Healthy Homemade Granola Recipe (2024)

By Laura

Posted Aug 31, 2017, Updated Oct 01, 2021

4.95 from 18 votes

70 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!

Healthy Homemade Granola Recipe (2)

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!

Healthy Homemade Granola Recipe (3)

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.

Healthy Homemade Granola Recipe (7)

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.

Healthy Homemade Granola Recipe (8)

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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 18 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

Healthy Homemade Granola Recipe (11)

The links in this post are affiliate links, thank you for supporting JoyFoodSunshine.

Healthy Homemade Granola Recipe (2024)

FAQs

Is eating homemade granola healthy? ›

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 granola better for you than oats? ›

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.

Why are homemade granola not crunchy? ›

Bake low and slow.

Cook at 300 degrees F slowly for about 30 minutes or until it is golden brown and toasty. Cooking at too high of a temperature will likely burn the honey coating, the oats, and the nuts. A lower temperature ensures even baking for crispy, crunchy granola.

Which granola is healthy? ›

What's the healthiest granola you can buy?
  • Back Roads, Ancient Grains (unsweetened)
  • Bear Naked Granola, Fruit & Nut.
  • Bob's Red Mill Honey Almond Granola.
  • Kind Healthy Grain Clusters, Raspberry With Chia Seeds.
  • Nature's Path Honey Almond Granola.
  • Purely Elizabeth Original Granola.
  • Wildway Grain-Free Granola, Banana Nut.
Apr 23, 2024

Is granola ok for weight loss? ›

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.

Is 1 cup of granola too much? ›

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.

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.

Is granola a carb or protein? ›

Granola may form part of a varied and balanced diet, but it's best to keep to the recommended portion size because granola is high in calories, carbs and sugar.

What ingredients should you avoid in granola? ›

Check the ingredient list, avoiding products that list sugar or sweeteners —including natural sweeteners like honey — within the first few ingredients. Instead, the first few ingredients should be whole foods, such as oats, nuts, seeds, and dried fruit. You may also want to look for varieties high in protein and fiber.

What ingredient makes granola stick together? ›

Clumpy Granola Method: Add Whole Wheat and Almond Flour

First, it adds a combo of whole wheat flour and almond flour (or almond meal), which act as a binder to hold the oat mixture together.

How long does homemade granola stay fresh? ›

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.

Is it okay to eat granola every day? ›

The Bottom Line

Granola is healthy in small amounts, especially because oats, nuts, seeds and dried fruit in granola provide some fiber that's good for heart and gut health. However, granola can also be a rich source of calories, saturated fat and sugar, depending on the brand you buy.

What granola does Chick-fil-A use? ›

Harvest Nut Granola – Chick-fil-A® Outlets at San Clemente.

What is healthier than granola? ›

Muesli is lower in sugar and fat than granola, making it a better option for people who are watching their calorie intake. Granola is a good source of protein and healthy fats, making it an ideal option for people who want to maintain their energy levels throughout the day.

Is it healthy to eat granola by itself? ›

There's no wrong way to enjoy granola. It's just as good when sprinkled on as a crunchy topping, baked into healthy bars and bites, or eaten on its own like cereal. Adventurous cooks could even try sneaking it into baked goods or using it as a nutritious whole-grain breading for fried foods.

Why is homemade granola better? ›

YUM! More reasons to obsess over homemade granola: Healthier: it has less sugar and is lower Calorie than anything you'll find at the store. Freezer Friendly: It will keep for months in the freezer, stored in a freezer safe bag.

How many calories in a bowl of homemade granola? ›

Region: US
ServingIngredientCalories
5.3 ozgreek yogurt89
1/2 mediumbanana53
1/4 cupgranola149
1 tbsphoney64
Dec 14, 2016

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