Golden Baklava Crunch Granola

Background (All the Blog-Stuff you hate reading!)

Why Golden Baklava Crunch Granola?

There’s something about warm, spiced granola that feels incredibly cozy. A few years ago, I made a rosemary spice granola for the holiday season, and I loved how comforting it was. That got me thinking about other flavor combinations that bring me joy—and of course, baklava came to mind.

While my only Greek connections are through marriage and friendship, that doesn’t stop me from being completely obsessed with the way honey, orange zest, butter, cinnamon, cardamom, and those heavenly crunchy walnuts and pistachios come together. The balance of sweetness, warmth, and texture is just unbeatable.

My Complicated History with Granola

Granola has always been tough for me. Before and during my weight-loss journey, I had struggled with bingeing it—at least twice, I’d gone back for many servings in a row. It’s not surprising when you think about it: granola only comes in big bags, making it easy to keep grabbing more, and a single serving is tiny compared to how delicious and satisfying it is. The calorie density made it feel like a “forbidden” food, which only made me want it more. That’s how brain-restriction works!

Now that I’m recovered, I know a lot of strategies to ditch the restriction mindset, keep my weight healthy, and embrace food freedom. So to change my relationship with granola, I started making microwave granola for one. It took many tries, but I finally found a version I loved. Having it in single servings helped me feel calm around granola, knowing I could enjoy it any time without keeping an open bag in my kitchen.

That process helped me a lot, but today’s recipe isn’t a single-serving microwave granola—it’s a regular granola recipe! And it’s amazing.

Why You’ll Love This Granola

Baklava-Inspired Flavors – The warm, spiced sweetness of cinnamon, cardamom, honey, and orange zest makes every bite taste like such a treat.

Perfect Crunch – A mix of butter and olive oil, plus a secret binding ingredient, helps create golden, crispy clusters.

Balanced Sweetness – Honey is the only sweetener that belongs in a baklava-inspired recipe, IMO!

Satisfying Fats – In addition to the butter and olive oil, walnuts and pistachios are a powerhouse. They add satisfying crunch and come on, any little bit of extra omega-3s helps, right?

How to Enjoy It

• Sprinkle over Greek yogurt with a drizzle of honey.

• Add to oatmeal for a satisfying crunch.

• Portion it in baggies, and pack it with a protein-rich addition (like turkey jerky, a hard boiled egg, string cheese, what-have-you) for a portable snack.

• Use as a topping for baked apples or ice cream.

FAQ & Expert Tips

Why does this recipe use olive oil and butter?

Butter adds richness, while olive oil helps keep the texture crisp without making it too heavy. The combination gives the granola a deep, slightly caramelized flavor.

Do I really need the egg white?

Yes! The egg white helps bind the oats, creating those irresistible crunchy clusters. Without it, the granola will be looser and less clumpy.

Can I skip the orange zest?

Technically, yes, but it adds a beautiful brightness that complements the warm spices and honey. Highly recommended!

How do I get the perfect crunch?

1. Spread the granola in a thin, even layer – If it's too thick, some areas will stay soft while the edges over-brown.

2. Let it cool completely – The granola crisps up as it cools, so patience is key!

3. Bake low and slow – A 300°F oven ensures even baking without burning the honey.

How To Make Golden Baklava Crunch Granola

This granola comes together with a simple mix of oats, nuts, spices, and a honey-butter-olive oil drizzle to coat everything in golden, crispy goodness. The egg white is a key ingredient here—it helps bind everything together and gives you those perfect clusters.

Step 1: Mix the Dry Ingredients

In a large bowl, combine rolled oats, cinnamon, cardamom, and a pinch of salt. Toss everything together so the spices coat the oats evenly.

Step 2: Make the Honey Butter Mixture

In a small saucepan, melt butter with olive oil. Add the honey, and a bit of vanilla extract. Stir until smooth, then remove from heat and add fresh orange zest. This mixture brings all the flavor, sweetness, and crispiness!

Step 3: Combine & Coat

Pour the warm honey mixture over the oat mixture, stirring well to coat everything evenly. Then, whisk an egg white until frothy and gently fold it in—this is what helps form those perfect granola clusters.

