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    Home » Healthy Homemade Granola Recipe

    Healthy Homemade Granola Recipe

    Published: Aug 31, 2017 · Modified: Oct 1, 2021 by Laura · This post may contain affiliate links.

    Jump to Recipe

    This healthy homemade granola recipe is easy to make with only 8 ingredients in 30 minutes! It's gluten-free, dairy-free vegan and has no refined sugar! A delicious healthy breakfast or snack!

    overhead view of a bowl of healthy homemade granola with berries

    Every Wednesday before we go grocery shopping I ask my kids what they want to put on the list. Without fail, the first item they shout out is, "YOGURT!" They love it. The problem is, yogurt isn't a very filling breakfast on its own, so it needs a companion.

    But not just anyone will do...most store-bought granolas aren't worthy because they are loaded with sugar.  However, this Healthy Granola Recipe definitely meets the qualifications of a suitable partner for every kind of yogurt!

    This homemade granola recipe is so good that I sneak bites during every step of the baking process and have to remind myself to save some for my kids. The list of ingredients is short and they're all nutritious! It's gluten-free, dairy-free, and has no refined sugar! It's also easy to make!

    Overhead view of a baking pan with Healthy Granola being scooped out with a spoon

    Healthy Granola Recipe: Substitutions

    Here are a few acceptable substitutions for this homemade granola recipe. As always I recommend making it exactly as written.

    • Coconut oil. Butter can be used in place of coconut oil as long as it complies with your dietary needs!
    • Honey. Any liquid sweetener should work great in this recipe. I have used honey and maple syrup (for a vegan option) with great results.
    • Old-Fashioned Oats. Quick-cooking oats can be substituted but you might need to add an extra TBS or two of coconut oil or sweetener! Steel cut oats do not work in this recipe.
    • Pecans. Chopped almonds or walnuts are also delicious options to use in this recipe. If you are allergic to nuts, simply increase the amount of oats/coconut by ½ cup.
    a bowl of healthy homemade granola over yogurt with berries and a spoon taking a bite out of it

    How to make homemade Granola

    This healthy granola recipe takes about 5 minutes to put together and 30 minutes to bake! So let's

    Mix dry ingredients. Start by mixing the dry ingredients together, then set them aside!

    Combine & warm the wet ingredients. The trick here is you want to gently warm them either in the microwave or on the stovetop until they are just warm enough to be smooth and combined.

    Add Vanilla. be sure to add the vanilla to the wet ingredients after they have been removed from the heat!

    Mix it together! Add the wet ingredients to the dry ingredients and mix well! Be sure everything is evenly distributed!

    front view of a bowl of homemade granola recipe with berries

    Bake! This is the most important step! If you want chunky granola be sure to press the granola together in the pan. Bake for 30 minutes.

    Test for doneness. The granola usually feels soft to the touch when it first comes out of the oven, but hardens as it cools. To test for doneness take a few pieces of granola off the baking pan and let it cool. If it hardens and becomes crunchy then it's done!

    Overhead view of a baking pan of Healthy Granola

    Store/freeze

    Store this healthy granola recipe in an airtight container for up to two weeks (if it lasts that long). It can also be frozen in an airtight container for up to 3 months. 

    Reheat

    If the healthy granola becomes soft during storing (this can happen if it wasn't baked all the way). Simply reheat it in the oven at 300 degrees F for 5-10 minutes, or until is passes the doneness test.

    a bowl of Healthy Homemade Granola with berries

    Recipe FAQs

    Is homemade granola bad for you?

    Not if you make this healthy homemade granola recipe! It's a nutritious way to start the day.

    Why is my homemade granola not crunchy?

    You probably did not bake it long enough. Return it to the oven and continue baking.

    How do you get lumps in homemade granola?

    Lumps form in two ways. 1) Using the correct wet : dry ingredient ratio (which this recipe does). and 2) being very careful when you flip the granola over so that you keep the clumps together.

    overhead view of a spoon taking a bite of homemade granola

    If you make and love our recipes, it would mean so much to me if you would leave a comment and rating! And don't forget to follow along with us on Instagram, Pinterest, Facebook, and Youtube - be sure to tag @joyfoodsunshine and use the hashtag #joyfoodsunshine so we can your creations!

