A favorite breakfast around here is homemade granola. I love this recipe! is super easy and really tasty —very crunchy and super healthy. There is no added fat!

I am baking up some to give as gifts! Gifts from the kitchen are always loved.

homemade granola packaging

Ingredients for homemade granola

  • Brown sugar, Maple Syrup or Honey
  • Vanilla extract
  • Salt (I use Kosher salt)
  • Cinnamon
  • Rolled oats (not quick or instant)
  • Chopped nuts (I use whatever I have on hand. My favorite is pecans, walnuts, and cashews)

This is a basic recipe. You might like to toss in a handful of dried cherries, raisins, craisins, shredded coconut, flax seeds, sunflower seeds, pumpkin seeds or even chocolate chips.  Be sure to add in dried fruit when you pull out of the oven and it is still warm. Chocolate chips needed to be added to the cool granola.

How to make Healthy Granola

Preheat oven to 275 degrees.

Combine brown sugar and water. Place in microwave (use a large microwave-safe bowl –mixture will bubble) on high for 5 minutes or cook on stovetop until sugar is completely dissolved. Remove from stove or microwave, add vanilla and salt.

how to make granola

Combine oats and nuts in a large bowl. Pour wet ingredients over the oats and nuts and stir until mixed. Spread the granola onto baking sheets with parchment paper. A very large jelly roll pan (12 x 18) also works. Bake 45 minutes to 1 hour or until golden and crunchy.  Check at 30 minutes. You don’t want to burn.

You may add in dried fruit as it comes out of the oven. Cool completely.  Store cooled granola in an airtight container.

healthy granola recipe

Homemade Granola Recipe

This crunchy granola recipe is low fat! If you want to use a more natural sugar option maple syrup or honey works great.  This is what I use.  I really like both equally.  All you needed to do is substitute honey or maple syrup and OMIT the water. There is no need to heat this. Just add in the other ingredients and pour over the oats and bake.

So if you want to give friends a healthy gift or are looking for a way to start your morning off right be sure to make granola recipe with honey or maple syrup. After the granola cools package it up to give to friends or keep in an airtight container.

granola-1.jpg
5 from 4 votes

Homemade Granola

This healthy granola has no added fat and uses less sugar and also has options for using maple syrup or honey
Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 45 minutes
Total Time 50 minutes

Ingredients  

  • 1 1/2 cups brown sugar OR 1/2 cup brown sugar and 1/2 cup Splenda brown sugar OR 3/4 cup pure maple syrup or 3/4 cup honey
  • 1/2 cup water (omit if using pure maple syrup or honey)
  • 4 teaspoons vanilla extract
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt I use Kosher salt
  • 8 cups rolled oats not quick or instant
  • 2 cup chopped nuts I use pecans, walnuts and slivered almonds
  • 1 teaspoon cinnamon

Instructions 

  • Preheat oven to 275 degrees F.
  • Combine brown sugar and water. Place in microwave (use a large microwave-safe bowl --mixture will bubble high for 5 minutes or cook on stovetop until sugar is completely dissolved. Remove from stove or microwave, add vanilla and salt. If using pure maple syrup or honey omit the water and skip heating.
  • Combine oats, nuts, and brown sugar syrup mixture. Stir until mixed. Spread the granola onto cookie sheets or a very large jelly roll pan (12 x 18) and bake 45 minutes to 1 hour or until golden and crunchy. Check after 30 minutes. You don't want it to burn. You may add in dried fruit as it comes out of the oven. Store cooled granola in an airtight container.

Notes

  • Serving size is 1/2 cup.  I am always surprised that store-bought granola typically is only 1/4 cup. Who only eats 1/4 cup?
  • Nutrition is calculated using brown sugar.
  • Nutrition for maple pure syrup recipe:
293 kcal Calories
40g Carbohydrates
8g Protein
12g Fat
1g Saturated Fat
77mg Sodium
245mg Potassium
5g Fiber
10g Sugar
1mg Vitamin C
53mg Calcium
2mg Iron
  • Nutrition for the honey recipe:
301kcal Calories
43g Carbohydrates
8g Protein
12g Fat
1g Saturated Fat
77mg Sodium
219mg Potassium
5g Fiber
14g Sugar
1mg Vitamin C
38mg Calcium
2mg Iron
  • If using pure maple syrup or honey be sure to mix well.
  • Allow to cool completely in pan before removing to an airtight container. This will ensure there are some clusters.
  • Serve with fruit, over yogurt or with milk like cereal.  I like mine with coconut milk. YUM!

