This homemade granola recipe is crunchy, lightly sweetened with maple or honey, and is easy to customize for breakfast. Made with oats, nuts, and dried fruit.
Homemade Granola Recipe
A good homemade granola recipe belongs in every kitchen. It’s one of those simple pantry staples that transforms ordinary yogurt, fruit, and smoothie bowls into satisfying breakfasts while filling your home with the comforting aroma of toasted oats and warm spices.
This homemade granola recipe combines rolled oats, spelt flakes, bran, nuts, dried fruit, and natural sweeteners into a crunchy breakfast that’s far more flavorful than most store-bought versions. The ingredients are flexible, allowing you to customize each batch based on what you have on hand or what’s in season.
Whether you’re preparing breakfasts for busy weekdays, packing healthy snacks, or creating a beautiful brunch spread, this granola is an easy make-ahead recipe you’ll return to again and again.
What Makes This Recipe Special
Flavor Profile
This granola strikes the perfect balance between nutty, lightly sweet with maple or honey, and warmly spiced. The oats become golden and crisp during baking, while the nuts add richness and texture.
Maple syrup, honey, molasses, or agave contribute subtle sweetness without overwhelming the natural flavors. A touch of cinnamon, cardamom, ginger, or your favorite spice blend adds warmth that makes every bite feel comforting.
The dried fruit provides bursts of sweetness and chewiness that contrast beautifully with the crunchy clusters.
Best Time to Serve Granola
Serve it over Greek yogurt with fresh berries for breakfast, sprinkle it over smoothie bowls for lunch, or enjoy it by the handful as an afternoon snack. It’s equally at home on a holiday brunch table or packed into jars for homemade gifts.
Because it stores well, it’s an excellent recipe for weekly meal prep.
Why Readers Love This Homemade Granola Recipe
Readers appreciate recipes that save time while offering flexibility. This granola recipe:
- Uses simple pantry ingredients
- Can be customized endlessly
- Stores for weeks
- Makes breakfast quick and easy
- Contains no preservatives
- Costs less than premium store-bought granola
Most importantly, it tastes fresh, crunchy, and homemade.
Ingredients You’ll Need for This Homemade Granola Recipe
Key Ingredients
Rolled Oats – Rolled oats create the foundation of the granola. They bake evenly and develop a satisfying crunch.
Spelt Flakes – Spelt flakes add extra texture and a mild nutty flavor. If unavailable, additional oats can be substituted.
Bran – Oat, wheat, or rice bran contributes fiber and a pleasant hearty texture.
Nuts – Walnuts, pecans, almonds, hazelnuts, pistachios, or mixed nuts all work beautifully.
Dried fruit – Cranberries, raisins, cherries, apricots, dates, or blueberries add sweetness and chewy texture.
Oil – Coconut oil or sunflower oil helps create crisp granola clusters while encouraging even browning.
Maple syrup – Maple syrup creates rich flavor and helps bind the ingredients together. Honey, agave, or molasses also work well.
Spices – Cinnamon is a classic choice, but cardamom, ginger, nutmeg, or pumpkin pie spice offer delicious variations.
Optional Variations
Customize your homemade granola with:
- Pumpkin seeds
- Sunflower seeds
- Chia seeds
- Flaxseed
- Coconut flakes
- Cacao nibs
- Orange zest
- Vanilla extract
For seasonal variations, try dried cherries in summer or dried apples and cinnamon during autumn.
Tools You’ll Need
- Large mixing bowl – Allows you to thoroughly combine the ingredients without spilling.
- Large sheet pan with a sheet of parchment paper to slow roast the granola without it sticking to the pan.
- Metal spatula to loosen turn the granola a few times for even roasting.
- Wooden spoon to mix the ingredients.
- Measuring cup and measuring spoons for balance in flavors.
- Large airtight container for storing the granola once it has cooled.
How to Make Homemade Granola Recipe
Step 1: Preheat the Oven
Preheat your oven to 250°F.
Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
Step 2: Combine Dry Ingredients
In a large bowl combine:
- Rolled oats
- Spelt flakes
- Bran
- Nuts
- Dried fruit
- Spices
Mix thoroughly.
Step 3: Add Wet Ingredients
Pour in the oil and maple syrup.
Fold everything together until all dry ingredients appear lightly coated and evenly moistened.
Step 4: Spread onto Baking Sheet
Transfer the mixture to the prepared baking sheet.
Spread into an even layer for consistent baking.
Step 5: Bake
Bake for approximately 90 minutes.
Halfway through baking, gently stir the granola to ensure even crisping.
Step 6: Cool Completely
Allow the granola to cool completely on the pan.
As it cools, it will become noticeably crunchier.
Step 7: Store
Transfer to an airtight container and store in a cool, dry location.
Kids Can Make This Granola Recipe
Since the measurements of my granola concoction are so easy, a third grader could do it.
The ingredients get dumped it onto a baking sheet, and popped into a low oven. It makes for an easy ‘new chore’ to assign your little ones to help with.
Helpful Shortcuts
Measure dry ingredients directly into the mixing bowl to reduce cleanup.
Batch preparation also works well. Double the recipe and store extra granola in separate airtight containers for easy breakfasts throughout the month.
Dried Fruits Are So Mediterranean!
Having grown up with a Syrian mom, I watched her cook with dried fruits in ways my American friend’s moms never did. North African Tajine is a slow roast method of cooking various meats or vegetables in an earthenware pot, a dish that is often served with Mediterranean Rice, also made with dried fruits.
What Can Granola Be Used With
Cookies and Muffins!! Yes, granola makes for the most delicious cookies or muffins.
For an easy muffin, just get yourself My Muffin Madness cookbook and along with these fabulous healthy granola muffins, there are 51 others you will love!
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I make this granola gluten-free?
Yes. Use certified gluten-free oats and ensure all other ingredients are gluten-free.
Can I use honey instead of maple syrup?
Absolutely. Honey creates a slightly richer flavor and encourages larger granola clusters.
Why isn’t my granola crunchy?
Most often, the granola either needs additional baking time or wasn’t cooled completely before storage.
Can I reduce the sweetness?
Yes. Reduce the maple syrup slightly and increase the spices for flavor.
What nuts work best?
Walnuts, pecans, almonds, and hazelnuts are all excellent choices.
How long does homemade granola last?
Stored properly in an airtight container, it stays fresh for up to three weeks.
Homemade Granola Recipe
Equipment
- Large mixing bowl
- Baking sheet pan
- 48 oz. Airtight container
Ingredients
- 3 cups Rolled Oats
- 1 cup Spelt flakes
- 1 cup Bran, oat, wheat or rice
- 1 cup Dried fruit, your choice
- 1 cup Nuts, your choice, lightly chopped
- 1/4 cup Oil, coconut or sunflower
- 1 tsp spices, cinnamon, ginger, cardamom or your choice
- 1/2 cup Maple syrup, molasses, agave or honey
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 250.
- Combine all the dry ingredients in a large bowl and mix. Gently stir in the wet ingredients and continue to fold all the ingredients together until all of the dry ingredients look wet.
- Spread evenly onto a parchment paper lined baking tray. Bake for 90 minutes.
- Cool and transfer to an airtight container.
I believe the table... that place that draws people to gather, is the most powerful symbol of togetherness. All that happens before the table is set, the planning, the gathering, the preparing, are all an intricate part of the dance that create the mood of celebration to share with friends and loved ones.
One of my favorite breakfast treats! I love the combination of grains—so yummy!
This is one of my favorite ways to start the day!