Easy Healthy Homemade Granola Recipe

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ELIZABETH

I'm a Certified Health Coach, longtime blogger, and host of Elizabeth Eats on YouTube. In addition to writing recipes (I love to eat!), I'm a strong believer that life is too short to settle for anything less than living your best life.

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Healthy Homemade Granola

This 7-ingredient healthy homemade granola recipe is an easy, comforting, and delicious treat.

Most store-bought granola is high in sugar, contains unhealthy saturated fats and oils, and is packed full of fillers and unnecessary ingredients.

Fortunately for you and me, this granola isn’t full of the yucky stuff.

Whipping up this healthy homemade granola recipe is super quick. It allows you to control the amount of sugar and quality of ingredients while also changing things up and adding in the flavors you love.

Ingredients for Healthy Homemade Granola

You just need 7 simple ingredients to make healthy homemade granola, and you may already have them all in your pantry:

  • 2–3 tablespoons real maple syrup or honey
  • 2 tablespoons virgin coconut oil (or other healthy cooking oil such as extra virgin olive oil)
  • 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1 large pinch of fine sea salt (about 1/8 teaspoon; I use Real Salt)
  • 2 cups whole rolled oats (aka old-fashioned oats, preferably organic)
  • 1/2 cup raw nuts, chopped (or slivered almonds; you don’t need to chop them)
  • 1/4 cup raw pumpkin seeds
  • 2 tablespoons raw sunflower seeds
  • 1/2 cup unsweetened dried fruit, chopped (optional; I like unsweetened dried cranberries)

See the printable recipe card below, and here’s a full YouTube episode if you want to make this with me in my kitchen:

YouTube video

Healthy homemade granola also makes your house smell amazing—like you’ve been slaving in the kitchen all day! But don’t worry; you can make this from start to finish in 25 minutes or less.

Is it cheaper to make your own granola? It’s cheaper to make your own granola if you choose to make it more than once. It may be slightly costly to buy all of the ingredients in bulk, but homemade granola is very affordable in the long run.

This healthy granola recipe was one of the first recipes I’ve ever posted on this blog. Since then, it’s been downloaded hundreds of thousands of times with rave reviews. This recipe is still a staple in my house after all these years!

healthy homemade granola recipe

Ingredient Tips & Details:

1. Whole Rolled Oats

Whole oats are full of good-for-you fiber, protein, and vitamins and minerals like folate, iron, and magnesium.

I buy my whole rolled oats in the bulk section at my local grocery store, but if your store doesn’t have a bulk section, you’ll probably be able to find them in the baking aisle.

Regardless, be sure you are buying 100% whole rolled oats for your homemade granola. Avoid anything that says “instant” or “quick-cooking.” (Instant/quick-cooking oats = processed/higher-glycemic/more-bad-for-you.)

Oats are gluten-free by nature, but most are held in facilities that contain gluten. Check the package label for a “certified gluten-free” badge if you’re allergic or sensitive to gluten.

healthy homemade granola recipe

2. Coconut Oil (Or Any Healthy Oil)

I like to use coconut oil because it adds a really lovely light flavor to the granola, but you can use any healthy oil that you prefer. The small amount of oil we use here helps pull healthy homemade granola, but you can barely taste it.

Other options: Extra virgin olive oil, grapeseed oil, or macadamia nut oil would also be great here.

I often use extra virgin olive oil in my granola if I don’t use coconut oil. Avocado oil probably has too strong of a flavor, but you could try it in a pinch.

Oils to avoid: Oils high in omega-3 fats, such as flaxseed oil, are great for your health but should be avoided here. They’re meant to be consumed raw and go rancid when heated (omega-3’s don’t like heat at all—don’t cook with them). I typically avoid using canola oil because it contains a high amount of omega-6’s associated with inflammation.

3. Nuts, Seeds, Dried Fruit & More

This is where you can customize your healthy homemade granola to your preferences. I give you the exact tried-and-true homemade granola recipe I make at home below, but feel free to substitute any of the nuts, seeds, or dried fruit with an equal amount of one of the three.

