How to Make Homemade Granola

By Mali Anderson in Healthy Feeling

Learn how to make homemade granola and you'll soon realize it's just as healthy and tasty—if not more so—than what you buy at the store. Plus, it's easy to prepare.

Need another reason? Granola is highly customizable and you can mix in exactly what you want. After a few batches, you'll have healthy granola recipes that perfectly fit your family's tastes.

Oats

Basic Granola

One of the great things about granola is if you have a few staples, you are ready to whip up a batch. Start with a basic granola recipe and embellish from there.

An easy start is to simply remember you'll need six parts dry ingredients to one part wet. Your wet ingredients will likely be a combination of oil and sweetener.

  • 6 cups rolled oats (one or two of these cups could be nuts, seeds, or coconut flakes)
  • ½ cup oil (coconut oil, olive oil, canola oil, or sunflower seed oil)
  • ½ cup (honey, agave nectar, or maple syrup)
  • Added seasonings (cinnamon or vanilla extract and a few shakes of salt)

Whisk your wet ingredients together (you'll have to warm the coconut oil, if using) and stir into your dry ingredients. Stir until the dry elements are coated. On a baking sheet lined with parchment paper, spread out your granola. Bake at 300 degrees for about 30-40 minutes. Check on it and stir it gently every 15 minutes. Once it is golden brown, remove from the oven and stir every 10 minutes or so until cool.

Applesauce Granola

If you want a recipe to follow, try out this applesauce version. Once you make it, you'll know how to make granola. It is also highly customizable.

  • 3 ½ cup rolled oats
  • ½ cup chopped nuts and/or seeds
  • ½ cup applesauce
  • 1 tbsp. honey
  • 2 tbsp. canola oil
  • 1 tsp. pie spice
  • a few shakes of salt

While the oven is preheating to 300 degrees, combine the oats with the mixed nuts and/or seeds. Then, combine applesauce, honey, oil, and spices. You might need to heat your wet ingredients a bit to smooth them out.

Next, mix wet ingredients into the dry ingredients and spread over a baking sheet lined with parchment. Bake for about an hour, stirring every 15 minutes.

Oats and fruit

Fruity Granola

I know, you're thinking, "Where are the dried cherries, cranberries, raisins, or sliced dried apricots, mango, and more?!" I understand; I love fruit in my granola, too.

But here's the thing: in most cases you're better off not baking dried fruit. Instead, stir your fruit into the granola when it is hot out of the oven. Then, allow all of the ingredients to cool together.

After making these healthy granola recipes, you'll have a nutritious after-school snack and the perfect addition for yogurt, salads, or muffins.

Now that you know the basics of how to make homemade granola, customize it with whatever you like! Nuts? Fruit? Coconut? What do you add to your homemade granola? Tweet us!

Image source: Mali Anderson | Mali Anderson | Mali Anderson

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Why It’s Good

Homemade granola is easy! Plus, it's more nutritious than store-bought, because you can control the ingredients. Get creative and add the nuts, seeds, and fruits you love.