Tahini Sesame Granola with Honey & Orange

This tahini granola is an elevated, grown-up version of crunchy childhood favourites. Loaded with nuts and seeds, it makes a wholesome breakfast or snack that will keep you satisfied until lunchtime. The combination of sesame, citrus and honey brightens winter mornings and adds a fragrant, distinctive character.

The crunchy sesame clusters are not overly sweet; they have a light savoury edge with a gentle hum of honey that balances the flavours.

It’s a flexible recipe that’s simple to make and stores well. Kept in an airtight container, the granola will stay crisp for weeks.

Let’s get baking — this tahini granola recipe is likely to become a staple in your breakfast rotation.

Why I love tahini granola

• Flexible recipe: Swap ingredients to suit what you have on hand. You can change the nut or seed butter, nuts, seeds and flavourings to create a version you love.
• Dietary requirements: This granola is naturally dairy-free and can be made gluten-free by using certified gluten-free rolled oats. To make it vegan, omit the egg white or replace it with aquafaba and swap honey for maple syrup.
• Wholesome indulgence: The aroma of toasted sesame and orange evokes a Middle Eastern bakery. Chunky clusters with a sesame-forward flavour make this granola irresistible.

Whip up a batch of this chunky tahini granola and enjoy a wholesome, flavourful breakfast. It’s an excellent option for snacking and easily beats most store-bought varieties.

Ingredients

• Oats: Use old-fashioned rolled oats (not quick-cooking). Choose gluten-free rolled oats if you need a gluten-free granola.
• Buckwheat: Buckwheat kernels crisp nicely when toasted and add good texture. Despite the name, they’re not related to wheat.
• Seeds: Sesame seeds reinforce the tahini’s nutty character. Sunflower or pumpkin seeds can be used as alternatives.
• Nuts: Flaked almonds suit the flavour profile, though roughly chopped almonds, cashews or peanuts also work.
• Salt: Fine sea salt adds a subtle savoury lift. Kosher salt can be substituted in the same quantity.
• Egg white: Whisked egg white helps form clusters. For a vegan option, use aquafaba (about 3 tablespoons, whipped).
• Orange juice: You need just 2 tablespoons for the granola; any leftover juice is great stirred into yoghurt when serving.
• Orange zest: About ½ tablespoon of zest brightens and reinforces the citrus note.
• Tahini: The star ingredient. Tahini is a paste made from ground sesame seeds and gives the granola its sesame depth.
• Honey: Honey pairs beautifully with orange and tahini. Replace with maple syrup or brown rice syrup for a vegan version, or use brown sugar if you prefer — dissolve it into the tahini mixture over low heat before adding egg whites.
• Olive oil: Any mild-flavoured oil is fine; avoid toasted sesame oil, which can overpower the other flavours.

Variations

More oats instead of buckwheat: If you don’t have buckwheat kernels, simply increase the rolled oats. The texture will still be excellent.

No orange? Swap the orange juice and zest for a teaspoon of rose water or ½ teaspoon rose concentrate, or use orange blossom water. For a different profile, try a teaspoon of vanilla plus a pinch of cardamom or cinnamon.

Different nuts and seeds: Replace flaked almonds with chopped almonds, cashews or peanuts. Substitute sesame seeds with sunflower or pumpkin seeds for variety.

Plant-based option: Omit the egg white or use 3 tablespoons of whipped aquafaba. Replace honey with maple or brown rice syrup.

Tropical twist: Stir in 1 cup of coconut flakes in the last ten minutes of baking (or unsweetened shredded coconut for the final five minutes). Swap olive oil for melted coconut oil for extra coconut flavour.

Make it sweeter: If you prefer a sweeter granola, add chocolate chips or dried fruit after the granola cools.

How to make tahini granola

This homemade granola is straightforward. Mix the wet ingredients until smooth, combine with the dry ingredients, spread the mixture on a baking sheet, and bake low and slow for crunchy clusters.

Step 1: Prep the oven

Preheat the oven to 325 °F (160 °C). A slow bake at low heat gives an even golden colour without burning. If you have a fan (convection) oven, reduce the temperature to 300 °F (150 °C).

Line a rimmed baking tray with parchment paper. A half-sheet pan is ideal; a larger surface area will cook the granola faster, so watch it toward the end of baking.

Step 2: Make the tahini mixture

Whisk the egg white in a medium bowl until frothy. Add tahini, honey, olive oil, 2 tablespoons orange juice and ½ tablespoon orange zest. Whisk until smooth and fully combined.

Step 3: Make the granola mixture

In a large bowl, combine rolled oats, buckwheat, nuts, sesame seeds and salt. Pour the tahini mixture over the dry ingredients and stir until everything is evenly coated. Spread the mixture in a single layer on the prepared baking tray.

Step 4: Bake the granola

Place the tray on the middle oven rack. After 20 minutes, rotate the tray and bake for 10 more minutes. Remove the pan and gently stir with a flipping motion to preserve chunky clusters, moving darker edges toward the centre. Bake another 10 minutes, stir gently, then return to the oven for a final 5–10 minutes until golden all over.

Allow the granola to cool completely on the tray; it will crisp as it cools.

Storage

Once cooled, transfer the granola to an airtight container or jar and store at room temperature for up to a month. For longer storage or in humid climates, freeze the granola for a few months to preserve crispness.

Serving suggestions

Serve the granola with Greek yoghurt — stir any leftover orange juice into the yoghurt for an extra citrus note. Spoon yoghurt into a bowl, top with tahini granola and drizzle with honey. Finish with more orange zest if desired.

Alternatively, enjoy the granola with milk or oat milk and fresh berries for a simple breakfast. It also makes a convenient on-the-go snack when you want crunchy sesame clusters alone.

Enjoy your orange tahini granola however you prefer — feel free to experiment and make it your own.

Frequently asked questions