It’s super quick and easy to make your own Homemade Granola. And it’s so much better than store-bought, there’s simply no comparison between the two. This granola recipe is also much healthier because you get to use better quality ingredients, including natural sweeteners instead of refined sugar. It’s gluten-free, dairy-free, vegan, and the perfect healthy breakfast or snack.
If there’s one thing you’ll always find in my pantry, it would be homemade granola! It’s by far and away my favorite convenience food to meal prep ahead. You can simply pour your favorite milk over it for a quick breakfast, or make my fruit and yogurt parfaits.
Whatever you sprinkle it over, it’s going to be all kinds of crunchy and delicious. You’ll find lots of paleo granola recipes here on the blog, and my Maple Cinnamon one is what you’ll always see us eating over on Insta Stories when we travel.
However it is coconut and nut-based, so I wanted to make a traditional oat-based granola that can be made nut-free if needed. And we ended up loving this one so much it’s hard to know which recipe to make these days. But I can’t complain because now I have both versions in the pantry all the time!
So maybe the main question might be, is it worth making your own granola? My answer is 100% yes! The taste is unbeatable, it’s so much cheaper to make your own, and it’s healthier when you get to choose your own ingredients.
Any ‘healthy’ granola I’ve seen at the grocery store costs quite a bit, so this recipe is a great way to save money. Granola only takes a few minutes to whip together, so it’s one of those things that’s definitely worth making all things considered.
Healthy Granola Ingredients & Substitutions
- Rolled Oats – regular rolled oats work perfectly here. I don’t tend to use the extra thick rolled oats because they don’t toast quite as well, and I don’t recommend instant oatmeal either. If you’re gluten-free or feeding someone who needs to be gluten-free, make sure you buy certified gluten-free oats. Bob’s Red Mill makes great gluten-free rolled oats that are available in most grocery stores.
- Nuts – I like to use pecans here because they pair so well with maple and cinnamon, but you can use any nut you’d like. You can also leave them out for nut-free, and replace them with a bit more pumpkin seeds and/or oats.
- Pumpkin seeds – not toasted and unsalted pumpkin seeds are what you want to get for this recipe. They’re usually available in the refrigerated bulk section at natural food stores. These can also be left out if you need to be seed-free, you’ll find notes for how to use just oats instead in the recipe.
- Shredded coconut – unsweetened shredded coconut is perfect here, but again it can be left out if you don’t like coconut. Simply omit the coconut and replace it with equal parts rolled oats.
- Cinnamon – adds so much yummy ‘baked good’ flavor to this granola and pairs well with the maple syrup, or honey if you choose to use that instead.
- Avocado oil – is key to the crunchiest best textured granola. Oil-free granolas tend to be on the cardboard side of texture or have a lot more sugar in them. I promise the oil is necessary in balance with the sweetener for a granola that is crispy and flavorful.
- Maple syrup – or honey both work here. I love the maple cinnamon combo, but it’s hard to beat honey either. If you use honey, you’ll probably want to warm up the honey lightly to liquify it, making it easier to mix into the granola.
- Vanilla – definitely don’t skimp on the vanilla extract, it adds a lot of flavor to the mix.
- Sea salt – is absolutely crucial in making this granola perfectly flavorful, and the kind of thing you want to keep eating. A touch of sea salt is what brings it all together and keeps this granola from being bland.
- Optional Mix-ins – try different spices, or citrus zest before baking. You can stir in freeze-dried berries, chopped dried fruit, or even chocolate chips to the completely cooled finished granola.
How to make this recipe step by step
Step 1: Start by preheating the oven and line a large baking sheet with parchment paper. Then mix the rolled oats, nuts, pumpkin seeds, coconut, cinnamon, and sea salt together in a medium-sized mixing bowl.
Step 2: Then add the avocado oil, maple syrup, and vanilla extract to the bowl and mix to completely combine.
Step 3: Spread the granola mixture evenly over the parchment-lined baking sheet. Then bake for 20 minutes before stirring and rotating the pan in the oven so it bakes evenly.
At this point firmly pat the granola down with the back of the spoon, this will create better granola clusters.
Step 4: Bake another 20 minutes, then turn the oven off, prop the door open about 1′, and allow the granola to finish cooking in the residual heat for another 20 minutes. Finally, cool completely on a wire cooling rack.
Tip – Make sure to allow the granola to cool completely before storing it so it doesn’t get soggy. This also allows the granola to set up so you’ll have nice big clumps.
Ways to serve this
- With your choice of milk for breakfast, and maybe topped with sliced bananas and/or fresh berries as well.
- Make a fruit and yogurt parfait, these are great for meal prep make-ahead breakfasts. Or simply add yogurt to a breakfast bowl topped with your favorite fruit and granola to taste. Sweeten if desired with a drizzle of honey or maple syrup.
- Sprinkle over a bowl of ice cream for some added crunch.
