This easy homemade granola recipe is made with steel-cut and rolled oats, coconut flakes, and 4 seeds! If you want to make healthy granola, this is it! There’s NO refined sugar and minimal oil, giving it a flaky-clustered texture. It’s not just granola…it’s a topping for so many things!
The Best Homemade Granola … with 4 Seeds!
Did you know that homemade granola is as simple as dump, stir, press, bake, cool, and scoop? Yep!
In fact, the hardest part of the whole process is waiting for the granola to cool before breaking it into pieces.
If you like to save money and be in control of your ingredients, grab this easy granola recipe made with oats, coconut, nuts, chia, hemp, pumpkin, and flax seeds.
All the seeds!
If you’re new to this, this simple granola recipe will give you the foundation to be the granola BOSS, and then go crazy with other ingredient combinations!
How to make granola healthy
Tip #1: Use whole grains such as rolled oats or steel cut oats, or both, as I did in this recipe.
Tip #2: Skip the refined sugar and select a natural sweetener such as maple syrup or honey. These will bind ingredients during the baking process.
Tip #3: Add heart-healthy tree nuts such as almonds, walnuts, pistachios, or pecans for added texture, protein, and fiber!
Tip #4: Add superfood seeds like pumpkin, flax, hemp, or chia for extra fiber, protein, and antioxidants. I added all four seeds to this recipe…welcome to ‘healthy city’!
Tip #5: Select a heart-healthy oil such as coconut oil or extra virgin olive oil.
If you make homemade granola instead of buying it packaged, YOU control your ingredients.
What this really means…you get to skip the excessive amounts of salt and sugar used in the packaging process.
In other words…yay for YOU!
Homemade Granola Recipe Steps
Step 1: Combine DRY ingredients in a bowl.
Step 2: Whisk together WET ingredients in a separate bowl.
Step 3: Mix together WET and DRY ingredients and press firmly into a baking pan.
Step 4: Bake the granola for 40 minutes at 300° and do NOT stir. Trust me on this.
Step 5: Allow to completely cool (the waiting is the hardest part!); then break apart.
* Grab the full recipe below
It really is this simple and you might even have enough ingredients in your pantry to make granola right now. Do it!
What can I do with granola?
- Eat homemade granola as a breakfast cereal with milk.
- Make my fruit and yogurt breakfast bowl that’s topped with granola from this very recipe.
- Add interesting texture to your soft ice cream or frozen yogurt by adding a handful of crispy granola.
- Add homemade granola to your trail mix and hit the hills!
- Toss healthy granola into cookie, muffin, or brownie batter for a unique texture and flavor.
- Level up the texture on your super healthy smoothie bowl with a handful of homemade granola sprinkled on top.
- Sprinkle on smoothies for added texture and flavor!
How do you store homemade granola?
I store my granola in an airtight container in the pantry for up to 1 month.
Quite frankly, it never lasts that long because we can’t stop eating it!
Can I refrigerate granola?
When you refrigerate granola, it can absorb moisture and fridge odors…we’re not down with this.
Can I freeze granola?
Freezing granola can also cause it to absorb moisture and freezer odors, so if you must freeze it, I recommend using a vacuum sealer to package your granola first.
In fact, just go ahead and eat the stuff because you know you want to…and you can make more because it’s so easy!
How long does homemade granola last?
It all depends on your storage environment…and how delicious it is 😉
If granola is exposed to humidity, it can mold rather quickly. Bummer!
When stored in an airtight container in a dry environment, homemade granola can stay optimal for weeks, maybe even a few months.
I’ll be honest though, it usually doesn’t last that long because we can’t keep our hands off the stuff!
Healthy granola recipe ingredients:
- rolled oats and steel-cut oats
- coconut flakes
- sliced almonds (or any nuts)
- raw pumpkin seeds
- flax seed
- chia seed
- hemp seed (also called hemp hearts)
- extra virgin olive oil
- maple syrup
- vanilla extract
- kosher salt
Tools I use for this recipe
- bowl to mix dry ingredients
- bowl to mix wet ingredients
- 9 x 13 baking sheet
- pancake turner to press the granola (or use your hands)
- airtight container
How to make the BEST granola
Practice and experiment!
