Making granola at home is simple, customizable, and usually more affordable than buying it. This recipe makes about 6–8 servings.
Ingredients
3 cups rolled oats (old-fashioned oats)
1 cup chopped nuts (almonds, pecans, walnuts, or cashews)
½ cup seeds (pumpkin, sunflower, sesame, or chia)
½ teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon (optional)
⅓ cup maple syrup or honey
¼ cup neutral oil or melted coconut oil
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
½–1 cup dried fruit (raisins, cranberries, chopped apricots, etc.) — add after baking
Instructions
Preheat your oven to 325°F (160°C).
In a large bowl, combine the oats, nuts, seeds, salt, and cinnamon.
In a separate bowl, whisk together the maple syrup (or honey), oil, and vanilla.
Pour the wet ingredients over the dry ingredients and stir until everything is evenly coated.
Spread the mixture in a thin, even layer on a parchment-lined baking sheet.
Bake for 25–35 minutes, stirring once halfway through. For larger clusters, stir gently or not at all.
Let the granola cool completely on the baking sheet—it crisps up as it cools.
Stir in the dried fruit.
Storage
Store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 weeks.
Freeze for up to 3 months for longer storage.
Easy flavor variations
Chocolate: Add dark chocolate chips after the granola has cooled.
Tropical: Use coconut flakes, cashews, and dried mango.
Apple pie: Add extra cinnamon and a pinch of nutmeg, then mix in dried apples.
Peanut butter: Replace half the oil with natural peanut butter and reduce the sweetener slightly.
Enjoy it with yogurt, milk, smoothie bowls, or simply as a crunchy snack.