on Dec 09, 2010, Updated Oct 10, 2023 8 Comments 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. And once you taste this granola made with these great ingredients, you will not want store-bought granola again. 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 best quality ingredients 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 what you like and remove what you don’t!
How to Make the Best Homemade Granola Recipe
Follow my tips to make the best homemade granola that I make all the time: This is 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 made, which I later updated to fit my family’s tastes. 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. Prep. Preheat the oven to 350º F. Line a rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper to prevent your granola from sticking to the pan.
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 using 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 I include 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. It gives it such a warmth that tastes amazing! Dried fruits – Choose dried cranberries, cherries, raisins, apricots, apples, or bananas. You’ll want to chop any large dried fruit.
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, ensure your granola has cooled completely to prevent the chocolate from melting. Press the warm granola with a metal spatula. Then, carefully turn the granola with the spatula once it has cooled slightly, keeping the clumps that form if desired. 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!
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 thoroughly 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 thoroughly cooled.
To make ahead. Homemade granola lasts 2-4 weeks when stored in an airtight container at room temperature. To freeze. Allow it to cool completely and store it in an airtight, freezer-safe container in the freezer for up to 6 months. Enjoy!Robyn xo
