Fulfill your crunchy craving any time of day with this easy homemade granola recipe that is high in protein, fiber, and healthy fats. With the perfect combo of oats, nuts, seeds, and fix-ins, this recipe is foolproof, easily customizable, and hits the spot every time.
I can’t be the only one who is constantly craving something crunchy to snack on.
Sweet or salty, it doesn’t matter. If it’s crunchy, it’s calling my name.
Luckily, this easy homemade granola recipe is the best sweet and salty (and crunchy!) fix for my craving at time of day.
Better yet, it has the perfect combo of ingredients high in protein, healthy fats, and nutrients to keep you feeling full and energized throughout the day.
You can eat this granola until your heart (and belly) is content. Then, next time, use it as your base recipe and get to experimenting with different types of nuts, seeds, spices, and fix-ins.
Use what you have, what you love, or what’s in season – the options are endless.
Give this recipe a try to see what all the hype is about, and soon you’ll be craving it, too.
Why You’ll Love This Easy Homemade Granola
- Well, for starters, it’s easy – This is a simple, customizable, and foolproof recipe that allows you to mix and match the ingredients and add whatever spices and toppings you enjoy or have on hand.
- One granola, many uses – From breakfast to snack time to dessert, you’ll be craving this crunchy granola all day long.
- Packs in the protein – Whichever nuts and seeds you choose, you’ll be filling your belly with healthy fats and proteins that will keep you feeling satiated throughout the day.
- Plenty to go round – This recipe cooks up a decent amount of granola, perfect for making large batches to store in the pantry or gifting a jar full to your friend.
Beware of tiny toddler fingers stealing your granola.
Is Homemade Granola Good For You?
Made with old-fashioned oats, raw nuts and seeds, and dried fruits, this easy homemade granola is good for you in more ways than one.
Oats
Often considered to be one of the healthiest grains to consume, oats are a good source of carbs, protein, fiber, vitamins, and minerals.
Oats are high in both insoluble and soluble fiber. Although insoluble fiber is not digested or absorbed by the body, it is crucial in improving the digestive system by bulking up the contents and promoting movement through the digestive tract.
On the other hand, soluble fiber dissolves in water and is easily absorbed throughout the digestive system. Beta-glucan, the type of soluble fiber in oats, is responsible for numerous health benefits.
Specifically, beta glucans are known for reducing blood sugar, total cholesterol, and LDL (bad cholesterol) levels, thus effectively lowering your risk for type 2 diabetes, heart disease, and stroke.
Oats are also impressively high in manganese, a trace mineral crucial for keeping both our bones and immune systems strong.
Nuts + Seeds
Nuts and seeds provide protein, healthy fats, fiber, and a wide variety of vitamins and minerals. The nuts and seeds I use in this recipe (or offer as alternatives) are all great sources of:
- Protein. Nuts and seeds are some of the highest sources of plant-based proteins. One ounce can contain up to 9 grams of protein depending on the type. If you’re looking to get the most protein in your granola, use peanuts, almonds, pumpkin seeds, and sunflower seeds.
- Healthy fats. Omega-3 fats present in most nuts and seeds provide a good source of energy, reduce cholesterol and triglycerides, and lower blood pressure.
- Antioxidants. Although the antioxidant type and amount vary based on the types of nuts and seeds you use, you can consume numerous antioxidants, including flavonoids and vitamin E. 1 ounce serving of nuts can give you nearly half of your daily intake of vitamin E, which is important for building immunity and preventing blood clots from forming.
- Vitamins + minerals. While nuts and seeds contain a wide array of vitamins and minerals, some of the most abundant are magnesium, copper, and thiamine. Magnesium is essential for healthy bones, muscles, and nerves as well as maintaining a healthy blood sugar level. Copper is used endlessly throughout the body, but most importantly in building the immune and circulatory systems. Also known as vitamin B1, thiamine is vital for maintaining a strong immune system and supporting a healthy brain and good memory.
Dried Fruit
The cherry on top of this homemade granola is the addition of dried fruit.
Aside from adding a pop of sweet or tart flavor, dried fruit is another great source of fiber, vitamins, and antioxidants.
Dried fruits that are deep red, blue, or purple contain a particular group of antioxidants called anthocyanins, which have natural anti-inflammatory, antiviral, and anticarcinogenic effects.
The essential vitamins and minerals present in dried fruit (iron, potassium, calcium, vitamin C, etc.) are associated with health benefits such as lower blood pressure, enhanced energy production, bone strengthening, help with proper muscle and nerve functioning, and more.
Ingredients
- Rolled Oats – also called “old-fashioned oats”, they’re denser and sturdier than quick or instant oats and therefore can withstand the bake time in the oven. If you want this granola to be gluten-free, make sure they’re certified gluten-free oats.
- Nuts – It’s best to use raw and unsalted nuts here so that your granola isn’t overly salty. I typically like to use chopped walnuts, chopped pecans, and sliced almonds, but feel free to use what you prefer or have on hand. Cashews, pistachios, peanuts, and macadamia nuts are also delicious.
