Soaked Oatmeal Cookie Granola for a Nostalgic Way to Start Your Day

Warning: you will crave all things cinnamon while you’re waiting for this granola to be ready to eat. Be prepared.

Vertical image of a bowl with granola and a spoon, with text on the top and bottom of the image.

Taste-wise, while this granola has all the components of an oatmeal cookie, for the four hours it was cooking my entire house smelled like cinnamon rolls.

And when you love to bake, that’s a problem. I kept smelling the cinnamon, looking up scone and muffin recipes, and then realizing the oven was already being used to make the granola. This happened multiple times.

I feel like oatmeal cookies are often found in fond memories that people have of visiting their grandmas. I’m not entirely sure where this association came from for me, as neither of my grandmas were big bakers (with the exception of peanut butter cookies).

Vertical image of a mason jar with granola spilling over on a white surface.

As for my mom, she doesn’t like raisins or coconut, so if we ever had oatmeal cookies, they were usually loaded up with M&M’s or white chocolate chips.

Now that I’m thinking about it, you could totally do that with this recipe as well. Instead of the raisins and dried cranberries, you could stir in some mini chocolate chips after the granola is fully cooled. Talk about a sweet way to start your morning!

While many of the ingredients here are standard for oatmeal cookies – rolled oats, butter, cinnamon, salt, raisins, walnuts, and coconut flakes – there are a few that are a little less common, particularly the sorghum syrup.

Vertical image of a white bowl filled with a coconut and dried fruit granola.

The first time I bought sorghum syrup, I was skeptical that it wasn’t just a fancier version of blackstrap molasses. After all, the packaging is often similar and they both have a deep, dark color with a more viscous consistency than maple syrup.

Flavor-wise, they’re quite different. Molasses is made by extracting sugar cane juice and then boiling to concentrate it. As a result, molasses has a lower sugar content and a bitter taste.

Sorghum syrup, on the other hand, is made from extracting the juices of sorghum cane. It tends to be sweeter and less bitter than molasses, with notes of vanilla and coffee. It’s also slightly thinner than molasses, but still on the thick side for a syrup.

Also similar to molasses, sorghum is rich in minerals, particularly calcium, iron, and potassium, as well as vitamin B6. It also contains small amounts of phosphorus, magnesium, and thiamin, all of which are key for bone health.

Vertical image of a glass mason jar filled with granola with dried fruits and nuts.

So, while it’s still a source of sugar, it’s has more nutritional benefits than just using traditional granulated sugar.

Making this recipe is essentially a two-day process. You’ll soak the oats with butter, coconut oil, and buttermilk overnight, and then slowly bake it on low heat the next day.

You’re probably wondering why you’d soak the oats overnight rather than just making and baking it all on the same day.

While rolled oats are an excellent source of fiber, they also contain higher amounts of phytic acid than other whole grains. Though it is not toxic, phytic acid can be difficult to digest and blocks the absorption of many minerals, in particular zinc, iron, phosphorus, and magnesium.

Soaking oats overnight helps to break down the phytic acid, making it easier for your body to digest the oats and absorb the nutrients –  which is so cool, at least by dietitian standards.

Vertical image of a white bowl full of a mixed dried fruit breakfast cereal.

This recipe goes one step further by including butter and coconut oil in the soaking process. While there aren’t any nutritional reasons for doing this, it does result in a more buttery, richer flavor to the oats that gives them that cookie taste.

While I usually like to eat granola with yogurt (or straight out of the jar), I found this recipe to be delicious with a little milk poured on top. After all, milk with cookies just feels right.

Print
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Horizontal image of a bowl of dried fruit and coconut granola with a metal spoon.

Soaked Oatmeal Cookie Granola


  • Author: Kelli McGrane
  • Total Time: 16 hours, 10 minutes

Description

Our soaked oatmeal cookie granola tastes like a cookie and smells like cinnamon rolls. This is what breakfast dreams are made of.


