A Basic Homemade Granola Recipe You Can Customize (2024)

Tweet

Share

Pin1.9K

This basic homemade granola recipe can be customized for food preferences and allergies or to use whatever ingredients you happen to have in your pantry.

Jump to Recipe Print Recipe

A Basic Homemade Granola Recipe You Can Customize (1)

What’s your excuse for not making homemade granola? Do you think it will be hard? Couldn’t be easier! Afraid it won’t taste as good as store-bought? No way! Think you don’t have the right ingredients on hand? I bet you do!

I’m tackling those excuses head-on with this super easy, healthy, family pleasing homemade granola recipe that you can customize with whatever ingredients you happen to have in your pantry!

A Basic Homemade Granola Recipe You Can Customize (2)

I may receive commissions from purchases made through links in this article including Amazon Affiliates. Full Disclosure

Why Homemade Granola Is So Much Better

I may receive commissions from purchases made through links in this article. Full Disclosure

If you have an oven, a couple of mixing bowls and a rimmed baking sheet, you have no excuse for not making homemade granola! I’ve made more batches than I can count over the years and my family gobbles it up fast. I feel good that it’s full of healthy ingredients (and no unhealthy preservatives or additives) and is better for them than most breakfast cereal (although healthier, low-sugar breakfast cereals do exist).

Here’s why homemade granola is better than store-bought:

Lower Cost – An 8 to 12-oz bag of specialty granola can easily cost $8 to $12 ($1.00 per ounce). Meanwhile, raw rolled oats cost about $.10 or less per oz. (or pay a little bit more for organic rolled oats). I suggest buying nuts and dried fruit from the bulk bins (or at Costco, Trader Joe’s or Thrive Market) for good prices. Same goes for the sweeteners and oils used in granola – grab good deals when you see them and keep them stocked in your pantry.

Healthier – Beware! Store-bought granola can be very high in sugar and may contain unhealthy oils or other surprising ingredients like corn syrup, flour, or soy protein isolates. When you make your own granola, you have control over the amount and type of sugar, the type of oil and all of the other ingredients that go into it.

Customized Recipe – With my basic homemade granola recipe, it’s easy to customize each batch based on the ingredients you happen to have in the house and your family’s personal preferences and dietary needs.

A Basic Homemade Granola Recipe You Can Customize (3)

Customizable Homemade Granola Recipe

The beauty of the recipe is that it is totally customizable. Start with a base of rolled oats, than add whatever nuts, and other mix-ins (shredded coconut, wheat germ, flax meal, chia seeds, hemp hearts), that you happen to have around. Then choose your sweetener of choice (honey, maple syrup, brown sugar), as well as your favorite oil (organic coconut oil is my preference but you can use avocado oil, canola oil or even olive oil), and a blob of nut butter (optional but I think it makes the recipe!).

If someone in your household doesn’t like walnuts, divide the batch in half and use a different nut. If one persons loves apricots but the other grooves on dried cherries, you can please them both! This recipe is perfect for using up odds and ends in your pantry.One of my recent batches included pecans, almonds and walnuts, two types of coconut, and three different types of dried fruit!

By the way, this recipe makes a BIG batch (13 cups). If your family doesn’t motor through granola like mine does, feel free to cut the recipe in half. Keep in mind that granola can be stored in an airtight container for a couple of months without a problem or freeze it in an airtight freezer bag to pull out whenever you need it.

A Basic Homemade Granola Recipe You Can Customize (4)

Here’s how to make homemade granola:

Grab the largest bowl you have. Mix together the oats, nuts and any other dry mix-ins you are using.

A Basic Homemade Granola Recipe You Can Customize (5)

In a small saucepan, mix together the coconut oil, the nut butter and your sweetener of choice. Heat on low until everything is melted. Turn off heat and add vanilla and the salt.

A Basic Homemade Granola Recipe You Can Customize (6)

Pour wet ingredients over dry ingredients and mix until thoroughly coated.

