This Healthy Homemade Granola Recipe is not difficult to make at home and it allows you to control the amount of sugar and quality of ingredients. You can also add whatever extras you like.
Ā» You might like these Apple Pie Overnight Oats and Orange Cranberry Scones.
It always seems like a struggle to find a good granola that I like at the store. I used to love a brand that I could get at Trader Joeās, but then they stopped stocking it and I couldnāt find another that I liked as much.
Rather than spending money on not great store-bought granolas, the better alternative is to make it at home, so you can add the ingredients you like and adjust it to your own preferences.
Ingredients You’ll Need
This granola recipe combines dried fruit and almond butter for flavor. You can use whatever type of fruit you like best.
- Dried fruit – Use whatever dried fruit you like the best. Try raisins, dried apricot, dates/figs, and dried cranberries.
- Almond butter – We are using natural almond butter to stay away from preservatives and added sugar. You can also use natural peanut butter instead of almond butter, depending on your tastes.
- Honey
- Coconut oil – I like to use coconut oil because itās healthy and adds an extra light flavor profile to the granola. You can use other oils, such as sunflower or macadamia nut oils. You could also use a light olive oil (not extra-virgin olive oil, which has too strong of a taste).
- Vanilla extract
- Rolled oats – Also known as Old Fashioned Oats, rolled oats are flattened so they cook faster than steel cut oats.
- Ground cinnamon
- Salt
- Nuts – raw almonds, peanuts, and sunflower seeds.
How To Make This Homemade Granola Recipe
Start by pre-heating your oven to 350Ā°F and line aĀ baking sheetĀ with a piece of parchment paper, leaving a bit of overlap on the sides. Using parchment paper to line the baking sheet will cut down on clean up.
In a high-poweredĀ blenderĀ orĀ food processor, combine the almond butter, honey, coconut oil, and vanilla extract. Blend the mixture until it is smooth and creamy.
Pour the mixture into a large mixing bowl and add the oats, dried fruit, cinnamon,Ā salt, almonds, and sunflower seeds. Mix until well combined and the oats and nuts are nicely coated.
Transfer the granola mixture to the preparedĀ baking dishĀ and pat down into an even layer. Place in the pre-heated oven and bake until lightly golden brown and toasted on top, approximately 20 minutes.
Remove from oven and cool to room temperature. Granola will crumble as you remove it from the pan, with some larger chunks.
Frequently Asked Questions
What binds granola together?
The binder for this homemade granola is the mixture of almond butter, honey, coconut oil, and vanilla extract. It holds the oats, nuts, and dried fruit together until it is baked and crispy.
Why is my homemade granola not crunchy?
You want to make sure that you are cooking the granola at a low enough temperature that the mixture can dry out. Stirring the granola halfway through cooking will allow the granola to be exposed to the heat evenly. The granola will also harden and set as it cools.
Is granola really healthy?
Pre-packaged or store-bought granola can be packed with hidden sugar and preservatives. By making it at home you will know exactly what is in your granola. Homemade granola is packed with fiber, iron, protein, and healthy fats. Just remember to keep to a healthy serving size.
Tips & Notes
- Stir the mixture halfway through cooking to assure it cooks evenly.
- Let the granola cool completely before breaking into chunks.
- If you find that your fruit tastes a bit burnt consider adding it after the granola has been baked.
Add-ins and Alternatives
The great thing about granola is here are no hard and fast rules. You can add whatever you want to your granola. If you want to change things up try adding:
- Chopped walnuts, pumpkin seeds, pistachios, or pecans. Any kind of nut will work, use your favorites.
- Instead of cinnamon try adding pumpkin pie spice, ground ginger, or even cocoa powder.
- Change out the vanilla extract for almond extract or orange extract.
- Add seeds like sesame seeds, chia seeds, or flax seeds.
- Change up the sweetener by using maple syrup, brown sugar, or molasses.
- Make it chunky by adding chocolate chips, dried banana chips, or candied citrus.
Granola lasts for 3-4 weeks when stored in an airtight container or bag. A serving is generally around 1/4 cup. I add it to the top of yogurt, inside peanut butter and banana tortilla wraps, and eat it as cereal in a bowl with milk. Of course, itās always a great snack on its own or try these Strawberry Banana Granola Parfaits.
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Homemade Granola
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup unsweetened dried fruit
- 3 tablespoons natural almond butter
- 2 tablespoons honey more for added sweetness
- 2 tablespoons coconut oil melted
- 1 teaspoon real vanilla extract
- 1 1/2 cups rolled oats
- 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 cup raw almonds sliced
- 2 tablespoons peanuts chopped
- 2 tablespoons sunflower seeds
Instructions
- Pre-heat oven to 350Ā°F and line a baking sheet with a piece of parchment paper, leaving a bit of overlap on the sides.
- In a high-powered blender or food processor, combine the almond butter, honey, coconut oil, and vanilla extract. Blend until the mixture is smooth and creamy.
- Transfer the mixture into a large mixing bowl and add the oats, dried fruit, cinnamon, salt, almonds, and sunflower seeds. Mix until well combined and the oats and nuts are nicely coated.
- Transfer the granola mixture to the prepared baking dish and pat down into an even layer. Place in the pre-heated oven and bake until lightly golden brown and toasted on top, approximately 20 minutes.
- Remove from oven and cool to room temperature. Granola will crumble as you remove it from the pan, with some larger chunks.
Nutrition
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Laura is a home cook, with 25 years experience behind the stove, who spends an extraordinary amount of time in the kitchen cooking. She loves making new recipes and finding wonderful new things to eat, both at home or abroad. She spends a lot of time researching, crafting, and perfecting her recipes and currently has a cookbook in development.
I always make my own granola and I love finding new recipes to mix it up. This sounds so wonderful…perfect snack to keep on hand!
Definitely! I always have a container of it mixed up for snacking.
I always mean to try making my own and never seem to get around to it. Your granola looks gorgeous. I am bookmarking this one to try and sharing it.
Thanks Jacqueline!
I just love making homemade granola! It is the best. š
Thank you Laura for such a great recipe! I’m always looking for healthy granola recipes but yours is the best! Not so much oil is used. Can’t wait to make it!
Thanks Ana. Enjoy!
I love homemade recipes especially when it is granola!! Great idea, love all the ingredients š
wow