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Homemade Granola Recipe

This easy homemade granola is perfectly crunchy, lightly sweetened with honey, and flavored with warm cinnamon and vanilla. Made with simple pantry staples like rolled oats, pecans, and coconut oil, it's an easy make-ahead breakfast or snack that's far better than store-bought. Enjoy it with yogurt, milk, smoothie bowls, or by the handful, and customize it with your favorite nuts, seeds, dried fruit, or chocolate chips for a delicious homemade treat.
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Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Cooling time 30 minutes
Servings: 8
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Main Ingredients
  • 4 cups old-fashioned rolled oats
  • 1 cup chopped pecans
  • ½ cup honey
  • ¼ cup melted coconut oil
  • 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
  • 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • ½ teaspoon salt
Optional Add Ins ( after baking and cooling }
  • ½ cup dried cranberries or raisins
  • ½ cup mini chocolate chips
  • ½ cup unsweetened coconut flakes
  • ¼ cup pumpkin seeds
  • ¼ cup sunflower seeds
  • 2 tablespoons chia seeds
  • 2 tablespoons ground flaxseed
  • ½ cup chopped dried apples
  • Freeze-dried strawberries or blueberries

Method
 

  1. Preheat the oven to 325°F (163°C). Line a large rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper.
  2. Mix the dry ingredients. In a large mixing bowl, combine the rolled oats, chopped pecans, cinnamon, and salt.
  3. Mix the wet ingredients. In a separate small bowl or measuring cup, whisk together the honey, melted coconut oil, and vanilla extract until smooth.
  4. Combine everything. Pour the honey mixture over the oat mixture and stir until all of the oats and pecans are evenly coated.
  5. Spread onto the baking sheet. Transfer the mixture to the prepared baking sheet and spread it into an even layer. Gently press it down with the back of a spatula if you'd like larger granola clusters.
  6. Bake for 25–30 minutes, stirring once halfway through, until the granola is lightly golden brown and fragrant. Keep an eye on it during the last few minutes to prevent over-browning.
  7. Cool completely. Remove the baking sheet from the oven and let the granola cool completely without stirring. As it cools, it will become crisp and develop crunchy clusters.
  8. Add optional mix-ins. Once the granola has cooled, stir in any desired add-ins such as dried cranberries, chocolate chips, coconut flakes, or seeds.
  9. Store and enjoy. Transfer the granola to an airtight container or glass jar. Enjoy it with yogurt, milk, smoothie bowls, fresh fruit, or simply by the handful as a snack.

Notes

Recipe Notes

  • Use old-fashioned rolled oats for the best texture. Quick oats won't give you the same crunchy clusters, and steel-cut oats won't cook properly in this recipe.
  • For bigger granola clusters, press the mixture firmly into an even layer before baking and avoid stirring more than once. Let the granola cool completely before breaking it apart.
  • Don't overbake. Granola continues to crisp up as it cools, so remove it from the oven when it's lightly golden rather than dark brown.
  • Customize it! Swap the pecans for walnuts, almonds, cashews, or your favorite nuts. You can also add pumpkin seeds, sunflower seeds, flaxseed, or chia seeds for extra nutrition.
  • Add dried fruit and chocolate after baking. Stir in ingredients like dried cranberries, raisins, coconut flakes, or chocolate chips only after the granola has completely cooled.
  • Storage: Keep granola in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 weeks, or freeze it for up to 3 months.
  • Serving Ideas: Enjoy with milk like cereal, sprinkle over yogurt or smoothie bowls, top oatmeal, or simply eat it by the handful for an easy snack.