I always add unsalted nuts and seeds to my homemade granola for flavor, texture, extra nutrients, and added healthy protein & fiber. Use what you like and what you have on hand. I like to include almonds, walnuts, peanuts, pistachios, cashews, and pecans. If you avoid nuts, you can substitute the nuts with more pumpkin (pepitas) or sunflower seeds.

A small amount of unsweetened dried fruit such as raisins, dried cranberries, or dried apricots makes an excellent addition, too. I like to buy unsweetened dried fruit to keep the sugar content down; I buy it in the bulk section of my grocery store for a great price.

From a health perspective, read your labels. The dried fruit at conventional grocery stores often has loads of sugar added to it. However, the naturally dried fruit that you find at health-focused grocery stores adds a lovely flavor and contains many nutrients without excessive sugar.

You can also add other mix-ins to give a fun twist to your homemade granola. Try options such as chia seeds, shredded coconut flakes, dark chocolate chips to provide a yummy boost to your granola. If you add chocolate chips, add them after your granola cools to prevent making a huge mushy mess.

healthy homemade granola recipe

4. Honey or Real Maple Syrup

To add a little sweetness to healthy homemade granola, I prefer real maple syrup. Just be sure it’s the real stuff and none of that pancake syrup nonsense (conventional “pancake” syrup is corn syrup with maple flavoring—yuck!).

As with everything, read your labels. The only ingredient in maple syrup should be maple syrup.

To keep your granola healthy, go easy on the sweetener to keep the sugar content down. Always avoid white, highly processed sugars and artificial sweeteners. Read the maple syrup and honey labels and make sure the only ingredients in the bottle are maple syrup (no corn syrup) or honey.

You can leave out the sweetener or reduce it if you prefer. However, the stickiness of the honey or maple syrup will help create the clusters that granola is known for.

5. Vanilla Extract, Cinnamon & Sea Salt

Don’t skip the vanilla extract and salt! Vanilla extract adds a gourmet flavor to homemade granola, and salt brings out every ingredient’s flavor and makes the sweetener taste even sweeter.

I use Real Salt brand sea salt for purity and its more delicate texture that melts into recipes like this. You can find it at just about any grocery store these days.

Kosher salt would work, too, but it’s a bit more coarse, so you really have to work it into the mixture with your hands.

How to Make Crunchy & Clumpy Granola

Making crunchier, clumpy granola requires no extra ingredients—just a couple of additional steps. Make sure to press the ingredients into an even layer before baking. Stir the granola once halfway through baking.

To achieve extra crunch to your granola, press on the granola before it fully cools to room temperature, and then avoid bumping it until it fully cools so the clumps can dry together.

How to Store and Serve Homemade Granola

Storing granola is similar to storing dried oatmeal. Because this recipe is homemade, you can keep it in an airtight container for up to 2 weeks.

I personally prefer to store my homemade granola in a mason jar in my refrigerator or in a BPA-free plastic bag when I’m traveling or on the go.

Here is my favorite recipe, and be sure to check out more recipe variations under the recipe card, too!

Print
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Healthy Homemade Granola

Easy Healthy Homemade Granola Recipe

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star 4.8 from 5 reviews
  • Author: Elizabeth Rider
  • Prep Time: 10
  • Cook Time: 12
  • Total Time: 25 minutes
  • Yield: 68 servings 1x
  • Category: Breakfast, Snack
  • Method: Mix, Bake
  • Cuisine: American

Description

This healthy homemade granola recipe has been a go-to favorite of mine and others for over 8 years! It’s super simple, healthy, and absolutely delicious.

If you love this recipe, give it a star rating in the comments below to help other readers in our community.


Ingredients

Scale
  • 23 tablespoons real maple syrup or honey
  • 2 tablespoons virgin coconut oil (or other healthy cooking oil)
  • 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1 large pinch of fine sea salt (about 1/8 teaspoon; I use Real Salt)
  • 2 cups whole rolled oats (aka old fashioned oats, preferably organic)
  • 1/2 cup raw nuts, chopped (or slivered almonds; you don’t need to chop them)
  • 1/4 cup raw pumpkin seeds
  • 2 tablespoons raw sunflower seeds
  • 1/2 cup unsweetened dried fruit, chopped (optional; I like unsweetened dried cranberries)

