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This is the very best, perfectly sweet, deliciously crunchy, easy homemade granola recipe. Throw this together from a few pantry staples and uplevel your breakfast game.
The BEST Granola Recipe
You’re going to wonder why you’ve ever spent money on store bought granola after you taste this simple granola recipe (especially since it is so. much. cheaper.)!
This homemade granola is crunchy, slightly sweet, and SO satisfying. I love it as is, but it is also the very best base recipe for granola. So go ahead and eat it as written, or feel free to make it your own. Honestly it’s like a little ‘choose your own adventure’ situation where all the end results are heckin’ yummy.
But if you’re going to adjust this recipe, here’s what you need to know: you need to keep the ratios the same.
Make sure that whatever you do, you use 3 1/2 cups of oats mixed with 2 cups of add-ins.
Want to go tropical? Go ahead and add shredded coconut, macadamia nuts & dried pineapple. Just make sure all of those add-ins add up to only 2 cups.
Make Fall granola by replacing the almond extract with maple extract and then add in a combined 2 cups of pecans and dried cranberries.
Truly, if you follow the ratio rule, the possibilities are endless.
Oh – one final pro tip before I let you get baking – if you use dried fruit, add it AFTER the granola is baked. You don’t want to end up with overcooked dried fruit in your granola!
What is Granola made of?
Exact ingredient quantities and instructions can be found in the printable recipe card below! Made with pantry staples, this homemade granola is super simple and budget friendly.
- Rolled Oats- For this recipe it is important to use real rolled oats. Not instant oats and not steel cut oats. Good old fashion, run of the mill (pun intended) rolled oats.
- Chopped Almonds- I love almonds, but you could use any nut you like or omit the nuts completely! If omitting, make sure to add in extra rolled oats.
- Honey
- Brown Sugar- Brown sugar gives the granola its yum factor and its crunchy-crunch. Basically, you do not want to skip it.
- Butter- I always use salted butter, but unsalted butter will also work!
- Vanilla
- Almond Extract- You can use different extracts to switch up the flavor. Maple or coconut extract would be reallllly good here.
- Salt
How to Make Granola Recipe
- In a large bowl, mix the dry ingredients together and set aside.
- In a medium saucepan over medium heat, add the honey, brown sugar, butter and salt.
- Stir constantly until the brown sugar has dissolved and the butter has melted.
- When the mixture is fully combined, remove from heat and add your vanilla and almond extracts. Stir to combine.
- Pour the warm sugar mixture over the dry ingredients and stir, making sure to coat it evenly.
- Spread the granola out on a parchment lined cookie sheet. (Parchment is a must when making granola!)
- Bake at 300 degrees for 35-45 minutes, stirring every 15 minutes.
- At the 35 minute mark, stir again and check the color of the granola. If the granola has darkened in color, remove it from the oven. If it has not yet darkened, let it cook for another 5 minutes and check, repeating until it has slightly darkened in color.
- Allow the granola to cool completely on the pan then break into bite size pieces.
How to store Homemade Granola
Let your granola cool completely on the pan after baking. Once cooled, break into pieces and store in an airtight container or a zip-top bag. This will keep in a cool, dry place for up to 2 weeks!
Best Granola FAQs
Ugh, there is nothing worse than chewy granola when you’re expecting a nice crunch! If your homemade granola isn’t crunchy, it may not have been baked long enough or at the right temperature! Make sure your oven is up to temp and that the granola isn’t in too thick of a layer for baking. Keep layers thin & give it ample time to cool after baking before storing for maximum crunchiness!
To keep homemade granola crispy, ensure that it’s baked until it’s golden. Allow it to cool completely and then store in an airtight container in a dry place.
The short answer is, yes! Making homemade granola can be cheaper than buying store-bought versions, especially if you purchase ingredients in bulk or on sale. On top of that, homemade granola allows you to customize what you want to add and is so freaking yummy!
Granola is a slightly sweet & crunchy breakfast / snack food made from rolled oats, nuts, and a sweetener. It can include dried fruits and seeds, but it doesn’t need to! Baked until crispy, it can be eaten on its own, paired with yogurt, or used as a cereal with milk.
Once you’ve made this simple granola recipe, your yummy snack options are endless! Throw it on top of plain yogurt, parfaits, acai/smoothie bowls, in a bowl with some milk or by itself! You’re going to be addicted to this delicious, crunchy snack.
Granola Recipe
Ingredients
- 3 1/2 cups rolled oats
- 2 cups chopped almonds
- 2/3 cup honey
- 1/2 cup brown sugar
- 1/4 cup salted butter
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1 tbsp vanilla extract
- 1/2 tsp almond extract
Instructions
- Mix dry ingredients in a large bowl. Set aside.
- In a medium sauce pan over medium heat, combine honey, brown sugar, butter and salt until brown sugar has dissolved. Take off heat, add in vanilla and almond extract.
- Pour over the dry ingredients and stir to coat evenly.
- Spread the mixture onto a parchment lined cookie sheet.
- Bake at 300° for 35- 45min- stirring at 15 min, 30 min and then taking out of the oven at 35-40 min. Continue baking for the full 45 min if the color hasn't darkened.
- Allow to cool completely on the pan and then break up into bite sized pieces.
- Will stay fresh in an air tight container or zip top bag for uppitiest to 3 weeks.
Thank you for sharing your recipe! It’s seems to be very healthy and a money savior.
You are welcome, Maria! Hope you enjoy!
I used peanut butter in place of the butter
That sounds DELICIOUS! How did it turn out?
Love this granola. I fix it often! Yum!