You're looking at the ultimate homemade granola recipe, extra flavorful, slightly sweet with lots of crunch. Sprinkle over yogurt for breakfast, enjoy it on its own for a snack or add into pancake batter!
Homemade granola might be boring to some, but it's one of my favorite things to munch on. I originally published this recipe back in 2020 and I still make it often. In fact, I just made a batch the other week alongside peanut butter granola!
This granola recipe is the best of the best, the OG of granola. A combination of hearty oats, vanilla, maple, almonds and cinnamon with endless crunchy texture.
Why You'll Love It
- Only requires 7 simple pantry ingredients
- Quick and easy, just 3 steps!
- No refined sugar - sweetened naturally with pure maple syrup
- Tons of extra crunch with every bite
- Vegan and gluten free (if using certified gluten free oats)
Ingredients You Need
- Oats: Old-fashioned rolled oats make up the bulk of the recipe. I don't recommend using quick oats as they are more fine. You can also easily substitute with gluten free oats.
- Almonds: The almonds add additional crunch and texture while also adding more flavor. I usually grab slivered almonds, but you can use sliced or roughly chopped instead.
- Cinnamon: For flavor.
- Salt: Helps enhance the flavors and balance the sweetness.
- Maple Syrup: We're using pure maple syrup to add flavor and sweetness while binding the ingredients together.
- Coconut Oil: Coconut oil is the key to the crunch so don't leave it out! You can also substitute with another neutral oil like avocado oil.
- Vanilla Extract: We want maximum flavor so we're adding in 2 Tablespoons, yes, 2 Tablespoons.
Step-by-Step: How To Make Homemade Granola
Making granola is much easier than most think. The hardest part is waiting for it to cool- no judgement if you walk by it a few times grabbing handfuls.
Step 1: Whisk together the wet ingredients, including the salt and cinnamon. Stir in the oats and almonds.
Step 2: Transfer the oats onto the baking sheet in an even layer.
Step 3: Bake for 45 minutes, stirring every 15 minutes.
Step 4: Allow the oats to cool completely- as they cool, they become crunchier.
Many Ways To Enjoy
- Sprinkle or pile it on your yogurt
- Make yogurt parfaits - a fun way for kids to get involved too!
- Toss it into your favorite pancake batter for a little crunch
- Eat it straight out of the jar
- Pour milk on top like cereal
- Sprinkle over grilled or baked fruit
- Make yogurt bark or yogurt bites - another fun way for kids to join in!
FAQ
Yes! The benefits of making your own is you control the ingredients that go into the granola recipe and the cost savings. Most store-bought granola have way more ingredients than actually needed and are often ingredients that you can't pronounce and come with a hefty price tag.
They are! There are 3 tricks: make sure all the ingredients are coated evenly, bake at a low temperature and allow to cool completely at room temperature as the air gives it that crunch.
Unless you have all the ingredients on hand, you will likely spend more money up front when making granola at home. However, over the long run it will be cheaper as you can make it in bulk.
The term "healthy" varies from one person to the next because we are all different. However, this is a healthy granola recipe in terms of ingredients, there's only 7! Most of the "healthy" store-bought granola include more ingredients than what is actually needed, some of which you can't even pronounce and loaded with excess sugar. Making granola at home gives you complete control over the ingredients ensuring that you know what went into it.
More Easy Breakfast Options
Homemade Granola
Description
Ingredients
- ⅓ cup melted coconut oil
- 1 cup pure maple syrup
- 2 Tablespoons vanilla extract
- ¾ teaspoons ground cinnamon
- ⅛ teaspoon salt
- 3 ½ cups old-fashioned rolled oats
- 1 cup almonds, slivered, sliced or chopped
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 300°F. Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicone baking mat. Set aside.
- In a large bowl, whisk together the coconut oil, maple syrup and vanilla extract until combined. Stir in the oats, almonds, cinnamon, and salt- tossing together until everything is completely coated and moistened.
- Spread onto the prepared baking sheet and bake for 45 minutes, gently stirring every 15 minutes.
- Set the granola aside to cool completely - the air allows the granola to obtain a crunchy texture. Stir gently before storing.
Notes
- Make Ahead Instructions: Granola is one of the best recipes to make ahead because it stays fresh for so long. Store the granola in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 1 month.
- Freezing Instructions: You can also freeze the granola for up to 3 months, stored in an airtight container. Thaw at room temperature.
- Oats: If needed, you can substitute certified gluten free old-fashioned whole rolled oats.
- Oil: Any neutral oil will work like coconut, avocado, vegetable, or canola oil.
Mila says
I've been making this granola for 2 months now and no looking back. I add it to my yogurt bowls and my teenagers love it in yogurt or with milk.