- Seeds – Again, aim for raw and unsalted. I love the combo of sunflower and pumpkin seeds, but some other good options that I love include chia, hemp, or flax seeds.
- Oil – Olive or avocado oils are best as they both are rich in omega-9 fatty acids (the good fats), known for keeping our hearts and brains healthy.
- Sweetener – Maple syrup or raw honey adds the perfect touch of sweetness that cuts through the fatty richness of the nuts and seeds. The natural sugars also hold big granola clusters together and give it the ultimate crispy crunchy texture.
- Salt + Spices – The flavor options are endless here. This recipe calls for a whole tablespoon of sea salt, which is necessary to enhance all the other flavors. Reduce this amount by half if using traditional table salt. Ground cinnamon gives the granola a warm, toasty flavor, but other great options are ground ginger, cloves, nutmeg, cardamom, or pumpkin pie spice.
- Dried Fruit – Add a pop of chewy sweetness with your favorite dried fruit. I use dried cranberries here because I always have them in my pantry. Dried blueberries, cherries, dates, apricots, or raisins are all fantastic. Try dried pineapple, mango, and coconut chips for a tropical twist.
Instructions
1. Preheat oven to 325° F.
2. Combine dry ingredients in a large bowl and stir briefly to combine.
3. Add sweetener and oil to the dry mixture. Stir thoroughly to ensure all parts of the dry mixture are coated evenly.
4. Line a 13 x 18 inch baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicone baking mat. Pour granola out onto the baking sheet and spread out evenly.
5. Place in the oven and bake for 20 minutes, stirring halfway through, or until granola is slightly golden.
6. Remove the granola from the oven and allow it to cool for 30 minutes (this is important for crispiness and proper storage).
7. Once cooled, sprinkle on the dried fruit and break apart the granola with your hands into big clusters or crumble into the consistency you like best.
8. Store in your pantry in an airtight container for up to 2 months or in the freezer for up to 6 months.
Easy Homemade Granola
Fulfill your crunchy craving any time of day with this easy homemade granola recipe that is high in protein, fiber, and healthy fats. With the perfect combo of oats, nuts, seeds, and fix-ins, this recipe is foolproof, easily customizable, and hits the spot every time.
Ingredients
- 3 cups rolled oats
- 2 cups chopped raw nuts (I use 2/3 cups each of sliced almonds, chopped pecans, and chopped walnuts)
- 1 cup raw seeds (I use 1/2 cup each of sunflower and pumpkin seeds)
- 1/2 cup maple syrup or honey
- 1/3 cup olive or avocado oil
- 2 tablespoons ground cinnamon
- 1 tablespoon sea salt
- 1/2 cup dried fruit (I use dried cranberries)
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 325° F.
- Combine dry ingredients in a large bowl and stir briefly to combine.
- Add sweetener and oil to the dry mixture. Stir thoroughly to ensure all parts of the dry mixture are coated evenly.
- Line a 13 x 18-inch baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicone baking mat. Pour granola out onto the baking sheet and spread out evenly.
- Place in the oven and bake for 20 minutes, stirring halfway through, or until granola is slightly golden.
- Remove the granola from the oven and allow it to cool for 30 minutes (this is important for crispiness and proper storage).
- Once cooled, sprinkle on dried fruit and break apart granola with your hands into big clusters or crumble into the consistency you like best.
- Store in your pantry in an airtight container for up to 2 months or in the freezer for up to 6 months.
Notes
- It's best to use raw and unsalted nuts and seeds so that your granola isn't overly salty.
- Reduce the amount of salt by half if using traditional table salt.
- Other nuts: cashews, pistachios, peanuts, and macadamia nuts.
- Other seeds: hemp, chia, or flax seeds.
- Other spices: ground ginger, cloves, nutmeg, cardamom, or pumpkin pie spice (start with 2 teaspoons of any of these spices and increase depending on your taste preference).
- Other dried fruits: blueberries, cherries, dates, apricots, raisins, pineapple, mango, or coconut chips.
Important note: Make sure your granola has cooled and dried completely before storing it. Any extra heat or moisture trapped inside the storage container can lead to mold formation (and less than crunchy granola).
How To Store Your Homemade Granola
You can store your homemade granola in an airtight container in the pantry for up to 2 months.
Make sure your granola has cooled and dried completely before storing it. Any extra heat or moisture trapped inside the container can lead to mold formation (or less-than crunchy granola).
If you need to store it for longer, place your granola in the freezer for up to 6 months.
How To Use Your Homemade Granola
- Enjoy simply on its own for a delicious, high-protein snack (perfect for on-the-go)
- Layer with fresh fruit on top of yogurt for the best homemade parfait
- Sprinkle over your favorite smoothie bowl
- Combine with cold milk for a late-night bowl of cereal
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Thanks for reading! Let me know what you think of this recipe in the comments – I always appreciate the feedback!
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