Sweetened naturally with honey (or maple syrup) and loaded with your favorite mix-ins, this homemade granola recipe is chunky, chewy, and crunchy – perfect as a snack, breakfast, or a way to satisfy your sweet tooth without the guilt.
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The secret’s out…I LOVE granola. Ever since I was little, granola in milk for breakfast, on top of Baked Apples, or a quick handful as a snack, has been my kryptonite. There’s something about that mix of crunch and chewiness, and of course sweetness, that hits just right!
So from the granola snob herself, creating the best granola recipe was extra important. Loaded with my favorite mix-ins and made with healthier fats from avocado oil and natural honey as a sweetener, this granola is 100% guilt-free and 100% divine.
Expect extra chunky clusters with the perfect chewy and crunchy bite, made in just a few simple steps! And if you still have extra oats on-hand, make a batch of No Bake Cookies, Peach Crisp, or Oatmeal Cream Pies for more sweet oat recipes you’ll love.
Why You’ll Love My Granola Recipe
- Make it ahead: for breakfast and snacks, it keeps for weeks and weeks.
- Customizable: whatever flavor, whatever you want!
- Healthier: no preservatives and made with healthy fats and honey.
- Just *better* than store-bought: chunkier, crunchier, chewier, and better flavor!
Ingredients
For the best granola ever, here are the simple ingredients you need to make it!
- Old-fashioned rolled oats – old-fashioned rolled oats make the best granola because they hold their shape during baking, creating a hearty, chewy texture with just the right crunch.
- Mix-ins (recommended: sliced almonds, pumpkin seeds, and unsweetened coconut flakes) – looking for the best combo of mix-ins? My favorite homemade granola flavor is sliced almonds that get toasty and crunchy, pumpkin seeds that add pretty green, earthy sweetness, and coconut flakes for a chewy tropical touch. But feel free to use whatever combo of flavor you like, from dried fruit to peanut butter, etc.
- Honey – for natural sweetness and the perfect chunky clusters, honey is the best option! You can use maple syrup instead but the granola won’t be as chunky.
- Avocado oil – avocado oil provides healthy fats while helping the oats and mix-ins crisp up without drying out. If you’d prefer to use canola or vegetable oil, you can use either of those as instead.
- Vanilla extract – vanilla makes all baked goods better! Feel free to use almond extract instead.
- Salt – salt enhances flavor.
- Cinnamon – a dash of cinnamon adds warm flavor.
How to Make Granola
Mix dry ingredients. Mix together oats, and nuts, seeds, and/or coconut flakes.
Mix wet ingredients. In a separate bowl, whisk together honey, avocado oil, and vanilla extract.
Combine. Add oat mixture to the honey mixture, mixing thoroughly.
Spread out. Spread out evenly on to a parchment-lined baking sheet, using the back of a spoon to press down.
Bake. Bake for 19-24 minutes at 325℉ until light golden. Do not stir.
Enjoy! Cool completely before breaking into desired chunks and stirring in additional mix-ins.
My Pro Tip
Homemade Granola Tips
Here are some of my pro tips for making the best granola at home:
- Let granola cool completely before breaking up into chunks.
- Use old-fashioned rolled oats that hold their shape and yield the best chewy, crunchy granola.
- Want to add dried fruit like raisins or chocolate chips? Add them AFTER baking and cooling the granola!
- Don’t stir the granola for chunky clusters.
Granola Variations
Homemade granola is truly a blank slate for all your fun cravings! Here are some flavor ideas to inspire you:
- Nuts: almonds, pecans, walnuts, cashews, hazelnuts, peanuts
- Seeds: pumpkin seeds, sunflower seeds, chia seeds, flax seeds, sesame seeds
- Dried Fruit: raisins, cranberries, cherries, blueberries, apricots, banana chips, figs
- Spices & Flavorings: cinnamon, nutmeg, allspice, pumpkin pie spice, vanilla or almond extract, sea salt
- Nut butter: Homemade Peanut Butter, almond butter, cashew butter
- Extras: coconut flakes, chocolate chips or chunks, cacao nibs
Try tropical sunrise granola with coconut, dried mango, and a sprinkle of chia seeds for crunch, or a mocha madness blend with cocoa nibs, espresso powder, slivered almonds, and a dash of cinnamon. Go berry beautiful with freeze-dried strawberries, dried blueberries, pumpkin seeds, and a hint of orange zest, or try a sweet & salty crunch with pretzel pieces, chocolate chips, sunflower seeds, and a drizzle of honey. For a cozy, fall-inspired twist, go fall fabulous with dried apples, pecans, pumpkin seeds, and a swirl of pumpkin pie spice! You can’t go wrong!
Storing Homemade Granola
It’s amazing how long homemade granola lasts when stored correctly! Here are my tips:
Store at room temperature in an airtight container after cooling completely for 2-3 weeks.
Or refrigerate the granola for up to 3 months! Keep in mind that fruit or chocolate chips can soften granola more quickly.
Freeze homemade granola in a freezer-safe bag or container for up to 6 months, letting it come to room temp before enjoying.
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If you’ve tried this Granola Recipe or any other recipe on my website, please let me know in the comments below. I love hearing from you. Please consider leaving a 🌟 star rating while you are here!
Easy Homemade Granola Recipe
Ingredients
- 3 cups old-fashioned rolled oats
- 1 ½ cups mix-ins (in total), recommended ½ cup sliced almonds, ½ cup pumpkin seeds, and ½ cup unsweetened coconut flakes
- ½ cup honey
- ⅓ cup avocado oil
- 1 ½ teaspoons vanilla extract
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon cinnamon, or more or less to taste
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 325℉. Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper.
- In a medium bowl, mix together oats, and nuts, seeds, and coconut flakes.
- In a separate large bowl, whisk together honey, avocado oil, and vanilla extract until well-combined.
- Add oat mixture to the honey mixture, mixing thoroughly.
- Spread out evenly on to the parchment-lined baking sheet. Use the back of a spoon to press down for a chunkier granola.
- Bake for 19-24 minutes until light golden. Do not stir.
- Cool completely before breaking into desired chunks and stirring in dried fruit, chocolate chips, or enjoying as-is!
Video
Notes
- Mix-in ideas to add BEFORE baking: raw nuts, seeds, and coconut flakes
- Mix-in ideas to add AFTER baking and cooling: dried fruit like raisins and chocolate chips
- If you are not adding any mix-ins before baking, up the oats amount to 4 ½ cups.
- Want peanut butter granola? Use 4 ½ cups of oats (or 4 cups oats and ½ cup peanuts), ½ cup peanut butter, 1/3 cup honey and ¼ cup avocado oil, and bake for 5 minutes less.
- You can use maple syrup instead of honey but the granola will be less chunky!
- Don’t worry; homemade granola will firm up as it cools!
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Store-bought granola is usually too sweet for me, but I thought making it at home would be too time consuming. This recipe was easy to follow, and I already had all the ingredients at home. So cool!
Totally agree! So glad you’re happy with the recipe ๐
Grace
This granola recipe is delicious and so easy to make! Love the crunchy and slightly chewy texture.
๐ it’s the best, right? Thanks for letting me know!
Grace
this recipe is incredible. It is the perfect base to add in all of my favorites (chocolate chips and coconut flakes please!!).
Love it!!
Grace