Homemade Granola is quick and easy to make from scratch using simple ingredients. This healthy snack is crunchy, delicious, and flavorful. It’s so much better than store-bought granola and made without preservatives, additives, or refined sugar!

It's a lot easier to make granola at home than you might think! You need to spend just 5 minutes of active prep work before popping into the oven. Plus, you can customize it however you'd like with your favorite mix-ins like nuts, dried fruit, or chocolate. Serve these granola clusters on their own for snacking or add it to milk or yogurt for breakfast.
Why You'll Love this Homemade Granola Recipe
- A base recipe for granola. Use this homemade granola recipe as a base granola recipe. You can add substitute in any kind of nuts or dried fruit that you (as long as you keep the ratios the same so that there is the right balance between the dry ingredients and the wet ingredients).
- Quick and easy to make. Once you make granola from scratch at home, you might never go back to the store-bought version. It takes just 5 minutes of prep time while the oven does the rest of the work for you. So easy!
- Made with pantry staples. These crispy granola clusters are made with simple ingredients that you can commonly find in your pantry includingoats, nuts, honey, oil, vanilla, and cinnamon. In fact, you probably have all these ingredients at home so you might not even need to leave your house to make this!
- It is packed with health benefits. Healthy and wholesome granola vegan, gluten-free, and abundant in numerous vitamins and minerals. A few of its health benefits include lowering cholesterol, aiding with digestion, reducing blood pressure, and boosting energy and cognitive function.
- Better than store-bought granola. Don't spend your hard-earned pay check on a bag of store-bought granola. Some storebought granolas also contain unhealthy fats and unnecessary sugars along with over-processed ingredients and preservatives. You can make your own refined sugar-free and preservative-free granola from scratch for a fraction of the price.
Ingredient Notes
To make this easy Homemade Granola, you will need the following ingredients (full measurements in recipe card below):
- oats - use rolled oats or large flake oats for granola — not quick oats. Quick oats will not cook in the same way.
- almonds - we used slivered almonds (sliced almonds). You can also throw in some coarsley chopped almonds.
- pecans - you can buy them whole and chop them yourself or buy them pre-chopped to save time and effort! You can substitute with walnuts if you prefer.
- dried cranberries - this is an optional mix in to add in the end. You can also use any other dried fruit that you like such as raisins, apricots or dried pineapple.
- maple syrup or honey - to keep the recipe vegan, use maple syrup. Otherwise, you can use honey.
- coconut oil - avocado oil or vegetable oil will also work.
- vanilla extract - you can substitute vanilla paste at a 1:1 ratio for a more intense flavor.
- ground cinnamon - you can omit this if you’re not a fan of cinnamon.
- salt - helps to balance the flavors.
You will also need measuring cups and spoons, mixing bowl, and a large half sheet baking pan.
How to Make the Best Homemade Granola
- Combine ingredients. In a large mixing bowl, combine oats, almonds, pecans, cinnamon, and salt. Stir to combine and set aside. Add in maple syrup, oil, and vanilla and stir well to combine.
- Bake. Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper. Spread the granola evenly onto the prepared baking sheet. Bake in a 300F preheated oven for 30 minutes, until lightly golden, gently stirring halfway through baking.
- Chill. Let the granola cool completely. Then, sprinkle the dried cranberries on top, if using.
Recipe Variations
- Customize your mix-ins. This homemade granola is delicious with the ingredients we used, but you can customize the mix-ins however you'd like. Add in your favorite granola staples like more nuts, chocolate chips, dried fruit, shredded coconut, chia or hemp seeds, or whatever you typically like in granola. The options are endless!
- A tropical twist. For a tropical twist, add mix-ins like dried mango and pineapple, shredded coconut, and macademia nuts.
- Add chocolate. For chocolate lovers, add in cocoa powder to the granola mix, and toss in some chocolate chips after the granola has baked and cooled.
- Adjust the sweetness. Prefer less sweetness in your granola? No worries, just tweek it with a little less honey or add a pinch of salt.
- Give it a protein boost. Mix in some protein powder, hemp seeds, or flax seeds to your granola mix for added protein.