That’s exactly what I did to finalize this recipe…I’ve made it countless times.
And this is just ONE granola recipe to get you started or add to your awesome collection.
Want more healthy breakfast recipes?
- Chocolate Energy Bars (no-bake)
- Vegetarian Crustless Quiche
- Oven-Baked Eggs with Brussels Sprouts and Broccoli
- Apple Beet Ginger Smoothie
- No-Bake Chocolate Energy Bites
Easy Homemade Granola with 4 Seeds
Ingredients
Granola (dry Ingredients)
- 1 cup Rolled Oats
- 1/2 cup Steel Cut Oats
- 1/2 cup Coconut Flakes
- 1/4 cup Sliced Almonds
- 1/4 cup Pumpkin Seeds
- 1 Tbsp Flax Seed
- 1 Tbsp Chia Seed
- 1 Tbsp Hemp Seed also called hemp hearts
Granola (wet ingredients)
- 2 Tbsp Extra Virgin Olive Oil
- 2 Tbsp Maple Syrup
- 1/2 tsp Vanilla Extract
- 1/2 tsp Kosher Salt
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 300°
- In a large mixing bowl, combine ROLLED OATS, STEEL OATS, COCONUT, ALMONDS, PUMPKIN SEEDS, FLAX SEED, CHIA SEEDS, and HEMP HULLS.
- In a small mixing bowl, whisk together OLIVE OIL, MAPLE SYRUP, VANILLA, and SALT.
- Combine dry and wet ingredients and stir.
- Spread mixture out onto to 9" x 13" baking sheet (also called a quarter sheet); press to form an even layer.
- Bake 30-40 minutes until golden brown (do NOT stir during the baking process, this will disturb the clumping).
- Remove from oven, allow to completely cool, break into pieces, and store in an airtight container up to 1 month. Serve over yogurt, chia pudding, or your favorite ice cream.
RECIPE NOTES
Nutrition
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Laura says
How much coconut oil would you use in place of the olive oil?
Traci Antonovich says
Hi Laura, I would substitute the same amount of coconut oil for olive oil. Hope you love it! Thanks!
JB says
Great granola. Easy recipe. Make batches of this regularly to add to my yogurt cups.
Traci Antonovich says
Thanks, JB! It’s the best sprinkled on yogurt cups! I’m really glad you’re enjoying this one 🙂
Sophie says
Big fan of seeds granola. Love it. I should make some real soon! Thank you.
Traci Antonovich says
Thanks, Sophie! Yes granola with seeds are a MUST for me 🙂 Enjoy!
Chris Collins says
This granola looks so delish! Can’t wait to whip up a batch on the weekend 🙂
Traci Antonovich says
Thanks Chris! Enjoy!
Sara Welch says
What a great way to start my day! Looking forward to enjoying this over the weekend!
Traci Antonovich says
Awesome, Sara! Glad you can enjoy this granola recipe 🙂
Andrea says
This is much easier than I thought it would be. I also like the idea of switching up which grains and seeds to use.
Traci Antonovich says
Great to hear it, Andrea! You’re right, making homemade granola really IS so easy 🙂
Tisha says
Granola is such a great snack. Makes a great addition to yogurt or even just grab a handful to snack on!
Traci Antonovich says
Couldn’t agree more, Tisha 🙂 Thanks!
Michelle Khodorkovsky says
Not sure what I did but after 30 min in the oven, it is still really flaky no chunks at all and nothing to break apart. I followed to recipe exactly except substituting the maple syrup for honey… Pretty confused, should I have put it in the oven longer to clump together? Regardless, it tastes delicious and is perfect for yogurt!
Traci Antonovich says
Hi Michelle, so glad you like the flavor…I too LOVE this on granola 🙂 As for clumping, this granola does tend to be a little flakier, but it still clumps, just not as much as you might expect. You could try longer in the oven, but def don’t stir during baking, and allow it completely cool before handling it. Also, I’d stick with honey as it helps granola clump better too. Hope that helps!
Amanda says
I absolutely LOVE making homemade granola! Not only is it fun to be able to customize everything that goes into it, but it’s truly SO much more economical than buying gourmet granola at the market. I love all of the great seeds you’ve chosen to include in this recipe. Such a great blend of textures, flavors, and health benefits. I would love some of this sprinkled over a bowl of Greek yogurt with a drizzle of honey!
