This Homemade Granola Recipe is crunchy, satisfying, delicious, and easy to make ahead for weeks full of good-for-you breakfasts. It makes a perfectly crisp and crunchy topping for Greek yogurt, parfaits, and fruit, and it’s easy to make it your own once you master the basic recipe. This post may contain affiliate links. Read my disclosure policy.
Granola Video TutorialWe always have granola on hand for breakfast at our house, and it’s such a staple for us that I included it in my New York Times Best Selling Cookbook. I know you’ll love this granola recipe as well since it is easy to make and starts your morning off with a healthy boost of energy without refined sugar.
Best Homemade Granola RecipeThis granola recipe is satisfying and filling, giving us the energy to get going in the morning. While we love a once-in-a-while hardy breakfast of French Toast, Baked Bacon, Scrambled Eggs, and Breakfast Potatoes–the works—we need an energy-boosting nutritious option for everyday breakfast.
This is one of our favorite healthy breakfast options, along with Green Smoothies, Poached Eggs, and fresh fruit, because it has less heaviness, lower fat, and no refined sugars, but it is still crave-worthy. Make a batch at the beginning of the week for a go-to meal that is ready each morning.
Once you make the basic granola recipe, I’ve included suggestions for substituting and adding your favorite flavors to make this granola your family’s favorite breakfast option. You’ll love it. Your spouse will love it. Your kids will love it. You have to try this recipe! Ingredients for Homemade GranolaYou only need a few pantry staples to make my homemade granola recipe. It tastes so much better than anything store-bought, and we don’t use refined sugars, additives, or cheap fillers, so you can feel good about what you’re eating.
Oats – you can use classic rolled oats, old-fashioned oats, thick-cut rolled oats, or instant rolled oats. I tested this with sprouted oats as well but it resulted in a softer and chewier granola. For gluten-free granola, be sure to buy certified GF oats.
Almonds – shaved or slivered almonds create the best crunch
Unsweetened coconut flakes – add a natural sweetness and crunch.
Coconut Oil – This is my favorite type of oil to use for homemade granola since it adds good flavor and can stand up to baking. See substitutions below.
Honey and maple syrup – natural sweeteners give the granola the perfect amount of sweetness.
Salt – Salt intensifies flavors and melds the sweet and the savory to make a complete flavor profile. VariationsOnce you’ve mastered the basic granola recipe, try some of these variations to make the mixture your own:
Sweets – add chocolate chips, butterscotch chips, colorful sprinkles, or white chocolate chips after the granola has cooked and cooled, so you don’t melt the chocolate.
Nuts – swap the almonds with chopped pecans, walnuts, macadamia nuts, pistachios, peanuts, or cashews
Seeds – Add seeds, like pepitas (like our Pumpkin Flax Granola) or sunflower seeds
Oil – replace the coconut oil with neutral flavored extra light olive oil or avocado oil
Spice – the options are endless here! try pumpkin pie spice for the fall, or replace the cinnamon with cardamom or ginger.
Dried fruit – add your favorite dried fruit after cooking, since the dried fruit will bubble, melt, and burn in the oven. Try raisins, dried figs, apricots, cherries, or cranberries. How to Make Homemade GranolaThis homemade granola recipe is our go-to since it has all the best flavors and just enough sweetness. It’s as simple as mixing and baking.
Switch on the oven to 325°F and line an 18×13” baking sheet with parchment paper.
Mix oats, almonds, and coconut flakes in a large bowl.
Microwave oil and honey in a separate cup for 15 seconds or until the coconut oil has melted. Then stir in the maple syrup and the salt. Stir until well combined.
Pour the warm coconut oil mixture over the large bowl of the oat mixture and mix until evenly coated, then spread the mixture evenly on the baking sheet, and then bake for 18-20 minutes. Be sure to stir halfway through for even toasting, and remove when the granola looks golden and toasted.
Cool the granola completely on the pan before touching it. Once cooled, use your hands to break it up into pieces as big or as little as you prefer. Pro Tip:Homemade granola makes a great neighborly or teacher gift! Package it in an airtight container, like a zip-top bag or mason jar, and a ribbon. Voila! A sweet, homemade gift!
How to Serve Homemade GranolaGranola is surprisingly versatile and can keep breakfast exciting. Here are a few ways my family enjoys granola for breakfast:
Layered into a Parfait (see our BONUS recipe below!)
With milk as a cereal
Topping a Smoothie Bowl
Added to peanut butter toast with a bit of honey
Served over baked fruit like in our Baked Pears or Baked Apples
Over Ice cream
Topping a bowl of Sauteed Cinnamon ApplesHow to Make a Yogurt Granola ParfaitA parfait is by far our favorite way to enjoy homemade granola. This is from Natasha’s Kitchen Cookbook. Here’s what you need to make one parfait:
Greek yogurt
1/2 Tbsp chia seeds, optional
1 teaspoon honey (or added to taste)
1/4 cup granola
1/2 cup fresh berries
Add Greek yogurt to a mason jar, fancy glass container, or simply a bowl. Sprinkle the chia seeds on top, followed by a drizzle of the honey, and then stir the mixture together. For a bit more sweetness, add another drizzle of honey.
Top the mixture with granola and berries.It’s so easy to enjoy homemade granola any day of the week with this simple granola recipe. You’ll love how fresh it tastes and how easy it is to make. Treat yourself to a breakfast you won’t mind waking up for.
Make-AheadHomemade granola keeps well at room temperature or in the freezer for longer storage.
Room Temperature – store in an airtight container or jar for up to 4 weeks
To Freeze Granola – store in a freezer-safe zip-top bag in the freezer for up to 3 months. You can eat it right out of the freezer or wait a few minutes to thaw. More Easy Breakfast RecipesThis homemade granola recipe is the perfect way to start a busy morning without taking nearly any time. If you’re looking for easy or make-ahead breakfast recipes for busy weekday mornings, start here:
Breakfast Burritos
Perfect Omelette
Buttermilk Pancakes
Zucchini Muffins
Hashbrowns
Freezer Breakfast Sandwiches
Breakfast Egg MuffinsHUNGRY FOR MORE? Subscribe to Natasha’s Newsletter and YouTube for meal-time inspiration and let’s connect on social! Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest, and X for a peek behind the scenes of Natasha’s Kitchen.
This post may contain affiliate links. Read my disclosure policy.
Ingredients for Homemade GranolaYou only need a few pantry staples to make my homemade granola recipe. It tastes so much better than anything store-bought, and we don’t use refined sugars, additives, or cheap fillers, so you can feel good about what you’re eating.
VariationsOnce you’ve mastered the basic granola recipe, try some of these variations to make the mixture your own:
Pro Tip:Homemade granola makes a great neighborly or teacher gift! Package it in an airtight container, like a zip-top bag or mason jar, and a ribbon. Voila! A sweet, homemade gift!
How to Make a Yogurt Granola ParfaitA parfait is by far our favorite way to enjoy homemade granola. This is from Natasha’s Kitchen Cookbook. Here’s what you need to make one parfait:
It’s so easy to enjoy homemade granola any day of the week with this simple granola recipe. You’ll love how fresh it tastes and how easy it is to make. Treat yourself to a breakfast you won’t mind waking up for.