- Put together an easy breakfast/brunch by serving a large bowl of berries, Strawberry Rhubarb Sauce, or diced peaches along with Greek yogurt and this granola. Then pair it with my Sausage Breakfast Casserole or my Western Omelet Waffles.
FAQ’s
You want to bake granola low and slow for the best crunch. If you try to bake it at a higher temperature it won’t cook through properly and can get soggy as it sits. Also, my recipe has extra crunch because the granola dries out and gets even crunchier as it cools in the oven. This step ensures the crispiest and crunchiest granola.
Also, low-fat granola recipes often call for wet ingredients like pumpkin or applesauce which can cause a soggy or cardboard-like granola. Stick to the perfect ratio listed in the recipe and your granola will be crispy!
Granola is either healthy or unhealthy depending on the ingredients used. That’s why homemade granola is so great, it’s much healthier because you control the amount of sweetener, and can use natural sweeteners like maple syrup or honey. Also commercially produced granolas often use low-quality oils, so when you make your own, you can use a healthy fat like coconut oil or avocado oil
I don’t recommend it because quick-cooking oats cook faster in granola and have a much softer texture. This recipe is formulated for rolled oats and will work best that way.
Storing leftovers
- To store – once the granola is completely cooled, transfer it to an airtight sealed container. Store in a cool dark place (like your pantry) and use within 1 month for best results. I have kept granola for up to 3 months, but it can get a bit stale if left that long.
Tips & Tricks
- For the best and biggest clusters, be sure to pat the granola down firmly with the back of the spoon after stirring as directed in the recipe. Also, allow it to cool completely so it has time to set up together. This will give you perfect large and crispy clusters of granola!
- Try adding in different mix-ins listed in the recipe. We both love freeze-dried raspberries or strawberries and sometimes even mini chocolate chips as well.
- Don’t skip the cool down in the oven, this is what makes the granola perfectly crispy!
- If you can’t have oats, try my Paleo Maple Cinnamon Granola.
More breakfast recipe inspiration
I really hope you enjoy this Homemade Granola! If you do get a chance to make this recipe, please leave a rating, I’d love to hear from you in the comments.
Homemade Granola
INGREDIENTS
- 3 cups rolled oats
- 1 cup chopped pecans - or any nut of choice
- 1 cup pumpkin seeds - raw, not toasted or salted
- 1/2 cup fine shredded coconut - unsweetened
- 1 tbsp ground cinnamon
- 1 tsp sea salt
- 1/2 cup pure maple syrup - or honey
- 1/2 cup avocado oil - or melted coconut oil or unsalted butter
- 1 tbsp vanilla extract
INSTRUCTIONS
- Preheat the oven to 325ºF and line a large baking sheet with parchment paper.
- In a medium sized bowl, combine the rolled oats, chopped nuts, pumpkin seeds, coconut, cinnamon, and sea salt.
- Mix in the maple syrup, avocado oil, and vanilla until completely combined.
- Spread the mixture evenly onto the prepared baking sheet and bake for 20 minutes.
- After the 20 minutes are up, stir the granola and rotate the pan in the oven. Bake for another 20 minutes.
- After the baking time is up, turn off the oven and with the door open, stir the granola 1 more time. Then firmly pat it down well with the back of the spoon. This is what helps large clusters to form.
- Allow the granola to cool in the oven with the door propped open 1' for another 20 minutes. Then remove the granola from the oven and allow to cool completely on a cooling rack.
- When the granola is completely cooled, add any optional mix-in's from the notes and store in an airtight container for 1 month.
Love homemade granola. Used coconut oil and added pecans and walnuts. It’s is delicious! We love it for breakfast but the kids are devouring with as a snack with yogurt too. Will have to make another batch soon!
So glad they’re enjoying it, and I definitely need to do coconut oil again, it adds such a good flavor!
I opted for avocado oil, maple syrup, and added chopped Medjool dates. I can’t stop eating it. My third 2X batch in past 2 weeks is in the oven right now. Stuff is like crack. I will never buy granola again! Thanks for sharing this recipe!!
Homemade is so much tastier isn’t it? So glad to hear you’re enjoying it and the Medjool dates sound like an incredible addition!
Kari, I can’t believe this has only 2 reviews…crazy! Anyway, still making this on the regular and sharing often (and buying ingredients in bulk…lol). You should see the faces light up when I share with previous recipients who know what they are getting. More than one person has said “that stuff is like gold!”
Thanks again for sharing this recipe. I can’t offer enough praise. I need to try more of your recipes!
Thanks so much, I’m so glad to hear you’ve been enjoying it and that everyone else has been too – so kind of you to share! I really hope you find some more favorites as well, I look forward to hearing about what you make next!
Today I made a tropical version. Substituted: ground ginger for cinnamon, almond extract for vanilla, agave for the sweetener, doubled coconut and halved pumpkin seeds, added dried pineapple, mango, and banana chips after baking. It was a hit!
That sounds absolutely amazing, and thanks so much for writing in with this version it’s definitely on my to-make list now!