Healthy Granola Recipe

Crunchy Homemade Healthy Granola Recipe for Fresh Mornings

Breakfast becomes a delightful morning ritual with this scrumptious healthy granola recipe that packs a nutritional punch.

Crisp oats mingle with toasted nuts and seeds, creating a symphony of textures and flavors.

Clusters of golden-brown goodness promise a satisfying crunch in every bite.

Each spoonful delivers a wholesome blend of energy-boosting ingredients that nourish and delight.

Drizzled with honey and kissed by cinnamon, this granola transforms a simple meal into a luxurious experience.

You’ll savor the perfect balance of sweetness and nutrition.

Whip up this simple recipe and revolutionize your morning routine with a breakfast that loves you back.

Reasons Healthy Granola Belongs in Your Pantry

  • Create delicious granola with simple ingredients right in your kitchen, giving you complete control over nutrition and flavor.
  • Mix and match nuts, seeds, and dried fruits to personalize the recipe, making it perfect for different taste preferences and dietary needs.
  • Pack your granola with wholesome ingredients like oats, nuts, and seeds, providing a healthy breakfast or snack option loaded with protein and fiber.
  • Save money by making your own granola instead of buying expensive store-bought versions, with minimal ingredients and basic kitchen tools.

Nutritious Ingredients for Homemade Healthy Granola

Base Ingredients:
  • Rolled Oats: A hearty and nutritious whole grain that forms the core of this delicious granola.
  • Nuts and/or Seeds: Provide a crunchy texture and add healthy fats and protein to the granola.
Seasoning Ingredients:
  • Salt: Enhances the overall flavor profile of the granola.
  • Cinnamon: Adds a warm, sweet, and aromatic touch to the mixture.
Liquid Ingredients:
  • Coconut Oil or Olive Oil: Helps bind the ingredients and creates a golden, crispy texture.
  • Maple Syrup or Honey: Provides natural sweetness and helps the granola achieve a beautiful golden color.
  • Vanilla Extract: Adds a rich, complex flavor to the granola.
Additional Mix-ins:
  • Dried Fruit, Chocolate Chips: Optional ingredients that can be added after cooling to customize the granola's flavor and texture.

Tools for Mixing and Baking Healthy Granola

  • Large mixing bowl: Essential for combining all dry and wet ingredients thoroughly.
  • Baking sheet: Rimmed sheet lined with parchment paper for even baking and easy cleanup.
  • Spatula or large spoon: Perfect for spreading granola and pressing it down during baking.
  • Measuring cups and spoons: Accurate measurements ensure consistent recipe results.
  • Wooden spoon or mixing utensil: Helps stir ingredients smoothly and evenly.
  • Cooling rack (optional): Provides good air circulation while cooling granola.

How to Make Healthy Granola in Simple Steps

Step 1: Warm Up the Oven

Get your oven ready by heating it to 350°F.

Grab a baking sheet and cover it with parchment paper to prevent sticking.

Step 2: Combine Dry Elements

Grab a big mixing bowl and toss in:
  • Rolled oats
  • Chopped nuts
  • Seeds
  • Salt
  • Ground cinnamon

Mix everything together until they’re buddies.

Step 3: Introduce Liquid Magic

Pour over the dry ingredients:
  • Melted coconut oil
  • Maple syrup
  • Vanilla extract

Stir until every single oat and nut gets a delicious coating.

Step 4: Spread the Love

Dump the mixture onto your prepared baking sheet.

Use a spatula to create an even layer, making sure no spot gets left behind.

Step 5: Bake to Golden Perfection

Pop the sheet into the oven for 21-24 minutes.

Halfway through, give the granola a gentle stir.

Want extra-chunky clusters?

Press down with your spatula after stirring.

Step 6: Patience is Key

Pull the granola out and let it sit undisturbed for 45 minutes.

It’ll continue getting crispier as it cools down.

