Healthy Homemade Granola Recipe (2024)

By Laura

Posted Aug 31, 2017, Updated Oct 01, 2021

4.95 from 17 votes

69 Comments

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This healthy homemade granola recipe is easy to make with only 8 ingredients in 30 minutes! It’s gluten-free, dairy-free vegan and has no refined sugar! A delicious healthy breakfast or snack!

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Every Wednesday before we go grocery shopping I askmy kidswhat they want to put on the list. Without fail, the first item they shout out is, “YOGURT!” They love it. The problem is, yogurtisn’t a very filling breakfast on its own, so it needs a companion.

But not just anyone will do…most store-bought granolas aren’t worthybecause they are loaded with sugar. However, this Healthy Granola Recipe definitely meets the qualifications of a suitable partnerfor everykind ofyogurt!

This homemade granola recipe is so good that I sneak bites during every step of the baking process and have to remind myself to save some for my kids. The list of ingredients is short and they’re all nutritious! It’s gluten-free, dairy-free, and has no refined sugar! It’s also easy to make!

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Healthy Granola Recipe: Substitutions

Here are a few acceptable substitutions for this homemade granola recipe. As always I recommend making it exactly as written.

  • Coconut oil.Butter can be used in place of coconut oil as long as it complies with your dietary needs!
  • Honey.Any liquid sweetener should work great in this recipe. I have used honey and maple syrup (for a vegan option) with great results.
  • Old-Fashioned Oats.Quick-cooking oats can be substituted but you might need to add an extra TBS or two of coconut oil or sweetener! Steel cut oats donot work in this recipe.
  • Pecans.Chopped almonds or walnuts are also delicious options to use in this recipe. If you are allergic to nuts, simply increase the amount of oats/coconut by 1/2 cup.
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How to make homemade Granola

This healthy granola recipe takes about 5 minutes to put together and 30 minutes to bake! So let’s

Mix dry ingredients.Start by mixing the dry ingredients together, then set them aside!

Combine & warm the wet ingredients.The trick here is you want to gently warm them either in the microwave or on the stovetop until they are just warm enough to be smooth and combined.

Add Vanilla.be sure to add the vanilla to the wet ingredients after they have been removed from the heat!

Mix it together!Add the wet ingredients to the dry ingredients and mix well! Be sure everything is evenly distributed!

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Bake!This is the most important step! If you want chunky granola be sure to press the granola together in the pan. Bake for 30 minutes.

Test for doneness.The granola usually feels soft to the touch when it first comes out of the oven, but hardens as it cools. To test for doneness take a few pieces of granola off the baking pan and let it cool. If it hardens and becomes crunchy then it’s done!

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Store/freeze

Store this healthy granola recipe in an airtight container for up to two weeks (if it lasts that long). It can also be frozen in an airtight container for up to 3 months.

Reheat

If the healthy granola becomes soft during storing (this can happen if it wasn’t baked all the way). Simply reheat it in the oven at 300 degrees F for 5-10 minutes, or until is passes the doneness test.

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Recipe FAQs

Is homemade granola bad for you?

Not if you make this healthy homemade granola recipe! It’s a nutritious way to start the day.

Why is my homemade granola not crunchy?

You probably did not bake it long enough. Return it to the oven and continue baking.

How do you get lumps in homemade granola?

Lumps form in two ways. 1) Using the correct wet : dry ingredient ratio (which this recipe does). and 2) being very careful when you flip the granola over so that you keep the clumps together.

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Healthy Granola Recipe (Gluten-Free)

Laura

This healthy homemade granola recipe is easy to make with only 8 ingredients in 30 minutes! It's gluten-free, dairy-free vegan and has no refined sugar! A delicious healthy breakfast or snack!

4.95 from 17 votes

Course Breakfast, Snack

Cuisine American

Servings 12 servings

Calories 173.1

Prep Time5 minutes minutes

Cook Time35 minutes minutes

Total Time40 minutes minutes

Ingredients

Instructions

  • Preheat oven to 300 degrees F. Lightly grease a baking sheet, set aside.

  • In a large bowl mix together oats, coconut, cinnamon, salt and pecans. Set aside.

  • Melt honey and coconut oil together in the microwave or on the stovetop over low heat until smooth.

  • Remove from heat and add vanilla to warm coconut oil/honey mixture. Stir until combined.

  • Mix wet ingredients into dry ingredients until all dry ingredients are evenly coated.

  • Spread on prepared baking sheet.

  • Bake for 30 minutes or until golden brown, stirring the granola half way through baking time. It may feel soft when you remove it from the oven, but it gets harder and crunchier as it cools so please be careful and do not over bake!

  • Allow the granola to cool and eat it with your favorite yogurt or milk! Store in an airtight container at room temperature.

Video

Notes

Ingredient Substitutions

  • Coconut oil.Butter can be used in place of coconut oil as long as it complies with your dietary needs!
  • Honey.Any liquid sweetener should work great in this recipe. I have used honey and maple syrup (for a vegan option) with great results.
  • Old-Fashioned Oats.Quick-cooking oats can be substituted but you might need to add an extra TBS or two of coconut oil or sweetener! Steel cut oats donot work in this recipe.
  • Pecans.Chopped almonds or walnuts are also delicious options to use in this recipe. If you are allergic to nuts, simply increase the amount of oats/coconut by 1/2 cup.

