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Home » Baking and Desserts

Olive Oil Granola with Pecans, Pumpkin Seeds and Coconut

by Beth Lee · Published: Apr 17, 2020 · Modified: Sep 11, 2021

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Once you make homemade olive oil granola loaded with pecans, coconut and pumpkin seeds, you will never buy granola again. So easy and so versatile -- top your yogurt, grab a handful as a snack or sprinkle on a bowl of ice cream! Be sure to check out my pumpkin pie granola too!

Olive oil granola, yogurt and strawberries in strawberry bowl.

The origin of this olive oil granola recipe

I originally developed this granola when I couldn’t decide between two great recipes from Cheryl Sternman Rule and Melissa Clark. Of course, as my friend and co-conspirator in my Tasting Jerusalem group Sarene Wallace reminds me – that’s how new recipes are born.

All I know is that I am so glad I started making my own granola. I can control how much sweetener I use, what kind of sweetener I use and of course what add-ins – nuts, seeds, dried fruit, and other flavorings I incorporate.

Granola cooked on tray with wooden spoon.

Make this pecan granola recipe your own

Granola is one of those creations that you’ll soon find yourself preparing in your own style, barely glancing at a recipe. But to understand the technique and figure out your family’s sweetness quotient, start somewhere and yes, I recommend this recipe as a perfect place to begin. Then take notes on the raves and criticisms and adjust it to your own style and what you have on hand.

Sweetener options for olive oil granola

Cheryl’s recipe used agave nectar to sweeten it, while Melissa’s used maple syrup and a little brown sugar. Agave has a lower glycemic index than other sweeteners and packs a sweeter punch, so you use a bit less. I don’t always have agave on hand. And since I developed this recipe, some research suggests that it may not be a good choice of sweetener despite its lower glycemic index. So use what you prefer. I usually use a combo of maple syrup and honey.

 Strawberry bowls with yogurt and granola and diced fresh strawberries with a wooden spoon.

Other ingredient substitutions

For the oil, Cheryl used canola, while Melissa used olive oil in the NY Times version and coconut oil in her Cook This Now version. I always use olive oil because I am a big fan. But use whatever oil you have or what you like best.

As for the dried coconut and pumpkin seeds – I keep raw pumpkin seeds around just for granola making or salad topping. I also keep coconut around just for granola but if you don't have it, make this recipe anyways. If you do use the coconut, be careful about using sweetened vs. unsweetened. If you use sweetened coconut, you’ll need to cut down on the sweetener in the granola. I keep unsweetened coconut around for flexibility. You’ll find it at Trader Joe’s or in most baking aisles.

Dry granola ingredients in a metal bowl unmixed.

How to make homemade granola

Making granola is a bit like putting together a quick bread.

Have two parchment-lined ½ sheet pans ready.

Combine the dry ingredients in a large bowl.

Combine the wet ingredients in a measuring cup or smaller bowl.

Granola ingredients ready to combine.

Then pour the wet into the dry and combine well. 

Olive oil ingredients mixed in large bowl with red spoon.

Pour half of the mixture onto each pan and spread it out.

Uncooked granola on two sheet trays.

Bake on two shelves in a 325 degree oven, mixing each pan and rotating the shelves they are on every 10 minutes.

After 30 minutes, you have granola!

Cooked olive oil granola on two sheets trays.

I recommend leaving the two sheet pans out to cool untouched –  the granola will stick together a bit and the bigger pieces are fun to eat. This recipe also works well if you double it or make 1.5 batches. Store it in a sealed container in your pantry. But I warn you, it won’t last long!

What about adding dried fruit?

If you like dried fruit in your granola, add it after the granola is cooked, not before. Just toss it on the trays when they come out of the oven and mix it around if you'd like. You can add raisins, cranberries, currants, barberries, apricots, cherries or whatever dried fruit you have.

How to serve this granola

Serving granola atop yogurt is the most obvious way to use this crunchy oat and nut mixture.

Close up of olive oil granola parfait in strawberry bowl.
  • If you are used to eating sweetened yogurt, try unsweetened Greek or regular yogurt and let the granola add the sweetener for you. And of course you have to add fresh fruit along with the yogurt and granola.
  • Or add this super simple fruit compote - it's a perfect combination!
  • Here's a fun variation on a yogurt parfait - Pomegranate Yogurt Parfait with Blueberries
  • You can also use it like any other cold cereal and eat it with milk and fresh fruit. That is one of my go-to comfort foods.
  • When I bring a batch to my parents' house, they like to just grab a handful and snack on it. 
  • And one of my favorite uses? For dessert atop your favorite ice cream!
    • Try this super simple no churn ice cream - it's a snap to make and requires only 4 ingredients!

