This Easy Granola Recipe only requires six ingredients and minimal hands-on time to prepare. It’s got the perfect texture, just the right amount of sweetness, and a hint of vanilla-cinnamon flavor. It’s made with good-for-you ingredients and free of refined sugars.
Or try our easy Granola Bar recipe with miniature M&M’s and chocolate chips!
An Easy Granola Recipe For Yogurt
As the madness of back-to-school time ensues, this granola recipe is a lifesaver! It makes for a quick (and filling) breakfast option or after-school snack.
I typically fill up bowls with yogurt for my kiddos and top the bowls with fresh berries, chia seeds, and a few handfuls of this granola. It’s one of my kid’s favorites for breakfast or a snack. (Check out all our favorite Yogurt Bowl creations for even more inspiration!)
Ingredients In This Easy Granola
Some ingredients worth diving into:
- Almonds. We love dry roasted and lightly salted almonds best — more flavor without any extra effort on your part. (Here’s what we use in this granola). If you aren’t using salted almonds, you’ll want to increase the salt in the recipe by about 1/4 teaspoon.
- Quick oats. Typically we use old-fashioned oats in our granola recipes, but we use quick oats intentionally in this particular recipe. It’s a different texture and crisps up very nicely.
- Coconut oil. I have found a good amount of variation in coconut oil brands; there is a stronger coconut flavor in some brands as opposed to others. I personally use LouAna® Coconut Oil and don’t find any recognizable or pronounced coconut flavor in this homemade easy granola recipe.
- Pure maple syrup. Not to be confused with corn syrup or pancake syrup, pure maple syrup is the sap from a maple tree that has been boiled down to a thicker consistency. It’s just one ingredient — a sugar naturally derived from nature!
Easy Granola Recipe FAQs
Why Is Granola Not Good For You?
Our granola recipe skips refined sugars and uses natural sweeteners like maple syrup instead. Natural sugars from foods like fruits and dairy are different from the processed sugars in many foods. Even without refined sugars, granola is still high in calories due to its fat content. It’s best to eat it in small amounts or as a topping, not as a main part of a meal.
Is It Cheaper To Make Or Buy Granola?
Homemade granola is cheaper, more nutritious, and tastier than store-bought granola! Not only is it more economical by a landslide, but it also allows you to pick the ingredients you’re adding in so you know exactly what is in the granola.
Why Is My Homemade Granola Not Crunchy?
In order to get good, crispy homemade granola it needs to be cooked slowly at a low temperature so it has a chance to properly dry out and get crispy without burning at a high temperature.
It also needs to be spaced out evenly on a pan and tossed halfway through the baking for even baking.
And finally, granola needs a chance to fully cool down which is when it will do a lot of the firming up.
Easy Granola Recipe: Serving Suggestions
- As a quick snack: A few handfuls of granola make a great on-the-go snack.
- In a parfait: Layer your favorite yogurt with this easy granola recipe and a layer of fresh berries. Drizzle some honey on top.
- As cereal: Pour a bowl of this granola and add in some milk for a filling breakfast.
- Sprinkle over yogurt: Add to a container of yogurt for a great on-the-go snack.
- On apple slices: Thinly slice apples and arrange them on a plate. Drizzle on some nut butter and sprinkle this granola right on top. (Apple Nachos!)
- In an Açaí Bowl: Add a few tablespoons of granola right on top.
More Breakfast Recipes:
- Avocado Toast Five different ways
- Microwave Oatmeal Four different flavors
- Healthy Pancakes made without refined sugars or any flour
- Egg Skillet with breakfast potatoes
- Golden Milk Smoothie with cashews
Easy Granola Recipe
Equipment
- Powerful blender (like Vita-Mix or Blendtec) see note 1
Ingredients
- 1 cup dry-roasted and salted whole almonds see note 2
- 3 cups quick oats not old-fashioned
- 1/2 cup pure maple syrup do not use honey
- 1/3 cup melted coconut oil measure when melted
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- heaping 1/4 teaspoon fine sea salt
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon, optional
- 1/2 cup dried blueberries, optional
Instructions
- PREP: Preheat oven to 300 degrees F. Line a large sheet pan with parchment paper and set aside.
- ALMONDS: In a powerful blender, add the whole almonds. Pulse just to break down to crumbs (see the picture or video -- not too long, though or it will turn into almond butter).
- COMBINE: Add the blended almond crumbs, quick oats, maple syrup, coconut oil, vanilla, salt, and cinnamon. Use a wooden spoon to mix well. Pour onto a sheet pan, spacing into one even layer.
- BAKE: Bake 15 minutes. Remove and flip. Return to oven and bake another 10-15 minutes. Remove and let stand until completely cooled to room temperature (this is where it will crisp up a lot). Add in the dried blueberries and mix together. Enjoy!
- STORE: Store in airtight container, out of sunlight, at room temperature for 3-4 weeks (do not refrigerate). Freeze any leftovers for up to 3 months.
Video
Recipe Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Husband. loves it . Thank you for the recipe
SO thrilled to hear this! Thanks Pat! 🙂