Nutrition

Serving: 0.5cup | Calories: 331kcal | Carbohydrates: 50g | Protein: 8g | Fat: 12g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Sodium: 82mg | Potassium: 239mg | Fiber: 5g | Sugar: 21g | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 54mg | Iron: 2mg
Servings: 16
Course: Breakfast
Cuisine: American
Author: Cindy Hopper

Recipe Notes:

  • Serving size is 1/2 cup.  I am always surprised that store-bought granola typically is only 1/4 cup. Who only eats 1/4 cup?
  • Nutrition on recipe card is calculated using brown sugar.
  • Nutrition for maple pure syrup recipe:

293 kcal Calories
40g Carbohydrates
8g Protein
12g Fat
1g Saturated Fat
77mg Sodium
245mg Potassium
5g Fiber
10g Sugar
1mg Vitamin C
53mg Calcium
2mg Iron

  • Nutrition for the honey recipe:

301kcal Calories
43g Carbohydrates
8g Protein
12g Fat
1g Saturated Fat
77mg Sodium
219mg Potassium
5g Fiber
14g Sugar
1mg Vitamin C
38mg Calcium
2mg Iron

  • If using pure maple syrup or honey be sure to mix well.
  • Allow to cool completely in pan before removing to an airtight container. This will ensure there are some clusters.
  • You can add in more nuts and other seeds and fruit. Just remember this increases the calories and fat.
  • Serve with fruit, over yogurt or with milk like cereal.  I like mine with coconut milk. YUM!

Why is granola so bad for you?

Granola can often not be good for you. Oats deliver loads of fiber and iron, and nuts add heart-healthy unsaturated fats and some protein, However, most store-bought granola is loaded with sugar and fat making it high in calories and loaded with fat.

The good news is this homemade granola recipe doesn’t add fat and cuts back on sugar and also has options to use honey or maple syrup (how I make it). I feel pure maple syrup is the best choice nutritionally.

How Long Will homemade granola last?

Granola will last several months in an airtight container.  Check the expiration dates on the oats and nuts you use and use that as your guide.

I hope you love this extra crunchy granola that is good for you! It is easy to make gluten-free granola, just make sure the rolled oats you buy are gluten-free. Here are some more breakfast ideas.

If you are entertaining overnight guests or hosting a brunch I promise you this quiche recipe will not disappoint and I am always asked for the recipe for this breakfast casserole. An easy brunch menu is homemade granola, yogurt, egg casserole, fruit, and juice. You can add in something sweet like overnight coffee cake, monkey bread raisin bran muffins or chocolate chip banana muffins if you wish.

homemade granola gift

If you want to gift this delicious granola you can download the tags here. You will find so many ways to wrap up delicious gifts from your kitchen.

collage of edible gifts

 

 


About Cindy Hopper

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Comments

  1. I totally agree with you Bethany, but this recipe already has healthy fat with the nuts and adding oil just isn’t necessary. However, I am aware that we can also get too much healthy fat.

    This granola is way less sweet than regular granola. When I make it at home I always use maple syrup or honey. It tastes only slightly sweet. In fact, when I pick up granola at the store now I am shocked how sweet it is.

  2. Fat is not necessarily bad. People who cut back on fat but liven up their food with added sugar are setting themselves up for health problems down the road. Sugar is much worse – spiking blood sugar, raising insulin levels, setting you up for more cravings later. Glad to see you suggest maple syrup as an alternative to brown sugar. Maple syrup has a much lower glycemic index than brown sugar and delivers a lot of good minerals and antioxidants.
    We make maple syrup and I keep meaning to make some granola with it. Thanks for the recipe!

  3. This was so easy to make! I made a big batch for our camping trip this weekend this morning and it smells so good baking!

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