Cinnamon Roll Granola

This cinnamon roll granola (inspired by the Trader Joe’s granola) is wholesomely delicious with giant clusters and a cream cheese drizzle!

This cinnamon roll granola is inspired by the viral Trader Joe’s cinnamon roll granola – but in my opinion, this is better.

Why? Well, personally, I live 90 minutes from Trader Joe’s, so my homemade version is a little easier for me to get ahold of.

This homemade granola is also little more nutritionally balanced. By making it yourself, you can control the exact ingredients to get it exactly as you like. This version is loaded with more fiber, heart healthy fats, and even has a little more protein.

You also can customize to make it nut-free, dairy-free, gluten-free, refined sugar-free — whatever helps you feel your best!

My cinnamon roll granola also has a crunchier texture with the most insane granola clusters and chunks. (And don’t worry – I’m sharing all my tricks for how to make granola clusters below!)

Ingredients

For a full ingredient list with quantities, please check out the recipe card at the bottom of this post.

• Oats: Whole grain oats are a nutritious, high-fiber option and the classic granola base.
• Nuts & Seeds: Almonds, ground flax seeds, and hemp hearts all contribute to the fantastic texture, as well as add protein, fiber, healthy fats, and antioxidants.
• Brown Sugar: I personally love the flavor of brown sugar in this granola, as it most closely mimics the flavors of a cinnamon roll. But you can use coconut sugar for a refined sugar-free option.
• Extra Virgin Olive Oil: A little oil helps bind the granola together, crisps the granola a little, and adds more healthy fats. And if olive oil sounds strange in a granola, no worries – it doesn’t impact the final taste at all!
• Egg Whites: Egg whites are my secret ingredient in granola. It adds a little extra protein and nutritional balance. But from a texture standpoint, it really helps act as a “glue” for granola, and is key to getting giant granola clusters and chunks.
• Cinnamon: of course cinnamon is needed for cinnamon roll granola! But besides flavor, did you know cinnamon also contains antioxidants and can promote related health benefits?
• Vanilla Extract: Vanilla is a quintessential ingredient in most baked goods, and I find it helps round out the flavor when making other recipes, like this granola, that are inspired by baked goods, like cinnamon rolls.
• Cream Cheese Baking Chips: I found these cream cheese baking chips at Walmart (also available on Amazon) and they make the perfect cream cheese frosting-inspired drizzle! If you can’t find the cream cheese baking chips, you can substitute white chocolate.

How to Make Cinnamon Roll Granola

For complete instructions, please check out the recipe card at the bottom of this post.

1. Combine all ingredients (except the baking chips and coconut oil) in a large bowl and gently stir to evenly combine the mixture and coat the oats.
2. Spread the granola mixture on a parchment paper-lined baking sheet, pressing it firmly down and together.
3. Bake at 325 for 20-25 minutes, rotating the baking sheet after 10 minutes for more even baking.
4. Let cool entirely, then drizzle with the cream cheese baking chip drizzle.

How to Make Granola Clusters

If your granola often comes out crumbly and in small pieces, here are my top tips for how to make granola clusters:

1. Egg whites – I know it sounds a little strange to put egg whites in granola, but they help the granola bind and create a great texture.
2. Press the granola firmly onto the baking sheet. I line my baking sheet with parchment paper first, spread the granola out, then use a rubber spatula to firmly press the granola together and down.
3. Don’t stir the granola while baking. I know, it’s so tempting, but leave it alone!
4. Don’t stir the granola when it comes out of the oven. Again, I know it’s so tempting! But let it sit. The granola will continue to harden and get crunchy as it cools, so let it cool into one giant cluster you can then break apart into chunks later.
5. Gently break apart into large chunks once fully cooled.

Expert Tips

• Evenly mix the granola mixture to promote more even baking and cluster-formation! You may find it helpful to mix the wet ingredients together first, and then stir in the dry ingredients.
• Note that granola doesn’t look or feel completely crisped and crunchy first out of the oven. Let the granola cool completely. It will continue to harden as it cools.
• Melt the baking chips with coconut oil for easier drizzling (once the granola has cooled).
• Place the drizzled granola in the fridge or freezer for 10-20 minutes to quickly solidify the drizzle.
• Break apart into large clusters. You can use a knife but I find it easiest with clean hands.

Substitutions & Variations

• Gluten-Free: Use certified gluten-free oats.
• Dairy-Free: Skip the cream cheese baking chip drizzle and opt for dairy-free white baking chips instead.
• Nut-Free: Skip the almonds or use sunflower or pumpkin seeds instead.
• Plant-Based/ Vegan: Use the dairy-free white baking chips linked above. Additionally, substitute a nut or seed butter instead of the egg whites. It doesn’t give quite the same texture or clusters, but it’s close!
• Refined Sugar-Free: Go for coconut sugar instead of brown sugar.
• Add raisins: Sounds crazy, but for more hot cross bun vibes or oatmeal raisin cookie vibes, add some raisins!

Granola Storage

Cinnamon roll granola can be stored in an airtight container in the pantry for up to one month, but if your house runs warmer, the drizzle may get melty.

Alternatively, you can store the cinnamon roll granola in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 2 months.

Freezing Granola

Did you know that you can freeze granola? Because you can!

Place granola in an airtight bag or container and then freeze for up to 3 months (or 6 months, if in a deep freezer).

To thaw, just set it on the counter for ten minutes.

Supplies You’ll Need

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• Mixing bowl
• Spatula
• Sheet pan

More Healthy Breakfast Recipes

• Protein Yogurt Bowls
• Ricotta Egg Bites
• Breakfast Stuffed Sweet Potatoes
• Chocolate Protein Overnight Oats
• The NTF 5-a-Day Smoothie

Did you make this recipe? Give it a 5★ rating below! For more balanced nutrition and simple, healthy-ish recipes, be sure to follow me on Instagram!