Pecan-Orange Granola with Dried Cranberries

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Updated Oct 29, 2025, Published Aug 26, 2025

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This Pecan-Orange Granola with Dried Cranberries boasts the delightful scents and flavors of toasted oats, cinnamon, and citrus, complemented by sweet notes of cranberries and rich, nutty pecans. This harmonious blend creates an inviting atmosphere that makes the wait for it to cool all the more rewarding.

A bowl of granola sits on a white surface next to a glass bottle of milk, a jar of granola, a spoon, and a white napkin. The granola appears chunky with visible oats and dried fruit.

Why You’ll 🫶🏻 this Granola
Key Ingredients for Pecan-Orange Granola with Dried Cranberries
Equipment Needed
Recipe Tips
Substitutions
Serving Suggestions
Pecan-Orange Granola with Dried Cranberries Recipe

Why You’ll 🫶🏻 this Granola

This EASY granola is one of those recipes you will make repeatedly. It is ideal for breakfast, a snack, or as a gift. The tangy cranberries, rich pecans, and the aroma of bright orange zest and cinnamon create a delightful combination that’s perfect for granola lovers. Enjoy!~Nicole

Key Ingredients for Pecan-Orange Granola with Dried Cranberries

A top view of bowls containing oats, chopped pecans, dried cranberries, brown sugar, spices, orange zest, maple syrup, water, and vanilla extract, with a small whisk on a white marble surface.

Old-Fashioned Rolled Oats have a gentle, nutty, and mildly sweet taste, accompanied by a hint of earthiness that sets them apart from other grains.

Maple Syrup has a rich, layered sweetness accompanied by notes of vanilla, caramel, and a delicate smokiness that sets it apart from processed sugars.

Orange Zest has a bright citrus flavor and aroma that elevates any recipe. It is rich in vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants, making it a nutritious addition to recipes.

Ground cinnamon boasts a warm, sweet, and subtly spicy flavor. Its rich aroma is comforting and inviting. It has antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and antimicrobial benefits.

Pure Vanilla Extract has a rich and sweet floral aroma that elevates any baked good.

Light Brown Sugar offers a gentle, sweet taste with hints of caramel.

Pecans have a rich and buttery flavor. They are packed with numerous health-enhancing nutrients, minerals, and vitamins that are vital for optimal health.

Dried Cranberries are sweet, chewy, and refreshingly tangy.

Egg White (not pictured) in this recipe does not lend any egg flavor. It acts as a binder to create delightfully crunchy clusters of granola.

Unrefined Coconut Oil undergoes minimal processing with minimal heat, resulting in a subtle coconut aroma and taste.

Equipment Needed

18 x 13-inch sheet pan
Parchment paper or silicone mat
Stiff metal spatula

A glass bowl filled with granola mixture containing oats and nuts, with a blue spoon resting inside, on a white marble surface.

A baking sheet filled with toasted oats and nuts, likely granola, sits on a white surface. A large metal spatula rests on top of the granola.

Recipe Tips

Ensure your oven rack is positioned in the upper-middle position. This allows for even heat circulation, which helps achieve a crispy texture without burning.

Use parchment paper or a silicone mat to prevent the granola from sticking to the pan, allowing for easy removal.

Thoroughly mix all of the ingredients together. This ensures that all ingredients are evenly coated with the wet mixture, which helps achieve a consistent flavor and texture throughout the batch (see image 1).

Firmly press the granola with the back of a stiff metal spatula. By “packing” the granola, you’ll create large, satisfying clusters along with a delightful crisp texture (see image 2).

Allow the granola to cool in the pan before breaking into granola “bark”.

Add the dried cranberries once the granola has completely cooled. This technique helps the fruit stay chewy and tasty.

Substitutions

You can use honey, agave nectar, or brown rice syrup as a substitute for maple syrup. All options will provide sweetness and flavor. Honey will add a distinct taste.
You can replace pecans with various nuts, such as walnuts, almonds, or cashews, or even seeds like sunflower or pumpkin seeds, to achieve a different flavor and texture. Just ensure that the ratio of dry to liquid ingredients remains consistent for optimal results.
You can substitute dried cranberries in granola with other dried fruits like raisins, dried cherries, or dried blueberries. Just ensure the amount is similar to maintain the balance of flavors in your recipe.

Serving Suggestions

Granola can be savored in different ways, such as a cereal, blended into yogurt, sprinkled on top of smoothie bowls, or paired with applesauce or Ice Cream.

It is delicious with slices of fresh fruit that have been spread with a nut butter and then rolled in the granola.

Other possibilities include mixing it into Oatmeal, incorporating it into baked treats, or just enjoying it as a snack by the handful.

How long will Pecan-Orange Granola with Dried Cranberries keep?

This granola will keep for 2-3 weeks in an airtight container.

What can I use as an alternative to coconut oil?

You can use vegetable oil, safflower oil, grape seed oil, olive oil or even butter. They will alter the taste and texture slightly.

Can I use quick, instant, or steel-cut oats?

For this recipe, no. Rolled oats are lightly steamed and pressed. Instant and quick oats are fully cooked and will result in an entirely different texture. Steel-cut oats are minimally processed, resulting in a chewier texture and longer cooking time.

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