Whether looking for a healthy quick breakfast, the perfect snack for road trips, or a topping for your favorite yogurt, this easy recipe covers all the bases.
I promise you, this granola recipe is super easy to make and incredibly delicious!
So if you’re ready to ditch the store-bought varieties and whip up a batch of wholesome ingredients that will make you look like a gourmet chef, let’s get to it!
Why This Recipe Is Amazing

There are a lot of reasons to love homemade granola but here are a few of my favorites.
- The Ease: This crunchy granola recipe is incredibly easy to make with just a few pantry staples and a little creativity. It’s a great recipe that kids can get involved in!
- Versatility: This recipe is customizable. You can add your favorite nuts, seeds, and dried fruits to create a granola that’s tailored to your liking.
- Healthier: Homemade granola is made with healthy fats and less sugar than grocery store brands.
- Cost-Effective: Store-bought granola can be a little pricy. Making granola at home is often cheaper. Buying bulk ingredients can be more economical, and you can make large batches.
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes + 45 minutes cooling time
Total Time: 1 hour and 15 minutes
Preparation Level: Beginner +
Granola Ingredients

Dry Ingredients
Oats
Rolled old-fashioned oats are the main ingredient in granola. It’s a great source of fiber and complex carbohydrates. Steel-cut oats can be substituted.
Raw Nuts and/or Seeds
A mixed variety of your favorite nuts. I like to use pecan pieces mixed with roasted pepitas (pumpkin seeds). Other popular nuts and seeds are almonds, walnuts, sunflower seeds, and chia seeds.
Dried Fruit
Mix up your favorite! I used dried cherries, cranberries, apricots, and dates for this recipe. Raisins are a popular fruit for homemade granola bars.
Salt and Spice
Sea salt or kosher salt works best. Cinnamon adds a touch of spice and warmth to sweet dishes.
Optional Mix-Ins
Mini-chocolate chips and/or coconut flakes. I love the taste of toasty flavor of shredded unsweetened coconut! It adds a delicious nutty tropical flavor to the granola.
Wet Ingredients
Unrefined Oil
Coconut oil provides a healthy fat source and helps make the granola crispy and crunchy when baked.
Sweeteners
Maple syrup adds a sweet distinctive flavor of caramel and toffee. Its stickiness helps bind the oats and other ingredients together. Local honey is a great alternative to syrup.
Brown sugar adds sweetness and helps give the granola a crunchy texture when baked and then cooled. If you want to make a low sugar granola, replace the brown sugar with almond butter or natural peanut butter.
Vanilla extract helps balance out and enhance the flavors of a recipe.

How To Make Crunchy Granola
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit and line a large rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper.


- In a large bowl, combine the oats, nuts, dried fruit, coconut flakes (if using), salt, and cinnamon. Stir to blend.


- In a medium mixing bowl mix together the oil, maple syrup, brown sugar, and vanilla.


- Pour the wet mixture over the oats.
- Mix until the oat mixture is lightly coated.


- Pour the granola onto the prepared pan and use a large spoon or rubber spatula to spread it in an even layer.
- For clumpy granola, cover the granola with a piece of parchment paper and press the stirred granola down with your fingers to create more of a single layer of granola.
- The granola will further crisp up as it cools.


- Bake until lightly golden brown. For flaky granola, stir halfway through baking time. The granola will continue to crisp up as it cools.
- Let the granola cool completely, undisturbed. Add the optional mini chocolate chips, if using. Break the granola into pieces with your hands or a large spoon.
See the recipe card below for complete measurements and cooking times.
Storage
The granola can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 weeks.
Place granola in a sealed freezer bag in the freezer for up to 3 months. The dried fruit can freeze solid, so let it warm to room temperature for a few minutes before enjoying it.

Easy Homemade Baked Crunchy Granola is a delicious healthier alternative to store-bought brands. Give it a try, I know it will soon become a “must have” in your pantry. Happy baking!
Cheers, Laura Belle
Like this recipe? Let me know! Leave a comment and rating below!
Looking for more easy recipes? Here are some to try.
Fresh Apricot Crisp by Kristine’s Kitchen
Easy Homemade Baked Crunchy Granola

This granola recipe is super easy to make and incredibly delicious. Packed with oats, your favorite nuts and dried fruit, it's the perfect snack or breakfast on the go!
Ingredients
- 3.5 cups oats (old-fashioned rolled oats or steel cut oats)
- 1.5 cups raw nuts and/or seeds
- 3/4 cup dried fruit (mixed to your liking)
- 1 teaspoon fine grain sea salt (kosher can be used)
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- Optional – 1/2 cup unsweetened shredded coconut
- 1/2 cup coconut oil – melted
- 1/2 cup maple syrup (or local honey)
- 1/2 cup light brown sugar – lightly packed
- 2 teaspoons extract vanilla
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.
- Line a large, rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper.
- In a large mixing bowl, mix the oats, nuts, dried fruit, coconut flakes (if using), salt, and cinnamon.
- In a separate bowl mix together the coconut oil, maple syrup, brown sugar, and vanilla.
- Pour the wet mixture over the dry mixture and stir until the oat mixture is lightly coated.
- Pour the granola onto the prepared pan and use a large spoon or rubber spatula to spread it in an even layer.
- For clumpy granola, cover the granola with a piece of parchment paper and press the stirred granola down with your fingers to create more of a single layer of granola. The granola will further crisp up as it cools.
- Bake until lightly golden brown, about 15 to 20 minutes. For flaky granola, stir halfway through baking time. The granola will continue to crisp up as it cools.
- Let the granola cool completely, undisturbed. This will take about 45 minutes. Add the optional mini chocolate chips, if using. Break the granola into small pieces with your hands or a large spoon.
Notes
Helpful Tools and Equipment
- Large mixing bowl
- Medium bowl
- Measuring cups
- Measuring spoons
- Wooden spoon
- Parchment paper
- Rimmed cookie sheet
- Oven mitts
Storage
The granola can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 weeks.
Place granola in a sealed freezer bag in the freezer for up to 3 months. The dried fruit can freeze solid, so let it warm to room temperature for a few minutes before enjoying it.
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