This delicious homemade granola recipe is quick and easy! Made with oats, nuts, coconut oil, and more and is naturally sweetened with honey or maple syrup! It makes the best homemade granola!
Do you love granola? Homemade granola is a classic recipe I go to time and time again. With just a few basic ingredients, you can have the best homemade granola full of the oats, nuts, and fruits your family loves. It’s so simple to make for a delicious breakfast or snack and makes a wonderful gift to share.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
Quick and easy. This recipe takes hardly any time to toss together and then just let the oven do the work.
Healthy granola recipe. Made with good-for-you ingredients, this homemade granola is just as healthy as it is delicious. Choose the highest quality ingredients possible that work for your family’s tastes and dietary needs.
Make it your own. This granola recipe is very customizable. Once you have the basic ingredients, choose your favorite mix-ins based on your tastes and seasonal preferences. Remember, this is your granola. Add in what you like and take out what you don’t!
Follow my tips to make the best homemade granola that I turn to time and again.
Table of Contents
A family-favorite granola recipe I’ve been making for decades. I’ve been making this homemade granola recipe for well over 25 years for my family. It is based on the granola my Mama would make when I was a teenager, and I updated it to my family’s tastes once I was married. I originally shared this recipe in December 2010, but I am resharing it with updated step-by-step photographs and have included a few additional mix-ins that we enjoy occasionally.
Ingredients
Be sure to see the recipe card below for the full listing of ingredients, instructions, notes, and estimated nutritional information.
- Oats – use high-quality rolled oats in this recipe. Quick oats are too dry and will be crumbly when baked. If you are gluten-free, be sure to select certified gluten-free oats for your granola.
- Nuts – use your favorite nuts. Some favorites include pecans, walnuts, cashews, pistachios, peanuts, and almonds.
- Salt – I use fine sea salt in this granola recipe. Don’t skip the salt, as it brings out the flavor in the granola.
- Oil – I love to use melted coconut oil or olive oil in my granola. Olive oil gives the granola a deeper, more complex flavor, while the coconut oil lends a hint of coconut flavor to the baked granola. If including coconut flakes, I also make sure to use coconut oil.
- Sweetener – My recipe is naturally sweetened with either honey or maple syrup.
- Vanilla extract – You won’t turn back once you add vanilla extract to your granola! It enhances the flavor and leaves everyone asking what secret ingredient you included. I love to use my homemade vanilla extract!
- Ground cinnamon – I love to use ground cinnamon in my granola, especially during the fall and winter. However, I generally always include it.
- Dried fruits – Choose dried cranberries, cherries, raisins, apricots, apples, or bananas. You’ll want to chop any dried fruit that is large.
Optional Ingredients:
- Chia seeds – Chia seeds contain protein and are high in Omega-3. They are also an excellent source of fiber.
- Hemp hearts – I love to include hemp hearts in my granola as they also contain protein and are a good source of fiber.
- Unsweetened coconut flake – I love to add unsweetened coconut flake for those in my family that are coconut lovers! It adds delicious coconut flavor without additional sugar. They are a good source of fiber, protein, and good fats.
- Chocolate chips – I also enjoy occasionally adding dark chocolate chips that are naturally sweetened. It is especially delicious if I’m using dried cherries! If you need dairy-free, make sure to use dairy-free chocolate chips.
How to Make the Best Homemade Granola Recipe
Prep. Preheat the oven to 350º F. Line a rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper to prevent your granola from sticking to the pan.
Add ingredients to a mixing bowl. Add the oats, nuts, salt, cinnamon (if used), melted coconut or olive oil, honey or maple syrup, and vanilla extract to a large bowl. If you are also including chia seeds and/ or hemp seeds, include those.
Mix well. Stir together until all of the ingredients are well combined.
Transfer to the baking sheet. Pour the mixture onto the prepared baking sheet and spread into an even layer.
Bake the granola. If adding coconut flakes, bake the granola for 10 minutes and then add the coconut flakes and continue baking. If not adding coconut flakes, bake for 20 to 25 minutes until the granola is golden brown and fragrant.
Remove from the oven and add mix-ins. Take the granola out of the oven and place on a wire rack to cool. Stir in the dried fruit. If adding chocolate chips, make sure that your granola has cooled completely to prevent it from melting. Press the warm granola with a metal spatula. Then, carefully turn the granola with the spatula once it has cooled slightly, making sure to keep the clumps that form if desired.
