The Best Homemade Granola Recipe (Easy and Healthy!)

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This easy homemade granola recipe is crunchy, lightly sweet, and full of healthy fats and whole grains—perfect for a quick breakfast!

Forget the store-bought granola loaded with artificial sweeteners and oils. This healthy homemade granola recipe is easy, fast, and packed with good stuff. You probably already have the basic ingredients in your pantry. 

To me, the wholesome simplicity of this recipe makes it the perfect granola. The warmth, the spices, the health benefits, the ease, the way it makes the house smell… I just love it all. I hope you do, too! It’s one of those favorite things you’ll come back to again and again.

Why You’ll Love This Granola

If this is your first time making your own granola, you’ll be hooked. It’s cheaper than grocery store options and so much better. This best granola recipe is:

• Naturally sweetened with honey
• Made with heart-healthy pecans and coconut oil
• Easy to customize with your favorite mix-ins
• A great way to sneak in flax seeds, chia seeds, or pumpkin seeds
• Crunchy, golden, and irresistible

You can enjoy it by the handful, layered into a yogurt parfait, sprinkled over a smoothie bowl, or just eaten from a bowl with milk.

Ingredients (for the base recipe – feel free to adapt)

• 1 1/2 cups old fashioned oats
• 1 cup chopped pecans (or different nuts if desired)
• 1/4 cup coconut oil
• 1/4 cup honey
• 1/2 teaspoon vanilla
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon cinnamon
• Dried fruit, optional

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees and move oven rack to the center position.
2. ​In a large bowl, combine oats and pecans.
3. In a separate microwave-safe bowl, melt coconut oil by microwaving for about 20 seconds.
4. To the coconut oil add honey, vanilla, salt, and cinnamon and stir until well combined.
5. Pour the oil-honey mixture over the oats mixture and stir well to coat evently.
6. Pour granola onto a parchment-lined large baking sheet and bake about 20 minutes, or until golden, stirring halfway through.
7. Remove from the oven and let sit until cooled. After cooled, break up and store in an airtight container. Enjoy!  
8. If adding dried fruit, add to the granola AFTER baking, while granola is still warm. Do NOT bake the fruit – it will burn.

Tips for the Best Homemade Granola

• Use parchment paper to make cleanup a breeze.
• Stir halfway for even baking and to prevent burnt edges.
• Add a pinch of pumpkin pie spice for cozy fall flavor.
• Want clumpy granola? Don’t stir too much after baking.
• For extra crunch, bake a few minutes longer—but don’t walk away.

Make It Your Own

The beauty of this recipe is how customizable it is. Start with the base recipe, then once you become comfortable with it, try your own varieties. The versatility of this recipe is amazing and I love that I can truly whip up a batch anytime with stuff I keep in my pantry at all times. 

Sweeteners

• Honey gives rich sweetness and binding.
• Use pure maple syrup or brown sugar for deeper flavor.
• Avoid corn syrup or artificial sweeteners for a more wholesome result.

Oils

• I love unrefined coconut oil for its health benefits and a subtle tropical taste.
• Avocado oil is a great healthy oil choice as well, but I don’t recommend olive oil for the change in taste.
• Avoid vegetable oil or neutral oils if you want to skip processed options.

Mix-Ins

• After baking, stir in dried fruit, chocolate chips, or coconut flakes.
• Mix in pumpkin seeds, chia seeds, or flax seeds before baking for more healthy fats.

Extras

• A touch of brown sugar adds richness.
• Swirl in peanut butter for amazing peanut butter granola.

Why Homemade Granola Beats Store-Bought

Making your own granola isn’t just fun—it puts you in control. When you read the label on most store-bought granola, you’ll often find corn syrup, vegetable oil, or hard-to-pronounce preservatives. Many also use too much brown sugar or rely on artificial sweeteners to keep costs low.

By making your own granola, you get to choose natural sweeteners like honey or pure maple syrup. You pick the healthy fats—like olive oil, coconut oil, or avocado oil—and skip neutral oils that offer little nutrition. You can also add nutrient-dense mix-ins like flax seeds, chia seeds, or sunflower seeds, which are rarely found in commercial versions.

This basic recipe also lets you scale it up or down. Make a quick breakfast batch for the week or double it for gifts or snacks. Plus, the flavor is fresher, the crunch is unbeatable, and the options are endless. And you avoid the added cost and packaging waste of prepackaged bags from the grocery store.

With so many different ingredients to choose from, the flavor combinations are nearly limitless. Don’t be surprised if your own granola becomes your family’s favorite snack.

How to Serve This Granola

There are so many great ways to enjoy your homemade granola today:

• Layer it into a yogurt parfait with fresh fruit and plain yogurt
• Sprinkle it over cottage cheese and fresh berries
• Eat by the handful as a healthy snack or pour in a bowl with milk
• Add to a smoothie bowl for texture and protein
• Pack it in a safe bag for hikes or road trips
• Crumble over baked apples or pears for a healthier dessert

This easy granola recipe is one of those favorite things you’ll make on repeat.

Storage Tips

Let your granola cool completely before storing. Moisture will lead to soggy granola and spoilage.

• Store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 weeks.
• For longer storage, freeze in a zip bag or mason jar for up to 3 months.
• If it softens, you can crisp it again in a 300°F oven for 5–8 minutes.

Make It a Gift!

Homemade granola makes a unique gift that everyone will love. Scoop some into a mason jar and tie with a pretty ribbon or top with festive cloth. Consider adding a recipe card so they can make it themselves. Great for holidays, teacher gifts, neighbor treats, or just because. 

FAQs

• Can I use quick oats instead of old-fashioned oats? You can, but the texture will be softer and less crunchy. We prefer whole oats for the best crunch.
• What makes this a healthy granola recipe? It’s made with natural sweeteners, healthy oil, whole grains, and no artificial sweeteners. Plus, you control the sugar.
• Why did my dried fruit burn? You likely added it before baking. Always add dried fruit after baking, while the granola is still warm.
• Can I use brown sugar instead of honey? Yes. Mix it with your wet ingredients; however, the granola may not clump as well and it may be a bit grainier in texture.
• What’s the difference between rolled oat, old-fashioned oats, and quick-cooking oats? Old-fashioned oats and rolled oats are the same. Quick oats are smaller and cook faster but result in a less crunchy texture.
• Can I make this gluten-free? Yes! Pure oats are naturally gluten-free. Just check to make sure all other ingredients you use are certified gluten-free as well.
• Can I double the recipe? Absolutely. Use two rimmed baking sheets and rotate them halfway through when you stir the granola for even baking.
• What if I want less sugar? Try cutting the honey in half and adding more flax seeds or chia seeds for extra texture and fiber.
• Is this safe for toddlers? Generally yes, but avoid large nuts and use soft mix-ins like raisins. Always supervise small children while eating.
• Can I make homemade granola bars with this? Yes! Press the granola mixture firmly into a lined pan before baking. Bake 5–10 minutes longer. Cool, then slice.

This truly is the best homemade granola recipe. It’s easy, wholesome, and adaptable. Whether you’re new to granola or an expert, this healthy snack is a win.

Next time, try swapping pecans for pumpkin seeds or add golden raisins for a new twist. Once you make your own granola, you’ll never go back to store-bought granola again.

Want to keep this recipe handy? Pin it, bookmark it, or print the printable recipe card below!

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