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 eating homemade granola healthy? ›

Often touted as health food, many packaged granolas contain so much fat, sugar, and calories that you might as well eat a candy bar. On the other hand, when enjoyed in moderation, healthy homemade granola is an excellent source of fiber, iron, healthy fat, and protein.

What is a healthy version of granola? ›

But the best bet is to choose a granola with minimally processed sweeteners such as maple syrup, honey and agave. Dried fruit will also add fiber, vitamins, minerals and antioxidants. Granolas fortified with extras like flaxseed and chia seeds are fabulous for a post-workout snack or for a dose of Omega-3 fats.

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.

What is a healthy amount of granola to eat? ›

For a healthy snack, Sass recommends pairing 1/3 cup or less of granola with almond milk, or eating it with fresh berries alongside a protein such as grass-fed organic Greek yogurt or eggs.

Is it OK to eat granola every day? ›

Yes, granola can be eaten daily. As part of a balanced diet and if the portions are checked. Go for healthier options with less added sugars and saturated fats to get the most out of it.

Can you eat homemade granola everyday? ›

Yes. "Granola does contain important nutrients, and if you enjoy it, eating some every day is probably fine as part of a balanced diet," says Harris-Pincus.

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.

Is granola better than oatmeal? ›

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 better than granola? ›

Muesli is a better choice for people looking for low-sugar cereals or people with diabetes. Both are healthy, but consider granola if you want your cereal with a dash of sweetness from honey, chocolate or maple syrup.

Why are 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.

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.

Is granola with milk healthier than cereal? ›

While both granola and cereal may seem similar, there are significant differences between the two. Granola is a healthier, more nutrient-dense, and joyfully versatile option that will not only make your taste buds dance but also keep your body happy and healthy.

Is Greek yogurt and granola healthy? ›

2. Calcium-rich: Greek yogurt is an excellent source of calcium, which is essential for maintaining strong bones and teeth. Adding bananas or granola to your yogurt breakfast further enhances the calcium content and supports bone health.

Is Peanut Butter good for you or not? ›

Peanut butter is a concentrated source of nutrition that may offer potential health benefits. One study showed that eating peanuts every day can lower the overall risk of death by up to 21%—and reduces the occurrence of heart disease by 38%.

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.

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.

Is homemade granola a processed food? ›

Is granola processed? Technically, all granola is processed to some degree because it's a food made out of ingredients which you have combined and cooked. However, there are huge variations in the amount of processing used across different brands.

Is homemade granola healthy for breakfast? ›

Homemade granola can be pretty healthy compared to grocery store version which can contain a lot of sugar. Granola itself is a high energy source due to all the carbohydrates and it can be easy to overeating. I find it's best to use sprinkled on some plain greek yogurt with your ...

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