Favorite Homemade Granola Flavor Combinations
Here are a few of my family’s favorite flavor combinations for our homemade granola:
- Oatmeal Raisin Granola. Use raisins and the ground cinnamon and vanilla extract in the recipe.
- Chocolate Cherry Almond Granola. Use dried cherries and almond slivers. Stir in dark chocolate chips once the granola has completely cooled.
- Maple Berry Granola. Use maple syrup as the sweetener and dried berries such as blueberries and raspberries.
- Pumpkin Spice Granola. Use pumpkin pie spice in place of the cinnamon, and add pepitas.
- Apple Pie Granola. Use maple syrup as the sweetener, apple pie spice in place of the ground cinnamon, and add dried apples once the granola has completely cooled.
Storage Tips
To store. Allow to cool completely and store in an airtight container at room temperature.
To make ahead. Homemade granola lasts 2-4 weeks when stored in an airtight container at room temperature.
To freeze. Allow to cool completely and store in an airtight, freezer-safe container in the freezer for up to 6 months.
Frequently Asked Questions
In my opinion, it can be healthier to make your own granola at home rather than purchasing from the store. Here’s why: you can control all of the ingredients!
Yes. Granola keeps exceptionally well if stored correctly. See my Storage Tips in the recipe post and the recipe card for storing and freezing granola.
If you tried this Homemade Granola Recipe or any other recipe on my website, please leave a 🌟 star rating and let me know how it went in the comments below. Thanks for visiting!
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Homemade Granola Recipe
Equipment
Ingredients
- 4 cups rolled oats
- 2 cups nuts, pecans, walnuts, cashews, pistachios, peanuts, or sliced almonds
- 1 1/2 teaspoons fine sea salt, or 3/4 teaspoon table salt
- 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
- 1/2 cup coconut oil, melted, or extra-virgin olive oil
- 1/2 cup honey, or maple syrup
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 cups dried fruits, your choice of cranberries, cherries, raisins, apricots, apples, or bananas. Chopped, if large
Optional Ingredients
- 1/4 cup chia seeds, optional
- 1/4 cup hemp hearts, optional
- 1 cup unsweetened coconut flake, optional
- 1/2 cup chocolate chips, optional, add after the granola has completely cooled
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350º F. Line a rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Add the oats, nuts, fine sea salt, cinnamon, melted coconut oil or olive oil, honey or maple syrup, and vanilla extract in a large bowl. Add the chia seeds and hemp hearts, if using. Stir together until well combined. Pour the mixture into the parchment lined baking sheet and spread evenly.
- Place in preheated oven and bake for 10 minutes. If using unsweetened coconut flake, add it at this point. Stir the granola and lightly press down with the spatula to form clumps in the granola. Bake until lightly browned and fragrant, about another 10 – 14 minutes. Remove from the oven and stir in the dried fruits. If using chocolate chips, cool completely before adding them to the granola.
- Allow to cool for 5 minutes and serve warm or allow to cool completely and store in airtight container.
Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Enjoy!
Robyn xo
This is my favorite granola ever! It is my go-to breakfast with Greek yogurt. So delicious with the walnuts and dried cranberries. I also add the chia seeds, hemp hearts, and coconut flakes to mine.
Thanks, Anne. I love that you add those optional ingredients to your granola just like I do,
This recipe is fabulous! Baking up my fifth batch as I type — it has the perfect balance of sweet, and my family DEVOURS it!
I like to bake mine without the dried fruits, and add them in once the baked mix has cooled – this way they stay nice and plump and juicy! I’ve also added pumpkin and sunflower seeds for a variation…delish 🙂
Thank you for sharing, Robyn!
Perfect for teachers! Thanks for this recipe!
Cherry and almonds or walnuts with some white chocolate chips thrown in for good measure is a tasty combo too.
Like those cute little dishes/cups. ; )
What a beautiful way to serve granola! I’ve been on the hunt for a homemade granola recipe. I love the idea of bagging it up to share with neighbors for the holidays too. I’m so anxious to make this. Thanks for sharing.
this looks delicious… I have been wanting to make granola at home for ages, Ill have to finally try it out!
what kind of oats do you use? the quick cooking oatmeal kind? or something else?
I’ve yet to make my own granola! Must do it!