This healthy homemade granola recipe is easy and delicious and can be customized with any nuts, seeds, or dried fruits. The recipe is simple to follow and can be adapted to suit your taste and dietary requirements, making it a perfect addition to yogurt, fruit, smoothies, or as a snack. It makes a large quantity, freezes well, and can be prepared in less than 30 minutes.
Why you'll love this recipe
- You will need a few basic ingredients from your kitchen to prepare this recipe.
- The recipe is fully customizable - switch or add any ingredients your love.
- Nothing beats this healthy homemade granola! Gives you all the flexibility to add more or less of certain ingredients based on your liking, and you can also ensure the quality of ingredients that go into its making and add flavorings that you actually love.
- It can be used as a base to prepare other recipes, such as no-bake granola bars or crunchy no-bake granola cereal.
- Granola is perfect for breakfast on the go! They can be eaten with yogurt, fresh fruits, milk, add to smoothie bowls, added to parfaits, etc.
- This is a perfect and delicious recipe for all weight watchers, hikers, campers, etc., as granola is nutritious, high in calories, and lightweight.
Ingredients
- Oats - I have used old-fashioned oats. If you are looking for gluten-free granola, make sure you use certified gluten-free oats.
- Almonds - Along with the goodness of almonds, it adds crunch to the recipe. You can add any combination of nuts of your choice.
- Olive oil - Mainly used to help the granola become crispy and crunchy when baked. Add olive oil or coconut oil based on the flavor you love.
- Honey - a natural sweetener. Use maple syrup for vegan granola.
- Salt - Don't forget to add salt. Just a pinch of salt enhances the flavor and makes your granola delicious!
- Cinnamon - I have added cinnamon to flavor the granola. Feel free to add your favorite spices like cloves, ginger, nutmeg, or all-spice powder.
See the recipe card below for a full list of ingredients and measurements.
Substitutions and Variations
- You can substitute oats with other grain flakes of barley, quinoa, hard red wheat, rye, flax, other millets, etc.
- You can add vanilla extract to flavor the granola in place of cinnamon. For holiday-flavored granola, you can add pumpkin spice or consider adding individual spice powders such as nutmeg, cardamom, cloves, etc.
- In place of olive oil, you can also use coconut oil, melted butter, or any other neutral oil of your choice.
- Although honey is my favorite sweetener, you can also use maple syrup, agave nectar, melted jaggery, molasses, or other liquid sweeteners of your choice.
- Add puffed rice for its crispiness.
- Add coconut flakes - sweetened or unsweetened. I prefer to add lightly toasted coconut flakes for their nutty aroma and crunchiness.
- Dried fruits like cranberries, raisins, dates, plums, etc., can be added to add an element of sweetness, tartness, and chewiness to every bite of the granola.
- Peanuts, pecans, walnuts, cashews, pistachios, etc., can be added.
- Confections like chocolate chips, peanut butter chips, etc., can be added to make kid-friendly granola. Make sure to add them after the granola has completely cooled, or else they will melt.
- For nut-free granola, substitute almonds with chia seeds, sunflower seeds, pumpkin seeds (pepitas), etc.
- For citrus flavors, you can add orange zest, lemon zest, lime zest, etc.
Step-by-Step Instructions
Step 1 - In a bowl, add oats, almonds, cinnamon powder, and salt, and mix well.
Step 2 - To the same bowl, add oil and honey and toss till it is evenly mixed.
Step 3 - Pour the oats and nut mix into a parchment-lined baking pan and spread it evenly using a spatula.
Step 4 - Bake in a pre-heated 350 degrees F oven for about 20 minutes. When done, the oats and nuts will be fragrant and golden brown in color. Don't forget to stir the mixture halfway through the baking process.
Step 5 - Let the granola cool down completely. Store in an airtight container until ready to use.
Tips
- Don't overcrowd the pan, as it prevents the oats and nuts from roasting evenly and becoming crunchy.
- Using a parchment-lined baking pan ensures the sweetener attaches to the oats instead of the pan.
- Overbaking may make the granola bitter. Remove them from the oven when they turn slightly golden brown, and let them cool completely. While they are cooling, they continue to dry and become crispy.
- If you plan to add chocolate chips or peanut butter chips, add them after the granola cools completely. Else these chips will melt and ruin the dish.
