Healthy Homemade Granola Recipe
This Healthy Granola recipe combines old-fashioned rolled oats, raw nuts and seeds, and a touch of natural sweetness from maple syrup or honey. Baked to a golden crisp and mixed with dried fruit, it makes a perfect nutritious breakfast or snack that’s easy to customize and store.
- Author: Viktoria
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 24 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour 19 minutes
- Yield: About 8 cups 1x
- Category: Breakfast
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Gluten Free
Dry Ingredients
- 4 cups old-fashioned rolled oats (use certified gluten-free oats for gluten-free granola)
- 1 ½ cups raw nuts and/or seeds (1 cup pecans, ½ cup pepitas)
- 1 teaspoon fine-grain sea salt (or ¾ teaspoon table salt)
- ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
Wet Ingredients
- ½ cup melted coconut oil or olive oil
- ½ cup maple syrup or honey
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Add-ins
- ⅔ cup dried fruit, chopped if large (dried cranberries recommended)
- Optional: ½ cup chocolate chips or coconut flakes
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a large, rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper to prevent sticking and ensure even baking.
- Mix Dry Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, combine the rolled oats, raw nuts and seeds, sea salt, and ground cinnamon. Stir thoroughly to blend all dry components evenly.
- Add Wet Ingredients: Pour in the melted coconut or olive oil, maple syrup or honey, and vanilla extract. Mix well, ensuring every oat and nut is lightly coated with the wet mixture for uniform sweetness and crispiness.
- Spread & Bake: Transfer the mixture onto the prepared baking sheet and spread into an even layer using a large spoon. Bake for 21 to 24 minutes until the granola is lightly golden, stirring halfway through. For chunkier granola, press the mixture down with a spatula after stirring to create clumps.
- Cool Completely: Allow the granola to cool undisturbed on the baking sheet for at least 45 minutes. This helps it crisp up fully. Once cooled, add the chopped dried fruit and optional chocolate chips or coconut flakes. Break the granola into pieces with your hands for big chunks or stir to distribute evenly for a less clumpy texture.
- Store Properly: Store the granola in an airtight container at room temperature for 1 to 2 weeks, or freeze it in a sealed bag for up to 3 months. Let frozen granola warm at room temperature for 5 to 10 minutes before serving as dried fruit may harden.
Notes
- Use certified gluten-free oats if you require a gluten-free version.
- Adjust salt quantity if using table salt instead of sea salt to avoid oversalting.
- Mix nuts and seeds of your choice for personalization.
- Maple syrup or honey adds natural sweetness but can be substituted with agave syrup for a vegan option.
- Chocolate chips or coconut flakes are optional but add extra flavor and texture.
- Pressing granola during baking helps form clusters for those who prefer clumpy granola.
- Store in airtight containers to maintain freshness and crunch.
Keywords: Healthy Granola, Gluten Free Granola, Homemade Granola, Breakfast Recipe, Easy Granola, Nut and Seed Granola