Easy Homemade Granola Recipe

This Easy Homemade Granola recipe beats the store-bought alternatives in both freshness and taste. Only FIVE ingredients to mix and bake and in no time, you’ll have a wholesome and delicious breakfast or snack option.

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Looking for a healthier version of Quaker Harvest Crunch? This Easy Homemade Granola is it! Love granola? You might also enjoy this yummy Honey Nut Granola and this filling Protein Granola recipe.

Why YOU will love this recipe

• This is the best granola recipe to customize. It works as a great base recipe.
• Homemade means total control of the quality of your ingredients and reducing added sodium and sugar. It will also taste much fresher than store-bought granola.
• These are sweet and crunchy clusters of deliciousness to top your Greek yogurt for breakfast or to enjoy by the handful as a snack. They are packed with healthy complex carbohydrates to keep your energy running.
• This recipe is naturally vegan and gluten-free. Bonus!

Ingredients

Find the full ingredient list, with measurements, in the recipe card below.

• oats – Based on my firsthand experience, I prefer to use the large flake sprouted rolled oats for granola. They have a better texture and lend a nuttier flavor than quick-cooking oats. Look for certified gluten-free oats on the label if there are allergy concerns.
• peanut butter – Our peanut butter of choice is the drippy, crunchy natural variety, meaning the label says “peanuts” and that is it.
• maple syrup – Try to choose real maple syrup. The alternative is actually maple-flavored sugar and is more highly processed.
• cinnamon – This adds a lovely warmth and depth of flavor to your granola.
• fine sea salt – A pinch of salt brings out the taste in all of your ingredients and is an essential component.

Equipment

• saucepan
• mixing bowl
• baking pan – We use a rimmed baking sheet.
• parchment paper – This is a must for easy clean up. We recommend unbleached parchment paper.
• flat spatula – This is useful for flipping the granola while it is cooking and for pressing on afterward to help create clusters.

Instructions

Scroll down to the recipe card at the bottom for the FULL recipe details.

Step 1

Start by preheating the oven and lining the baking sheet with parchment paper. Set the baking sheet aside.

Step 2

Next, in a large bowl, stir together the dry ingredients and set the bowl aside.

Step 3

Then, in a small saucepan over medium-low heat, melt together the wet ingredients – peanut butter, and maple syrup.

Stir until it is a smooth mixture.

Step 4

Next, add the peanut butter mixture to the mixing bowl with the oats.

Stir it well until the oats are coated and everything is combined.

Step 5

Then, spread the mixture into a single layer on the prepared parchment-lined sheet.

Press it down evenly with a flat spatula.

Step 6

Finally, pop the baking sheet into the preheated oven and bake until golden. It takes about 15 minutes.

Flip the granola over at the halfway point to ensure it bakes evenly. Keep your eyes on it towards the end of the cooking time so it doesn’t burn.

Step 7

Once it comes out of the oven, press it down firmly again with the flat spatula, and don’t touch it until it has completely cooled to room temperature.

This will help to form those yummy, crunchy clusters.

Expert tip

Once you have opened and stirred a fresh peanut butter jar, store it upside down in your fridge. This will prevent the oil from settling on the bottom and will help to keep the peanut butter smooth and soft instead of a hard, solid chunk.

This makes it much easier for the next batch of granola you make!

Recipe variations

• Add dried fruits like raisins, apricots, cherries, or dried cranberries to the warm granola right when it comes out of the oven and press it in for a chewy texture and a sweet pop.
• Create a cozy vibe by adding some vanilla extract to the peanut butter mixture before baking. It smells heavenly while it bakes.
• Toss in a handful of dark chocolate chips for a rich cocoa flavor. Be sure to do this after the granola has cooled so the chocolate does not melt.
• Give the granola a bit of crunch by incorporating nuts and seeds like pecans, walnuts, almonds, sunflower seeds, and pumpkin seeds. Whatever you have in the pantry!
• Boost the nutrition and fiber by sprinkling in some ground flaxseed with the oats before baking.

Serving suggestions

• Set out a bowl for everyone to snack on. It won’t last long. Trust me.
• A favorite way to enjoy granola is in a healthy breakfast parfait. Crumble the clusters on top of these delicious healthy yogurt bowls!
• Create a homemade breakfast cereal by adding a splash of cold milk to the bowl. Use homemade hemp milk or almond milk as plant-based substitutes. Top it with some fresh berries.

FAQS

Storage tips

• Store this granola in an airtight container at room temperature for up to a week.
• Homemade granola can also be frozen for longer storage. Wait until the granola has completely cooled then place it in a zip-top freezer bag. Squeeze out all of the air you can before sealing and freezing it for up to 6 months.

More homemade granola recipes

**This recipe was originally posted on September 4, 2013. Updated on January 16, 2020, and updated again on September 28, 2023, with recipe notes, writing, and photos.**

If you’ve tried our Healthy Granola Recipe, please rate it and let us know how it turned out by leaving us a comment below. We’re always interested in feedback!

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