Granola Recipe

This easy homemade Granola Recipe with is full of easy to find ingredients, and has lots of variations. It is a crunchy granola recipe that is going to feel like such a healthy start to the day.

bowl of homemade granola with milk, a spoon, fresh raspberries and blueberries - 5

We have been in some breakfast ruts around here lately. It’s so easy to get there, don’t you think? Let’s get that breakfast joy back with some delicious granola. From the moment I created this recipe a few years ago, it is become one of my favorites. I love eating this homemade granola dry by the handful as snack and I adore it in a bowl with some milk and fresh fruit as granola cereal.

It tasted just like store bought granola! My family loves it! They usually don’t care for my homemade granola – delicious!

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Granola Ingredients

This is a pretty standard formula that is easy to follow and easy to customize to what you are craving. It makes the best granola recipe.

Old Fashioned Oats: Make sure you buy old fashioned oats not quick cooking, read more on this below.
Honey : Not only does this bring some sweetness to the recipes, it also helps hold the granola together.
Vegetable Oil: This is what helps crisp up the granola as it bakes and gives it that great crunch. See the note in the recipe card about lessening the oil. I haven’t tried this with other oils, but given the low cooking temperature here, they should work fine.
Nuts : These help add protein to the granola and you can use so many different varieties. I prefer pecans or almonds. If you are serving someone with a nut allergy, consider swapping these to seeds like pumpkin or sunflower.
Dried Fruit : Add this after baking. Raisins, dried cranberries, and dried pineapple are all great choices!
Seasonings : For added flavor, I like to add cinnamon and vanilla extract. You could try other great flavor combinations though, like a little less cinnamon mixed with a pinch of ginger and allspice! Or swapping the vanilla for almond extract.

Variations and Substitutions

There are so many great things that you can do with granola and so many flavor combinations that you can bring in.

Swap the honey. You can replace the honey with agave nectar or maple syrup.
Reduce or swap the oil. Instead of vegetable oil, you can use grape seed or coconut oil. Again see the note in the recipe card about cutting back on the oil.
Swap out the pecans for other nuts. Use the one you like the most! Peanuts, cashews, pistachios, and walnut slices all are great options for granola.
Trade out half the nuts for seeds. I like adding pumpkin seeds or sunflower seeds to my granola.
Add in chia seeds or flax seeds. Both are a great source of fatty acids and protein.
Replace the dried cranberries. Any dried fruit would be fantastic in this. Raisins, dried pineapple, dried cherries, and dried apricots would all be delicious.
Add in some chocolate. Leave out half of the fruit and after the granola has completely cooled, throw in half a cup of mini chocolate chips for an extra special granola.

Eating Granola

While I am most often found eating granola by the handful in the quiet of my pantry, there are so many great ways to enjoy this recipe.

Over yogurt: A small handful of granola over yogurt makes for a great breakfast.
Parfaits : Typically made with layers of granola, yogurt, and fresh berries, a yogurt parfait is a great way to start the day.
Smoothie Bowl: Just what it sounds like, a smoothie bowl is a smoothie served in a bowl often topped with fresh fruit and enjoyed with a pop of granola.
With milk: The most common way to enjoy this great recipe, it makes for an easy breakfast.

Storing and Freezing

This recipe for granola makes 9 cups and will last in an air tight container in your pantry for up to two weeks. As with any recipe, use your best discretion when it comes to leftovers.

This granola recipe is also great for freezing. I suggest freezing it in single servings so that you can pull out just the amount you plan on eating. Store it in plastic bags, squeezing out as much air as you can, and allow it to thaw on the counter top overnight before eating.

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Other Healthy Breakfast Ideas

Crustless Spinach Quiche
Overnight Oats
Ham and Cheese Egg Muffins

If you make this granola or any of my other recipes, please leave me a comment and let me know what you think!

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Ingredients

1/3 cup honey 78.86 ml (or agave or maple syrup)
1/2 cup vegetable oil 118.29 ml (see note 1)
1/3 cup brown sugar 71 grams (packed)
1 tablespoon vanilla extract
1/2 teaspoon table salt
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
5 cups old fashioned oats 445 grams (not quick cooking oats, see note 2)
2 cups chopped pecans 228 grams (any roughly chopped nut would be great here – especially walnuts or almonds)
1 cup dried cranberries 114 grams (or any dried fruit)
1 cup raisins 149 grams (or any dried fruit, not packed)

Instructions

Preheat your oven to 325 degrees Fahrenheit. Prepare a large rimmed sheet pan by lining it with parchment paper.
In a large bowl, whisk together honey, oil, brown sugar, vanilla extract, salt, and cinnamon. 1/3 cup honey, 1/3 cup brown sugar, 1 tablespoon vanilla extract, 1/2 teaspoon table salt, 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon, 1/2 cup vegetable oil
Gently fold in the oats and the nuts. Spread the mixture onto the baking sheet in a single layer. Bake for 35 to 45 minutes rotating the baking sheet half way through baking. 5 cups old fashioned oats, 2 cups chopped pecans
Starting from when you rotate the pan (around 18 minutes), keep a very close eye on your granola. Check on it every few minutes, especially as you start to smell it more. It can burn very quickly. As it starts to turn golden around the edges, it will need only a few minutes more.
Remove the baking sheet from the oven. Allow to cool for an hour. Break apart the granola and mix in the dried fruit. Store in an airtight container for up to two weeks. 1 cup raisins, 1 cup dried cranberries

Recipe Video

Notes

I tried this without the oil and it was also very delicious, but obviously not as crisp. If you are looking to lessen the calories, you could cut back on the oil or eliminate it completely. You could also use coconut or grape seed oil.
Oats are naturally gluten free. That being said, it is always wise to ensure that your oats are verified gluten free before serving this to someone with a gluten allergy.

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Homemade Granola Recipe

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