Breakfast & Brunch > Breakfast Cereals & Granola > Granola > Homemade Granola Recipe (Basic)

Basic Homemade Granola

A simple and customizable granola recipe perfect for breakfast or a snack. This recipe provides a base for you to add your favorite nuts, seeds, and dried fruits.

Prep Time
10 minutes
Cook Time
20-25 minutes
Servings
6-8
Ingredients
  • 3 cups Rolled Oats (Old Fashioned)
  • 1 cup Nuts (e.g., almonds, pecans, walnuts)
  • 1/2 cup Seeds (e.g., pumpkin, sunflower, chia)
  • 1/2 cup Sweetener (Maple syrup, honey, or agave)
  • 1/4 cup Oil (Coconut oil or vegetable oil)
  • 1/4 teaspoon Salt
  • 1 teaspoon Cinnamon (Optional)
  • 1 teaspoon Vanilla extract (Optional)

Preparation

Preheat your oven to 300°F (150°C). Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper. This will prevent the granola from sticking.

Combine Dry Ingredients

In a large bowl, combine the rolled oats, chopped nuts, and seeds. If using, add cinnamon at this stage. Mix well to ensure even distribution.

Mix Wet Ingredients

In a separate small bowl, whisk together the maple syrup (or honey/agave), oil, salt, and vanilla extract (if using). Ensure the mixture is well combined.

Combine Wet and Dry

Pour the wet ingredients over the dry ingredients. Stir well until all the dry ingredients are evenly coated. Make sure there are no dry clumps of oats.

Bake

Spread the granola mixture in an even layer on the prepared baking sheet. Bake for 20-25 minutes, stirring halfway through, until golden brown. Watch carefully to prevent burning.

Cooling

Remove the granola from the oven and let it cool completely on the baking sheet. The granola will crisp up as it cools. Avoid disturbing it until it's completely cool. Once cooled, break the granola into desired sized clumps.

Storage

Store the cooled granola in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 weeks. You can also store it in the refrigerator or freezer for longer storage.

← Apple Cinnamon Granola Berry Burst Cereal Parfait with Homemade Berry Compote →

FAQ

  • Can I add dried fruit?

    Yes! Add dried fruit like raisins, cranberries, or chopped apricots after the granola has cooled completely. Adding them before baking can make them hard and chewy.
  • Can I use different nuts and seeds?

    Absolutely! Feel free to substitute any nuts and seeds you prefer. Coconut flakes and puffed rice are also great additions.
  • My granola is too sticky. What did I do wrong?

    It could be too much sweetener or oil. Next time, try reducing the amount slightly. Also, ensure you are baking it at a low enough temperature.
  • How do I make clumpy granola?

    For clumpy granola, avoid stirring too much during baking. Also, pressing the granola down with a spatula *after* stirring halfway through can help create larger clumps. Allow it to cool completely undisturbed.