What Is Granola Made Of?
Here I explain the best ingredients for homemade granola cereal, what each one does in the recipe, and substitution options. For measurements, see the recipe card.
Rolled Oats – Rolled oats work best for granola recipes. Avoid quick-cooking oats or steel-cut oats, as they won’t create the classic granola texture. If you need it to be gluten free granola, make sure the packaging says “certified gluten free”, because some brands can be exposed to gluten when they are processed. Mixed Nuts & Seeds – I used a mix of pecans, pumpkin seeds (pepitas), and hemp seeds. Other nuts and seeds, such as walnuts, almonds, or sunflower seeds, would also work great. Feel free to use a bag of nut mix for convenience. Sea Salt – Adding a bit of salt to homemade granola helps bring out the sweetness. Cinnamon – Paired with maple syrup, cinnamon complements the sweet and savory flavors perfectly. Feel free to omit it if you’re not a fan. Coconut Oil – Melted coconut oil helps the granola get crispy and form clusters. You could also use extra-virgin olive oil or melted unsalted butter. Maple Syrup – Adds sweetness and helps the granola clusters stick together. I often use store-bought sugar-free maple syrup, but you can this granola recipe with real maple syrup as well or make homemade maple syrup. Honey works great, too. Vanilla Extract – Use high quality vanilla extract for the best flavor. Dried Fruit – Although optional, dried fruit adds a burst of sweet flavor to this healthy granola recipe. Some bags of mixed nuts include raisins, but you could also use dried cranberries, apricots, blueberries, or cherries.
How To Make Granola
This section shows how to make homemade granola, with step-by-step photos and details about the technique, to help you visualize it. For full instructions with amounts and temperatures, see the recipe card.
Granola Recipe Flavor Variations
Chocolate – Trade dried fruit for chocolate chips to create a chocolate granola cereal. I prefer to use sugar free chocolate chips (this is healthy granola, after all), but any kind will work. Caramel – Use brown sugar (or Besti Brown) instead of maple syrup. You could also omit the dried fruit and drizzle with sugar-free caramel sauce for serving. Honey – Though just as delicious, honey gives these oats a different kind of sweetness. If you like honey-sweetened cereals, use honey in this granola (or sugar-free honey) instead of maple syrup. Pumpkin – Replace the cinnamon with pumpkin pie spice for a burst of fall flavor.
Storage Instructions
Store homemade granola in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 weeks. I like to use wide mouth mason jars, but you could also use cereal dispensers for easy pouring.
Crave-worthy granola is all about striking the right balance of sweet and savory, crunchy and chewy. Here are a few tips to make this simple granola recipe perfect:
Experiment. Don’t be afraid to experiment with different types of nuts and seeds. Flax seeds, cashews, pistachios, and chia seeds seeds are all great additions to granola. Sweeten to your taste. Feel free to taste the granola before baking to check the sweetness. You can adjust the amount of maple syrup to your liking. I made mine just lightly sweet. Arrange in a thin layer. If your pan is too small and you spread the granola in a thick layer, it won’t cook evenly. Stir if you don’t want clumps. I like clumpy granola, so I don’t stir during baking, but if you like yours finer, stir every 10-15 minutes during baking. Cool completely. Before attempting to break the granola into pieces, let it cool completely. It won’t be fully crisp until cooled.
Can You Freeze Granola?
Yes, you can freeze granola. Place it in an airtight container and pop it in the freezer for up to 6 months.
How To Eat Granola
Now that you know how to make granola, there are so many delicious ways to eat it! Of course, you can always just eat granola recipes straight from the container (no judgment here). But if you’re looking for something a little more creative, here are some ideas:
Milk – Eat granola for cereal! I like to pour almond milk or hemp milk over mine, but you can use any milk you prefer. Yogurt – Yogurt and granola are the perfect combo of creamy and crunchy! Try it with Greek yogurt, regular yogurt, or for a dairy-free option, coconut yogurt. Ice Cream – Granola makes a delicious dessert topping! Sprinkle it onto your favorite ice cream. Almond milk ice cream is one of my favorites lately. Muffin Topping – I love to add granola to my muffins! Not only does it add a delicious crunch, but it also ups the nutrients. Try this easy granola recipe on protein muffins or banana muffins. Smoothie Bowl – Make your favorite smoothie in a bowl, then top with granola. Fruit – Drizzle your favorite fruit with peanut butter and add healthy granola for a nutrient-packed breakfast. Fall Sides – Crunchy granola works well for topping sweet and savory fall side dishes, like roasted butternut squash, healthy roasted sweet potatoes, or mashed sweet potatoes.
More Healthy Oat Recipes
This granola recipe is definitely one of my favorites, but don’t stop there! Enjoy these other sweet breakfast ideas with oats: Please enter your first name for your account. Your saved recipe will also be sent to your email. Nutrition info uses regular maple syrup and does not include the optional dried fruit. 📖 Want more recipes like this? Find this one and many more in my Healthy Ebook Bundle!