Instructions

  1. Preheat the oven to 300º F (177° C). (If your oven runs cool or is older, 325º F also works.)
  2. Combine the oil and maple syrup (or honey), vanilla extract, and salt in the bottom of a large bowl (mixing bowl is best) and give it a quick stir. The coconut oil might be solid depending on your climate (it has a melting point of about 75ºF), and that’s ok! A rough mix to incorporate the vanilla into the coconut oil and sweetener is all you need to do here.
  3. Add the rest of the dry ingredients, use your clean hands to mix well, and toss it to coat. It will be sticky and messy, but that’s the fun part. Your hands will warm the oil and melt it into the mixture if it’s solid; just be sure to mix it all through the other ingredients, so there aren’t any chunks of oil left.
  4. Spread the mixture in a thin layer on a rimmed baking sheet or sheet pan lined with parchment paper and bake for 10-12 minutes until very lightly toasted. (To make this recipe completely raw-friendly, dehydrate the mixture 5-6 hours at 115ºF in a food dehydrator instead.)
  5. Cool 10-15 minutes before serving or storing.
YouTube video

Notes

Homemade granola will taste like burnt popcorn if you overcook it; keep it at a low temperature just for 10-12 minutes to let it come together. I usually pull mine out at 10 minutes.

Oats are gluten-free by nature, but most are held in facilities that contain gluten. Check the package label and buy certified gluten-free oats if you are concerned with any gluten content.

This granola can be kept in an airtight container in a cool, dry place for up to 2 weeks. I keep mine in a mason jar in the refrigerator at home and in a BPA-free plastic bag when traveling.

Homemade Granola Recipe Variations

Get creative with your granola! This recipe is flexible and super easy to modify. Use any combo of healthy ingredients to make it your own flavor and consistency (crunchy, crispy, toasted, chunky, etc.).

Here are a few ideas to get you started:

Healthy Homemade Maple Almond Granola Recipe

  • 2 cups raw, whole rolled oats
  • ½ cup sliced raw almonds
  • ¼ cup raw sunflower seeds
  • 2 tbsp maple syrup (100% real maple syrup)
  • 1 tbsp raw honey
  • 2 tbsp virgin coconut oil
  • ¼ tsp vanilla extract
  • 1 large pinch fine sea salt

Healthy Homemade Cherry Pecan Granola

  • 2 cups raw, whole rolled oats
  • ½ cup raw pecans, chopped
  • ½ cup unsweetened dried cherries, chopped
  • ¼ cup raw sliced almond
  • ¼ cup raw sunflower seeds
  • 2 tbsp maple syrup (100% maple syrup, preferably grade-b)
  • 2 tbsp virgin coconut oil
  • ¼ tsp vanilla extract
  • 1 large pinch fine sea salt
healthy homemade granola recipe

The Healthiest Homemade Granola Recipe

This super delicious, healthy granola recipe below is the perfect combination of oats, oils, nuts, seeds, dried fruit, and sweetness. It makes about three cups of homemade granola.

Half a cup is typically a single serving. You can always double batch the recipe for extra granola goodness.

Serving Suggestions:

  • Serve it as cereal with unsweetened, non-dairy milk (I prefer it with unsweetened almond milk), or milk if you tolerate dairy
  • Put it on top of unsweetened Greek yogurt or make a granola & yogurt parfait
  • Use it as the “stuffing” in baked apples, and you’ll have a new favorite dessert
  • Enjoy it plain as a snack (homemade granola travels well in little bags)

Be sure to check out the flavor variations under the recipe card, too!

Homemade Granola FAQs:

What is granola made of? Granola is typically made from rolled oats (some may use a variation of old-fashioned oats or muesli) combined with other ingredients like nuts, seeds, dried fruits, or even sweet treats like dark chocolate chips.

Homemade granola is baked until a perfect golden brown and can be eaten as is (yum) or sweetened lightly with brown sugar, maple syrup, or honey.

Is granola bad for you? Granola is a wonderful alternative to most breakfast foods and snacks loaded with unhealthy carbohydrates, saturated fats, and sugars. Anything can become unhealthy when eaten without moderation, but overall, granola is the perfect healthy alternative.

