while baking. Resist the urge to stir too often; this allows the oats to stick together, creating nice crunchy clusters. Remember to let it cool completely before breaking it apart to maintain those big, hearty bites.

Options for Add-ins

Now, let’s talk customization! The beauty of making your own granola is the freedom to add whatever you want! Plus it keeps the recipe new so you don’t feel like you’re eating the same thing everyday. Consider these options:

1. Nuts and Seeds: Change up the combination of nuts and seeds to your liking! Try sunflower seeds, chia seeds, hemp seeds, pumpkin seeds, you name it! You could even throw some wheat germ on it for additional fiber. 
2. Nut Butter: I really like the taste of cashew butter in my granola, but almond butter wokrs great as does peanut butter. You can try any nut butter that you’d like!
3. Oats: As mentioned, this is a recipe for steel cut granola, but you can easily swap out for rolled oats or a combo of the two. You may have to adjust your ratios since rolled oats take up more volume than steel cut. I’d add an extra cut of oats when working with rolled.
4. Dried Fruit: Add sweetness with dried fruits like cranberries, raisins, or apricots. They not only taste great but also bring a chewy texture to the mix. Add these when the granola comes out of the oven.
5. Chocolate Chips: Because, let’s face it, everything is better with a touch of chocolate. Toss in some dark chocolate chips for a delightful indulgence. Add these after the granola has been cooked. 
6. Unsweetened Coconut Flakes: These make an amazing addition to any granola recipe. You’ll want to add these in the beginning so they take on the flavor of the granola, otherwise they can taste quite plain. 

Storage

Use an airtight container for storage. The granola should stay fresh for a week or two. This is our favorite cereal jar!

Pairings with Steel Cut Granola

We use our granola as a cereal in the morning. Just throw in some milk and perhaps top with fresh fruit. Yogurt parfaits make another amazing breakfast or midday snack option if you want something thicker. We also just eat plain as a midday snack for a dose of some healthy fats and carbs. 

Let me know what you think of this steel cut crunchy granola recipe!

If your a sourdough lover, try this recipe:

Sourdough Discard Granola

Steel Cut Crunchy Granola Recipe

Print Pin Rate

Course: Breakfast, Snack

Prep Time: 7 minutes minutes

Servings: 10 servings

Author: Jodie Van Huysen

Equipment

• 1 Baking sheet
• 1 saucepan for melting wet ingredients
• 1 glass mixing bowl

Ingredients

• 2 cups steel cut oats if you’re using rolled oats go for 3 cups since they are more airy than steel cut
• 1 cup nut of choice
• 1/3 cup seed of choice
• pinch sea salt
• 1/3 cup honey or maple syrup we prefer maple
• 1/3 cup nut butter
• 1/4 cup butter or coconut oil to make this vegan
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Instructions

• In a large bowl, combine oats with the nuts and seeds and a pinch of salt.
• In a saucepan, melt the butter, maple syrup, and nut butter, stirring frequently until combined
• Add in the vanilla extract, and a pinch of salt.
• Once melted, add the wet ingredients to the dry ingredients, ensuring all the oats are well-coated.
• Spread the oat mixture evenly onto a large baking sheet (you can use parchment paper if you desire, but I find that the paper gets in the way when I stir, so I go without)
• Cook time: you can cook these for about 30-45 minutes at 300°F, but I always burn my granola if I go much above 200°F. That's because I don't stick around to stir it and I sometimes forget it's in there. It burns quickly, so if you want the long and slow method, try your oven around 170°F and bake/dehydrate for several hours until you get a crunchy granola. The benefits of this is that you can walk away and you don't have to worry about burning the granola. However, it takes MUCH longer. Your call, but want to throw out some options. 
• Allow it to cool completely before breaking it into clusters.