This homemade granola is loved by everyone who tries it, with hundreds of 4 and 5 star reviews – its so much better than granola you’ll get from the store. We will show you how easy it is to make, and so easy to customize too!
Did you know you can make granola at home with only 6 ingredients, and about 5 minutes of work. You’re going to want to print this recipe out to make it every week or two because you’ll never go back to buying granola from the store again.
Why you’ll love this Simple Granola Recipe
I decided that it would be easier to make my own granola at home. And this granola recipe could not be any easier! This granola is only 6 ingredients and its so delicious! It’s such a great granola recipe on its own, but its also amazing with dried fruit or nuts added in to the mix.
What is Granola Made of?
This is a quick overview of the ingredients you’ll need for this Easy Granola Recipe. Specific measurements and the full recipe instructions are in the printable recipe card below.
- brown sugar
- honey
- canola oil – can substitute vegetable oil, or coconut oil
- old fashioned oats
- ground cinnamon – you can leave this out if you don’t like the flavor
- salt
What oats are best for this Easy Granola Recipe
For this granola recipe you’ll want to use rolled oats, which are also called old fashioned oats, or whole oats. Rolled oats are pieces of whole grains of oats that are steamed till they’re soft and then pressed to flatten.
Quick oats, or instant oats are precooked and pressed thinner than rolled oats, so you may be able to use them instead, but they will cook much faster because of their thinner shape, so you’ll need to adjust your baking time. I’ve never tried making granola with steel cut oats. There are recipes using steel cut oats and I would recommend using one of those instead as the nature of the oats are a lot different than rolled oats. But if you try it with this recipe, please let me know!
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This simple granola turned out so delicious. I’m thrilled to be able to eat it on top of my daily yogurt or with milk! I’ve also used it to make homemade granola bars, and yogurt parfaits.
Ps. Nate even loves it too (which is always a good sign!), he was hungry last night and had a bowl of my homemade granola with milk.
How to make Granola
Combine the wet ingredients; brown sugar, honey, and canola oil in a small sauce pan and heat over medium until the sugar is dissolved.
Add the oats to a large bowl, and pour the sugar mixture over the oats. Stir in the cinnamon and salt too until the oats are evenly coated.
Spread the mixture onto a greased cookie sheet pan, or a pan lined in parchment paper in an even layer. Bake it up for 1 hour, stirring about 2 to 3 times until it’s nicely golden brown. Remove from the oven and let the granola cool completely. Then break it into pieces. Enjoy however you want!
Homemade Granola Recipe Mix-Ins
- Raisins or Craisins
- Other Dried Fruit (dried pineapple, bananas, apricots, blueberries, coconut flakes, cherries, mango, etc)
- Your Favorite Nuts (almonds, pecans, walnuts, etc)
- Seeds (pumpkin seeds, sunflower seeds, flax seeds, sesame seeds, chia seeds, etc)
- Chocolate or White Chocolate Pieces (Add these after the granola is baked or they will become a melty mess)
Granola Recipe Easy Tips and Tricks:
- Try adding melted coconut oil, vegetable oil, or extra virgin olive oil to your granola mixture instead of canola oil. The flavor will be a little different depending on which you add.
- Use real maple syrup instead of honey in the wet ingredients for the sweetener.
- Add in 1 to 2 teaspoons of vanilla extract to the wet ingredients for this granola.
Ways to use this Easy Homemade Granola
- Eat it instead of breakfast cereal in a small bowl with a little milk.
- Add some nuts, pretzels, dark chocolate chips, dried fruit, or m&ms to the granola after it’s baked and cooled, and enjoy it like trail mix.
- Add some granola crumbled on top of some greek yogurt, or other low-fat yogurt.
- Add a couple tablespoons on top of your favorite ice cream for a nice crunch.
Storing this Simple Granola Recipe
Although it never lasts that long for us, this homemade granola should stay fresh in an airtight container or zip-top plastic bag for 3-4 weeks.
This granola can also be frozen in small ziplock freezer safe bags for up to 3 months. Remove as much air from the bags as you can, or use vacuum sealed bags and a vacuum sealer for best results. Let the granola thaw on the counter at room temperature over night before serving.