- If you plan to add dried fruits, such as cranberries, raisins, etc., make sure to add them after the granola cools completely. Adding them during baking can occasionally burn them and make them hard and chewy.
- For gluten-free granola, ensure that the oats are certified gluten-free.
- To make this granola toddler friendly, make sure to chop the nuts into smaller pieces. You can replace honey with unsweetened apple sauce. Before serving, let it hydrate in milk or yogurt for a few minutes.
Storage and Make Ahead Instructions
This healthy homemade granola can be made ahead of time. Once the roasted granola cools down completely, transfer it to an airtight container to retain the crunchiness of the granola and almonds. This remains fresh at room temperature for up to a week. It stores well in the refrigerator for up to 3 to 4 weeks.
Recipe FAQs
Both granola and oats are healthy options, but they differ in their nutritional content. Oats are whole grain that is low in fat and calories, high in fiber and protein, and rich in micronutrients. Many store-bought granolas contain more sugar and fat and are made with refined grains and processed ingredients. However, homemade granola with whole grains, nuts, seeds, and natural sweeteners can be a healthier option.
Granola can be a healthy and nutritious choice for breakfast as it provides a good source of fiber, protein, and healthy fats. However, choosing a brand with healthy ingredients and pairing it with other nutritious foods is important to make it even more beneficial.
The oats will be light golden on top, giving off a nutty aroma. If you bake it further, there are chances it may overroast and taste bitter.
If the oven temperature is too high, the oats may not get sufficient time to dry out before turning golden. A temperature between 325 degrees F to 350 degrees F is ideal for preparing granola.
More Oats Recipes to Love
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Recipe card
Easy and Healthy Homemade Granola
Ingredients
- 2 cups Oats
- ½ cup Almonds (use any combination of nuts of your choice)
- 2 tablespoon Olive oil or Coconut oil or any healthy cooking oil of your choice
- 2 tbsp Honey (Use maple syrup for vegan version)
- 1 teaspoon Cinnamon powder
- ½ teaspoon Salt
Instructions
Step 1
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Line your baking sheet with parchment paper and keep it aside.
Step 2
- In a large bowl, toss oats, almonds, cinnamon powder, salt . Add oil and honey and toss till it is evenly mixed.2 cups Oats, ½ cup Almonds, 2 tablespoon Olive oil, 1 teaspoon Cinnamon powder, ½ teaspoon Salt, 2 tablespoon Honey
- Pour the granola into the baking pan and using the back of a spoon or a spatula spread it evenly.
- Bake for about 20 minutes or till its golden brown in color, stirring it half way through. The granola will crisp up as it cools down.
- Let the granola cool down completely. Use a spoon or your fingers to break it up into desired size.
- Healthy homemade granola is now ready. You can serve immediately or store it in air tight container and use as and when required.
Notes
- Don't overcrowd the pan, as it prevents the oats and nuts from roasting evenly and becoming crunchy.
- Using a parchment-lined baking pan ensures the sweetener attaches to the oats instead of the pan.
- Overbaking may make the granola bitter. Remove them from the oven when they turn slightly golden brown, and let them cool completely. While they are cooling, they continue to dry and become crispy.
- If you plan to add chocolate chips or peanut butter chips, add them after the granola cools completely. Else these chips will melt and ruin the dish.
- If you plan to add dried fruits, such as cranberries, raisins, etc., make sure to add them after the granola cools completely. Adding them during baking can occasionally burn them and make them hard and chewy.
- For gluten-free granola, ensure that the oats are certified gluten-free.
- To make this granola toddler friendly, make sure to chop the nuts into smaller pieces. You can replace honey with unsweetened apple sauce. Before serving, let it hydrate in milk or yogurt for a few minutes.
Charles
Hi,
Your Homemade Granola is gonna be great! I have all the ingredients. Thanks for sharing!
Vicky
This recipe is going to make me stop buying store bough granola. It is so easy to make your own and I love how this granola recipe can be customized with my choice of add ons.
justine
So easy, made a triple batch and storing it in mason jars for the mornings.
Sharon
This granola is an easy way to get my oats in. I really like that I can make the base of the granola and customize it after I make the batch.
Sara Welch
Prepped this tonight for breakfast tomorrow and it couldn't have been easier! Excited to enjoy this tomorrow with some fruit and yogurt, indeed!