{This post may contain affiliate links. For more information, see my full Disclosure Policy.}
Easy Baked Granola is quick to make with basic pantry ingredients, and you can adapt it to your own tastes! It’s delicious any time of day, versatile, and cost-effective!
Making granola at home is simple, quick, and completely adaptable to your own flavor preferences, which also makes it healthier than what you buy in a store, since you can control the ingredients (without added preservatives or sweeteners). It’s also less expensive than store-bought options!
How to Make Homemade Granola
My version can be mixed in one bowl (or saucepan), then baked on a sheet pan in the oven. Baking yields the perfect lightly toasted flavor, and gives YOU 20-30 minutes of hands-off cook time! After the granola cools, you choose whether or not to mix in additional ingredients, such as raisins or other dried (chopped) fruit, chocolate chips, etc.
Granola has to be one of the easiest recipes to let your kids help you make in the kitchen, since precise measurements are not necessary. (Really. You can NOT mess this up!) And kids will love choosing their favorite mix-ins!
RELATED: 10 Healthy Snacks Toddlers Can Make
What You Need to Make Homemade Granola
As I mentioned, homemade granola is super adaptable to your own personal preferences! Usually, I make a “master” granola recipe with the basic “bones” of the recipe, and leave the extra mix-ins out until we eat it. That way, I can make a large batch (double the recipe below) and each person can customize it to what they like.
Ingredients
The basic ingredients for this easy baked granola are:
- Rolled oats
- Nuts or seeds of choice (almonds, pecans, pistachios, pumpkin seeds, walnuts, etc.)
- Unsweetened coconut flakes (optional)
- Spices (I use cinnamon, cardamom, and salt)
- Coconut oil
- Honey (or substitute pure maple syrup)
Supplies
Kitchen tools and supplies you’ll want to use:
- Large mixing bowl or glass measuring bowl
- Wooden spoon or spatula
- Half-sheet size rimmed baking sheet (we use these stainless steel baking pans for cooking So. Many. Things. And they are the perfect size for spreading out the granola in this recipe!)
- Parchment paper or a silicone baking mat to line the baking sheet
- A large, airtight glass canister to store the granola (and look pretty!). These mason jar-style canisters are what I use, and the perfect size for this recipe!
Ways to Enjoy Granola
This Easy Baked Granola has so many uses! My kids literally BEG to eat it as breakfast, snack, and dessert! Here are some ways we love to use granola:
- Sprinkled over unsweetened yogurt
- As cereal in milk
- Ice cream topping
- Healthy snack (for kids and adults!)
- Crunchy salad “croutons”
- Fruit crisp topping
- Trail mix (add mix-ins like chocolate chips, dried fruit, and more nuts/seeds)
For even more yummy ideas, read 12 Ways to Use Granola.
Yield: 6 cups
Easy Baked Granola is quick to make with basic pantry ingredients, and you can adapt it to your own tastes! It's delicious any time of day, versatile, and cost-effective!
5 minPrep Time
25 minCook Time
30 minTotal Time
Save RecipeIngredients
- 1/2 cup coconut oil
- 1/2 cup honey (or pure maple syrup)
- 4 cups rolled oats
- 1 cup any combination of seeds and nuts of choice (I used 1/2 cup each of pumpkin seeds and sliced almonds)
- 1 cup unsweetened shredded coconut (optional)
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 2 tsp cinnamon
- 1/2 tsp cardamom
- 1 tsp pure vanilla extract
- Mix-ins (optional): 1/2 cup dried fruit, chocolate chips, unsweetened shredded coconut (see note)
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.
- In a large saucepan, heat coconut oil and honey until melted and warm. (Alternatively, you may heat in the microwave in a large microwave-safe bowl (such as an 8-cup glass measuring bowl .) Remove from heat.
- To the oil/honey mixture, add oats, nuts/seeds, shredded coconut, salt, cinnamon, and cardamom. Add vanilla and stir until all dry ingredients are lightly coated.
- Transfer granola to a greased baking sheet, spreading mixture in an even layer. Bake for 15 minutes, then stir gently and bake another 10-12 minutes, or until lightly golden.
- Allow granola to cool completely (at least an hour). Stir in mix-ins, if desired.
- Transfer granola to an airtight container and store on the counter up to 2 weeks, in the refrigerator up to 4 weeks, or freeze up to 4 months.
Notes
This recipe is VERY forgiving! Feel free to change ingredients/amounts to suit your own tastes.
If using unsweetened shredded coconut , you may choose to add it before or after baking. I like mine toasted, so I add it to the granola before baking.
Leave a Reply