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    Home » Real Food » Snacks » Homemade Granola

    Homemade Granola

    By Kristen Chidsey | 27 Comments | Published August 29, 2021 | Updated August 29, 2021 *This post may include amazon links. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

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    This is a simple recipe for homemade granola that is naturally sweetened, vegan-friendly, and completely customizable. It is a great base recipe to use to create your favorite version of granola.

    This is a simple recipe for homemade granola that is naturally sweetened, vegan-friendly, and completely customizable. It is a great base recipe to use to create your favorite version of granola.

    Homemade granola in jar with bowl of granola in background.

    Why Make Granola?

    Store-bought granola is often filled with added sugars, sodium, and preservatives. And if you happen to find a good quality brand made with wholesome ingredients, it typically costs an arm and a leg.

    However, making granola at home is not only easy but super economical. And you get to be in charge of what goes into it!

    This base recipe for granola is made with pantry staples and is gluten-free, dairy-free, nut-free, and vegan friendly. From there, you can add in dried fruit, nuts, coconut, chia seeds, chocolate chips--really anything YOU like in your granola. It is the perfect recipe to use when you want to make a healthy version of granola at home.

    Ingredients Needed to Make Granola

    Oats cinnamon, coconut oil, and maple syrup on counter.
    • Oats: It is best to use old fashioned or rolled oats instead of quick cooking oats when making granola. It gives the granola a better texture. Be sure to NOT use steel cut oats. You also want to ensure that your oats are certified gluten-free if needed.
    • Coconut Oil: I love the earthy flavor the melted coconut oil gives to the granola. However, you can opt to use canola oil or even melted butter, if you are not dairy-free, in place of the canola oil.
    • Maple Syrup: The maple syrup sweetens the granola, while giving it a rich flavor as well. I highly recommend using maple syrup over honey when making homemade granola.
    • Cinnamon: A pinch of cinnamon and salt for flavor.

    Ideas for Flavoring Granola

    Bowls of nuts, coconut, chocolate chips, chia seeds, and raisins as optoins for granola mix-ins.

    This recipe for homemade granola is delicious served plain. However, there are endless options for adding additional ingredients to change up the flavor and add nutrients to your heart's content. I recommend using up to 1 cup of additions to the base recipe. I have shared a few of my favorite ideas below.

    • Nuts: Chopped pecans, almonds, peanuts, walnuts, or cashews are all delicious when added to granola. If your nuts are raw, add prior to baking the granola. If your nuts are already toasted, add them to the granola after baking.
    • Chia Seeds: Chia seeds add omega-3s, fiber, and texture. If using, I recommend using no more than ⅓ of a cup and add them to the oat mixture before baking.
    • Shredded Coconut: If you like the flavor of coconut, add up to ½ cup of raw, unsweetened coconut flakes to the oat mixture before baking the granola.
    • Dried Fruit: Raisins, dried cherries, dried blueberries, dried cranberries, or even chopped dried dates are a delicious burst of flavor and sweetness in granola. Regardless of what dried fruit you add, wait until after the granola has baked and cooled before adding the fruit to the mixture.
    • Chocolate Chips: If you want a decadent treat, chocolate chips make a delicious addition to granola. Just be sure to add the chocolate chips to the granola after it has baked and cooled, or your chocolate chips will melt. I love the combination of dark chocolate chips and dried cherries or white chocolate chips with dried cranberries.

    How to Make Homemade Granola

    • Preheat the oven to 300 degrees F and line a rimmed sheet pan with parchment paper.
    • In a large mixing bowl combine the oats, maple syrup, melted coconut oil, cinnamon, and a pinch of salt. Toss until well combined and the oats are coated with the oil and syrup.
    • At this point, feel free to add in raw nuts, chia seeds, or shredded coconut if using.
    Oats mixed with maple syrup and oil.
    • Spread the oat mixture out onto the prepared pan.
    • Place the sheet pan into the oven and bake for about 40 minutes, or until the granola is golden brown. Be sure to stir the granola every 10 minutes while baking--this will help it evenly brown.
    Toasted Granola on sheet pan with parchment paper.
    • Remove the granola from the oven and allow to cool fully to room temerature.
    • Once the granola is cooled, stir in toasted nuts, chocolate chips, and/or dried fruit if using.
    Granola on sheet pan with dried fruit.

    How to Store Granola

    Once the granola has fully cooled, transfer it to an airtight container and store it in a cool, dark pantry for up to 1 month.

    Granola in glass jar.

