Easy Homemade Granola Recipe - The Kitchen Girl (2024)

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This easy granola recipe is easy, crunchy, maple-sweetened, and delicious! The combination of oats, seeds, and nuts make it the perfect crispy granola for breakfast or as a topping for yogurt and so much more!

Why you'll love this recipe

• easy – Just combine a few pantry ingredients, press, and bake.
• healthy – It's naturally vegan, gluten free, and made without refined sugar.
• save money – Make granola with ingredients you have on hand because it's cheaper than buying it!

Once you know how to make granola, you'll see it's as easy as pour, stir, press, bake, cool, and break. In fact, the hardest part about it is waiting for it to cool down before diving in!

Now, I'll let you decide if this recipe fits your definition of healthy granola. But I can tell you it is vegan, naturally sweetened, nut-optional, and made with whole grains and a variety of seeds. It's also gluten free if your ingredients are labeled as such.

Lastly, it's cheaper to make granola, especially if you make it often enough. Since it uses simple pantry ingredients, you'll stretch your dollars by using those ingredients to make this recipe. It's a win-win!

Ingredient notes

This granola recipe has four main components: oats, nuts, seeds, and a binding mixture. I've listed ingredient notes and substitutions for you.

• uncooked rolled oats - Oats are usually the bulk of granola ingredients, which adds protein, fiber, vitamins, and minerals to granola.
• Instant oats or quick-cooking oats can be substituted in equal amounts.
• uncooked steel cut oats - I adore the crispy texture of steel cut oats granola. Of course, rolled oats can be substituted if the steel cut variety isn't available.
• dried coconut - Shredded or shaved – either way, I recommend thin coconut.
• sliced almonds - Any nuts can be substituted or omitted all together.
• pepitas - These are not the same as pumpkin seeds. If you can't find them, you can double up on the almonds.
• flax seeds - These contain omega-3 fats and fiber.
• chia seeds - Tiny edible seeds that get crunchy when baked – and a good source of fiber.
• hemp hearts - Another nutrient-packed heart-healthy ingredient with a distinctively nutty flavor
• oil - I recommend a heart-healthy oilsuch as coconut oil or olive oil.
• maple syrup - Honey, agave, or molasses can be substituted in equal amounts.
• vanilla extract - This is optional, but recommended for flavor.
• sea salt - This is optional, but it really ties all the flavors together.

How to make granola step-by-step

Enjoy these step-by-step photos and instructions. Details are also available in the printable granola recipe card below!

Step 1. Preheat oven to 300 degrees Fahrenheit. In a mixing bowl, combine rolled oats, steel cut oats, coconut, almonds, pepitas, flax, chia, and hemp.

Step 2. In a small bowl, combine maple syrup, olive oil, vanilla, and salt. Pour it over the oat mixture and stir until well-combined.

Step 3. Pour and press the mixture onto an 13 x 9 baking sheet. (Cooking spray or parchment paper is optional, but not required) Use a metal spatula to flatten the mixture so it's compact and level on the baking sheet.

Step 4. Bake 30 to 40 minutes until lightly golden brown. Transfer to a cooling rack and cool completely. Use a spatula to break it apart into pieces.

Step 5. To store, allow it to cool completely and store in an airtight container for up to one month. At your discretion, it may be stored longer in a low-humidity environment.

What can you add to granola?

nuts - Add heart-healthy nuts such as almonds, walnuts, pistachios, or pecans for added texture, protein, and fiber! Nuts can be added to the mixture before it is baked or after it has cooled.

dried fruit - Add a handful of dried fruit such as raisins, apricots, apples, figs, pineapple, dates, or cranberries, aka craisins. These can be added after it has baked and cooled.

chocolate or cacao nibs - Chopped chocolate, chocolate chips, or cacao nibs can be added after it has baked and cooled.

Serving ideas

• Enjoy homemade granola as a breakfast cereal with milk.
• Pack it along with apple slices or grapes.
• Try yogurt with granola bowls for a healthy breakfast at home or on the go.
• Sprinkle over ice cream to add a unique texture.
• Granola is always welcome over a delicious peach crisp a la mode.
• Bananas foster topped with crispy granola – sign me up!
• Add to any trail mix.
• Scatter over muffins, brownies, or banana bread just before baking.
• Add a scoop to a warm bowl of oatmeal with fresh berries.
• Enjoy as a topping for a smoothie or smoothie bowl upon serving.

Can I use quick oats for this recipe?

Yes! Since quick oats are considerably smaller than rolled oats, they fill the space more densely, which can give it a fuller texture. You can experiment and decide which texture suits your preference.

Can I refrigerate granola?

Granola should be stored at room temperature because it will absorb moisture in the refrigerator and lose it's crispy texture. Freezing is also not recommended for the same reason.

How long does homemade granola last?

When stored in an airtight container in a dry environment, homemade granola can have optimal texture for weeks or even a few months. Humidity is the enemy of crispy granola, so it's best to store granola in a dry place.

Recommended breakfast recipes

• Chocolate Energy Bars (no-bake)
• Banana Bread Muffins
• Vegetarian Crustless Quiche
• Air Fryer Hard Boiled Eggs
• Apple Beet Ginger Smoothie
• No-Bake Chocolate Energy Bites

📖 Recipe