Homemade Granola
Published on October 04, 2024
Quick Summary
Homemade Granola- This easy healthy granola recipe is the best! It’s made with oats, nuts, coconut, coconut oil, cinnamon, and naturally sweetened with maple syrup. Add dried fruit for extra sweetness! Serve with yogurt, milk, or enjoy by the handful!
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I love making granola. It is easy to make, tastes so much better than store-bought, and it smells amazing while baking.
Homemade granola allows for greater quality, customization, and satisfaction compared to many store-bought options. Plus, you can choose high-quality, wholesome ingredients and avoid additives, preservatives, or excess sugars found in many commercial granolas.
This is my favorite granola recipe because it is simple, but SO delicious! The oats, nuts, and coconut develop a warm, toasty flavor during baking, which enhances the overall taste. The granola is naturally sweetened with pure maple syrup and has hints of cinnamon and vanilla.
Clusters form during baking and provide a satisfying crunch. For a pop of color and sweetness, you can add dried fruit, like dried cranberries or raisins.
This classic granola recipe is the BEST! It is the recipe I make over and over again, I always keep a jar in my pantry. It is so good with yogurt, milk, or eaten by the handful.
It also makes a great gift during the holidays or anytime. Who wouldn’t want a jar of homemade granola?
Ingredient Notes
- Oats– make sure you use old-fashioned oats and not quick oats. Old-fashioned oats provide a hearty, chewy texture that holds up well during baking, resulting in clusters and a satisfying crunch. They also cook more evenly than quick oats. If you need the recipe to be gluten-free, make sure you use gluten-free oats.
- Nuts– I like to use a mix of almonds and pecans, but you can use other nuts like walnuts or cashews. I also like to add pepitas (pumpkin seeds) for a salty crunch and they are a great source of magnesium.
- Coconut Flakes– you can use sweetened or unsweetened coconut flakes, both work well. If you use sweetened, the granola will be a little sweeter.
- Pure Maple Syrup– I like to use pure maple syrup for this granola recipe, but honey will also work.
- Coconut Oil– measure the coconut oil and then melt it. If you don’t want to use coconut oil, melted butter will also work.
- Dried Fruit- the granola is good with or without dried fruit. If I am using it, I usually add dried cranberries or raisins, but dried cherries, blueberries, or currants are also good options.
How to Make Granola
- Preheat the oven to 325 degrees F. Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper to prevent the granola from sticking to the pan.
- In a large bowl, combine oats, almonds, pecans, pepitas, coconut, cinnamon, and salt. Stir to combine.
- Add the melted coconut oil, maple syrup, and vanilla extract.
- Stir until granola mixture is well coated.
- Pour the granola onto the prepared baking sheet in even layer and press down with a spatula.
- Bake for 20 minutes and remove from the oven. Use a spatula to stir the granola. Press the granola into an even layer with the spatula and return to the oven. Bake for 15 to 20 more minutes or until the granola is light golden brown.
- Remove from the oven and let the granola cool completely on the baking sheet. Do not stir!
- When the granola is completely cooled, break it up into clusters and stir in the dried cranberries or raisins, if using.
Tips for Getting Granola Clusters
To get granola to clump together, follow these tips:
- Use a Sticky Binder: The pure maple syrup naturally sweetens the granola and acts as binders when heated.
- Coconut Oil: When melted, coconut oil becomes liquid, allowing it to evenly coat the granola mixture. As it cools during baking, it solidifies, helping the clusters to hold their shape.
- Mix Well: When combining the dry ingredients and wet ingredients, make sure you mix well so all of the ingredients are evenly coated.
- Press Down: After spreading the mixture on a baking sheet, press it down firmly. This helps the granola stick together as it bakes.
- Slow and Low: Bake at a lower temperature for a longer time. This allows for even cooking without burning, which helps the clumps form.
- Do Not Stir: Once baked, let the granola cool completely on the baking sheet before breaking it apart. It will harden as it cools, forming clusters.
What to Eat with Granola
- Yogurt: Top your favorite yogurt with granola for a nutritious breakfast or snack.
- Milk: Serve granola in a bowl with milk or a milk alternative for a classic cereal experience.
- Bowls: Sprinkle granola on top of acài bowls or smoothie bowls for added texture and crunch.
- Fruit: Sprinkle granola over fresh fruit, like berries, bananas, or sliced apples.
- Oatmeal: Add granola on top of hot oatmeal or overnight oats for extra flavor and crunch.
- Ice Cream: Use granola as a topping for ice cream or frozen yogurt for a sweet treat.
- Salads: Top your favorite salads with granola for a crunchy element and a bit of sweetness.
- Toast: Spread nut butter or jam on toast and top it with granola.
- Baked Goods: Incorporate granola into muffins or cookies for added texture.
- Trail Mix: Mix granola with nuts, seeds, and dried fruit for a convenient snack.
Storing Tips
Storing homemade granola properly helps maintain its freshness and crunch. Here are some tips for optimal storage:
- Cool Completely: Allow the granola to cool completely after baking. This prevents condensation, which can make it soggy.
- Choose the Right Container: Store granola in an airtight container, such as a glass jar, a plastic container with a tight lid, or a resealable plastic bag.
- Keep It Dry: Ensure that the container is moisture-free. If you live in a super humid climate, you can store granola in the refrigerator so it doesn’t get soggy.
- Store in a Cool, Dark Place: Keep the granola in a pantry or cupboard away from direct sunlight and heat sources.
- Use Within a Reasonable Time: Homemade granola can will last up to 4 weeks at room temperature.
- Freezing: Store in a freezer container or freezer bag for up to 3 months. Thaw before serving.
More Granola Recipes
- Almond Butter Granola
- Chocolate Espresso Granola
- Coconut Granola
- Easy Peanut Butter Granola
- Chocolate Chip Cookie Granola Clusters
- Lemon Blueberry Granola
- Chocolate Peanut Butter Granola
Granola
Ingredients
- 3 cups old-fashioned oats
- 1/2 cup roughly chopped almonds
- 1/2 cup roughly chopped pecans
- 1/2 cup pepitas
- 1/2 cup coconut flakes, sweetened or unsweetened
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1/2 cup melted coconut oil
- 1/2 cup pure maple syrup
- 1 1/2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
- 1 cup dried cranberries or raisins, optional
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 325 degrees F. Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper. Set aside.
- In a large bowl, combine oats, almonds, pecans, pepitas, coconut, cinnamon, and salt. Stir to combine.
- Add the coconut oil, maple syrup, and vanilla extract. Stir until granola mixture is well coated.
- Pour the granola onto the prepared baking sheet in even layer. Bake for 20 minutes and remove from the oven. Use a spatula to stir the granola. Press the granola into an even layer with the spatula and return to the oven. Bake for 15 to 20 more minutes or until the granola is light golden brown. Check early to make sure it isn't burning, every oven is different.
- Remove from the oven and let the granola cool completely on the baking sheet. Do not stir! When the granola is completely cooled, break it up into clusters and stir in the dried cranberries or raisins, if using.
Notes
You can also use walnuts in this recipe. Instead of dried cranberries, you can use dried cherries, dried blueberries, or raisins.
Nutrition
Have you tried this recipe?
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