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Easy Homemade Granola

Crunchy, clusters of oat and almonds make this simple granola recipe a pantry staple.

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Easy Homemade Granola made with oats, almonds, salt, brown sugar, syrup, oil and vanilla extract
Photography by Gayle McLeod

The Best Granola Recipe

Only 8 simple ingredients make this granola recipe – more so a template than a recipe – a straightforward, easy-to-master basic granola! It has the clusters of oats, it’s sweet but not overly sweet, with hints of vanilla (and sometimes almond!) The best part is once you’ve memorized this recipe for granola, you can customize it with your favorite nuts, spices, or mix-ins! Once you try this easy granola, you might never buy store-bought granola again, but we’ll let you be the judge!

oats, sliced almonds, salt, brown sugar, maple syrup, coconut oil, olive oil and vanilla extract in bowls to make granola

Is Homemade Granola a Healthy Snack?

While many granolas and granola bars at the grocery store are chock full of sugar, extra fat, and a long list of ingredients that are hard to pronounce, this homemade granola is only made from the good stuff! If you’re looking to make granola gluten free, make sure you check the label on your oats. Here’s why we love this healthy granola:

  • Old Fashioned Oats are incredibly nutritious with a balance of healthy carbs, fiber, and protein as well as manganese and B vitamins…ideal for this homemade granola recipe.

  • Almonds are rich in vitamin E, healthy fats (think brain health!), and protein.

  • Salt! Believe it or not, we need it to live, and in small amounts is actually good for us!

  • Brown Sugar – looked for unrefined brown sugar for a less processed option!

  • Maple Syrup is nature’s sweetener!

  • Canola or Coconut Oil, both work well! If you’re going to use coconut oil, look for refined so it doesn’t impart too much coconut taste (unless that’s what you’re looking for!)

  • Olive Oil is filled with healthy fats that can protect your heart! Look for extra virgin olive oil when you can!

  • Pure Vanilla or Almond Extracts don’t do much nutrition wise but they do add a great flavor

  • Mix-ins: chocolate chips, diced dried fruit, or coconut flakes! When choosing mix-ins such as dried fruit and nuts, look for ones with no added sugar and/or salt as we’ll be adding some in the recipe already! For chocolate, we like to use dark chocolate (70% or above!) as it’s packed with minerals and antioxidants.

granola made with oats, sliced almonds, salt, brown sugar, maple syrup, oil and vanilla on a baking sheet

How to Eat Granola

There are sooo many ways to eat this crunchy granola, the list goes on and on. It’s simple to make and just as easy to devour! Besides popping a handful right into our mouth, our favorite ways to enjoy it include a yummy granola cereal, which is basically just adding it to a bowl with a splash of your favorite milk, such as Almond Milk. We also live for Smoothie Bowl mornings, so adding a little granola atop only makes it even better. For an afternoon pick-me-up, a yogurt parfait does the trick - simply alternate dollops of yogurt, fruit, and granola for a healthy snack! With big clusters, you can cut up an apple (or your favorite fruit!), add a dollop of nut butter and then sprinkle with granola! For a twist you could try our other granola recipes, Homemade Granola with Figs, Almonds and Coconut or Nuts and Seeds Granola!

How to Make Granola

  1. Mix the dry ingredients! To make the perfect granola base – optimal nutrition and crunch – we combine almonds and oats! If you’re using coconut flakes, now is the time to add them!

  2. Combine the wet ingredients! A 1:1 ratio of sweetener to oil helps completely coat the granola base!

  3. Bake! Love clusters and the crunch? SAME! There are a few secrets to keeping your granola crispy and we are here to share them. The first is to slightly press the granola into the pan to create one large block of granola on the rimmed sheet pan (almost like granola bars!). We know it’s difficult, but try not to disturb the granola in the baking process. The second is to wait the FULL 15 minutes after it comes out of the oven before touching it. While it cools, it’ll clump together and when it’s finally time to mix, the results will be clusters of oat and almond goodness!

  4. Add Mix-ins! If you’re using dried fruit or chocolate chips, once the granola is completely cooled, stir them in! For a tropical mix, use dried mango and pineapple. For an autumn mix, we like to use dried cranberries and dark chocolate! Make it your own!

easy homemade granola baked in the oven on a parchment lined baking sheet made with oats, almonds, brown sugar and maple

Tools You’ll Need for Homemade Granola

  • Rimmed Baking Sheet

  • Parchment Paper

  • Large Bowl

  • Small Saucepan

  • Rubber Spatula

Our Favorite Breakfast Ideas

This easy granola recipe can be enjoyed any time of day, but for those of you who love to start your day off with eggs and toast, we’ll one up you with 50 simple breakfast ideas or

For our savory friends, try:

And for our sweet ones:

easy homemade granola on a parchment lined baking sheet being stirred with a spoon

Rise and Shine!

Make mornings better with a scoop of Easy Homemade Granola! How did you eat it? Snap a photo and maybe even a video of the beautiful people you feed it to. Tag us on Instagram using @themodernproper and #themodernproper. Happy eating!

Easy Homemade Granola

  • Serves: 8
  • Prep Time:  10 min
  • Cook Time:  15 min
  • Calories: 336

Ingredients

  • 4 cups old-fashioned oats
  • 2 cups sliced almonds
  • ½ teaspoon kosher salt
  • ¼ cup brown sugar
  • ¼ cup maple syrup
  • ¼ cup canola oil or coconut oil, melted
  • ¼ cup extra virgin olive oil
  • 1 teaspoon pure vanilla or almond extract
  • 2 cups optional add ins: chocolate chips, diced dried fruit or coconut flakes

Method

  1. Preheat the oven to 375° F.

  2. Line a rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper.

  3. In a large bowl, toss the oats, almonds, coconut flakes (if using) and salt until fully incorporated.

  4. In a small saucepan set over medium heat, mix together the brown sugar, maple syrup, canola (or coconut) and olive oils, and the vanilla extract until the brown sugar melts, about 5 minutes. Remove from the heat.

  5. Pour the brown sugar sauce into the bowl with the oats and toss together until fully incorporated.

  6. Spread the granola onto the parchment lined baking sheet.

  7. Bake for 15 mins, stirring the granola ½ way through to prevent uneven browning.

  8. Once your granola is finished baking, let it cool for 15 mins on the baking sheet. Once cooled, crumble the granola and stir in the dried fruit and or chocolate chips.

Nutrition Info

  • Per Serving
  • Amount
  • Calories336
  • Protein7 g
  • Carbohydrates35 g
  • Total Fat20 g
  • Dietary Fiber5 g
  • Cholesterol0 mg
  • sodium101 mg
  • Total Sugars11 g

Easy Homemade Granola

Questions & Reviews

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  • Jodi Marie Harrison

    First time ever making granola. I like this recipe for the simplicity of flavors and a way to use my jar of coconut oil. Took almost twice as long to toast but maybe because the layer was too thick? Question, how does one get granola to cluster up? Use more sugar and or maple syrup? Quite tasty! I will make again since it also saves so much money. My grocery bill is crazy these days.

    Glad you love it so much Jodi! Honey, maple or even egg white should work to make it stickier.

  • Kay

    This granola is awesome, super simple and quick. I used coconut oil and almond extract. I love the almond-y flavor with the extract, delicious!

    Thanks Kay, so glad you liked it!