A Basic Homemade Granola Recipe You Can Customize (7)

Spread mixture onto a rimmed baking sheet, roasting or broiling pan (spray with cooking spray first). I use 2 pans for this recipe.

A Basic Homemade Granola Recipe You Can Customize (8)

Bake at 350 degrees for 20-30 minutes or until nicely browned.Important: stir every 5 to 10 minutes to ensure that it browns evenly. I usually give it 10 minutes to start and then move to 5 minute increments to ensure that it won’t get overcooked.

When granola has cooled, mix in the dried fruit.

A Basic Homemade Granola Recipe You Can Customize (10)

A Basic Homemade Granola Recipe You Can Customize (11)

Print Recipe

Whatever You’ve Got Homemade Granola

A basic granola recipe that is customizable to food preferences and allergies or whatever ingredients you happen to have in your pantry.

Prep Time10 minutes mins

Cook Time30 minutes mins

Total Time40 minutes mins

Course: Breakfast

Cuisine: American

Keyword: breakfast, granola, healthy

Servings: 26

Author: Micaela @MindfulMomma

Equipment

  • Rimmed baking sheet

Ingredients

  • 8 cups rolled oats (use organic if possible)
  • 3 cups nuts, seeds or other add-ins (ideas: shredded coconut, slivered almonds, sunflower nuts, pecans, walnuts, pumpkin seeds, flax meal, chia seeds, wheat germ, hemp hearts)
  • 1 cup honey, maple syrup or other sweetener (I recommend 1/2 honey, 1/2 maple syrup or brown sugar)
  • 1/2 cup coconut oil or other oil
  • 1/3 cup peanut butter or other nut butter
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 2 cups dried fruit (ideas: craisins, cherries, apricots, mangos, dates, raisins, dried apples)

Instructions

  • In a large bowl,mix together the oats, nuts and any other dry toppings you are using (coconut, flax, wheat germ etc…)

  • In a small saucepan, mix together the coconut oil, the peanut butter and your sweetener of choice. Heat on low until everything is melted. Turn off heat and add vanilla and the salt. (I prefer to melt ingredients together on the stove, but you can skip that step and mix room temperature ingredients together in a bowl if you prefer.)

  • Pour sweetened mixture over dry ingredients and stir until thoroughly coated.

  • Spread mixture onto 2 rimmed baking sheets (spray pans with cooking spray first or use parchment paper).

  • Bake at 350 degrees for 20-30 minutes or until nicely browned.Important: Stir every 5 to 10 minutes to ensure even cooking.

  • Let granola cool, then mix in the dried fruit.

  • Store in an airtight container for up to 2 months or freeze in airtight freezer bags. Makes approximately 13 cups or 26 1/2 cup servings.

What are your favorite granola mix-ins? Let us know in the comments!

A Basic Homemade Granola Recipe You Can Customize (12)
A Basic Homemade Granola Recipe You Can Customize (13)

Tweet

Share

Pin1.9K

A Basic Homemade Granola Recipe You Can Customize (2024)

FAQs

How to prepare granola to eat? ›

Cereal. One of the simplest ways to eat granola is on its own with a little bit of milk! Having some good, wholesome granola on hand in the pantry is always a good idea for busy mornings. Bring out your granola, pour it into a bowl, then mix it with the milk of your choosing!

Is it worth making your own granola? ›

Once you try homemade granola, you won't go back to store-bought granola. It's so much better! This granola recipe is also a far more healthy granola option, since it's made with whole grains, unrefined oil and naturally sweetened.

What is granola made up? ›

It's a toasted mixture of rolled oats, nuts, and a sweetener like sugar or honey, though it can also include other grains, puffed rice, dried fruit, seeds, spices, and nut butters. Yet, some ingredients — such as chocolate, oils, and syrups — may be high in added sugars and fats.

Can I eat granola without milk? ›

Yes! Granola can be delicious raw. There are a ton of ways you can eat granola on its own, too. Try grabbing a handful of granola as a snack, and throw in a few other hearty ingredients like nuts and dried, chopped fruit to make it even more satisfying.