Supplies for making this olive oil granola

This post contains Amazon affiliate links – if you click on one and purchase something, I receive a very tiny percentage of the sale. Your price is never affected. 

Obviously oats are the key ingredient. As for supplies, I love my half sheet pans and use them almost daily for baking and roasting. I also use parchment paper all the time. You can buy rolls of it or if you use it a lot, these pre-sized sheets are fantastic. Of course, a good set of mixing bowls and measuring cups are important for this recipe and in any well-used kitchen!

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P.S. If you try this recipe, please leave a star rating and/or a review in the comment section below. I so appreciate your feedback! AND find more inspiration on Pinterest, Facebook or Instagram. Signup for my email list, too!

Also check out my Amazon shop that includes some of my favorite food and food-related products. I am always updating it – please visit often. And let me know if you need specific products recommendations – I am happy to help!

olive oil granola, yogurt and strawberries in strawberry bowl

Olive Oil Granola with Pecans, Coconut and Pumpkin Seeds

Beth Lee
Once you make this homemade olive oil granola loaded with pecans, coconut and pumpkin seeds, you will never buy granola again. So easy and so versatile -- top your yogurt, grab a handful as a snack or sprinkle on a bowl of ice cream!
5 from 7 votes
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 10 mins
Cook Time 30 mins
Total Time 40 mins
Course Breakfast
Cuisine American
Servings 16 servings
Calories 298 kcal

Ingredients
  

  • 4 cups old-fashioned rolled oats not quick cooking
  • 1 ½ cups or more roughly chopped raw pecans walnuts and almonds work well also
  • ½ - 1 cup hulled pumpkin seeds optional
  • 1 cup unsweetened coconut optional
  • 1 teaspoon cinnamon
  • 1 teaspoon kosher salt
  • ½ cup olive oil can use canola oil
  • ½ cup maple syrup or honey can also use agave nectar (slightly less)
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • ½ teaspoon almond extract optional

Instructions
 

  • Preheat oven to 325 degrees, or 300 convect.
  • Have two sheet pans ready, lined with silicone mats or parchment paper (optional).
  • In a large bowl, stir together the first six ingredients – oats, coconut, pumpkin seeds, nuts, cinnamon, and salt
  • In a smaller bowl, stir together the oil, maple syrup (or honey), vanilla and almond extract. Add this mixture to the larger bowl and combine well.
  • Spread in an even layer on the two sheet pans. Bake for approx. 30 minutes, stirring every 10 minutes or so. Note the color before you place them in the oven – it's done when it has noticeably darkened. It will be soft when you first take it out. Let it cool on the sheet pans. It will harden as it does. Store in a glass jar, cereal holder, or Ziploc bag. (Remember to add the dried fruit as soon as it comes out of the oven if you are using any.)
  • Eat alone as a snack, top your favorite yogurt, add bananas, strawberries, and milk or sprinkle on your favorite frozen yogurt or ice cream.

Video

Notes

  • Dried fruit options: cherries, apricots, raisins, currants, barberries, cranberries. If you use dried fruit, add it in after the baking is done, as soon as it comes out of the oven. We prefer our granola crunchy, not chewy and leave out the fruit.
  • Another good add after the granola comes out of the oven? Chia seeds. Or you can mix in some flax seed before you cook the oats.

Nutrition

Serving: 1gCalories: 298kcalCarbohydrates: 24gProtein: 6gFat: 21gSaturated Fat: 5gSodium: 150mgPotassium: 211mgFiber: 4gSugar: 7gVitamin A: 5IUVitamin C: 1mgCalcium: 33mgIron: 2mg
Keyword breakfast, granola, snack
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

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  1. Susan

    April 20, 2020 at 3:15 pm

    Definitely will be checking out this recipe. Sounds delish and super easy.

    Reply
    • Beth Lee

      April 20, 2020 at 3:54 pm

      Yay! Can't wait to hear what your variation will be. You are so creative in the kitchen, especially if it's remotely related to baking!!!

      Reply
  2. Lori

    April 18, 2020 at 4:52 pm

    5 stars
    Beth,

    My, oh my! I cannot even begin to tell you how much I love this granola. I had to go the store for other items so I purchased what I needed for this. I wanted to add crasins, cranberries or dried cherries, but I forgot. But the maple syrup adds such a marvelous sweetness. And with the olive oil it isn’t greasy.
    Anyway, this is am absolute winner for this weeks breakfast with my yogurt.

