Homemade Granola Recipe

5 from 7 votes
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This Homemade Granola Recipe is simple, crunchy, and packed with flavour. The oats bake up golden, the nuts add a rich, toasty bite, and the honey brings everything together into big, satisfying clusters. A mix of raisins and cranberries give sit just the right balance of chewy and tart. It’s the kind of chunky granola you’ll want to keep on hand for topping yogurt, layering into smoothie bowls, or just snacking by the handful.

What I love most about this homemade granola recipe is how easy it is to make a big batch and have it on hand all week. It’s one of those recipes that doesn’t require much effort but pays off in a big way. You get a jar full of crunch granola ready for quick breakfasts or snacks. I find myself reaching for it constantly, whether I’m topping a bowl of yogurt or grabbing a handful between meals. I come back to it often because it’s one of those recipes that’s simple, reliable, and genuinely useful to keep around, much like my Oatmeal Raisin Muffins, which also make mornings a little easier…and delicious!

😍 Why You’ll Love This Homemade Granola

Crunchy clusters: pressing and cooling creates those big, satisfying chunks.
Simple prep: mix, bake, and cool; no complicated steps required.
Naturally sweet: honey binds everything together with just the right sweetness.
Customizable: swap nuts, seeds, or dried fruit to make it your own.
Make-ahead friendly: keeps well for weeks, making breakfasts and snacks easier.

🌾 Ingredients You’ll Need To Make This Homemade Granola Recipe

Old-fashioned oats: the hearty base that toasts up golden and gives the granola its signature crunch.
Almonds: roughly chopped for a nutty bite and extra texture.
Pecans: add rich, buttery flavour that balances the sweetness.
Golden raisins: chewy and naturally sweet.
Dried cranberries: bring a tangy, tart contrast to the honeyed clusters.
Coconut oil: coats the oats and nuts, helping them crisp up while adding a subtle sweetness.
Honey: the natural sweetener that binds everything together and helps form those chunky clusters.
Vanilla extract: adds warmth and depth to balance the nuts and fruit.
Cinnamon: a cozy spice that ties all the flavours together.
Salt: enhances the sweetness and brings out the toasty, nutty notes.

Close-up of chunky granola clusters featuring oats, nuts, and seeds baked to a golden brown, with visible pieces of almonds and pecans throughout—perfect inspiration for how to make homemade granola.

✔ How To Make Homemade Granola

To begin, preheat your oven to 300°F. Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper so the granola doesn’t stick and cleanup is easier. In a large mixing bowl, combine the oats, almonds, pecans, raisins, cranberries, cinnamon, and salt. Gently toss everything together until evenly mixed.

Next, pour in the melted coconut oil, honey, and vanilla. Stir well, making sure every oat and nut is coated in that sweet, glossy mixture.

🤝 Sammy’s Tip for Homemade Granola

  • For extra clumping, don’t stir the granola at all while it bakes.

Spread the granola mixture onto your prepared baking sheet in an even layer about 1-inch thick. Use a spatula to press it down firmly. This helps the granola clump together during baking, creating large, chunky clusters.

Bake for 30-35 minutes, rotating the pan halfway through. The granola should be lightly golden but still a little soft when it comes out of the oven.

Now for the hardest part: let the granola cool completely on the baking sheet for about an hour. Don’t stir or touch it; this is when the sugars harden and form those nice clumps. Once cooled, break the granola into chunky pieces with your hands or a spoon. Transfer to an airtight container or resealable bag for storage.

🗒 Variations

Nut mix: swap the almonds and pecans for cashews, walnuts, or hazelnuts for a different flavor profile.
Fruit twist: try dried cherries, blueberries, or apricots in place of the raisins and cranberries.
Seedy crunch: add pumpkin seeds, sunflower seeds, or chia seeds for extra texture and nutrition.

🗒 Substitutions

Sweetener: maple syrup or agave nectar can be used in place of honey.
Nut-free: swap nuts for extra seeds to keep it crunchy without the nuts.

A close-up of a tray filled with golden brown homemade granola clusters, mixed with whole almonds and pecans. A metal spoon is partially embedded in the granola, ready to scoop up this delicious homemade granola recipe.

🍴 Leftovers? Lucky you.

This Homemade Granola recipe makes a big batch, so you’ll definitely have plenty of leftovers to enjoy throughout the week. Store it in an airtight container or resealable bag at room temperature, and it will stay fresh and crunchy for up to 2 weeks. For longer storage, freeze the granola in a freezer-safe bag for up to 2 months.

🤔 FAQ’S

How do I make my granola extra crunchy?

Your homemade granola should still be a little soft and pliable when you take it out of the oven. Don’t worry, this is exactly what you want! The key is to let it cool completely on the baking sheet without disturbing it. As it cools, the sugars will harden and create that perfectly crunchy, clumpy texture.

What can I use instead of honey?

Maple syrup or agave nectar both work well as alternatives. Just keep in mind honey helps the clusters stick together a little better.

How long does this homemade granola recipe last?