How to Serve
There are so many ways to serve this almond pecan granola. Obviously you can enjoy it as a snack by the handfuls, or add it to other recipes including:
- Cereal. Enjoy this granola as a cereal on top of a bowl of milk.
- Yogurt bowl. Add a handful of granola on top of on top of a bowl of yogurt along with some fresh berries and a drizzle of honey.
- Parfait. Layer granola along with fruit and yogurt in a Fruit and Yogurt Parfait
- Add it to toast. Try a sprinkle of granola on top of Peanut Butter Banana Toast
- Ice cream. Serve a few spoonfuls over a bowl of your favorite ice cream such as Vanilla Ice Cream.
Recipe Tips and Tricks
- Use this granola recipe as a base. Use this recipe as base and get creative with mix-ins in your granola. Keep the ratios consistent and use a variety of ingredients including nuts, seeds, and dried fruits to keep a balance of flavors and textures.
- Bake low and slow. The key to the perfect granola is to bake it at a lower temperature (around 300F). This will prevent it from burning. You also want to stire it occassionally for even cooking.
- Allow the granola to cool completely. Give your granola time to cool down completely before eating or storing. This allows the granola to crisp up and get the perfect crunchy texture. You also need to wait for the granola to cool before adding in certain mix-ins such as dried fruit or chocolate.
Storing and Freezing Instructions
How to Store
Once the homemade granola has cooled completely to room temperature, you can transfer it to an airtight container, jar, or Ziploc bag. Store it at room temperature out of direct sunlight and away from heat or moisture for up to 2 weeks.
How to Freeze
To freeze the granola, store it in a freezer-safe container or freezer bag and freeze it for up to 6 months.
More Granola Recipes
- Coconut Maple Walnut Granola
- Pumpkin Pie Granola
- Cinnamon Apple Granola
- Gingerbread Granola
- Almond Cranberry Granola Bars
- Apple Cinnamon Baked Oatmeal
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Recipe
Homemade Granola
- Total Time: 35 minutes
- Yield: 8 cups
- Diet: Vegan
Description
Homemade Granola is quick and easy to make at home using simple ingredients. This healthy snack is crunchy, delicious, and flavorful. It’s so much better than store-bought granola and made without preservatives or refined sugar!
Ingredients
- 4 cups old fashioned rolled oats
- 1 cup sliced almonds
- ½ cup pecans, coarsely chopped
- ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ cup honey or maple syrup
- ½ cup melted coconut oil or vegetable oil
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- ⅔ cup dried cranberries (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 300 F. Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper.
- In a large mixing bowl, combine oats, almonds, pecans, cinnamon, and salt. Stir to combine and set aside.
- Add in maple syrup, oil, and vanilla and stir well to combine.
- Spread the granola evenly onto the prepared baking sheet.
- Bake for 30 minutes, until lightly golden, gently stirring halfway through baking.
- Let the granola cool completely. Then, sprinkle the dried cranberries on top, if using.
Notes
How to serve granola: You can serve granola in so many different ways. The easiest is just on its own as a snack by the handfuls. You can also add it on top of milk or yogurt, or layer it in a fruit and yogurt parfait, or top it on banana toast with honey. It is also pretty amazing on top of a couple scoops of vanilla ice cream.
How to store: Once the homemade granola has cooled completely to room temperature, you can transfer it to an airtight container, jar, or Ziploc bag. Store it at room temperature out of direct sunlight and away from heat or moisture for up to 2 weeks.
How to freeze: To freeze the granola, store it in a freezer-safe container or freezer bag and freeze it for up to 6 months.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Snack
- Method: Bake
- Cuisine: American
G.S. says
Hello, Your recipe sounds very good and I would like to make it in a much larger quantity. How long will I be able to keep it fresh and what is the best way to store a larger quantity? Can you also elaborate on the best brand and style of oats to use as there are so many different types. Thank you.
Sam | Ahead of Thyme says
Thanks! It can last up to 2 weeks in an airtight container, stored at room temperature. The type of oats to use is rolled oats (not quick oats), and the brand really depends on your preference. Any brand of oats will work. I like to use organic brands, but they can be a lot pricier than the non-organic ones.
Ofelia says
I never knew granola was so easy to make. This recipe turned out amazing!
Sam | Ahead of Thyme says
So glad to hear that 🙂