This easy Homemade Granola Recipe with honey is full of easy to find ingredients with lots of variations! It is a crunchy granola recipe that is going to feel like such a healthy start to the day. It is full of flavor and addictive!
We have been in some breakfast ruts around here lately. It’s so easy to get there, don’t you think? And then all the sudden you realize that your love for creating delicious food for your family and eating that food has gone right out the window with your creativity.
You Will Love this Homemade Granola
Let’s get that breakfast joy back with some delicious granola, shall we? This is a recipe that I created last year and it is still one of my very favorites. I love eating this homemade granola dry by the handful as snack and I really really love it in a bowl with some milk and fresh fruit.
It is easy to make and even easier to eat. Should we get started?!
What Do You Put in Granola?
This is a pretty standard formula that is easy to follow and easy to customize to what you are craving.
- Oats – Make sure you buy old fashioned oats not quick cooking.
- Honey holds the granola together.
- Oil makes your granola crisp. See the note in the recipe card about lessening the oil.
- Nuts pack a nice protein punch into your granola. Good choices are pecans or almonds.
- Dried Fruit gets mixed in after baking. Raisins, dried cranberries, and dried pineapple are all great choices!
- Seasonings like cinnamon and vanilla extract. You could try other great flavor combinations though, like a little less cinnamon mixed with a pinch of ginger and allspice!
Granola Variations
- You can replace the honey with agave nectar or maple syrup.
- Instead of vegetable oil, you can use grape seed or coconut oil. Again see the note in the recipe card about cutting back on the oil.
- Trade out half the nuts for seeds! I like adding pumpkin seeds or sunflower seeds to my granola.
- Leave out half of the fruit and after the granola has completely cooled, throw in half a cup of mini chocolate chips for an extra special granola.
For an example of a great vacation, try my PUMPKIN SPICE GRANOLA!
How Do You Make Granola?
- Mix your wet ingredients (sugar, oil, honey), and your seasonings (cinnamon and vanilla) together.
- Fold in the oats and whatever nuts you’ve chosen.
- After baking, you let the granola cool for an hour.
- Break it apart, and mix in your dried fruit.
Watch the video below for all the details on how to make this granola recipe!
NOTE: A few people have had this granola burn. Given how many times I’ve successfully made this, I think different oven temperatures are to blame. Make sure you really watch your granola starting at the half way point of baking.
How Long Can You Store Granola?
Store in an airtight container for up to two weeks!
What is the Serving Size for Granola?
The serving size for this homemade granola recipe is half a cup. At 302 calories and 5 grams of protein it’s a good breakfast and when you add in some milk and fresh fruit, it will leave you feeling satisfied throughout the morning.
Is Granola Gluten Free?
If you buy oats that are certified gluten free, this is a great recipe for someone with a gluten intolerance.
Can this Granola be Made Vegan?
Yes! If you are following a strict vegan diet this is a great recipe for you. Replace the honey with agave or maple syrup and you are good to go.
Other Great Breakfast Ideas
If you make this granola or any of my other recipes, please leave me a comment and let me know what you think!
Homemade Granola Recipe
Ingredients
- 1/3 cup honey you could also use maple syrup or agave nectar
- 1/3 cup brown sugar packed
- 1 TBSP vanilla extract
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1 tsp ground cinnamon
- 1/2 cup vegetable oil See note
- 5 cups old fashioned oats (not quick cooking oats)
- 2 cups chopped pecans any roughly chopped nut would be great here – especially walnuts or almonds
- 1 cup dried cranberries or any dried fruit
- 1 cup raisins or any dried fruit
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 325 degrees. Prepare a large baking sheet by lining it with parchment paper.
- In a large bowl, whisk together honey, oil, brown sugar, vanilla extract, salt, and cinnamon.
- Gently fold in the oats and the nuts. Spread the mixture onto the baking sheet. Bake for 35 to 45 minutes rotating the baking sheet half way though baking. Starting from when you rotate the pan (around 18 minutes), keep a very close eye on your granola. Check on it every few minutes, especially as you start to smell it more. It can burn very quickly. As it starts to turn golden around the edges, it will need only a few minutes more.
- Remove the baking sheet from the oven. Allow to cool for an hour. Break apart the granola and mix in the dried fruit. Store in an airtight container for up to two weeks.
Notes
Michaela says
I just made this very good looking granola recipe. Unfortunately i can’t enjoy it, because of the issue with oven time , after 20 minutes it wasn’t getting brown yet and it wasn’t crunchy yet so i put another 10 minutes and everything get burned. Such a waste of all those expensive ingredients. Every oven is different i know. Maybe just an advise if you go make this recipe for the first time , use the half amount of the ingredients , so in case you have the same problem like me, the damage wouldn’t be that big. I will definitely try it again but will be standing after 20 minutes next to my oven watching it ;-)
I’m so sorry! That is absolutely frustrating. I’ve made it a few times and haven’t had this problem, but I’m going to add some additional instructions to the recipe in the hopes that it doesn’t happen to anyone else.
Valerie Harris says
I made this granola recipe (I made two batches) for a large group event, and it turned out fabulous! I used whole almonds, pistachios and pepitas for the nuts, and dried apricots and dried cherries for the fruit. Everyone raved about it and asked me for the recipe!!
I’m so happy to hear that Valerie!
Erica D says
Thank you for this simple recipe! I followed it exactly, really liked it…making it a 3rd time right now!! :)
Side note: I made it w less oil (less calories) the first time I tried it – it was good BUT it is so much better and crispy w the whole 1/2 c oil.
So happy to hear this, Erica! Thank you so much for coming back to let me know!
Patricia says
Can I cut these into bars
No, this won’t work for granola bars. But I have a recipe for them here: Granola Bars.
Laura says
I cleaned out my pantry with this recipe, and the granola was great! Used agave, just a little brown sugar, coconut oil, slivered almonds, pepitas and dried cranberries. Plenty of natural sweetness.
So glad to hear you liked it Laura!
Sheila Yonge says
This was a great recipe. I really enjoy the flavor and didn’t take that long to make.
I’m so glad to her that you liked this, Sheila!
Renee says
I made this following the recipe with these changes: I used about half the oil, and about two thirds the honey in an effort to minimize the calories. Like Lisa advised, my granola did not clump as much as with all the oil. I am very happy with the results and will return to this recipe again.
I’m so glad you liked it!
Johana says
I’m currently getting ready to make these, but I just realized something. The recipe doesn’t specify if I should preheat the oven to 325°F or C, so I’m unsure
I’m so sorry about that, Johana! It is Fahrenheit.
Beth says
My daughter loves this!! I have been making her a batch a week for over a year. Now that she is away at college, I make some and send it to her!! So much healthier and cost effective than store bought!
You sending this to your daughter at college, absolutely made my day. Thank you, Beth.