All the spiced flavors of fall enveloping crunchy, chunky granola; Cinnamon, ginger, cardamom and allspice combine for the gorgeous Chai flavor of this Chai-Spiced Granola that’s gluten-free, whole grain, and refined sugar-free. A healthy breakfast to start your day with, or to snack on to keep yourself going!
Do you ever eat something and think, “Wow, these flavors – they just get me. If I were a food, I would be this!” …No? I’m the only one? 😉
Chai spices are my spirit food.
Since they can’t be my spirit animal, I’m gonna go with spirit food.
The warm, spicy flavors that are comforting and yet surprising and keep you interested; I like to think I’m kind of like that. I’m an old soul that’s very down-to-earth, but I’m also an independent, fiercely determined person – Oh, I shouldn’t go skydiving? Okay, I think I’m gonna go skydiving then! 🙂 I’m betting some of you can relate to me.
That means, when Fall comes around, I’m looking forward to Chai EVERYTHING.
Oh yes, pumpkin spice has a special place in my heart too, but Chai or anything with double the amount of cinnamon as normal and I’m in!
Granola is one of my favorite things to make homemade, similar to granola bars. It’s a super easy breakfast or snack that you can make homemade for a lot cheaper than buying it at the store.
Again, I’ll say it, best part? Custom flavors 🙂
Let me know if you see a Chai-Spiced Granola anywhere – cause I sure haven’t! I absolutely love that I can use Chai flavor in granola; it’s like taking a traditional, classic granola recipe, and adding more of a Fall and spicy flare.
Granola is such a healthy breakfast, snack or yogurt topping too. Let’s talk health benefits. This Chai-Spiced Granola is filled with:
- Oats – for fiber, antioxidants
- Nuts (almonds and walnuts/pecans) – for fiber, protein, vitamins, healthy fats
- Coconut oil – for healthy fats
- Coconut sugar and honey – for no refined sugar in this recipe!
- Spices (cinnamon, ginger, cardamom, allspice) – anti-inflammatory, antioxidants
Ready for a challenge now?
Next time you’re at the grocery store look at the back of a bag of granola and see what the ingredients are. Can you pronounce everything? Do you know what everything is? Does it all look healthy? Just food for thought.
We all know there are weird things in our food that are used to preserve it, or whatever else the reason may be. That’s how food is mass produced today. For me, it’s not practical to cut that out of my life entirely, so instead I make homemade things when I can and use more natural ingredients then too, ideally.
That’s my level-headed, practical cheapskate approach to things at least! 😉
To sum it all up, here it is: Chai-spiced granola that is healthier and tastier than store bought granola, for a quick and easy homemade snack or breakfast.
Are you the world’s biggest Chai fan, like me? 🙂
Is it your spirit food too? Let me know in the comments, below, what you think about Chai-Spiced Granola!
Looking for more Fall breakfast or snacky ideas? Check out my Pumpkin Cranberry Granola Bars or Chai Snack Balls.
- 2 cups oats (certified gluten-free)
- 1 cup almonds, chopped
- 1 cup pecans or walnuts, chopped
- 2 tsp cinnamon
- 1 tsp ginger
- 1 tsp cardamom
- 1 tsp allspice
- 1/4 cup coconut oil
- 1/3 cup honey (or maple syrup)
- 1 tsp vanilla
-
Preheat your oven to 300 and line a pan with parchment paper, for easy removal of the granola after it has baked.
-
In a large mixing bowl, combine your dry ingredients.
-
In a microwave safe bowl (like a pyrex) microwave your coconut oil till it has melted. Add your honey and vanilla to the bowl and stir till all is well combined.
-
Pour your wet ingredients over your dry ingredients, and stir till everything is the same consistency and there is a light coat of the wet ingredients enveloping all of the dry ingredients.
-
Spread into a thin, even layer, on the pan and bake in the oven for 25-30 minutes.
-
When the granola comes out, it will not be hardened yet, so WAIT until it has cooled. After about 30 minutes, your granola should have cooled into harder chunks that need to be broken apart, to whatever size your liking is.
-
Devour!
*Serving size is based on 1/4 cup of granola.
Could I substitute the honey for agave syrup?
Yes!
Hi, I’m guessing unseasoned/unsalted almonds, and ground seasonings vs. Whole, right? What style of oats? Rolled, steel cut, etc?
Thank you,
Ari
Hi Ari. Yes, I recommend unsalted almonds and ground seasonings. Rolled oats are best. I hope you love it! 🙂
If I didn’t want to make it with oats, what would you recommend?
Hi Erin. You could try making it all with just nuts instead? So 4 cups of mixed chopped or sliced nuts, and no oats. Hopefully that works for you!
How long can this be stored and can it be frozen?
Hi Nikki. Homemade granola should last several months. I have never tried freezing it – I would assume you could, but I wouldn’t freeze it for more than a couple months to avoid freezer burn. I hope this helps!
I am diabetic and looking for the nutritional information. Love chai so would like to try this recipe.
Hi Patricia. I only figure for the amount of calories per each serving. I give my granola recipes 16 servings (for about 1/4 cup per serving) and that’s about 175 calories each. If you need anymore information, you can type the ingredients into somewhere like this: https://www.verywellfit.com/recipe-nutrition-analyzer-4157076
Thank you. I appreciate you replying. I’ll try calculate it myself. Nutritional information is very important for many different reasons but crucial to diabetics.
I mixed the spices together first, then added them with the wet ingredients. Woo hoo, mixed through. Absolutely delicious. Love the faint taste of salt. This is a keeper. Thank you
Great to hear, thanks Naomi!
What can I use instead of coconut oil.
Hi there, great question. You can use another oil (like vegetable or olive oil) or butter. Any of those should work well too!
Hi.
Would you recommend to use dark or light maple syrup for the granola.
Hi there, either one should work fine! I would probably pick a lighter one though for the flavor of the chai to shine through more though.
This is the best granola I have ever eaten! It is delicious & very easy to make.
So happy to hear that, thanks Jan!!