Easy Healthy Homemade Granola Recipe | ElizabethRider.com (2024)

This 7-ingredient healthy homemade granola recipe is easy, quick, comforting, and delicious. It makes a great healthy breakfast or snack at any time of day.

I wrote and published this homemade granola recipe on this site in 2010, and it’s been an internet favorite ever since, with millions of views and backlinks. It’s even rated #1 on USAToday!

Most store-bought granola is high in sugar, contains unhealthy saturated fats and oils, and contains fillers and unnecessary ingredients.

Fortunately for you and me, this top-rated homemade granola recipe isn’t full of unhealthy ingredients.

Whipping up this healthy homemade granola recipe is super quick. It allows you to control the amount of sugar and quality of ingredients while also changing things up and adding in the flavors you love.

Ingredients for Healthy Homemade Granola

You need 7 simple ingredients to make healthy homemade granola, and you may already have them all in your pantry:

• 2–3tablespoons real maple syrup or honey (you could use any sugar or sugar substitute that suits you)
• 2 tablespoonsvirgin coconut oil (or other healthy cooking oil such as extra virgin olive oil)
• 1/2 teaspoonvanilla extract
• 1large pinch of fine sea salt (about1/8 teaspoon; I use Real Salt, Kosher salt also works)
• 2 cupswhole rolled oats (aka old-fashioned oats, preferably organic)
• 1/2 cupraw nuts, chopped (or slivered almonds; you don’t need to chop them)
• 1/4 cupraw pumpkin seeds
• 2 tablespoonsraw sunflower seeds
• 1/2 cupunsweetened dried fruit, chopped (optional; I like unsweetened dried cranberries)

See the printable recipe card below, and here’s a full YouTube episode if you want to make this with me in my kitchen:

Healthy homemade granola also makes your house smell amazing—like you’ve been slaving in the kitchen all day! But don’t worry; you can make this from start to finish in 25 minutes or less.

Is it cheaper to make your own granola? It’s cheaper to make your own granola if you make it more than once. Buying all of the ingredients in bulk may be slightly costly, but homemade granola is very affordable in the long run.

This healthy granola recipe was one of the first recipes I’ve ever posted on this blog. Since then, it’s been downloaded hundreds of thousands of times with rave reviews. This recipe is still a staple in my house after all these years!

Ingredient Tips & Details:

1. Whole Rolled Oats

Whole oats are full of good-for-you fiber, protein, and vitamins and minerals like folate, iron, and magnesium.

I buy my whole rolled oats in the bulk section at my local grocery store, but if your store doesn’t have a bulk section, you’ll probably be able to find them in the baking aisle.

Regardless, be sure you are buying 100% whole rolled oats for your homemade granola. Avoid anything that says “instant” or “quick-cooking.” (Instant/quick-cooking oats = processed/higher-glycemic/more-bad-for-you.)

Oats are gluten-free by nature, but most are held in facilities that contain gluten. Check the package label for a “certified gluten-free” badge if you’re allergic or sensitive to gluten.

2. Coconut Oil (Or Any Healthy Oil)

I like to use coconut oil because it adds a really lovely light flavor to the granola, but you can use any healthy oil that you prefer. The small amount of oil we use here helps pull healthy homemade granola, but you can barely taste it.

Other options: Extra virgin olive oil, grapeseed oil, or macadamia nut oil would also be great here.

I often use extra virgin olive oil in my granola if I don’t use coconut oil. Avocado oil probably has too strong of a flavor, but you could try it in a pinch.

Oils to avoid: Oils high in omega-3 fats, such as flaxseed oil, are great for your health but should be avoided here. They’re meant to be consumed raw and go rancid when heated (omega-3’s don’t like heat at all—don’t cook with them). I typically avoid using canola oil because it contains a high amount of omega-6’s associated with inflammation.

3. Nuts, Seeds, Dried Fruit & More

This is where you can customize your healthy homemade granola to your preferences. I give you the exact tried-and-true homemade granola recipe I make at home below, but feel free to substitute any of the nuts, seeds, or dried fruit with an equal amount of one of the three.

I always add unsalted nuts and seeds to my homemade granola for flavor, texture, extra nutrients, and added healthy protein & fiber. Use what you like and what you have on hand. I like to include almonds, walnuts, peanuts, pistachios, cashews, and pecans. If you avoid nuts, you can substitute the nuts with more pumpkin (pepitas) or sunflower seeds.

A small amount of unsweetened dried fruit such as raisins, dried cranberries, or dried apricots makes an excellent addition, too. I like to buy unsweetened dried fruit to keep the sugar content down; I buy it in the bulk section of my grocery store for a great price.

From a health perspective, read your labels. The dried fruit at conventional grocery stores often has loads of sugar added to it. However, the naturally dried fruit that you find at health-focused grocery stores adds a lovely flavor and contains many nutrients without excessive sugar.

