How to Make Homemade Granola in 20 Minutes
Once you try this recipe, you’ll never buy store bought granola again!
How to Make Homemade Granola in 20 Minutes
Are you obsessed with granola but want a healthier, more affordable version? I’ve got just the thing! My homemade granola recipe is vegan, gluten-free, dairy-free, and refined sugar-free. Have I got your attention now? Read on to learn how to make granola homemade, and get my secret, delicious recipe!
Why I Love Homemade Granola
Homemade granola is so much more affordable than store-bought granola. I like to look for sales on oats and nuts in the grocery store's bulk section. When they are on sale, I load up and store them in the freezer (to keep them the most fresh). That way, I can make granola anytime I want.
This recipe only takes 20 minutes to make (15 of those minutes are spent just patiently waiting) and lasts for a long time. Store it in your pantry for about 2 weeks, or it’ll last in your fridge for 1 month. You can even freeze it for up to 4 months! It’s such a fun thing to snack on.
I struggle with store-bought granola because it is often overly sweet and not very flavorful. With this recipe, you get to control the sweetness! If you like your granola less sweet, just lower the sweetness level in this recipe. Sometimes, I even omit the sugar altogether, but it still turns out amazing!
Want to make your house smell amazing? Then you have to make this granola! Your whole house will smell like a cookie. I often make it in the evenings when my husband gets home from work, and he loves the smell!
This homemade granola makes the most incredible gift. I love making a huge batch of homemade granola and packaging it up into glass jars with a cute note. It truly makes the best holiday gift. Everyone loves treats, but even better, they can enjoy it for breakfast or as a healthy snack!
Ingredients for Homemade Granola
OATS
I prefer using quick-cooking oats or rolled oats for this recipe. Just use whichever one you have on hand. Also, try to look for organic when possible, oats are heavily sprayed with pesticides, so it’s great to load up on it when it’s on sale.
NUTS/SEEDS
Use any variation of nuts or seeds you have on hand. For example, if you only have almonds and pumpkin seeds, just use 1/2 almonds and 1/2 pumpkin seeds. If you are not free, you can use sunflower seeds and pumpkin seeds. If you like larger nuts, like pecans or walnuts, you can keep them whole; if you like smaller (I prefer them chopped), I will roughly chop them.
LIQUID SWEETENER
Use any liquid sweetener on hand, I love utilizing maple syrup, honey, and agave interchangeably. Just use what you have for a naturally sweetened granola. You can also alter the sweetness level by adding more or less. It’s up to you!
OIL
I like to use a neutral oil like coconut oil, avocado oil, or olive oil. If you only have vegetable oil, that's fine; use whatever you have on hand!
SPICES
I always add cinnamon, but oftentimes, I will also add ginger powder and pumpkin pie spice during the fall time of year. You can also add nutmeg. Just use what you have!
How to Make Homemade Granola
Preheat oven to 325 degrees Fahrenheit.
Combine the dry ingredients in a bowl and mix to combine.
Add the wet ingredients to the dry ingredients. Mix well.
Lay the mixture on a parchment paper-lined baking sheet and press down with the back of the spatula.
Bake for 15 minutes. Let them cool completely for an hour before breaking it apart (that's the trick to get the large clusters).
Store in a jar or any sort of container for 4 weeks!
Storage
Transfer your granola to a jar or an airtight container at room temperature. This will help to maintain its freshness and prevent it from getting stale. Make sure the lid is tightly sealed to keep moisture out.
If stored in an airtight container, homemade granola can be kept in your pantry for up to 4 weeks. The pantry's cool and dry environment will help preserve its flavor and texture.
If you prefer your granola to have an extra crunch, you can store it in the fridge. Transfer the granola to an airtight container and place it in the refrigerator. It can last for up to 2 months in the fridge. However, keep in mind that the texture might become slightly softer due to the moisture in the fridge.
To extend the shelf life of your homemade granola, you can freeze it. Place the granola in a ziplock bag or airtight container, removing as much air as possible. Frozen granola can last for up to 4 months. When you're ready to enjoy it, simply thaw it at room temperature or in the fridge before serving.
FAQ
What ingredients do I need to make homemade granola?
To make homemade granola, you will need oats (quick cooking or rolled old-fashioned oats work best), nuts or seeds (you can use any kind you like, such as almonds, walnuts, sunflower seeds, or pumpkin seeds), maple syrup (or any liquid sweetener like honey or agave), coconut oil, (or olive oil), cinnamon and salt.
Feel free to add any additional ingredients or spices that you like, such as dried fruits, chia seeds, chocolate chips, alternate sweeteners like brown sugar, or spices like ginger or nutmeg.
What type of oven temperature should I use to bake the granola?
To bake the granola, preheat your oven to 325 degrees Fahrenheit. This temperature will ensure that the granola cooks evenly and becomes nice and crispy.
What can I add to the granola to make it more flavorful?
Dried fruits: Add a handful of dried cranberries, raisins, chopped dates, or apricots to give your granola a sweet and chewy texture.
Coconut flakes: Toasted coconut flakes will add a delicious tropical flavor to your granola. You can use sweetened or unsweetened, depending on your preference.
Chocolate chips: If you're a chocolate lover, sprinkle in some mini chocolate chips or chunks after the granola cools. The melty chocolate will make your granola even more irresistible.
Spices: Experiment with different spices to enhance the flavor profile of your granola. Try adding a pinch of nutmeg, ginger, or cardamom for a warm and cozy taste. Or add a dash of ground cloves or allspice for a hint of warmth and earthiness.
Vanilla extract: A splash of vanilla extract can make your granola taste extra delicious. Just add it to the wet ingredients before mixing everything together.
Citrus zest: Grate some lemon or orange zest into the mixture for a burst of citrusy flavor. This will add a bright and refreshing twist to your granola.
Nut butter: If you're a fan of nutty flavors, stir in a spoonful of almond butter, peanut butter, or any other nut butter of your choice.
Make sure to save this recipe, comment questions you may have, and watch my video if you need a tutorial!
Other Breakfast Recipes to Try
Healthy Chocolate Frosty Smoothie
Chocolate Brownie Cauliflower Oats
Easy Vegan Blender Protein Waffles
High Protein Banana Bread Muffins
The Easiest Homemade Granola
Ingredients
- 3 cups oats (quick cooking or rolled oats work best)
- 1 cup nuts or seeds (anything goes)
- 1/3 cup maple syrup (or any liquid sweetener like honey, agave etc.)
- 1/3 cup coconut oil, melted (or olive oil)
- 2 teaspoons cinnamon
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 325 degrees Fahrenheit.
- Combine the dry ingredients in a bowl, mix to combine.
- Add the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients. Mix well.
- Lay mixture on a parchment paper lined baking sheet, press down with the back of the spatula.
- Bake for 15 minutes. Let them cool for an hour before breaking it apart (thats the trick to get the large clusters).
- Store in a jar or any sort of container for 4 weeks!
Notes
Store the granola in an airtight container in your pantry for up to 4 weeks.
Store granola in the fridge for up to 2 months.
Store granola in the freezer in a ziplock bag for up to 4 months.
To achieve granola clusters, lay flat on a parchment paper lined baking sheet and press down with the back of a spatula or cup to get it into an even layer. After baking, let it sit for 1 hour before breaking apart to form clusters!