What is the healthiest granola? Always low sugar and high in nutrients. I always prefer homemade over store-bought whenever possible because you can control the ingredients and adjust based on your nutritional needs.

healthy homemade granola recipe

More Delicious Breakfast On-the-Go Recipes:

healthy homemade granola recipe

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  1. Laura E Cronin says:

    My go-to granola recipe!






  2. windows 10 says:

    windows 10 love you

  3. Katie Chambers says:

    How do I see the recipe? I cliked on view recipe and it said I needed to download an extension. I downloaded the extension, and now when I click on view recipe, it takes me to a homepage for quick online recipes listing various recipes, but not this one.

  4. Lois Ann says:

    HI Elizabeth
    My sister past on this recipe to me and my partner and I both love it.
    I realize nutrient value/calorie total will vary depending if you alter your ingredients, but do you post this information? I cannot seem to find it.
    Thank you,
    Lois

  5. Linda D says:

    Elizabeth, I have been making your granola recipe since you first posted it. And shared with many who loved it. Now, my husband is wanting to be on a healthier diet, so I made him the granola with unsweetened coconut, dried cranberries, hemp and sunflower seeds. He loves it! We went through some of of your other recipes, and our next one is the fried rice for dinner this week. Thank you for sharing your delicious and healthy recipes.

  6. Dena says:

    Hi! I just made this recipe, and it is so good!
    The best homemade granola I’ve tried.
    I used Bob’s Red Mill old country style museli, and olive oil, keeping all else the same, and it turned out great. Thank you!

  7. Donna Florio says:

    I made this according to directions, but I think the heat needs to be bumped up to 325. It was not cooked enough for my taste. Otherwise very good.






  8. Jan says:

    What a great basic recipe! You can add all kinds of things that you like! Love this, thank you!






  9. Mirza Zubair says:

    Granola recipe is outstanding. Your all recipes become delicious, lot of recipes i tried at home. Keep sharing good stuff.






  10. Marie says:

    This was so easy to make and delicious. This was the first time I’ve made this but I will be making it again and doubling the recipe. It smells so good when it is cooking.






  11. Antonia says:

    Hi! The coconut oil is measured as melted or condensed?

    Thanks!

  12. Lianne byrne says:

    Hello, can’t wait to try this, but I was wondering do you know the nutrition information?

    Thanks

  13. Hi, Elizabeth! Thank you for this great recipe! I have a question. How many calories are there?

  14. Hi to evеry one, tһe contents present аt this site are actually amazing fⲟr people experience, ᴡell,
    қeep up the nice wоrk fellows.

  15. Debbie says:

    I tried it. It was a First Class recipe. Everyone enjoyed it. Thanks.
    But I have a doubt: Once we give in our name and email for the free ebook, does it appear on my gmail account or only on an email account?

  16. Debbie says:

    I tried your recipe. First class. Everyone loved it. Thanks.

  17. Susan says:

    I just made the granola. It’s so easy, quick and frickin’ awesome. I added Craisins, almonds, walnuts, raisins and pumpkin seeds along with the oats, coconut oil, maple syrup (B) and honey. So good! I’ll do the same next time and also add flax seeds. I can’t believe I haven’t made granola before!

  18. Flora says:

    I tried the recipe with some changes and it turned out very light, crispy and delicious. Because i could only find thick organic rolled Oats in the grocery store nearby, I increased the cooking time to 20 minutes so that the oats become crispy. I also added the dried cherries after the mixture came out of oven and got cold. The rest of recipe was the same. My only regret is that I did not make the homemade granola earlier!! Thank you Elizabeth for the great recipe!!

  19. Hunt Linda says:

    How many grams of sugar is in a serving of your granola?

  20. Narelle says:

    I absolutely love your granola recipe 😍, everyone in my family eats it morning and supper. Thank you.

  21. Gerry Martin says:

    Hi…Just made your granola. How could I make this into granola bars?

  22. Janice Hopkins says:

    Best granola I’ve ever had. I went exact on the ingredients. No subs. It’s wonderful.

  23. Punam Paul says:

    Homemade granola is the best! These ingredients are all so healthy but also so tasty together – great recipe!

  24. Jeannie says:

    Hi Elizabeth,

    I noticed the serving size when I emailed you, but can you tell me the approx. size serving, 1/3 or 1/2 cup?

    thank
    Jeannie W.

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Hi, I'm Elizabeth

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