    Serving Suggestions

    • Use homemade granola to top Instant Pot Yogurt.
    • Add to Instant Pot Oatmeal for crunch and flavor.
    • Use in place of rice cereal in Chocolate Peanut Butter Banana Sushi.
    • Add to the oat topping in Apple Crisp or Berry Crisp for additional crunch and texture.
    • After dipping French Toast in egg custard, dip in granola for a crispy texture.
    • Serve with milk of any variety for a quick breakfast.

    I would love for you to share in the comments what you added to this granola recipe and how you enjoyed it! Inspire us all!

    Homemade granola in jar with bowl of granola in background.

    Homemade Granola

    This is a simple recipe for homemade granola that is naturally sweetened, vegan-friendly, and completely customizable. It is a great base recipe to use to create your favorite version of granola.
    5 from 11 votes
    Print Pin Rate
    Course: Breakfast
    Cuisine: American
    Diet: Gluten Free, Vegan
    Prep Time: 5 minutes
    Cook Time: 40 minutes
    Total Time: 45 minutes
    Servings: 12
    Calories: 129kcal
    Author: Kristen Chidsey

    Ingredients

    • 3 cups old-fashioned oats
    • ¼ cup maple syrup
    • ¼ cup coconut oil melted
    • 1 teaspoon cinnamon
    • ½ teaspoon kosher salt
    • 1 cup optional add-ins (nuts, dried fruit, coconut, chia seeds, chocolate chips, etc)
    Prevents your screen from going dark while preparing the recipe.

    Instructions

    • Preheat oven to 300 degrees F and line a sheet pan with parchment paper.
    • In a large mixing bowl, mix together the oats, maple syrup, melted coconut oil, cinnamon, and salt together until well combined. At this point feel free to add in raw nuts, chia seeds, or shredded coconut if using and give it another stir.
    • Spread the oat mixture out onto the prepared pan. Bake for 40 minutes, stirring the mixture every 10 minutes, or until the granola is nice and golden brown.
    • Remove from the oven and allow to cool fully to room temperature. Once cooled, stir in any toasted nuts, dried fruit, or chocolate chips.
    • Store the granola in an airtight container in a cool, dark pantry for up to 1 month.

    Equipment Needed

    • Rimmed Baking Sheet
    • Parchment Paper

    Notes

    Oats: Use Old-Fashioned or Rolled Oats, not quick oats for granola. And do not use steel-cut oats. Be sure your oats are certified gluten-free if you need this granola to be gluten-free. 
    Oil: Feel free to use canola oil or melted butter in place of melted coconut oil. 
    Additions: Use 1 cup TOTAL of any combination of additional mix-ins you desire. I recommend using only up to ⅓ cup of chia seeds and ½ cup shredded, unsweetened coconut, but any amount of nuts or dried fruits work well. See instructions for when to add what. 

    Nutrition

    Calories: 129kcal | Carbohydrates: 18g | Protein: 3g | Fat: 5g | Saturated Fat: 3g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 1g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 10mg | Sodium: 132mg | Potassium: 90mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 4g | Vitamin A: 119IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 21mg | Iron: 1mg
    Liked this Recipe? Tag me Today!Snap a picture and tag #amindfullmom on Instagram - I would love to see!

    This post was originally published in 2015 but was updated in 2021 with new photos and tips.

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    About Kristen Chidsey

    Hi, I am Kristen, creator of A Mind "Full" Mom. I believe that making a wholesome family meal does not need to be hard or expensive! I love nothing more than to share with you delicious solutions for your hungry family.

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Allyssa

      September 01, 2021 at 6:50 am

      5 stars
      Thank you so much for this amazing coconut chia granola recipe, so easy to make and fam really loves it! Will surely have this again, well done!

      Reply
      • Kristen Chidsey

        September 01, 2021 at 6:59 am

        I love hearing you enjoyed Allyssa! And that you enjoyed the coconut and chia combo!

        Reply
    2. Beth

      August 31, 2021 at 4:42 pm

      5 stars
      I’m so glad I found this recipe, so delicious on my yogurt in the mornings! Definitely keeping this recipe on hand! Also, perfect for my daughter’s açaí bowl too!

      Reply
      • Kristen Chidsey

        September 01, 2021 at 7:02 am

        YAY! This would be great with an acai bowl!

        Reply
    3. Krystle

      August 31, 2021 at 4:13 pm

      5 stars
      So yummy, I've been enjoying it for Breakfast all week!

      Reply
    4. Jen

      March 07, 2021 at 7:34 am

      5 stars
      Delicious! Light and crunchy and not too sweet, whole family loves it.

      Reply
      • Kristen Chidsey

        March 07, 2021 at 7:36 am

        So happy to hear your family enjoyed this recipe Jen! Thanks for sharing!

        Reply
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