The Best Healthy Homemade Granola Recipe

This Healthy Homemade Granola is the best and so easy to make with no refined sugars – mix it all together then pop it in the oven!

Ingredients and substitutions

• Rolled oats – bran cereal is a great choice if you don’t want to use oats.
• Coconut chips – coconut flakes would also work but make sure to add them halfway through baking time.
• Maple syrup – honey or agave would both be good and give your granola a touch of sweetness.
• Coconut oil – use olive oil or another neutral oil for a more savoury flavour.
• Chopped walnuts – you can also swap out pistachios, macadamia nuts or another ingredient of your choice.
• Sliced almonds – try using peanuts, pecans or another nut of your choice.
• Pumpkin seeds – chia seeds or sunflower seeds would both be good here.
• Vanilla extract – leave this out altogether or try using almond extract instead.
• Orange zest – cinnamon will also provide a great spice to your granola or you can leave it out altogether.
• Dried berries – cranberries, raisins and any other kinds of dried fruits can be used in this granola.

How to make homemade granola

1. Assemble your ingredients.
2. Mix together everything but the dried berries.
3. Add to a parchment-lined baking sheet.
4. Bake for 50 minutes.
5. Stir in the dried berries.
6. Serve and enjoy!

Reducing the calorie count

Some granola is very high in sugar, calories and other unnecessary ingredients and store-bought granola often tends to contain ingredients like high fructose corn syrup, cane juice and other refined sugars.

This homemade granola recipe uses natural ingredients like maple syrup to sweeten the oats. Honey is another great natural sweetener option. The nuts provide unsaturated fats and important omega-3 fatty acids. However, they also have quite a few calories. Replacing all or some of the nuts with seeds or oats will reduce the calories.

Also, be sure to use coconut oil or extra virgin olive oil instead of high-calorie oils. Olive oil is lower in saturated fats if you prefer that.

Frequently Asked Questions

Storing homemade granola

Granola can be stored in an airtight container in the pantry for up to 2 months.

Having a batch of granola on hand at all times makes it easy to choose a healthy breakfast or snack. Plus, you can make this in large batches, doubling or even tripling the recipe. There will be plenty to share. Since it lasts for so long, these large batches will have plenty of time to be enjoyed.

This also makes a great gift. Put it in a pretty glass jar and tie it with a festive ribbon, and you have a thoughtful homemade gift.

Can you freeze granola?

You actually can freeze this granola recipe just the way you would freeze cookies or other treats. It is fine to freeze the finished product with the dried fruit included. Try to push the granola together the best you can to eliminate any large pockets of air.

It will last for about 8 months in the freezer. When you’re ready to enjoy, just set it on the counter at room temperature for a few hours to thaw.

More make ahead breakfast recipes

• Broccoli Cheddar Crustless Quiche
• Baked Oatmeal Cups
• Overnight Oats 9 Ways

Meal prep tools for this recipe

• Use these Ziploc bag holders if you're storing the granola in a large freezer bag (will be easier to pour into the bag).