The grown-up version of Cinnamon Toast Crunch! This Easy Cinnamon Sugar Granola has big crunchy clusters, cozy cinnamon flavor, and is naturally sweetened with banana and honey.
Cinnamon Toast Crunch was my favorite cereal growing up. Saturday mornings were all about waking up at 8am, turning on cartoons and pouring myself a bowl of Cinnamon Toast Crunch. I loved how the cereal not only tasted amazing but the cinnamon sugar powder would spill into the milk making the milk taste amazing too! Now that I'm older I still love it. The only problem is I wouldn't really call it a balanced breakfast. Don't get me wrong there's no better late night snack than your favourite cereal. But as a dietitian, I like to create meals like my Protein Pancake Bowls, Peanut Butter Cup Chia Pudding, and my Banana Bread Overnight Oats that are balanced with protein, fiber and healthy fats!
That's why I created this cinnamon sugar granola. It has the same great taste of your favorite cereal (even the powdery cinnamon sugar coating) with a few tweaks to help power you through your day!
Why This Recipe Is Dietitian Approved
- Naturally sweetened with banana and honey. This granola gets its sweetness from banana and honey instead of refined sugars, making it a simple, naturally sweet option for breakfast or snacking.
- Whole grain oats and nut butter for fiber and healthy fats. Oats provide whole grains and fiber, while nut butter adds healthy fats and helps make the granola more satisfying.
- An easy meal prep staple. This granola comes together with simple ingredients and keeps well in an airtight container, making it an easy make-ahead option to have on hand throughout the week.
Easy Cinnamon Sugar Granola Recipe
Ingredients, Swaps, & Tips
Oats: Any type works! I typically use minute oats since that's most available to me, but rolled or quick oats are great too.
Banana: The natural sweetener here. I haven't tested this recipe without it, but you could try increasing the other wet ingredients if you want to experiment with leaving it out; however I would highly recommend increasing the honey for sweetness!
Nut butter: Acts as the glue holding the dry ingredients together. Peanut butter is my go-to, but any nut butter works.
Honey: A natural sweetener and binder. Its sticky texture helps hold the granola together, similar to the nut butter.
Cinnamon: The star of the show so don't be shy with it! The more cinnamon, the better.
Nuts and seeds: Fully customizable! I've made this with just chopped almonds, with a walnut/almond/chia/hemp seed mix, and with cashews. Use whatever you have on hand.
Brown sugar: Optional, but recommended - it's what creates that nostalgic, powdery cinnamon sugar coating.
The complete ingredient list with measurements can be found in the recipe card below.
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 300°F.
- In a large bowl, combine the oats, nuts/seeds, nut butter, honey, cinnamon, mashed banana, vanilla extract, and salt.
- Evenly spread and press the granola onto a prepared baking sheet in one large, even piece, about ¼ inch thick. Pressing it firmly into a single slab (rather than scattering loosely) is what creates the big, chunky clusters.
- If using: combine the optional brown sugar and cinnamon in a small bowl, and sprinkle half of the mixture over the top of the granola before baking.
- Bake for 30-35 minutes, or until the edges start to brown.
- Remove from the oven and let cool completely, undisturbed, for at least 1 hour to allow the granola to harden.
- Once fully cooled, break into pieces (bigger chunks are best), toss with the remaining cinnamon sugar mixture, and store.
Substitutions
Gluten Free
Oats are naturally gluten free but are often processed alongside wheat. Use certified gluten-free oats to keep this recipe fully gluten free.
Vegan
Swap the ¼ cup honey for maple syrup at a 1:1 ratio and this becomes fully vegan! The oats, banana, and nut butter are already plant-based.
Dairy Free
This recipe is dairy free exactly as written, no substitutions needed.
Nut Free
Swap the nut butter for a seed butter like sunflower seed butter or tahini, and use seeds (pumpkin, sunflower, chia, hemp) in place of nuts for the mix-ins.
Equipment
Storage
Store this Cinnamon Sugar Granola cooled, broken granola in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 weeks. For longer storage, freeze in an airtight container or freezer bag for up to 3 months.
Top Tips for Success
Don't touch the granola while it cools! Letting it harden completely and undisturbed for the full hour before breaking it apart is the entire secret to getting those big, chunky clusters instead of loose, sandy crumbs. Breaking into it too early is the number one reason homemade granola doesn't clump.
Frequently Asked Questions
The key is patience! Press the mixture into one firm, even slab before baking (similar to a large cookie), then let it cool completely undisturbed for at least an hour before breaking it apart. Breaking into it while it's still warm is the most common reason granola turns out crumbly instead of chunky.
Yes, maple syrup works as a 1:1 swap for the honey, and it also makes the recipe fully vegan.
I haven't tested this recipe without it, the banana is what provides natural sweetness and helps bind the granola. If you want to experiment with leaving it out, try increasing the other wet ingredients (honey and nut butter) slightly to compensate.
Stored in an airtight container at room temperature, it stays fresh for up to 2 weeks. For longer storage, freeze it for up to 3 months.
More Healthy & Cozy Breakfast Recipes
If you liked this cinnamon sugar granola, try these recipes:
- Healthy Coffee Cake
- Protein French Toast Muffins
- Apple Oat Breakfast Cake
- Greek Yogurt Cinnamon Rolls
See you in the kitchen!
PS. I love seeing my recipes in action! If you decide to make this cinnamon sugar granola, don't forget to snap a photo and tag me on Instagram- @nourishedbynic or leave a comment and rating below letting me know how you liked it!
📖 Recipe
Cinnamon Sugar Granola
Ingredients
- 1½ cups oats, any type of oats will work
- ¼ cup nut butter of choice cashew, peanut or almond butter
- ¼ cup honey
- ½ to 1 banana, mashed
- ½ cup nuts or seeds of choice (crushed walnuts, sliced almonds, hemp seeds, flax seed etc.)
- 2 teaspoon cinnamon
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- salt to taste
Optional (for more flavor):
- 1 tablespoon brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 300°F.
- In a large bowl, combine the oats, nuts/seeds, nut butter, honey, cinnamon, mashed banana, vanilla extract, and salt.
- Evenly spread and press the granola onto a prepared baking sheet in one large, even piece, about ¼ inch thick. Pressing it firmly into a single slab (rather than scattering loosely) is what creates the big, chunky clusters.
- If using: combine the optional brown sugar and cinnamon in a small bowl, and sprinkle half of the mixture over the top of the granola before baking.
- Bake for 30-35 minutes, or until the edges start to brown.
- Remove from the oven and let cool completely, undisturbed, for at least 1 hour to allow the granola to harden.
- Once fully cooled, break into pieces (bigger chunks are best), toss with the remaining cinnamon sugar mixture, and store.
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