Homemade Granola

Last Updated July 20th, 2022 at 07:08 am by Lisa

Homemade Granola made with fresh quality ingredients is the perfect breakfast cereal and is great in yogurt parfait bowls, granola bars, cookies, and more.

Mix up a big batch of this healthy granola recipe loaded with natural sweeteners, lots of texture, and a super great crunch...

Homemade Coconut Granola Recipe

Easy homemade granola recipes are everywhere, but this one comes from a Bed and Breakfast in California where they are known for having the best granola! They make this homemade coconut oil granola year-round, and I was lucky enough to get this delicious granola recipe.

wet ingredients

• ¾ cup melted coconut oil
• 3 tablespoons vanilla extract
• 1 cup honey

dry ingredients

• ¼ cup chia seeds
• 1 teaspoon cinnamon
• 3 tablespoons brown sugar
• 1 cup unsweetened coconut flakes
• 1 cup wheat germ
• 1 ½ cup pistachios, almonds, pecans
• 2 cups bran flake cereal
• 6 cups rolled oats (not quick oats)

Let's Make Granola!

1. In a large mixing bowl, add the wet ingredients; coconut oil, vanilla extract, and honey. Mix, it won't totally incorporate, just give it a good stir.
2. Roughly chop the nuts you chose. Sliced almonds work really well, pistachios are the right size too, just rough chop larger nuts like walnuts and pecans.
3. Next add all dry ingredients: chia seeds, cinnamon, brown sugar, pistachios, almonds, pecans, coconut, wheat germ, bran flake cereal, and rolled oats.
4. Mix all ingredients well, place in a single layer on a large 10 x 15 sheet baking pan or cookie sheet and spread evenly for best results.
5. Bake 225 degrees for 1 hour, and stir every 20 minutes while baking.
6. Remove from the oven, and stir every 20 minutes until the granola is cool. This prevents the granola from forming clumps of granola clusters.
7. Once cool, store in small ziptop bags or airtight containers like a mason jar in the refrigerator, and will keep up to two months. Don't leave it at room temperature or it will go stale.

rolled oats

Use old fashioned oats also labeled old-fashioned rolled oats as opposed to quick-cook oats, they have a better texture. 

nuts

I love sliced raw almonds, pecans, and pistachios. Other options are sunflower seeds, walnuts, flax seeds, cashews, pumpkin seeds, macadamia nuts, or sesame seeds would all be great.

coconut oil

Sometimes called virgin coconut oil, unrefined coconut oil is oil that has been pressed from coconut meat and undergone no further processing. Do not use different oils like olive oil as it will add an off flavor, or a vegetable oil like canola oil as it is too neutral in flavor.

optional add-ins

If you plan on making your own homemade granola for snacks, add some chocolate chips or dried fruit! You can also change the flavor entirely and add a sprinkle of Pumpkin Pie Spice when mixing, for a fall twist!

Why Make Your Own Granola?

• The taste is incredible, and you can customize the recipe with nuts and other ingredients you love.
• It will save you money. Have you seen the price of granola, especially s quality one without additives? You can easily spend $5 or $6 or more on a 12-oz. bag of "natural" and organic is even pricier!
• You'll know exactly what's in it. Skip an excessive amount of processed sugar, you can control what's in it by making it yourself.
• It's easy! And uses up ingredients you probably already have on hand. You will be wondering why you haven't been making it your whole life.

Storage Tips

PRO TIP: Granola keeps well refrigerated or frozen in small zip-top bags or sealed in containers for several weeks.

Granola Recipes

1. Pour coconut milk or almond milk on homemade granola for your morning cereal
2. Top ice cream scoops
3. Sprinkle on Smoothies and Smoothie Bowls
4. Toss on any cereal for more crunch
5. Bake Granola Cookies
6. Add to Hot Oatmeal
7. Spread peanut butter on toast and add a sprinkle
8. Cinnamon baked apples go great with a granola topping
9. Add to muffins or pancake batter to add texture and crunch
10. Mix crushed granola with soft butter, flour, and sugar for a different kind of streusel topping for crisps and crumbles
11. Bake homemade granola bars
12. Top any yogurt with granola and toss in a few fresh fruit or berries for a beautiful breakfast.

More Healthy Breakfast Recipes

One great way to use your granola is Yogurt Parfaits. They can be made ahead and ready for quick breakfasts or snacks.

For a fresh clean start for breakfast, try these amazing Pink Grapefruit Green Detox Smoothies, it is one of my new favorite breakfast recipes.

For a healthier breakfast, that the whole family will love, try my Parmesan Baked Hash Browns. They are not cooked in oil, simply baked to a golden brown. Over the years, these hash browns are a great healthy breakfast idea that has become a reader favorite!

It doesn't get much healthier than this gorgeous green Avocado Toast.