Stored in an airtight container at room temperature, it will stay fresh for about 2 weeks. For longer storage, freeze it for up to 2 months.

Can I double this recipe?

Absolutely. Just make sure to use two sheet pans instead of crowding one, so the granola bakes evenly and still gets crisp.

Is homemade granola healthier than store-bought?

Yes! Store-bought often has added oils, preservatives, and refined sugar. Making it at home means you control exactly what goes in.

👩‍🍳 Hungry For More?

If you loved this Homemade Granola recipe, then make sure to check out a few of my other baked goods you may also love:

💌 Let’s Stay Connected

Keep in touch with me on Instagram, TikTokFacebook, and Pinterest! If you do make this homemade granola recipe (or any recipe of mine) don’t forget to leave a review.

Close-up of chunky granola clusters featuring oats, nuts, and seeds baked to a golden brown, with visible pieces of almonds and pecans throughout—perfect inspiration for how to make homemade granola.
5 from 7 votes

Homemade Granola

This homemade granola packed with wholesome oats, nuts, raisins, and cranberries, is the ultimate crunchy and customizable treat. It's perfect for topping everything from yogurt to smoothie bowls and oatmeal, giving you a delicious and satisfying crunch.
Prep: 10 minutes
Cook: 30 minutes
Resting Time: 1 hour
Total: 1 hour 40 minutes
Servings: 32 servings (makes 8 cups)
Prep: 10 minutes
Cook: 30 minutes
Resting Time: 1 hour
Total: 1 hour 40 minutes
Servings: 32 servings (makes 8 cups)

Equipment

  • 1 large (18×13) baking sheet

Ingredients 

  • 4 cups old-fashioned oats
  • 1 cup almonds, roughly chopped
  • 1 cup pecans, roughly chopped
  • 1/2 cup golden raisins
  • 1/2 cup dried cranberries
  • 1/2 cup coconut oil, melted
  • 3/4 cup honey
  • 2 tsp vanilla
  • 2 tsp cinnamon
  • 1 tsp salt

Instructions 

  • Begin by preheating your oven to 300 °F and line a large baking sheet with parchment paper.
  • In a large bowl, combine the oats, almonds, pecans, raisins, cranberries, cinnamon and salt. Gently mix to combine.
  • Next, add the coconut oil, honey and vanilla.
    Gently mix to combine.
  • Pour the granola mixture onto your prepared baking sheet and using a spatula, spread the mixture into a 1-inch thick square.
    Press the granola down firmly with the spatula to keep it compact. This helps the granola clump together during baking, creating large, chunky clusters.
  • Bake for 30-35 minutes or until golden brown, rotating the pan half way through cooking.
    For extra clumping, avoid stirring the granola while it bakes.
  • Allow the granola to cool completely on the baking sheet (about an hour) before breaking it into chunks which is crucial to form those large granola pieces.
  • Using a spoon or your hands, break up the granola into desired size pieces.
  • Store at room temperature in a resealable bag or sealed container.

Video

Nutrition

Calories: 152kcal | Carbohydrates: 18g | Protein: 3g | Fat: 9g | Saturated Fat: 3g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g | Monounsaturated Fat: 3g | Trans Fat: 0.001g | Sodium: 74mg | Potassium: 105mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 10g | Vitamin A: 2IU | Vitamin C: 0.2mg | Calcium: 23mg | Iron: 1mg

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

Additional Info

Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 30 minutes
Resting Time: 1 hour
Total Time: 1 hour 40 minutes
Course: Breakfast, Snack
Cuisine: American
Servings: 32 servings (makes 8 cups)
Calories: 152
Like this recipe? Leave a comment below!

About Sammy Montgoms

I am so glad you are here. I am a BIG foodie gal. I am one of those people who lives to eat, rather than eats to live. I love to create nostalgic Italian dishes (especially pasta), but I also love to whip up simple and quick recipes for my family. Hopefully, my page inspires you to do the same. Thank you for being here, and happy eating!

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5 from 7 votes

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Recipe Rating




14 Comments

  1. 5 stars
    This is way better than I thought it was going to be!! Absolutely delicious and super easy! Can’t wait to have it for breakfast this morning!

  2. 5 stars
    Easy, yummy recipe. Mine didn’t harden up as much as I’d liked, but still delicious. Not sure if I had just a bit too much liquid or didn’t bake enough? Will see what happens next time.

  3. 5 stars
    I made these and they are amazing little clusters of sweet crunchy goodness. My husband enjoys the clusters in the morning with milk. Thank you for sharing with us.

    1. Hi Michele – thanks for catching this, I just updated the recipe card. There is 32 servings in this recipe – each serving is 1/4 cup so the nutritional information will reflect this. Hopefully this helps! -Sammy

  4. 5 stars
    On my second batch, it’s perfect to mix in yogurt and better than anything I’ve had from a box. Thank you for sharing this easy recipe.

  5. I had to bake longer to make crispy and darken. Therefore the raisins went lije rocks. Next time I’ll add raisins as I go along!