Ingredients

Scale
  • 3 cups rolled oats
  • 1/2 cup coconut oil, melted and cooled slightly
  • 3 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted and cooled slightly
  • 1/2 cup buttermilk
  • 1/2 cup water
  • 1/4 cup honey
  • 1/4  cup sorghum syrup (or maple syrup)
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons cinnamon
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract
  • 1/2 cup roughly chopped walnuts
  • 1/2 cup unsweetened coconut flakes
  • 1/4 cup raisins
  • 1/4 cup dried cranberries

Instructions

  1. In a large mixing bowl, combine rolled oats, coconut oil, melted butter, buttermilk, and water. Stir well to combine and then cover. Let mixture sit on counter for at least 12 hours, or up to 24.
  2. The next day, preheat oven to 200°F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
  3. While oven preheats, place a small pot of water on the stove. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat. Once water is boiling, reduce heat to a simmer. Combine honey, sorghum syrup, salt, cinnamon, and vanilla extract in a metal or glass bowl and place over the boiling water (you can also use a double boiler).
  4. Stir until honey has melted and ingredients are well-mixed. Remove from heat.
  5. Pour honey mixture over soaked oats and stir well to combine.
  6. Pour oat mixture onto prepared baking sheet and spread mixture into an even layer.
  7. Place baking sheet in oven and bake for 4 hours, stirring at least once every hour.
  8. When there’s only 20 minutes left, add chopped walnuts and stir well. Continue baking for the final 20 minutes, or until light golden brown.
  9. Remove from oven and allow to cool on the baking sheet. Stir in raisins, coconut flakes, and dried cranberries.
  10. Granola may be stored in an airtight container for 3-4 weeks.
  • Prep Time: 10 minutes
  • Cook Time: 4 hours
  • Category: Granola
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: Breakfast

Keywords: oatmeal, granola, breakfast, snack

Cooking By the Numbers…

Step 1 – Measure out First Few Ingredients, Combine, and Soak Overnight

Horizontal image of pouring melted coconut oil in oats.

Measure out the oats, coconut oil, butter, buttermilk, and water.

Combine these ingredients in a large mixing bowl, cover, and let sit overnight at room temperature for at least 12 hours.

If you choose to soak your oats in the refrigerator instead, allow them to come back to temperature for about 30 minutes on the counter before proceeding with the recipe the next day.

Step 2 – Preheat oven and Measure out Remaining Ingredients

Horizontal image of dried fruit and nuts in small bowls.

The next day, preheat your oven to 200°F with a rack positioned in the middle, and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.

Measure out the remaining ingredients listed in the recipe.

Step 3 – Melt Honey and Sorghum Syrup

Horizontal image of soaked oats in a bowl surrounded by assorted ingredients.

While the oven preheats, place a small pot of water over the stove. Bring water to a boil over medium high heat. Once water is boiling, reduce heat to a simmer.

In a glass or metal bowl, combine honey, sorghum syrup, salt, cinnamon, and vanilla extract.

Place bowl over the boiling water and stir constantly, until honey is melted and mixture is well combined. Remove from heat.

Step 4 – Stir Sweeteners into Soaked Oats

Horizontal image of a liquidy dark brown mixture being poured into oats.

Pour the honey mixture into the bowl of soaked oats and stir well to combine.

Step 5 – Bake and Add Walnuts

Horizontal image of baked dark brown granola on a lined sheet pan.

Spread the oat mixture onto your prepared pan in an even layer. The thinner the layer, the quicker the oats will cook. Place the baking sheet in the oven and bake for 4 hours, stirring at least once every hour.

Note: resist the urge to increase the oven temperature to reduce the cooking time, as it will quickly burn.

When there’s just 20 minutes left, add the chopped walnuts to the baking pan and stir well to combine.

Continue baking until crisp and lightly browned.

Step 6 – Remove from Oven, Cool, and Add Dried Fruit and Coconut

Horizontal image of granola with dried fruits, nuts, and coconut on a sheet pan.

Remove from the oven and allow to cool completely, right on the baking sheet.

Once cooled, stir in the raisins, dried cranberries, and coconut flakes.

Horizontal image of a bowl of dried fruit and coconut granola with a metal spoon.