Traci Antonovich says
Thanks Amanda! Glad you like the seeds…they’re my favorite part about this one 🙂
Sean@Diversivore says
Your “How long does homemade granola last” section made me chuckle, because the last time I made granola my kids ate it so fast I didn’t know what to do with myself. I guess it’s time to make more – and I think I know just what recipe to start with. Love how many seeds and grains you worked in here too (and I’ve got some hemp hearts I’ve been meaning to use, so it’s perfect). Cheers!
Traci Antonovich says
Haha Sean, that section is worth a laugh, isn’t it? I’m right there with you…it never lasts long LOL. And yes, throw those hemp hearts in! You’ll love them in granola 🙂
Marisa Franca says
Homemade is the very best!! We love our homemade granola and we do like getting variations. We always like ideas on how to make it better. Except for the chia seeds and the pumpkin seeds it is pretty much like our recipe. We are definitely going to have to add those ingredients. I’m pinning to make this on ur next batch of granola.
Traci Antonovich says
Thanks Marisa, I highly recommend the chia and pumpkin seeds! Hope you love this recipe 🙂
Debra says
Perfect time of year to stumble upon this recipe. I like to make homemade gifts for the teachers and this will be awesome. With a clean ingredient list and simple to make, I couldn’t have found anything more perfect.
Traci Antonovich says
Thanks Debra! Love hearing that…it does make such a great gift! I’m planning to do the same 🙂
Carmy says
Great way of breaking down how to make granola! I love making a homemade one as I get to portion out exactly what I want in it, especially the sugar levels. I usually pair mine together with smoothie bowls to make smoothies more hearty.
Traci Antonovich says
Thanks Carmy, yep love being in control of sugar on this one. Love mine with smoothie bowls too! 🙂
Molly Kumar says
I’m so into homemade granola and I can literally smell those flavors! This is such a delicious combination and would be perfect for a whole family fall brunch or breakfast.
Traci Antonovich says
Thanks Molly…I’m right there with you 😉
Dana says
Granola has got to be one of the most fun things to make. First of all, it makes the kitchen small heavenly. Second, it never has to be the same! Between all of the different spices, natural sweeteners, nuts, and dried fruits you can use, it’s always a tasty adventure. I always intend to use my homemade granola over yogurt or with milk, but I always end up eating it by the handful 😉
Traci Antonovich says
Thanks Dana! You’re so right about how it makes the kitchen smell…I always forget about that until it’s happening LOL. I eat my homemade granola by the handful too 😉
Tina says
You gave me a great idea. My hubby is hard to shop for and hates getting gifts. He loves homemade granola though. I’m going to make your fabulous recipe a few days before Christmas and put in a mason jar. It’s homemade and something he loves. Thanks for this!
Traci Antonovich says
Thanks Tina! Love this idea and am considering doing the same thing 🙂 It makes a great gift!
Daniela says
I love making granola at home because you get to control the quality and quantity of the ingredients. I love that you sweetened yours with maple syrup, so this recipe is definitely going on my list of things to make for next week. Great recipe!
Traci Antonovich says
Thanks Daniela! Hope you get to make it and love it like I do 🙂
Sandra says
My husband eats granola with yogurt every day and we have a hard time finding a brand that isn’t over loaded with sugar. This is soooo perfect. Love the hemp and chia seeds you added for an extra healthy boost of nutrients!
Traci Antonovich says
Thanks Sandra! Yep, mine eats granola and yogurt every day too…and you’re so right, most packaged granola is too sugary.
Leah says
I love granola. Like, we have a great relationship! I need to make this tho, I love the maple syrup idea for this one, and it sounds so flavorful. Can’t wait to try this, and put it on everything!
Traci Antonovich says
Haha thanks Leah…sounds like we have the same relationship with granola! 🙂
Gloria says
Homemade granola is the BEST!! Love all the healthy ingredients here. No added preservatives and you can add all the delicious flavours you want. I need to head into the kitchen and make a batch today.
Traci Antonovich says
Thanks Gloria! Hope you get to try it out and love it like we do! 🙂