You can also add other mix-ins to give a fun twist to your homemade granola. Try options such as chia seeds, shredded coconut flakes, dark chocolate chips to provide a yummy boost to your granola. If you add chocolate chips, add them after your granola cools to prevent making a huge mushy mess.

4. Honey or Real Maple Syrup

To add a little sweetness to healthy homemade granola, I prefer real maple syrup. Just be sure it’s the real stuff and none of that pancake syrup nonsense (conventional “pancake” syrup is corn syrup with maple flavoring—yuck!).

As with everything, read your labels. The only ingredient in maple syrup should be maple syrup.

To keep your granola healthy, go easy on the sweetener to keep the sugar content down. Always avoid white, highly processed sugars and artificial sweeteners. Read the maple syrup and honey labels and make sure the only ingredients in the bottle are maple syrup (no corn syrup) or honey.

You can leave out the sweetener or reduce it if you prefer. However, the stickiness of the honey or maple syrup will help create the clusters that granola is known for.

5. Vanilla Extract, Cinnamon & Sea Salt

Don’t skip the vanilla extract and salt! Vanilla extract adds a gourmet flavor to homemade granola, and salt brings out every ingredient’s flavor and makes the sweetener taste even sweeter.

I use Real Salt brand sea salt for purity and its more delicate texture that melts into recipes like this. You can find it at just about any grocery store these days.

Kosher salt would work, too, but it’s a bit more coarse, so you really have to work it into the mixture with your hands.

How to Make Crunchy & Clumpy Granola

Making crunchier, clumpy granola requires no extra ingredients—just a couple of additional steps. Make sure to press the ingredients into an even layer before baking. Stir the granola once halfway through baking.

To achieve extra crunch to your granola, press on the granola before it fully cools to room temperature, and then avoid bumping it until it fully cools so the clumps can dry together.

How to Store and Serve Homemade Granola

Storing granola is similar to storing dried oatmeal. Because this recipe is homemade, you can keep it in an airtight container for up to 2 weeks.

I personally prefer to store my homemade granola in a mason jar in my refrigerator or in a BPA-free plastic bag when I’m traveling or on the go.

Here is my favorite recipe, and be sure to check out more recipe variations under the recipe card, too!

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Homemade Granola Recipe Variations

Get creative with your granola! This recipe is flexible and super easy to modify. Use any combo of healthy ingredients to make it your own flavor and consistency (crunchy, crispy, toasted, chunky, etc.).

Here are a few ideas to get you started:

Healthy Homemade Maple Almond Granola Recipe

• 2 cups raw, whole rolled oats
• ½ cup sliced raw almonds
• ¼ cup raw sunflower seeds
• 2 tbsp maple syrup (100% real maple syrup)
• 1 tbsp raw honey
• 2 tbsp virgin coconut oil
• ¼ tsp vanilla extract
• 1 large pinch fine sea salt

Healthy Homemade Cherry Pecan Granola

• 2 cups raw, whole rolled oats
• ½ cup raw pecans, chopped
• ½ cup unsweetened dried cherries, chopped
• ¼ cup raw sliced almond
• ¼ cup raw sunflower seeds
• 2 tbsp maple syrup (100% maple syrup, preferably grade-b)
• 2 tbsp virgin coconut oil
• ¼ tsp vanilla extract
• 1 large pinch fine sea salt

The Healthiest Homemade Granola Recipe

This super delicious, healthy granola recipe below is the perfect combination of oats, oils, nuts, seeds, dried fruit, and sweetness. It makes about three cups of homemade granola.

Half a cup is typically a single serving. You can always double batch the recipe for extra granola goodness.

Serving Suggestions:

• Serve it as cereal with unsweetened, non-dairy milk (I prefer it with unsweetened almond milk), or milk if you tolerate dairy.
• Put it on top of unsweetened Greek yogurt or make a granola & yogurt parfait.
• Use it as the “stuffing” in baked apples, and you’ll have a new favorite dessert.
• Enjoy it plain as a snack (homemade granola travels well in little bags).

Be sure to check out the flavor variations under the recipe card, too!

Homemade Granola FAQs:

What is granola made of?

• Rolled oats, sometimes old-fashioned oats or muesli
• Nuts, seeds, and dried fruits
• Sweet treats like dark chocolate chips (optional)
• Baked until golden brown, can be sweetened with brown sugar, maple syrup, or honey

Is granola bad for you?

• Granola is a healthier alternative to many breakfast foods and snacks. Avoid granola that contains excess sugar and highly processed ingredients
• Loaded with healthy carbohydrates, fats, and sugars in moderation

What is the healthiest granola?

• Healthy granola is low in sugar and high in nutrients
• Homemade is best to control ingredients and adjust to nutritional needs

More Delicious Breakfast On-the-Go Recipes:

• Chocolate Banana Bread Mini Muffins
• Healthy Power Cookies
• No-Bake Chocolate Hazelnut Energy Bites
• Find more breakfast recipes here