Is granola with dried fruit healthy? ›

High-fiber foods, like the oats and whole grains found in granola, fill you up and keep you feeling fuller longer. Dietary studies have found eating a high-fiber diet can help you lose weight. Dried fruit and nuts also contain antioxidants, like vitamin E, which can lower inflammation in the body.

Is it OK to eat granola every day? ›

Yes, granola can be eaten daily. As part of a balanced diet and if the portions are checked. Go for healthier options with less added sugars and saturated fats to get the most out of it.

Why is my homemade granola not crunchy? ›

I aim to let it hit room temperature, whatever that may be; the real point is to give it ample time to shed excess heat and steam. This should take about 45 minutes; if left out indefinitely, the granola can turn sticky or soft, so do try to put it away as soon after cooling as you can.

Can too much granola be bad? ›

It can be. "Standard granola often contains rolled oats, which provide fiber and complex carbohydrates, and nuts that contribute healthy fats, plant protein and vitamin E," says Gellman. On the flip side, it can also be a source of saturated fats and added sugars, which are harmful for your heart when eaten in excess.

Is granola with milk a thing? ›

Granola with Milk

Just pour a bowl of granola and add milk as you would with cereal. Serve it with a spoon. My favorite granola for eating as cereal is the granola made with maple syrup so it's not too chunky. Granola with milk makes an easy breakfast for busy mornings whether at home or on vacation.

What is a granola slang? ›

Granola describes someone who loves the outdoors, is environmentally-conscious and low maintenance. A granola may enjoy participating in outside activities such as camping, hiking, and skiing. They often support local small businesses, eat fresh organic foods, and try to reduce their carbon footprint.

Is granola basically oatmeal? ›

Oatmeal vs. Granola. The primary difference between oatmeal and granola is that oatmeal is made from whole oat grains that have been cooked at a higher temperature than usual to gelatinize the starch. Granola contains rolled oats, fruits, honey, raisins, almonds, and other components.

Does homemade granola go bad? ›

When stored properly at room temperature, fresh homemade granola can last for up to four weeks. Preserve its quality by letting it cool completely before storing. Packing it while it's warm leads to condensation and, consequently, unnecessary moisture.

What keeps granola together? ›

When added to your homemade granola bars, honey acts as glue that sticks all the pieces together. Another upside of adding honey to your recipe is that it is a natural sweetener, meaning you won't have to add any artificial sweeteners to your recipe.

What to mix granola with? ›

Granola with milk or yogurt is a great option for a healthier sweet treat at the end of the day, but you can also use it to top ice cream, milkshakes or homemade sweets.

Is granola cooked before eating? ›

Granola contains rolled oats, fruits, honey, raisins, almonds, and other components. Oatmeal must be cooked in hot water before eating, but granola oats can be eaten immediately as a snack.

Is granola eaten raw or cooked? ›

Unlike muesli, granola is mostly served cold. You may eat it straight out of the bag as a snack, with milk, or as a crunchy topping on yogurt. Muesli and granola are two similar breakfast items. The main difference between them is that granola is sweetened and baked, while muesli isn't.

Is granola healthy for weight loss? ›

The Bottom Line. So, is granola good for losing weight? Yes, it can aid in weight loss. However, you need to control your portion size to make sure you get all the nutrients, and it keeps you full for a longer time.

Top Articles
Latest Posts
Article information

Author: Tish Haag

Last Updated:

Views: 5553

Rating: 4.7 / 5 (67 voted)

Reviews: 82% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Tish Haag

Birthday: 1999-11-18

Address: 30256 Tara Expressway, Kutchburgh, VT 92892-0078

Phone: +4215847628708

Job: Internal Consulting Engineer

Hobby: Roller skating, Roller skating, Kayaking, Flying, Graffiti, Ghost hunting, scrapbook

Introduction: My name is Tish Haag, I am a excited, delightful, curious, beautiful, agreeable, enchanting, fancy person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.