Store/freeze

Store this granola in an airtight container (I suggest a glass jar) at room temperature for up to 3 weeks or in the freezer for up to 3 months.

Nutrition

Serving: 0.25cup | Calories: 173.1kcal | Carbohydrates: 16.7g | Protein: 2.4g | Fat: 11.5g | Saturated Fat: 6.8g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1.4g | Monounsaturated Fat: 2.4g | Sodium: 45.7mg | Potassium: 26.5mg | Fiber: 2.5g | Sugar: 6.6g | Vitamin A: 5IU | Vitamin C: 0.2mg | Calcium: 9mg | Iron: 0.3mg

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

Did you enjoy this recipe? Have a question? Leave a comment below!

If you like granola try this Healthy Peanut Butter Granola Recipe

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Healthy Homemade Granola Recipe (2024)

FAQs

Is it healthy to eat homemade granola everyday? ›

On the downside, granola can be high in added sugars, hidden calories, and saturated fat, making some options less healthy. Choosing the right type of granola, controlling serving sizes, and homemade options can make granola a part of a healthy diet.

Is homemade granola healthy for weight loss? ›

High-fiber foods, like the oats and whole grains found in granola, fill you up and keep you feeling fuller longer. Dietary studies have found eating a high-fiber diet can help you lose weight. Dried fruit and nuts also contain antioxidants, like vitamin E, which can lower inflammation in the body.

Is it worth making your own granola? ›

Once you try homemade granola, you won't go back to store-bought granola. It's so much better! This granola recipe is also a far more healthy granola option, since it's made with whole grains, unrefined oil and naturally sweetened.

Is granola better for you than Oatmeal? ›

Which One Is Better for Breakfast? Both oatmeal and granola make for a healthy, nutritious breakfast, but the winner for us is granola—the added nuts, seeds, and dried fruits give you a source of fiber and healthy fats that oatmeal can't quite compete with.

What is the healthiest way to eat granola? ›

Smoothie with Granola

Try adding it to your favorite smoothie to give it an extra boost of fiber from the whole grains, healthy fats and added flavor. It's also an easy way to increase calories in a smoothie. Personally, I think it would be a delicious addition to my Strawberry Peanut Butter Smoothie!

Is granola good to lose belly fat? ›

The Bottom Line. So, is granola good for losing weight? Yes, it can aid in weight loss. However, you need to control your portion size to make sure you get all the nutrients, and it keeps you full for a longer time.

Is granola a good carb or bad carb? ›

Is granola a good carb or bad carb? This depends on the ingredients. While many granolas are made with whole grain rolled oats (a complex carb that is good for your health) many also include sugar, chocolate and other high-carb, high-sugar ingredients.

Is Nature Valley granola healthy? ›

Honestly, a lot of Nature Valley's granola bar products are packed with added sugar, which is totally OK to enjoy once in a while, but be sure to check the nutrition label if you're looking for something less sugary to enjoy on the daily.

What is better than granola? ›

Without anything added to it, muesli is healthier than granola in the sense that it has less fat and sugar.

What makes granola so high in calories? ›

Granola is also calorie dense – some contain a little more than 300 calories per cup, but others can pack up to 600 calories per cup, from added oils, coconut, chocolate and added sugars including evaporated cane juice, honey, maple syrup, molasses, cane sugar and brown rice syrup.

Why is my homemade granola not crunchy? ›

Higher temperatures can cause ingredients like nuts, seeds, and coconut to burn before the batch has a chance to properly dry out and crisp up, Perry says. Stick with a low temperature, keep an eye on your mixture, and stir it from time to time to help it brown evenly.

How long does homemade granola last? ›

When stored properly at room temperature, fresh homemade granola can last for up to four weeks. Preserve its quality by letting it cool completely before storing. Packing it while it's warm leads to condensation and, consequently, unnecessary moisture.

Why is homemade granola so good? ›

Advantage homemade. Both granolas have whole oats as their main ingredient, but the Kellogg's is high in refined sugar and contains palm oil. The homemade version contains protein-rich pecans and uses only a small amount of honey, brown sugar, and vegetable oil. It took me an hour to make granola from scratch.

What are the benefits of homemade granola? ›

Granola is a significant source of important vitamins and minerals. It is typically made from oats, which contain micronutrients like Vitamin E, folates, zinc, iron, selenium, copper, manganese, choline and more. These all play crucial roles in the human body. Vitamin E is vital for immune function and skin health.

How much granola should I eat a day? ›

How much granola should you eat a day? The prevailing belief is that you should consume 45-50g of granola daily. This is frequently the recommended portion size on the granola cereal package. Suggested portion sizes are often 45g, only about three tablespoons full.

How much is too much granola? ›

What is a serving size of granola? The serving size for granola can differ by brand, but a typical portion of granola is 1/3 cup, says Sass, “about the size of one-third of a tennis ball.” That means sitting down to a big bowl of granola for breakfast is excessive.

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