Easy and healthy homemade granola recipe (2023)

This healthy 7-ingredient homemade granola recipeIt is an easy, comforting and delicious treat.

Most store-bought granolas are high in sugar, contain unhealthy saturated fats and oils, and are filled with unnecessary fillers and ingredients.

Luckily for you and me, this granola isn't full of the gross stuff.

Preparing this healthy homemade granola recipe is super quick. It lets you control the amount of sugar and quality of ingredients while changing things up and adding the flavors you love..

Healthy homemade granola also makes your house smell amazing, like you've been working in the kitchen all day! But do not worry; you can do it from start to finish in 25 minutes or less.

Is it cheaper to make your own granola?It's cheaper to make your own granola.eyou choose to do this more than once. It can be a little pricey to buy all the ingredients in bulk, but homemade granola is very affordable in the long run.

This healthy granola recipe was one of the first recipes I posted on this blog. It has since been downloaded hundreds of thousands of times to rave reviews. This recipe is still a staple in my house after all these years!

Ingredients for a Healthy Homemade Granola

You only need 7 simple ingredients to make healthy homemade granola, and you might already have them all in your pantry:

Whole oat flakes

Whole oats are full of fiber, protein, and good-for-you vitamins and minerals like folic acid, iron, and magnesium.

I buy my whole-grain rolled oats in the bulk section of my local grocery store, but if your store doesn't have a bulk section, you can probably find them in the bakery aisle.

Regardless, make sure you buy 100% pure, whole-grain rolled oats for your homemade granola. Avoid anything that says "instant" or "quick cook". (Instant/Quick Cook Oats = processed/higher glycemic index/badder for you.)

Oats are naturally gluten-free, but most are preserved in gluten-containing facilities. Check the package label for a "certified gluten-free" seal if you are allergic or sensitive to gluten.

Coconut oil (or any healthy oil)

I like to use coconut oil because it gives the granola a nice, light flavor, but you can use any healthy oil you like. The small amount of oil we use here helps make healthy homemade granola, but you can barely taste it.

Other options: Extra virgin olive oil, grapeseed oil or macadamia nut oil would also be great here.

Coconut oil, macadamia nut oil or extra virgin olive oil would be my first choices. Avocado oil probably has a very strong flavor, but you can try it in a pinch.

Oils to avoid:Oils rich in omega-3 fats like flaxseed oil are great for your health but should be avoided here. They are meant to be eaten raw and go rancid when heated (omega-3s don't like heat at all, don't cook with them). I generally avoid using canola oil because it contains a lot of omega-6s associated with inflammation.

Nuts, seeds, dried fruits and more

This is where you can customize your healthy homemade granola according to your preferences.Below I give you the exact recipe for the homemade granola that I make at home., but feel free to substitute any of the nuts, seeds, or dried fruit for an equal amount of one of the three.

I always add unsalted nuts and seeds to my homemade granola for flavor, texture, extra nutrients, and extra healthy protein and fiber. Use what you like and what you have on hand. I like to include almonds, walnuts, peanuts, pistachios, cashews and walnuts. If you avoid nuts, you can replace the nuts with more pumpkin seeds (nuggets) or sunflower seeds.

A small amount of unsweetened dried fruit such as raisins, dried cranberries or dried apricots is also a great addition. I like to buy unsweetened nuts to keep the sugar low; I buy it in the bulk section of my grocery store for a great price.

From a health standpoint, read your labels. Dried fruits in conventional grocery stores often have a lot of added sugar. However, the natural dried fruits you find in health-oriented grocery stores add a lovely flavor and pack a lot of nutrients without excess sugar.

You can also add other mix-ins to give your homemade granola a fun twist. Try options like chia seeds, shredded coconut flakes, and dark chocolate chips to add a delicious kick to your granola. If you are adding chocolate chips, add them after the granola has cooled to avoid making a big mushy mess.

Honey or real maple syrup

To add a little sweetness to healthy homemade granola, I prefer real maple syrup. Just make sure it's real and none of that pancake syrup nonsense (conventional "pancake" syrup is maple-flavored corn syrup, yuck!).

As with everything, read your labels.The only ingredient in maple syrup should be maple syrup.

Local raw organic honey is also a great option, especially if someone you're cooking for suffers from seasonal allergies.

