This nutty almond pistachio granola recipe is made with wholesome ingredients like chopped almonds, pistachios, and chocolate coasted dried cherries for the perfect start to your day! It packs a flavor that store-bought granola just can’t compete with, and it’s the perfect addition to any breakfast or brunch spread!
💕 why this homemade pistachio granola recipe works…
🍒 flavors & textures. The combination of crunchy nuts, chewy dried cherries, and rich dark chocolate creates a balanced blend of flavors and textures that keep every spoonful exciting!
🙌 customizable & versatile. Homemade granola is easier than ever to customize to your liking. You can add or subtract ingredients to make your perfect bowl!
🌰 fresh & wholesome. Store-bought granolas and cereals often spend months on the shelves before making it to your kitchen. Homemade granola has a freshness that just can’t be matched by your local grocery store’s selections!
🛒 ingredients
- rolled oats – the base of every homemade granola recipe is a generous serving of rolled oats. For the best granola taste, make sure to choose old fashioned oats, not the quick cooking kind.
- pistachios – opt for unsalted pistachios if possible to help control the saltiness of the recipe. I also like to choose raw pistachios that haven’t been roasted since we will be toasting the granola in the oven.
- almonds – chopped almonds add even more crunchy flavor while blending nicely with the pistachios. Like the pistachios, choose raw unsalted almonds if possible.
- dried cherries – choose unsweetened cherries, which help keep the sugar content lower. Dried fruit often has sugar added to them, so make sure to check the packaging!
- dark chocolate- chopped dark chocolate will get slightly melty and then re-set once the granola cools. It adds a deep chocolaty flavor that takes this granola to the next level! You can also use semi-sweet chocolate chips.
- chia seeds – these add a nice crunchy texture and a bit of extra protein and fiber.
- ground flax seed – a little flaxseed meal helps to amp up the nutty flavor of the granola.
- maple syrup – pure maple syrup adds a rich sweetness to the granola. You don’t need to use the best grade, either. In fact, more robust syrups add a better flavor!
- sunflower seed oil – a bit of oil helps the dry ingredients to get roasty and toasty in the oven!
- spices & seasonings: – you can get creative with the seasonings, but you will need a pinch of salt to help season the granola. I also love using vanilla extract and a bit of cinnamon.
See the recipe card for the exact quantities.
🍳 instructions
1: Roughly chop your almonds and pistachios using a knife and cutting board or a food processor.
2: In a large bowl, combine your rolled oats and chopped nuts. Add in the chia seeds, flax seed meal, and spices.
3: Pour the oil and maple syrup on top of your mixture, and stir well to incorporate the ingredients.
4: Spread the mixture onto a large baking sheet and pop it in the oven for 10 minutes.
5: Stir the granola mix after 10 minutes, making sure to move the ingredients around the pan for even toasting. Put it back in the oven for another 10 minutes, or until it gets lightly golden brown.
Roughly chop your dried cherries and chocolate.
7: As soon as the granola comes out of the oven, sprinkle the cherries and chocolate over the pan. The chocolate will get melty, this is perfect!
8: Allow your granola to cool completely before serving or storing it in an airtight storage container.
Hint: Press your granola down into the pan using a spatula to help it form clusters or clumps as it dries!
💡tips & tricks for getting it right
🍽️ serving tips
How and when to serve your granola:
- homemade cereal – enjoy your pistachio granola with the milk of your choice for a nutty homemade alternative to boxed cereal!
- parfait perfect – scoop some yogurt into a bowl and top with your granola and some fresh fruit for tasty yogurt parfaits! It also works wonderfully as a topping on ice cream and frozen yogurt!
- smoothies & bowls – top your smoothies or smoothie bowls with a few scoops of your granola!
ℹ️ troubleshooting tips
- not sweet enough – give your granola a little taste before baking, it’s totally okay to eat a bit before being toasted! Taste testing your granola before baking helps you see if you need to add a bit more maple syrup, but keep in mind the cherries and chocolate will add some sweetness after baking.
- not enough clumps – if you prefer a granola that has more clumps and clusters, make sure to press your granola down in the pan after baking. This process, also known as tamping, helps to solidify your granola into clusters. You can break the clumps apart once they’re set if they’re too large, too!