    Thanks Beth, for a great, easy and delicious recipe!

    Lori

    Reply
    • Beth Lee

      April 18, 2020 at 5:55 pm

      Oh Lori - you made my day. I am so glad. We have been so happy eating it the last few days. I hadn't made it in a while and we are used to having it around. So easy right? I'm glad you are enjoying it. Hope you are doing well. You put a smile on my face!

      Reply
  3. Laura

    April 16, 2020 at 12:26 pm

    5 stars
    Homemade granola is a life changer! This is so much tastier (and way less sugar) than the store bought stuff!

    Reply
    • Beth Lee

      April 16, 2020 at 1:39 pm

      Right? Just love having it around to munch on!

      Reply
  4. Sandi

    April 15, 2020 at 5:46 pm

    5 stars
    What a great idea to use olive oil...I bet it gives a wonderful flavor to this granola!

    Reply
    • Beth Lee

      April 16, 2020 at 1:38 pm

      Yes! and so easy to work with and it's a healthier fat to consume!

      Reply
  5. Jenni

    April 15, 2020 at 5:15 pm

    5 stars
    I have almost all these things! On my list to make this week. Thank you!

    Reply
    • Beth Lee

      April 15, 2020 at 5:25 pm

      It's flexible (except for the oats) - so use what you have!

      Reply
    • Jodie Chase

      April 15, 2020 at 5:47 pm

      5 stars
      Looking forward to making this! Thanks for sharing your recipe!

      Reply
      • Beth Lee

        April 15, 2020 at 6:40 pm

        Well it’s not chocolate chip cookies but it’s a close second

        Reply
  6. rachelcotterill

    May 06, 2012 at 2:23 pm

    Looks delicious 🙂 Visiting from SITS (not-quite-Saturday) Sharefest.

    Reply
    • Beth (OMG! Yummy)

      May 06, 2012 at 9:16 pm

      Thanks for stopping by - I'm usually in the Sunday not Saturday Sharefest crowd myself. Fits my life motto as a parent: Better late than never.

      Reply
  7. jessieakos

    May 02, 2012 at 1:40 pm

    Hi there! I found you on Sitsgirls, and I'm very excited about this recipe and your blog!

    Reply
  8. Carol Sacks

    May 02, 2012 at 9:46 am

    Love the mix-and-match approach, Beth! Great shots, too.

    Reply
    • Beth (OMG! Yummy)

      May 02, 2012 at 3:24 pm

      Hard to go wrong when the starting material is so good :-). And thanks for the photo lesson/encouragement the other day!

      Reply
  9. healthyyou72

    May 01, 2012 at 9:44 pm

    This sounds so good! I love love pecans, this would be a lovely breakfast for sure:-) Hugs, Terra

    Reply
    • Beth (OMG! Yummy)

      May 02, 2012 at 8:48 am

      My son and I are pecan freaks - I can never get enough of how they taste once toasted and married with the slightly sweet oats, and tasty coconut, it's a knock-out for breakfast or a snack anytime.

      Reply
  10. cheryl

    May 01, 2012 at 7:34 pm

    The only reason I don't make granola ALL THE TIME is because it's so good that we eat it obsessively. I made the mistake of buying a box of granola for the first time in years two weeks ago, and it really just pales in comparison to the homemade stuff.

    Enjoy your new twist!

    Reply
    • Beth (OMG! Yummy)

      May 01, 2012 at 9:01 pm

      I did the same, and the box just sits on the shelf, hardly touched. Thanks for inspiring me to get in the granola game 🙂

      Reply
  11. Style Mentor™

    May 01, 2012 at 3:42 pm

    YUMMY!!!!!!!!!! Can't wait to make this!

    Reply
    • Beth (OMG! Yummy)

      May 01, 2012 at 9:00 pm

      Let me know when you give it a try and what you think. Don't be afraid to play with the ingredients to suit your tastes or what you have on hand.

      Reply
  12. lizthechef

    May 01, 2012 at 2:57 pm

    A perfect marriage of 2 recipes - I have yet to make good granola. Here's my chance!

    Reply
    • Beth (OMG! Yummy)

      May 01, 2012 at 8:59 pm

      Oh that's hard to believe Liz - my variation or either one of theirs as is will yield a wonderful granola that you will consume far too quickly, I assure you.

      Reply

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Hi! I’m Beth Lee. In 2010, I realized I prefer pita chips to memory chips and started this blog. My family is a mix of Jewish/Hawaiian/Korean heritage and my food reflects our diversity. My virtual kitchen is always open. Let’s cook together! 

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