Step 7: Dress It Up

Once completely cool, sprinkle in:
  • Dried fruits
  • Chocolate chips (optional)

Break into chunks with your hands or stir with a spoon, depending on your texture preference.

Step 8: Store and Enjoy

Transfer to an airtight container.

It’ll stay fresh at room temperature for 1-2 weeks or freeze up to 3 months.

Tips for Crunchy and Flavorful Healthy Granola

  • Adjust baking time for crispier or softer granola by adding or reducing 2-3 minutes in the oven.
  • Reduce maple syrup or honey for a less sweet version, maintaining the same binding properties.
  • Stir granola midway through baking to ensure even golden color and prevent dark spots.
  • Press down granola with a spatula after stirring to create larger, more substantial clumps.
  • Store in an airtight container at room temperature and keep away from moisture to maintain crispy texture.

New Flavors and Twists for Healthy Granola Recipes

  • Protein Power Granola: Boost protein content by adding protein powder or chopped protein-rich nuts like almonds and pumpkin seeds during the dry ingredient mixing stage.
  • Gluten-Free Garden Crunch: Replace regular oats with certified gluten-free oats and add quinoa flakes for extra nutrition and texture.
  • Low-Sugar Berry Blend: Reduce maple syrup quantity by half and incorporate sugar-free dried berries like goji or freeze-dried strawberries after cooling for natural sweetness.
  • Tropical Adventure Mix: Swap cinnamon with ground ginger, add coconut flakes during baking, and mix in dried pineapple and macadamia nuts after cooling for a vacation-inspired granola experience.

Creative Ways to Serve Healthy Granola Every Day

  • Morning Energy Boost: Sprinkle this crunchy granola over Greek yogurt with fresh berries for a protein-packed breakfast that kickstarts your day with delicious nutrition.
  • Snack Time Companion: Pack small portions in ziplock bags for a quick, satisfying midday snack that provides sustained energy and curbs hunger between meals.
  • Dessert Topping Delight: Crumble granola over vanilla ice cream or fruit parfaits to add a delightful crunch and nutty flavor that elevates simple desserts with homemade texture.
  • Smoothie Bowl Enhancer: Scatter granola on top of thick smoothie bowls for an exciting contrast of creamy and crunchy textures that makes every spoonful more interesting.

Keeping Homemade Granola Fresh for Longer

  • Place cooled granola in an airtight container with a tight-fitting lid, keeping it fresh for up to 2 weeks. Keep away from moisture and direct sunlight to maintain crispness.
  • Transfer granola to a freezer-safe ziplock bag, removing excess air before sealing. Freeze for maximum 3 months, ensuring no freezer burn by double-bagging if needed.
  • Store in a sealed container at room temperature, keeping it away from heat sources and humidity. Check periodically for freshness and discard if any signs of staleness appear.
  • Spread granola on a baking sheet and warm in a preheated oven at 300F for 5-7 minutes to restore crunchiness. Allow to cool completely before storing to prevent moisture buildup.

FAQs

  • Are rolled oats the best choice for this granola recipe?

Yes, rolled oats are ideal because they provide the perfect texture, absorb flavors well, and create a crispy base for homemade granola while offering great nutritional benefits.

  • Can I use different types of nuts in the recipe?

Absolutely! Feel free to customize with almonds, pecans, walnuts, or a mix of seeds like sunflower or pumpkin seeds. Just maintain the same total measurement to keep the recipe balanced.

  • Why do I need to stir the granola halfway through baking?

Stirring prevents burning and ensures even browning. It helps distribute heat uniformly, creating a golden, crisp texture across the entire batch of granola.

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Healthy Granola Recipe

Healthy Granola Recipe


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4.9 from 8 reviews

  • Total Time: 39 minutes
  • Yield: 12 1x

Description

Homemade healthy granola recipe blends rolled oats, nuts, and seeds for a nutritious breakfast treat. Crisp clusters offer delightful crunch with natural sweetness you can enjoy fresh from the oven.