Step 4: Bake Low & Slow

Spread the granola onto a parchment-lined baking sheet in a thin, even layer. Bake at 300°F, stirring halfway through, until the granola is golden brown and crisp. (Meanwhile, chop up the pistachios and walnuts so they’re ready to add in later).

Step 5: Let It Cool Completely

This is the hardest part, but it’s crucial! The granola will continue to crisp up as it cools, so don’t touch it for at least 20 minutes after baking. Once it’s fully cooled, break it into clusters, toss the nuts in, and store in an airtight container.

How Else Can I Support My Weight Loss Goal?

Let me introduce myself! My name is Megan Gaul. I’m an online wellness coach specializing in weight-loss and food freedom. My 100-lb weight loss journey, which began in 2018 here in Staten Island New York (I’ve been maintaining my healthy weight range since then), was the catalyst I needed to start my coaching career in 2021. I have a number of resources that can help you:

• Book your free Journey-Day-1 coaching call

• Attend live Meal Planning classes every week, taught by yours-truly (join free here)

• Enroll in your 1-1 coaching program to get out of your negative cycle and actually lose weight for good

• Follow my instagram for more recipes and strategies, and all about Messy Life after Losing 100 lbs (find me at @partake_foodie )

Print

With ImageWithout Image

Golden Baklava Crunch Granola

Yield: 32 servings (each serving is 2 level tbsps)

Author: Megan Gaul from Partake Meal Planning

Prep time: 5 MinCook time: 45 MinTotal time: 50 Min

Golden Baklava Crunch Granola brings the rich, nutty flavors of baklava to a crisp, homemade granola with pistachios, walnuts, honey, and warm spices. A hint of orange zest and a buttery, olive oil base make every bite indulgent yet perfectly balanced for topping yogurt, oatmeal, or enjoying on its own.

Ingredients

Ingredients

• 3 cups rolled oats (240 g)
• 1/2 cup honey (168 g)
• 2 tbsp olive oil (28 g)
• 2 tbsp butter, melted (28 g)
• 1 tbsp orange zest (from 1 orange) [optional but delicious]
• 1 1/2 tsp cinnamon
• 1/4 tsp cardamom
• 1 tsp kosher salt
• 1 large egg white
• 1/4 cup shelled pistachios (28 g)
• 1/4 cup shelled walnuts (28 g)

Equipment

• A large mixing bowl
• A small mixing bowl
• A rimmed baking sheet

Instructions

1. Prepare for Baking: Arrange a rack in the middle of the oven and preheat to 300°F. Take a rimmed baking sheet and line it with parchment paper.
2. Mix Granola Base: In a large bowl, combine the rolled oats, honey, olive oil, melted butter, orange zest if using, cinnamon, cardamom, and kosher salt. Stir until well mixed.
3. Add Egg White: In a small bowl, whisk the egg white until frothy, then pour it over the oat mixture. Stir to evenly coat the oats.
4. Bake the Granola: Transfer the mixture to a rimmed baking sheet and spread into an even layer. Make the layer nice and thin. Bake for 40 to 45 minutes, stirring halfway, until the oats are lightly browned on the edges and mostly dry. It's okay if there are a few moist-ish spots.(They will continue to dry and crisp up as they cool). You don't want the whole batch to burn (although a few burnt pieces on the edges are totally okay).
5. Prepare Mix-ins: While the oats bake, chop the pistachios and walnuts.
6. Combine and Cool: When the oats have completed cooled to room temperature, they will be crisped up and dry. Add them to a large bowl with the nuts. Stir to combine.
7. Portion the Granola: Store fully-cooled in an airtight mason jar, and enjoy!

Notes

Thinness creates crunch. If any part of your oat layer is too thick, it may stay soft while the edges start to brown. Spreading the mixture into a thin, even layer helps it crisp up evenly and faster.

Nutrition Facts

Calories

81

Fat

4 g

Sat. Fat

1 g

Carbs

10 g

Fiber

1 g

Net carbs

9 g

Sugar

4 g

Protein

2 g

Sodium

81 mg

Cholesterol

2 mg

This wepbage provides approximate nutrition information for convenience and as a courtesy only. Nutrition data is gathered primarily from the USDA Food Composition Database, whenever available, or otherwise other online nutrition data from manufacturer and food retailer websites. By accessing or using this recipe, you are acknowledging and agreeing to the full nutrition information disclaimer for this website, which you can read in its entirety here.