One of our favorite healthy snacks is some vanilla yogurt topped with fresh berries and THIS homemade granola recipe (or Yogurt Parfaits).
Yes, you can use store-bought granola, but we are here to tell you now that homemade granola CANNOT be beat because it’s not only so easy to make but so delicious!
This specific recipe is one we make all the time and love because it stores easily for future uses. This recipe makes 10 servings, so you can always have some on hand for breakfast, snacks, or even serve it on a Yogurt Parfait Board.
Why we think you’ll love it:
- Makes a big batch! This recipe makes 10 servings and stores very well, perfect for saving for later.
- Naturally sweet. The honey adds a natural sweetness for a healthier breakfast.
- A perfect topping. We especially love putting this snack on yogurt, but it’s a great topping for muffins, oatmeal, or a bowl of cereal!
Homemade Granola Ingredients
- Brown sugar (½ cup) – Gives the granola a rich, caramel-like sweetness and helps it bake into little clusters.
- Honey (½ cup) – Adds natural sweetness and works as a sticky binder to keep everything crunchy. You may also use maple syrup at a 1:1 ratio.
- Canola oil (¼ cup) – Keeps the granola crisp and golden as it bakes. Vegetable oil, coconut oil, or olive oil can also be used.
- Old-fashioned oats (4 cups) – The hearty base that gets perfectly toasted and gives granola its crunch. Be sure to use old-fashioned oats; they are the right size and texture to make granola. Stay away from quick-cooking oats and steel-cut oats.
- Cinnamon (½ teaspoon) – Adds a warm, cozy flavor that pairs perfectly with the oats and honey. Other spices you could use include allspice or nutmeg.
- Salt (¼ teaspoon) – Just a touch to balance the sweetness and bring out the other flavors.
- Unsweetened Coconut flakes, optional – For extra chewiness and a sweet, tropical flavor boost. You can also add up to ½ cup of chopped nuts like pecans, slivered almonds, cashews, peanuts, pistachios, walnuts, macadamia nuts, pumpkin seeds, or sunflower seeds.
- Optional mix-ins, (add after the granola has been baked and cooled) – Mix in dried cranberries, raisins, dried cherries, dried apricots, Mini M&M’s, or Mini Chocolate chips.
How to Make Homemade Granola
PREP. Preheat the oven to 250°F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or coat with cooking spray.
COMBINE. In a saucepan combine brown sugar, honey, and oil. Stir over medium heat until sugar has dissolved.
- Add oats to a mixing bowl. Pour the honey mixture over the oats. Add cinnamon and salt. Stir everything until evenly coated.
BAKE. Spread the oat mixture evenly over the baking sheet and gently press down. Bake for 1 hour. Stir the mixture every 15-20 minutes.
COOL. Remove and allow the mixture to cool completely in the pan. Break this easy granola recipe apart and enjoy (or store for later).
Kristyn’s Recipe Tips
- Low and slow baking helps the granola crisp up evenly without burning.
- You can add up to ½ cup chopped nuts and seeds to the mix, then bake, but if you wish to add dried fruits, then mix them in after the granola has baked and cooled.
- The more you press the granola together on the baking sheet, the bigger the clumps will be, and stir carefully to avoid breaking up the clumps.
- Cooling completely allows the honey and sugar mixture to solidify, binding the oats together.
- Use the granola to make trail mix, in parfaits, a smoothie bowl, or on oatmeal.
Homemade Granola Recipe
Video
Ingredients
- ½ cup brown sugar
- ½ cup honey
- ¼ cup canola oil
- 4 cups old fashioned oats
- ½ teaspoon cinnamon
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- coconut flakes, optional
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 250°F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or coat with cooking spray.
- In a saucepan combine the sugar, honey, and oil. Stir over medium heat until sugar has dissolved.
- Add oats to a mixing bowl. Pour the honey mixture over the oats. Add cinnamon and salt. Stir everything together until evenly coated.
- Spread the mixture evenly over the baking sheet and gently press down.
- Bake for 1 hour. Stir the mixture every 15-20 minutes.
- Remove and allow the mixture to cool completely in the pan.
- Break apart and Enjoy.
Notes
- To add coconut flakes, mix them in during the last 10-15 minutes or toss them in after the granola has cooled.
- You can add up to ½ cup chopped nuts and seeds to the mix, then bake, but if you wish to add dried fruits, then mix them in after the granola has baked and cooled.
- The more you press the granola together on the baking sheet, the bigger the clumps will be, and stir carefully to avoid breaking up the clumps.
- Cooling completely allows the honey and sugar mixture to solidify, binding the oats together.
- Use the granola to make trail mix, in parfaits, a smoothie bowl, or on oatmeal.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Recipe FAQ
Store homemade granola in an airtight container for about 2 weeks at room temperature, or for 2-3 months in the freezer.
Make sure the oats that you use are gluten-free and combine them with the other gluten-free ingredients.
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This recipe was originally published July 2018.
Love this granola recipe – I have made it several times and every time I like it more. I came back to the blog to see about switching the canola to olive oil – thoughts?
It might give it a slightly different flavor, but you could try. Avocado oil would be a great swap too. Or even coconut oil.
Can’t wait to try out this recipe soon! It sounds amazing!!!
5 stars
I’m making this a second time right now. Did recipe as is the first time and it was perfect! This time I’m trying it with unrefined coconut oil, smells so good. I make this for a granola chocolate chip cookie recipe, and also eat it by itself with milk or yogurt. I will venture no further for a good granola recipe, for me and my kitchen- this is perfect. Thanks for sharing
I always made THE BEST GRANOLA, EVER!!
Your version – loaded to the max of course(!), is the closest I’ve ever found!
Make a HUGE BATCH and be sure to Load it up with lots of excellent dried fruit, and
One MAJOR downside…..once you start eating…it’s addicting….best EVER
How could I make it more clustered?
Made a half recipe today to try it and boy how delicious and easy !
Am making a full batch tomorrow ~ thx for a great recipe!
You’re welcome! Happy to hear you enjoyed the granola!
Just found my favorite granola recipe! So easy and delicious and quickly onto making another batch!