Ingredients

Scale

Base Ingredients:

  • 4 cups (960 milliliters/32 ounces) old-fashioned rolled oats (use certified gluten-free oats for gluten-free granola)
  • 1 1/2 cups (360 milliliters/12 ounces) raw nuts and/or seeds (such as 1 cup pecans and 1/2 cup pepitas)
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • 1 teaspoon (5 milliliters) fine-grain sea salt (or 3/4 teaspoon table salt)

Wet Ingredients:

  • 1/2 cup (120 milliliters/4 ounces) melted coconut oil or olive oil
  • 1/2 cup (120 milliliters/4 ounces) maple syrup or honey
  • 1 teaspoon (5 milliliters) vanilla extract

Mix-ins:

  • 2/3 cup (160 milliliters/5.3 ounces) dried fruit, chopped if large (such as dried cranberries)
  • 1/2 cup (120 milliliters/4 ounces) optional chocolate chips or coconut flakes

Instructions

  1. Prepare a baking sheet by lining it with parchment paper and heat the oven to 350F (175C).
  2. In a large mixing bowl, combine rolled oats, nuts, seeds, salt, and cinnamon, ensuring thorough mixing.
  3. Drizzle melted coconut oil, maple syrup, and vanilla extract over the dry ingredients, stirring until every element is evenly coated.
  4. Spread the granola mixture across the prepared baking sheet in a uniform layer, using a spatula to create an even surface.
  5. Slide the baking sheet into the preheated oven and bake for 21-24 minutes, gently stirring halfway through to promote even browning. Press down the mixture after stirring to encourage clumping.
  6. Remove from the oven and allow the granola to cool completely without disturbing, approximately 45 minutes. The cooling process will enhance its crispness.
  7. Once cooled, incorporate dried fruit and optional chocolate chips. Gently break into desired chunk sizes using hands or a spoon.
  8. Transfer the finished granola to an airtight container, which can be stored at room temperature for up to 2 weeks or frozen for 3 months.

Notes

  • Customize your granola by swapping out nuts or seeds based on personal preference or dietary needs, ensuring a unique flavor profile every time.
  • Maintain a low oven temperature and stir midway to prevent burning and achieve an evenly golden, crispy texture that doesn’t clump too much.
  • Experiment with alternative sweeteners like agave nectar or monk fruit syrup for different dietary requirements, keeping the same liquid-to-dry ingredient ratio.
  • Add protein powder or collagen peptides during the dry ingredient mixing stage to boost nutritional value without compromising the granola’s delightful crunch.
  • Prep Time: 15 minutes
  • Cook Time: 24 minutes
  • Category: Breakfast, Snacks
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: American

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 12
  • Calories: 250
  • Sugar: 10g
  • Sodium: 150mg
  • Fat: 15g
  • Saturated Fat: 6g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 9g
  • Trans Fat: 0g
  • Carbohydrates: 28g
  • Fiber: 4g
  • Protein: 5g
  • Cholesterol: 0mg
Clara Thompson

Clara Thompson

Recipe Developer & Food Educator

Expertise

Plant-based and vegetarian recipe development, Nutritional analysis and meal planning, Culinary education and workshop facilitation, Content writing with a focus on healthy living​

Education

Diploma in Culinary Arts, Mt. San Jacinto College, CA
Focus: Comprehensive culinary training with an emphasis on sustainable cooking practices.

Certificate in Nutrition and Healthy Living, Cornell University (Online Program)
Focus: Understanding the principles of nutrition to create balanced and health-conscious recipes.


Clara lives where fresh ideas and fresh ingredients meet. She pairs her culinary know-how with her passion for healthy, planet-friendly cooking.
For Clara, good food should taste great, nourish your body, and feel easy to make. Her recipes highlight whole foods, colorful produce, and a deep respect for seasonal eating.

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