Homemade Granola Recipe

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 have stocked in your pantry, 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.

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 that 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.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Quick and easy. This recipe takes hardly anytime to toss together and then just let the oven do the work for you.

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, then 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!

How to Make the Best Homemade Granola Recipe

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.

Step-by-Step Instructions

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 using), melted coconut oil or olive oil, honey or maple syrup, and vanilla extract to a large bowl. If you are also including chia seed and/ or hemp seeds, include those as well.

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 be sure to use 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.

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

Here’s my homemade granola recipe. I hope you love it as much as my family does!

Enjoy!
Robyn xo