Healthy Homemade Granola Recipe
If you’re craving a deliciously crunchy snack or a nourishing way to kickstart your morning, this Healthy Homemade Granola will quickly become your new favorite kitchen staple. Packed with hearty oats, crunchy nuts, and naturally sweetened with maple syrup (or honey!), this treat is as versatile as it is satisfying. Enjoy every golden, toasty bite, knowing you can customize every cluster exactly how you like it—plus, it’s incredibly easy to make ahead for busy weeks!
Ingredients You’ll Need
Every ingredient in this Healthy Homemade Granola pulls its weight, working together to create an irresistible blend of texture, color, and wholesome flavor. No complicated items here—just simple, real foods that provide crunch, a little chew, and a whole lot of nutrition.
- Old-fashioned rolled oats: These make up the hearty base, guaranteeing classic granola crunch and soak up all the flavorful coatings.
- Raw nuts (almonds, walnuts, or pecans): For nutty richness and satisfying bites; chop them roughly for maximum texture.
- Unsweetened shredded coconut (optional): Offers a hint of tropical flavor and gorgeous toasty bits through each batch.
- Chia seeds or flaxseeds: Add a boost of fiber and omega-3s, along with a subtle crunch you’ll notice in every spoonful.
- Salt: Just a pinch balances the sweetness and enhances all the toasty notes.
- Cinnamon: Brings warmth and a touch of spice that pairs beautifully with oats and sweetener.
- Maple syrup or honey: Naturally sweetens the granola and helps form those coveted crunchy clusters.
- Coconut oil or olive oil: Binds everything together and ensures golden, crispy perfection while baking.
- Vanilla extract: Delivers irresistible aroma and an extra layer of coziness in every bite.
- Dried fruit (cranberries, raisins, or chopped dates): Stirred in after baking, they add pops of chewy sweetness and color.
How to Make Healthy Homemade Granola
Step 1: Prep Your Equipment
First things first, preheat your oven to 325°F (160°C) and grab a large baking sheet. Line it with parchment paper—this simple step makes cleanup a breeze and ensures your Healthy Homemade Granola comes off the pan in satisfyingly big, crunchy clusters.
Step 2: Mix the Dry Ingredients
In a spacious mixing bowl, combine the rolled oats, chopped nuts, shredded coconut (if you’re using it), chia seeds, salt, and cinnamon. Give everything a quick toss so the ingredients are evenly distributed—this is where your granola’s hearty foundation comes together.
Step 3: Blend the Wet Ingredients
Set a small saucepan on low heat and gently warm your maple syrup (or honey), oil of choice, and vanilla extract. Stir until the mixture is smooth and just combined—don’t let it boil. This step helps the granola bake up perfectly crisp and super flavorful.
Step 4: Combine and Coat
Pour the warm wet mixture over your bowl of dry ingredients. Use a sturdy spatula or wooden spoon to stir, ensuring every oat, nut, and seed gets coated. Take your time here; an even mix makes the world of difference for those big, toasty clusters.
Step 5: Bake and Stir
Spread the granola mixture evenly onto your lined baking sheet, using the back of your spatula to gently press it down—this trick gives you larger, bakery-style clusters. Bake for 20 to 25 minutes, stirring once halfway through to ensure even toasting. Watch closely toward the end so nothing gets burnt!
Step 6: Cool and Add Dried Fruit
When the granola is golden and fragrant, remove it from the oven. Resist any urge to stir—letting it cool completely on the baking sheet helps those amazing crunchy pieces form. Once fully cooled, break it into chunks and toss in your favorite dried fruit.
How to Serve Healthy Homemade Granola
Garnishes
A handful of freshly sliced bananas, a sprinkle of cacao nibs, or a dollop of tangy yogurt all take Healthy Homemade Granola to the next level. Try a drizzle of nut butter or a dusting of extra cinnamon if you’re feeling fancy!
Side Dishes
Pair this granola with a vibrant fruit salad, a green smoothie, or a simple bowl of milk (dairy or plant-based!). It’s perfect alongside a hot cup of coffee or herbal tea, and makes a delightful topping for smoothie bowls during brunch.
