My homemade granola recipe has to be one of my all-time favorite go-tos for snacking. Why? It’s heart-healthy, satisfying, and puts a smile on your face, or at least that’s what it does for me 🙂 It’s difficult to eat just one bite – it keeps you coming back for more!
Just thinking about making this homemade granola makes me crave the crunch of oats, the warmth of toasted pecans and cinnamon, and the perfect mix of seeds, all drizzled with sweet honey and a touch of sea salt.
You will love this homemade granola recipe because it’s quick and easy to put together, it tastes great, and it’s totally customizable. Throw in whatever you like as toppings, or substitute one nut or seed for your favorites. Wanting to indulge a little? Add a bit of dark chocolate along with the dried fruit – you deserve it!
So, forget the store-bought granola, roll up your sleeves, and let’s make this delicious granola recipe together!
In This Post: Everything You will need to make Homemade Granola
- Equipment you will need
- Ingredients you will need
- How to make this recipe
- Adding Granola to your favorite foods
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Rebecca’s Tips for Success
Equipment You Will Need for this granola recipe:
- large bowl
- liquid and dry measuring cups / measuring spoons
- spatula
- sheet pan
- parchment paper
Ingredients You Will Need:
- whole oats
- pecans
- sunflower seeds
- ground flax meal
- chia seeds
- sea salt
- cinnamon
- my homemade vanilla extract
- honey/brown sugar
- and a combination of extra virgin olive oil and avocado oil
How to make this Granola recipe:
Simply, mix all ingredients together in a large bowl, and stir well with a spatula. Make sure that the honey mixture is evenly distributed amongst the oats, nuts and seeds.
First:
- Mix the dry ingredients together
Next:
- Add the wet ingredients
Then:
- Stir everything together and mix well
- Line a sheet pan with parchment paper
- Pour the homemade granola into pan
- Bake for 20 min in a 350 deg. F oven on the middle rack until light golden brown
Finally:
- Let cool for 30 minutes
- Carefully break apart into pieces, or cut into bars
- Add your favorite toppings like dried cranberries, raisins, dried pineapple, unsweetened coconut, whatever you like.
*** Note: If adding dried fruit, make sure to leave the granola open to air and do not store in an airtight container as the homemade granola may absorb the moisture from the fruit and lose its crispness.
How can I enhance dishes with homemade granola?
For a crunchy addition, try my granola recipe with the following:
- Hot Oatmeal – I love to add granola on top of my hot oatmeal or overnight oats for extra crunch and flavor, and add texture.
- Greek Yogurt – You will love the creamy, crunchy combination. You can add fresh fruit for extra flavor.
- Ice Cream or Frozen Yogurt – Granola makes a perfect crunchy topping and adds a delightful contrast to the creamy texture.
- Fresh Fruit Salad – add some granola for extra crunch and a bit of sweetness. It complements a variety of fruits like berries, bananas, or mango.
- Toppings for Baked Goods – add granola to the tops of muffins, cakes, or breads before baking. It adds texture and a little extra sweetness to baked treats.
Frequently Asked Questions About Homemade Granola:
How long does homemade granola last?
When stored in an airtight container, homemade granola can last for about 2 to 3 weeks at room temperature. If you want it to last longer, you can freeze it for up to 3 months.
Is homemade granola healthy?
Yes! Homemade granola can be a very healthy snack, especially if you use whole, natural ingredients like oats, nuts, seeds, and minimal sweeteners. It’s high in fiber, heart-healthy fats, and protein.
How can I make my granola gluten-free?
Should you bake granola with dried fruit included?
It’s better to add dried fruit after baking. If you mix it in before baking, the fruit might burn or become hard & tough. Therefore, wait until the granola is fully baked and has cooled before stirring in your dried fruit.
What can I use instead of honey in my granola?
If you prefer to avoid honey, there are several alternatives you can use. Maple syrup is a popular option, providing a rich sweetness and a slight caramel flavor. Alternatively, you can use agave nectar, brown rice syrup, or a fruit puree like mashed bananas for a natural sweetness. I have never tried these – please let me know if they worked for you! Just remember, each substitute may affect the granola’s texture slightly, so adjust the baking time as needed.
Rebecca’s Tips For Success:
- Always use old-fashioned rolled oats, not instant or quick oats, for the best texture. Rolled oats are hearty and will give your granola recipe the perfect chewiness, while quick oats may result in a softer, mushier texture.
- Don’t overmix wet and dry ingredients. When combining the wet ingredients (like honey, oil, or maple syrup) with the dry ingredients (oats, nuts, seeds), make sure everything is evenly coated, but don’t overmix. Over-mixing can cause the granola to become clumpy, which could prevent it from baking evenly.
- Use parchment paper or silicone baking mat. Line your baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicone baking mat to prevent the granola from sticking. This also makes cleanup much easier and ensures your granola cooks evenly.
- Make sure to press down granola before putting sheet pan into the oven. This encourages the oats to stick together and form larger clusters. If you want loose granola, do not press mixture down and stir halfway through to promote even browning.
- Set a kitchen timer to prevent over browning – see below for timer in recipe card.
- Add dried fruit AFTER baking, and let granola cool completely before adding.
- Allow granola to cool completely on the baking sheet before transferring it to a container. This helps it firm up and become crunchy. If you store it while it’s still warm, condensation can cause it to become soggy.
Homemade Granola Recipe – Easy & Delicious!
Equipment
- Large Bowl
- spatula
- Parchment paper
Ingredients
- 4 cups Old Fashioned Rolled Oats (not instant or quick oats)
- 1 cup pecans (slightly chopped, leaving some whole)
- ½ cup sunflower seeds
- 2 Tbsp ground flax meal
- 1 tsp chia seeds
- 2 tsp cinnamon
- ¾ tsp sea salt (fine grain, or Pink Himalayan salt)
- ¼ cup extra virgin olive oil
- ¼ cup avocado oil
- ½ cup honey
- 2 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 Tbsp brown sugar
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 °F
- Line a large, rimmed sheet pan with parchment paper.
- In a large mixing bowl, combine 4 cups Old Fashioned Rolled Oats, 1 cup pecans, ½ cup sunflower seeds, 2 Tbsp ground flax meal, 1 tsp chia seeds, 2 tsp cinnamon, 1 Tbsp brown sugar, and ¾ tsp sea salt. Stir to well to mix together.
- In a measuring cup measure ¼ cup extra virgin olive oil, ¼ cup avocado oil, and 2 tsp vanilla extract – stir to blend. Add to dry ingredients.
- Add ½ cup honey and stir well, pressing down on the oats with a rubber spatula to make sure that all oats are evenly covered.
- Pour granola onto the prepared pan and use a spatula to spread the mixture.
- For Clumpy Granola : Lightly oil your hands (or use a rubber spatula) and press the granola down to help the oats stick together. Bake undisturbed for 20 min. Remove from oven and let cool 30 min. Break into clusters or cut into bars.
- For Loose Granola: Pour into pan but do now press down, just evenly distribute. Bake for 10 min., stir granola, then bake for an additional 10 min. until light golden brown. Remove from oven and let cool 30 min.
- ENJOY!
YOUR OWN NOTES
Nutrition
Disclosure
The provided nutritional information should only be used as a general guideline rather than an exact representation of the nutritional content of the prepared dish. Individual nutritional needs and dietary preferences may vary, and we encourage our readers to use their discretion and consult with a qualified healthcare professional or nutritionist for personalized dietary advice.