    Healthy Granola Recipe (Gluten-Free)

    Laura
    This healthy homemade granola recipe is easy to make with only 8 ingredients in 30 minutes! It's gluten-free, dairy-free vegan and has no refined sugar! A delicious healthy breakfast or snack!
    4.93 from 14 votes
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe Save Recipe Saved!
    Prep Time 5 mins
    Cook Time 35 mins
    Total Time 40 mins
    Course Breakfast, Snack
    Cuisine American
    Servings 12 servings
    Calories 173.1 kcal

    Equipment

    • measuring spoons
    • measuring cups
    • spatula
    • glass batter bowl

    Ingredients
     
     

    • ¼ cup coconut oil
    • ¼ cup honey or pure maple syrup for vegan option
    • ½ tsp pure vanilla extract
    • 2 cups old-fashioned oats
    • ½ cup unsweetened shredded coconut
    • ½ cup raw pecans chopped
    • 2 tsp ground cinnamon
    • ½ tsp sea salt
    Prevent your screen from going dark

    Instructions
     

    • Preheat oven to 300 degrees F. Lightly grease a baking sheet, set aside.
    • In a large bowl mix together oats, coconut, cinnamon, salt and pecans. Set aside.
    • Melt honey and coconut oil together in the microwave or on the stovetop over low heat until smooth.
    • Remove from heat and add vanilla to warm coconut oil/honey mixture. Stir until combined.
    • Mix wet ingredients into dry ingredients until all dry ingredients are evenly coated.
    • Spread on prepared baking sheet.
    • Bake for 30 minutes or until golden brown, stirring the granola half way through baking time. It may feel soft when you remove it from the oven, but it gets harder and crunchier as it cools so please be careful and do not over bake!
    • Allow the granola to cool and eat it with your favorite yogurt or milk! Store in an airtight container at room temperature.

    Video

    Notes

    Ingredient Substitutions

    • Coconut oil. Butter can be used in place of coconut oil as long as it complies with your dietary needs!
    • Honey. Any liquid sweetener should work great in this recipe. I have used honey and maple syrup (for a vegan option) with great results.
    • Old-Fashioned Oats. Quick-cooking oats can be substituted but you might need to add an extra TBS or two of coconut oil or sweetener! Steel cut oats do not work in this recipe.
    • Pecans. Chopped almonds or walnuts are also delicious options to use in this recipe. If you are allergic to nuts, simply increase the amount of oats/coconut by ½ cup.

    Store/freeze

    Store this granola in an airtight container (I suggest a glass jar) at room temperature for up to 3 weeks or in the freezer for up to 3 months. 

    Nutrition

    Serving: 0.25cupCalories: 173.1kcalCarbohydrates: 16.7gProtein: 2.4gFat: 11.5gSaturated Fat: 6.8gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1.4gMonounsaturated Fat: 2.4gSodium: 45.7mgPotassium: 26.5mgFiber: 2.5gSugar: 6.6gVitamin A: 5IUVitamin C: 0.2mgCalcium: 9mgIron: 0.3mg
    Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

    If you like granola try this Healthy Peanut Butter Granola Recipe 

    This post contains affiliate links, which means that if you purchase a product through a link you clicked on here, I receive a portion of the sale. Thank you for supporting JoyFoodSunshine! 

    « Healthy Homemade Fruit Snacks (with Whole Fruits & Veggies)
    Moments 08.2017 »

    Did you make this recipe?

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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Angel

      January 27, 2023 at 5:36 am

      I know this says 12 servings, however how much is in a serving? Tbsp or cups? I’m doing ww

      Reply
      • Jade

        February 23, 2023 at 8:39 am

        1/4 cup

        Reply
    2. Gina Murphy

      October 06, 2021 at 7:50 am

      I can't stand the texture of coconut, can it be deleted?

      Reply
      • Laura

        October 08, 2021 at 6:49 am

        You can replace coconut with another ingredient (nuts, oats, etc.)

        Reply
    3. Kennedy A.

      March 07, 2021 at 7:21 pm

      Is there any way to add raisins to this recipe?

      Reply
      • Amy Betz

        August 17, 2021 at 8:25 pm

        I added raisins after baking.

        Reply
    4. Kait

      December 11, 2020 at 1:16 pm

      5 stars
      Made this yesterday and let me just say, I will NEVER go back to store bought granola ! This stuff is AMAZING!! I added pecans, chia seeds, and only added half of the shredded coconut amount. I mixed the granola around on the tray after baking it for about 30 minutes, then slightly pressed it down to create chunks, and then I put it back in the oven for about 10 more minutes until it baked thoroughly. Of course when it is done do not mix it on the tray until it is completely cooled!! I got beautiful chunks of heavenly granola. Thank you!!

      Reply
    5. Nicole

      September 09, 2020 at 10:20 pm

      5 stars
      Thank you so much for noting that the granola will be soft out of the oven but will crisp up. That changed my (granola) life! I've been over cooking homemade granola for years.

      Reply
    6. Angel

      August 28, 2020 at 6:20 am

      Can liquid stevia or skinny syrups like simple syrup be used in place of honey?

      Reply
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    About Laura

    I’m Laura, a former chemistry teacher turned homeschooling mom of six beautiful babies! I create simple and delicious recipes that are tested and perfected to make cooking and baking joyful and fun!

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