♻️ substitutions & variations
♻️ substitutions
Missing an ingredient? No problem. Check out these tried-and-true substitutions, or comment below with your question. I’m here to help you troubleshoot!
- simple syrup – instead of using maple syrup you can use a homemade simple syrup to help sweeten your granola! I love using infused simple syrups like a warming cardamom syrup, but classic syrups like brown sugar simple syrup work great too!
- cranberries – swap the dried cherries for dried cranberries! Cranberry pistachio granola is just as tasty as the cherry version!
- olive oil or coconut oil – instead of sunflower oil you can use extra virgin olive oil or coconut oil. Make sure the oil you use is mild in flavor so it doesn’t overpower the flavor combination of the granola
- add nuts or seeds – you can customize the mix of nuts and seeds as you like, so use your favorite nuts if you have a preference! I’ve also made this granola using sunflower seeds and pumpkin seeds!
🧰 equipment needed & storage tips
🧰 tools needed
- mixing bowl – you’ll need a large mixing bowl to incorporate all the ingredients.
- baking sheet – a half-sheet pan is a great size to use, but if you have a three-quarter sheet pan that will work even better!
- parchment paper – if your baking sheet is not non-stick, you’ll want to line it with parchment paper to help prevent your granola base from sticking to the pan.
- kitchen scale or measuring cups and spoons – I prefer using a kitchen scale because I can pour ingredients right into the mixing bowl, but you can also use measuring cups and spoons if that’s all you have!
- spatula – you’ll need a spatula or spoon for mixing your granola. I like using a silicone spatula because I can use it to stir the granola ingredients in the bowl and again when mixing the ingredients on the baking sheet.
- airtight storage container – you’ll need a container for storing your granola. I like to use glass storage containers instead of zip-top bags to keep out the most moisture. Florida is humid!
🫙 storage tips
Store your finished granola in an airtight storage container on the counter for up to 1 week. You can store it longer if you like, but keep an eye out for any moisture in the granola, which can cause it to spoil faster. You can also store your granola in the fridge for longer-term storage, but the fruit may harden in the colder temperature of the fridge.
If you make this recipe, please leave a review in the comments and a star rating!
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Easy Almond Pistachio Granola with Chocolate and Dried Cherries
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Equipment
- 1 baking sheet half sheet or three-quarter sheet size
- 1 large mixing bowl
- 1 spatula or spoon
- 1 kitchen scale or measuring cups
- 1 airtight storage container
Ingredients
- 3 cups rolled oats old fashioned, not quick-cooking
- 1 cup unsalted raw almonds roughly chopped
- 1 cup unsalted raw pistachios shelled and roughly chopped
- ½ cup dried cherries unsweetened
- ½ cup dark chocolate or semi-sweet chips
- ¼ cup chia seeds
- ¼ cup ground flax seed
- ½ cup maple syrup
- ¼ cup sunflower oil
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ¼ teaspoon kosher salt
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 325ºF.
- Roughly chop your almonds and pistachios using a knife and cutting board or a food processor.
- In a large bowl, combine your rolled oats and chopped nuts. Add in the chia seeds, flax seed meal, and spices.
- Pour the oil and maple syrup on top of your mixture, and stir well to incorporate the ingredients.
- Spread the mixture onto a large baking sheet and pop it in the oven for 10 minutes.
- Stir the granola mix after 10 minutes, making sure to move the ingredients around the pan for even toasting. Put it back in the oven for another 10 minutes, or until it gets lightly golden brown.
- Roughly chop your dried cherries and chocolate.
- As soon as the granola comes out of the oven, sprinkle the cherries and chocolate over the pan. The chocolate will get melty, this is perfect!
- Allow your granola to cool completely before serving or storing it in an airtight storage container.
Nutrition Information
The information provided is an estimate based on an online nutrition facts calculator and actual nutrition facts may vary.
🧯food safety & other information
Food safety is an important ingredient in any recipe for success! Here are some tips to keep you safe in the kitchen!
- Store your finished granola in an airtight container in a cool, dry place to maintain freshness.
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