The Best Granola Recipe (Homemade!)

This is it! The BEST Granola recipe—chock-full of oats, nuts, seeds, and fruit to give you the energy you need and the taste you crave.

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I’ve finally done it! I’ve created the BEST granola. It’s taken some time—dare I say, years of experimentation—but I’ve not only managed to assemble all my favorite ingredients but have done so in just the right ratio so that every bite tastes just as I always wanted it to taste.

If you’ve spent some time on FFF, you will have no doubt seen other granola recipes—Protein Granola and Grain-Free Low-Carb Keto Granola, for instance—that you should definitely try, but in terms of granola, it’s “Different oats for different folks.” As much as I love those other granolas, I have achieved perfection here. Give it a try and know that you won’t hurt my feelings if you make an amendment—that’s the great thing about granola!

Is This Granola Recipe Healthy?

Yes, it is rich in fiber, vitamins, minerals, healthy fats, and protein. It is calorie-dense, which is a good thing given most people turn to granola as a pick-me-up and source of energy. The sugars in the granola are all naturally occurring so you can avoid the refined stuff, which is like poison to your system. This recipe will work for those of you on a vegetarian diet, a vegan diet (replace the honey with maple syrup), a gluten-free diet (ensure the oats are gluten-free), or a paleo diet (replace the oats with coconut flakes, ground flaxseed, or chia seeds).

INGREDIENTS

4 cups rolled oats
½ cup chopped walnuts
1 cup Brazil nuts
½ cup seed mix
1 tsp salt
½ tsp ground cinnamon
½ cup melted coconut oil
½ cup honey
1 vanilla pod
⅔ cup dried apricots, chopped

INSTRUCTIONS

Preheat the oven to 325°F.

Combine

Mix the oat flakes with the chopped walnuts, chopped Brazil nuts, seed mix, cinnamon, and salt in a bowl.

Add

Add the coconut oil, honey, and vanilla pod seeds.

Mix

Mix until the ingredients are slightly sticky.

Cook

Cook the granola on a baking tray lined with baking paper for 20–25 minutes.

Cool

Let the granola cool then add the dried apricots.

DEVOUR!

Tips & Tricks to Making Perfect Granola

Letting the granola cool completely before storing it will result in crispier oats.
Add protein powder to the wet ingredients for an amino-acid boost.
Change up the salt for a more complex taste. I suggest smoked sea salt or Himalayan pink salt.
Apart from the cinnamon, you can also add nutmeg, ginger, or cardamom for a more intense flavor.
Prefer clusters? Just use a spatula to press down on the granola in the pan before baking. This will encourage clusters to form.

FAQs

what is in the seed mix?

I make my own and I mix it up every now and then. But generally, you’ll find any combination of the following: pumpkin seed, flaxseed, chia seed, sunflower seed, hemp, poppy, and sesame.

what can i use instead of coconut oil?

Melted ghee or avocado oil are good substitutes. They’re tasty and just as healthy.

what can i add for a real health boost?

Look to the superfoods—chia seeds, flaxseeds, or hemp seeds—for a nutritional uptick and texture variation.

do i need to stir the granola during cooking?

It’s not necessary if you’re using a large pan and the granola has lots of room to breathe. If your pan is on the small size and the granola looks cramped, give it a stir halfway through cooking to ensure all sides of the granola are sufficiently exposed to the direct heat.

can i add chocolate?

It’s your granola; add what you like! For the sake of nutrition, though, use dark chocolate chips (with at least 70% cocoa content). It’s low in sugar and contains antioxidants.

Other Granola Recipes To Try

Vegan Granola Bars: Energy boosts for those whose diet restricts the use of egg or dairy.

Baked Oatmeal Bars: Start your day with a sweet treat that will sate you till lunch.

Healthy Chewy Granola Bar With Chocolate Chips: Granola sweetened with chocolate and packaged in bars for those on the go.

How To Store Granola

Let the granola cool completely, then store it in an airtight container. You can either keep it at room temperature for a couple of days (keep it out of the sun) or in the fridge for up to 2 weeks. If you’re going to store it in the fridge, use a silica gel packet to absorb any moisture (be sure you don’t eat the packet though!). You can also freeze the granola for up to 2 months. I would let it sit at room temperature before I eat it though.