Granola started off as a healthy treat, full of whole grains, sprinkled with wholesome nuts and dried fruit. Over the years, commercialism and appealing to the masses caused cereal companies to reinvent granola, adding all sorts of preservatives and unappealing additives. Making homemade granola is super simple. Because you control what goes into it, you can also determine the calorie and sweetener levels, and it takes less than half an hour to make a batch. Once you make your own granola, you’ll never buy a bag from the store again.
My daughter plays soccer. She needs energy and she loves granola. She asked me if I could make some, how could I say no to this face (pictured left)?
She was pretty specific about what she wanted it in. Sliced almonds, dried cranberries, and chocolate chips. :) No problem girly, you know I love ya.
You can adapt this recipe to suit your personal tastes. My daughter isn’t big on walnuts, so we use sliced almonds and sunflower seeds. She also prefers dried cranberries to raisins. And of course, she had to have chocolate chips. Here are some ideas for substitutions and add ins:
DRY
rolled (old fashioned) oats
ground flax seed
wheat germ
NUTS (UNSALTED)
sunflower seeds
pumpkin seeds
sliced almonds
pecans
walnuts
hazelnuts
Note: If you use salted nuts, you may want to omit the salt that is mixed with the cinnamon at the opening of the instructions!
FRUIT
dried cranberries
flavored Craisins
raisins, brown or golden
other dried fruits (banana chips, dried blueberries, etc)
SWEETENER
brown sugar (light or dark)
maple syrup
honey
agave nectar
shredded coconut
FLAVORING
pure vanilla extract
other extracts such as almond, lemon, cherry, etc
spices (cinnamon, nutmeg, etc)
Easy Homemade GranolaÂ
adapted from Baked: New Frontiers in BakingÂ
Homemade Granola Recipe
IMPORTANT - There are often Frequently Asked Questions within the blog post that you may find helpful. Simply scroll back up to read them!
Print It Rate ItIngredients
- 2 cups rolled oatsÂ
- 1 teaspoon cinnamonÂ
- 1 teaspoon saltÂ
- 3 tablespoons plus 1 teaspoon Canola oilÂ
- ¼ cup honeyÂ
- ¼ cup firmly packed light brown sugarÂ
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extractÂ
- ½ cup slivered almondsÂ
- ½ cup sunflower seedsÂ
- â…“ cup dried cranberries we used cherry flavored CraisinsÂ
- â…“ cup chocolate chipsÂ
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 325 degrees. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.Â
- In a large bowl, toss the oats with cinnamon and salt.Â
- In a medium bowl, stir together the oil, honey, brown sugar, and vanilla. Whisk until completely combined.Â
- Pour the honey mixture over the oats mixture and use your hands to combine them. Gather up some of the mixture in each hand and make a fist. Repeat until all of the oats are coated with the honey mixture.Â
- Pour the mixture onto the prepared baking sheet. Spread it out evenly, but leave a few clumps here and there for texture.Â
- Bake for 10 minutes, then remove from the oven and use a metal spatula to lift and flip the granola. Sprinkle the nuts over the granola and return the baking sheet to the oven.Â
- Bake for 5 minutes, then remove from the oven and use a metal spatula to lift and flip the granola. Return the baking sheet to the oven.Â
- Bake for 10 minutes, then remove from the oven. Let cool completely. Sprinkle the dried cranberries and chocolate chips over the granola and use your hands to transfer it to an airtight container. The granola will keep for 1 week.
Amanda Davis
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Amanda says
Thanks for all your great comments everyone! I am going to make a new batch tomorrow, I loved it as cereal! :)
Barbara @ moderncomfortfood says
This looks wonderful, Amanda, and I particularly like the mix of flavors you've chosen and your light hand with added oils. Linseeds (so good for us) are another great addition to homemade granola. Have you tried it?
Sarah, Maison Cupcake says
I made granola for the first time yesterday and it was a revelation! I'll always make it now. Yours looks great, I want to get some coconut pieces for my next batch.
triolus says
That looks great! I have made some of my own granola before, and you're right — it's just better! I'll have to get back to making some of my own soon.
Do you make them in powerbar form as well?
Ingrid says
Your daughter and her friend look cute in their pink jerseys.
I've been meaning to make homemade granola for about a year! I don't know why I haven't yet. Like a big dummy I've been buying the stuff.
~ingrid
Maria says
Homemade granola is my favorite!
Jelli Bean says
I love homemade granola, and this recipe looks swell, as it doesn't use too much oil. I tried a different recipe last month that said that spinning half of the oats in the food processor to nearly powder consistency before mixing them in would help create clumps, if you like clumpy granola. This trick works like a charm!
Michelle says
OH boy does this look good and such a gorgeous dish too!
Wonderful photo!
Heather Davis says
This looks great Amanda. I love granola and have always fancied making my own. Will definitely give this a go. Thanks for providing the different options too.
megan says
I love my homemade granola! I add coconut with chocolate chips. That girl knows good food!!! :)
Deeba PAB says
Your daughter is beautiful Amanda, & I love that she chose what she wanted in her granola. For some reasom the comment box isn't appearing so I was unable to leave a comment earlier. All seems well now! I love your take on granola!!
Sue Sparks says
Homemade granola is so much better than store-bought! Sometimes we add m&m's…evil, I know:) It's great for taking on a hike!
Susan says
I love granola. I like to put it in my yogurt. I will definitely try this recipe. Thanks Amanda!
Katrina says
Yum! One of my favorite things is homemade granola! Love the chocolate chips! ;)
jose manuel says
Que rico tiene que estar para el desayuno. Gracias por la receta
Grumpy & HoneyB says
Don't you love it when your child request you to make something….especially when it is good for you! I wouldn't say no either! :) Looks yummy too! I eat granola every morning on my yogurt (am eating it right now as a matter of fact!)
Snooky doodle says
this looks delicious and surely more healthy than store bought
Chef Fresco says
Yum! Lucky daughter – I'm jealous! She sure picked some good ingredients!
Flourchild says
Iv'e got a soccer player too..this would be some great energy food! Your picture of your granola makes me want a bowl with ice cold milk right now!
Culinary Cory says
Sounds like a great granola recipe. I'm a fan of homemade granola on a yogurt parfait.