Serve over yogurt, milk, or enjoy on its own. Store in an airtight container for up to 3-4 weeks.

Know When to Add Your Mix-Ins

While granola is relatively simple to make, there are a few key tips for making really good granola. And one of the biggest is knowing when to add your mix-ins.

Since oats are the base, we want them to get nice and crispy, so it’s good to add them in first.

Nuts and seeds can also go in early so that they get toasted and fragrant. However, in recipes like this one where the nuts would be roasting for hours, it’s often better to wait until later in the cooking process so that they get roasted but not burnt.

Horizontal image of a mason jar tipped over and pouring out granola.

Coconut flakes are another ingredient that can be added at the beginning, or towards the end, depending on how toasted you want them to be. But they can also be mixed in after cooking to add a chewy texture to your otherwise crispy granola.

Dried fruit should be added after cooking, as it can harden when cooked in the oven.

Looking for even more delicious granola recipes to make at home? Try these delicious options:

What are your favorite granola mix-ins? If you’re avoiding grains, you’ll soon become obsessed with our grain-free recipe! We’d love to hear even more from you in the comments below. If you tried this recipe and loved it, show us by giving it a 5-star rating!

Photos by Kelli McGrane, © Ask the Experts, LLC. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. See our TOS for more details. Originally published by Shanna Mallon on August 4, 2010. Last updated: April 22, 2022 at 21:11 pm. With additional writing and editing by Allison Sidhu.

Nutritional information derived from a database of known generic and branded foods and ingredients and was not compiled by a registered dietitian or submitted for lab testing. It should be viewed as an approximation.

The written contents of this article have been reviewed and verified by a registered dietitian for informational purposes only. This article should not be construed as personalized or professional medical advice. Foodal and Ask the Experts, LLC assume no liability for the use or misuse of the material presented above. Always consult with a medical professional before changing your diet, or using supplements or manufactured or natural medications.

About Kelli McGrane, MS, RD

Kelli McGrane is a Denver-based registered dietitian with a lifelong love of food. She holds undergraduate and master’s degrees in nutrition science from Boston University. As a registered dietitian, she believes in the importance of food to nourish not only your body, but your soul as well. Nutrition is very personal, and you won’t find any food rules here, other than to simply enjoy what you eat.

9 thoughts on “Soaked Oatmeal Cookie Granola for a Nostalgic Way to Start Your Day”

  1. This looks unbelievably comforting. I’m still avoiding most grains – and looking forward to the day the acupuncturist clears the allergies, so I can try things like this!

    Reply
  2. This granola recipe is my NEXT one to try. I’ve tried several, and the last soaked one I tried called for using a dehydrator (which I don’t have) so I cooked it for like 8 hours on my oven’s lowest setting. It didn’t turn out very exciting…at least, not for all that work.

    So I shall print this one out, put it on my counter to remind myself that it needs to be made. Especially since my three year old is currently in a granola-crazy phase. And he’s pulling my 19 mo. old along with him, even though he doesn’t even have enough teeth to crunch the granola yet. He wants “na-nola and ogurt” just like brother.

    Reply
  3. I’m half way through a week of working at home, and haven’t managed many breakfasts. Maybe I’ll wake up early and make some granola.

    Reply
  4. I’m definitely going to try this. I have a standby chai granola that i have been making like it’s going outta style, but i like this idea of soaking the oats – you are a soaker, it seems!

    Reply
  5. I made this …. like I made this!!! … as in I made this stuff… I am soooo pleased with this recipe… it took like 6 hours for me .. and the last two hours I turned up the heat to 300 … but it was worth it … soooo delicious. it tastes better than the best truly oatmeal cookie that you ever had.

    I used chopped pecans in place of the walnuts and I added them for the last hour of baking. I added chopped raisins and cranberries in the last 20 minutes…

    I stopped eating oats unless they’re soaked and since then I don’t buy granola but my little son loves granola… thank you soooo much for this .. he loves it … he wouldn’t even wait for it to cool… he got himself some milk and shoveled some into it… he’s in heaven. The whole family loves it… even my older anti-oats son.

    Reply

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