Creative Ways to Present
Layer your Healthy Homemade Granola in parfait glasses with yogurt and fresh berries for a stunning breakfast, or pack it into mason jars as beautiful homemade gifts. It also makes a wonderful crunchy topping for baked apples or folded into pancake batter for extra autumnal flair.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Once your Healthy Homemade Granola has cooled completely, store it in an airtight container at room temperature. It will keep fresh and crunchy for up to two weeks, making breakfast or snack time a breeze throughout the week.
Freezing
For longer storage, portion your granola into freezer-safe bags or containers. It freezes beautifully for up to three months—just be sure to let it thaw at room temperature for about 30 minutes before eating. This is a lifesaver for meal prepping or snack emergencies!
Reheating
If you want to revive maximum crunchiness after freezing or storage, spread your Healthy Homemade Granola on a baking sheet and toast it in a 300°F oven for 5 minutes. Let it cool before eating to ensure those marvelous crisp clusters.
FAQs
Can I make this Healthy Homemade Granola gluten-free?
Absolutely! Just be sure to use certified gluten-free rolled oats and check that all mix-ins don’t contain any sneaky gluten ingredients. The recipe remains just as flavorful and snack-worthy.
How can I make my granola extra crunchy?
The trick is to let the granola cool undisturbed on the baking sheet after baking. Pressing it down before baking and resisting the urge to stir while it’s cooling lets those coveted clusters set up perfectly!
Can I reduce the sugar in the recipe?
You sure can—just lower the amount of maple syrup or honey slightly, though keep in mind that the sweetener also helps bind everything together. You might lose some crunch, but it’ll still be delicious.
What other mix-ins work well in Healthy Homemade Granola?
It’s wonderfully flexible! Try pumpkin seeds, sunflower seeds, cacao nibs, or a little nutmeg or ginger for spice. Dried apricots, cherries, or even dark chocolate chips (added after baking) are all excellent too.
Can I make the granola oil-free?
Oil really contributes to the texture and helps with browning, but if you prefer, unsweetened applesauce can be swapped in for a slightly softer but still tasty batch. Just watch it while baking to prevent burning.
Final Thoughts
If you’ve never tried making your own Healthy Homemade Granola, this is your sign—the aroma alone is reason enough! With endless ways to customize and moments to savor, I hope this recipe makes its way into your regular breakfast and snack rotation. Give it a try and share your delicious creations with friends and family!
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Healthy Homemade Granola Recipe
- Total Time: 35 minutes
- Yield: 10 servings 1x
- Diet: Vegan, Gluten-Free
Description
This Healthy Homemade Granola recipe is a crunchy and flavorful treat that is perfect for breakfast or a snack. Made with wholesome ingredients like oats, nuts, and seeds, sweetened with maple syrup, and customizable with your favorite mix-ins, this granola is a delicious and nutritious way to start your day.
Ingredients
Oat Mixture:
- 3 cups old-fashioned rolled oats
- 1 cup raw nuts (such as almonds, walnuts, or pecans), roughly chopped
- 1/2 cup unsweetened shredded coconut (optional)
- 1/4 cup chia seeds or flaxseeds
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
Wet Mixture:
- 1/2 cup maple syrup or honey
- 1/3 cup coconut oil or olive oil
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Add After Baking:
- 1/2 cup dried fruit (such as cranberries, raisins, or chopped dates)
Instructions
- Preheat the oven: Preheat the oven to 325°F (160°C) and line a large baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Mix Dry Ingredients: In a large bowl, combine oats, chopped nuts, shredded coconut, chia seeds, salt, and cinnamon.
- Prepare Wet Mixture: In a small saucepan over low heat, warm the maple syrup (or honey), oil, and vanilla extract until smooth.
- Combine Ingredients: Pour the wet mixture over the dry ingredients and stir until coated.
- Bake: Spread the mixture on the baking sheet, bake for 20–25 minutes, stirring halfway through.
- Cool and Add Fruit: Let the granola cool without stirring, then mix in dried fruit.
- Storage: Store in an airtight container for up to 2 weeks.
Notes
- Customize with your favorite mix-ins like pumpkin seeds, cacao nibs, or spices like nutmeg or ginger.
- For extra crunch, let the granola cool undisturbed on the baking sheet.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Breakfast, Snack
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/2 cup
- Calories: 210
- Sugar: 8 g
- Sodium: 90 mg
- Fat: 11 g
- Saturated Fat: 4 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 25 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 4 g
- Cholesterol: 0 mg