Some health experts say that local raw honey that has not been pasteurized will contain small traces of local pollen that can help with allergy issues (a little homeopathy).

Although the scientific evidence is limited, it doesn't hurt to try! The healthy homemade granola is roasted over low heat so that its ingredients retain their nutrients.

Again, be careful with the sweetener to keep the sugar content low. Always avoid highly processed white sugars and artificial sweeteners. Read maple syrup and honey labels and make sure the only ingredients in the bottle are maple syrup (no corn syrup) or honey.

Vanilla extract, cinnamon and sea salt

Don't skip the extra vanilla and salt! Vanilla extract adds a gourmet flavor to homemade granola, and salt enhances the flavor of each ingredient and makes the sweetener taste even sweeter.

I use Real Salt brand sea salt for its purity and more delicate melting texture in recipes like this one. You can find it in almost any supermarket these days.

Kosher salt would also work, but it's a little thicker, so you really have to put it in the mixture by hand.

How to make crunchy and crumbly granola

Making crunchier, more crumbly granola requires no additional ingredients, just a few extra steps. Be sure to press the ingredients into an even layer before baking. Stir the granola once halfway through cooking.

For extra crunch in your granola, press down the granola before it has completely cooled to room temperature and avoid beating until completely cooled so that the pieces dry together.

How to store and serve homemade granola

Storing granola is similar to storing dry oats. Since this recipe is homemade, you can store it in an airtight container for up to 2 weeks.

Personally, I prefer to store my homemade granola in a mason jar in the fridge or in a BPA-free plastic bag when traveling or on the go.

Here is my favorite recipe and check out more recipe variations in the recipe card too!

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Homemade granola recipe variations

Get creative with your granola! This recipe is flexible andsupereasy to modify. Use any combination of healthy ingredients to give it your own flavor and consistency (crispy, toasted, chunky, etc.).

Here are some ideas to get started:

Healthy Homemade Maple Almond Granola Recipe

• 2 cups raw whole-grain oats
• ½ cup sliced ​​raw almonds
• ¼ cup raw sunflower seeds
• 2 tbsp maple syrup (100% real maple syrup)
• 1 tablespoon of raw honey
• 2 tablespoons virgin coconut oil
• ¼ teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 large pinch of fine sea salt

Healthy Homemade Cherry Pecan Granola

• 2 cups raw whole-grain oats
• ½ cup chopped raw pecans
• ½ cup unsweetened dried cherries, chopped
• ¼ cup sliced ​​raw almonds
• ¼ cup raw sunflower seeds
• 2 tbsp maple syrup (100% maple syrup, preferably grade b)
• 2 tablespoons virgin coconut oil
• ¼ teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 large pinch of fine sea salt

The healthiest homemade granola recipe

This super delicious and healthy granola recipe below is the perfect combination of oats, oils, nuts, seeds, dried fruits and sweetness. Makes about three cups of homemade granola.

Half a cup is normally a single serving. You can always make two batches of the recipe for extra granola.

Serving Suggestions:

• Serve as a cereal with unsweetened non-dairy milk (I prefer unsweetened almond milk) or milk if you can tolerate dairy.
• Place it on top of unsweetened Greek yogurt or make a granola and yogurt parfait.
• use it asthe "stuffing" in baked apples, and you will have a new favorite dessert
• Enjoy it on its own as a snack (homemade granola works well in sachets)

Be sure to check out the flavor variations on the recipe card too!

Homemade granola FAQ:

What is granola made of?Granola is typically made with rolled oats (some may use a variation on traditional oats or muesli) combined with other ingredients like nuts, seeds, dried fruit, or even sweet treats like dark chocolate chips.

Homemade granola is baked until perfectly browned and can be eaten plain (yum) or lightly sweetened with brown sugar, maple syrup or honey.

Is granola bad for you?Granola is a wonderful alternative to most breakfast foods and snacks that are loaded with unhealthy carbohydrates, saturated fats and sugars. Anything can become unhealthy when eaten in moderation, but overall, granola is the perfect healthy alternative.

What is the healthiest granola?Always low in sugar and high in nutrients. Whenever possible, I prefer homemade over store-bought because you can control the ingredients and adjust based on your nutritional needs.

More delicious breakfast recipes on the go:

• Chocolate Banana Bread Mini Muffins
• healthy energy cookies
• No-bake chocolate and hazelnut energy drinks