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Simple Granola Recipe
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup brown sugar
- 1/2 cup honey
- 1/4 cup canola oil**
- 4 cups old fashioned oats
- 1/2 tsp cinnamon
- 1/4 tsp salt
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 250 degrees Fahrenheit.
- Combine brown sugar, honey and canola oil in a small sauce pan over medium heat. Cook, stirring often until sugar is dissolved.
- Pour the brown sugar mixture over oats and add cinnamon and salt. Stir until oats are evenly coated.
- Spread granola mixture over a cookie sheet (sprayed with pam) and press mixture down.
- Place in the oven and bake for 1 hour, stirring every 15-20 minutes.
- Remove from oven and allow to cool completely before breaking apart and into pieces.
- Store in a ziplock bag or other air tight container.
Video
Notes
Nutrition
This recipe was first shared on May 24, 2013. Photos and text updated on August 24, 2018.
GET READY TO MAKE THIS SIMPLE GRANOLA BASE WITH THESE GREAT KITCHEN TOOLS AND INGREDIENTS:
Juliane says
Hey there, haven’t tried your recipe, but i’m planning on making it soon – one question though; is the 250 degrees in fahrenheit or in celsius? There’s quite a big difference, haha – looking forward to trying this recipe:))
Aimee says
250 degrees farenheit
Elizabeth says
Hello. This is my first time visiting your blog. I found your granola recipe on Pinterest. It turned out excellent! I added dried cranberries and sunflower seeds to one batch and, dark chocolate chips and coconut to a second batch. I will be visiting your blog regularly now as you have some terrific recipes. I actually wanted to comment and say that I’m appalled at the large amount of rude and unnecessary comments you have received! Blogs are not just for recipes! They are meant to be an ongoing “conversation” between the blogger and the reader. The blogger writes about what is of interest to them at the moment, or provides a background story to tie in with the featured recipe. I hope you don’t let those nasty comments bother you. I know it’s just my opinion, but if someone doesn’t want to read the blog post, just politely scroll down to the recipe and keep the ugly thoughts to themselves. Ther’s just too much blatant ugliness these days and it really isn’t necessary. Ok, rant over! Have a lovely day and thank you for the wonderful recipes!
Aimee says
Thank you so much Elizabeth! You made my day <3
Rachael Gechie says
Any chance I can get quantities in grams instead of cups?
Aimee says
Sorry for my slow response, the recipe should now have grams available as well.
Liz W. says
I love love love this granola, it’s so easy and perfect. But I’m wondering if anyone has ever tried it with maple syrup instead of honey? Do you think it would turn out the same?
Aimee says
I haven’t tried it with maple syrup, but I don’t see why it wouldn’t work. Use pure maple syrup though, not the cheap stuff from the store 😉
Dianna says
Where do you get the good maple syrup?
Aimee says
I like to buy pure maple syrup from Costco because it seems like it’s the best price. But it should be available at any grocery store, Walmart, Kroger, Winco, etc
Claudia says
If I wanted to add Chocolate chips would I do that before or after Baking?
Aimee says
I would add them after baking. Maybe even after a few minutes of cooling so they don’t melt completely.
Kori says
Thank you for this yummy simple granola. I’ve made it for a few years now. Love to add coconut and roughly chopped almonds. It’s perfect.
Richard says
It’s a good recipe. Just a suggestion, you should note that if you want to add dried fruit or nuts, then they should be added after you bake the granola. If the fruit and nuts are baked along with the granola, then they will burn.
Haley says
That’s delicious!
Lewis Johnson says
I’m obsessed with granola I even eat it alone.
Phyllis says
We love this recipe! My 14 year old son has made it twice now within three days! Thanks for the recipe!
Teela says
I mixed in rice krispies cereal and a dash of vanilla. My family loves it. Great for breakfast and a quick snack. Thanks a lot!!!
Dini says
This is such a quick, easy and delicious recipe! I made a big batch for breakfast and to snack on throughout the day. Thank you for all the tips and ideas for mix-ins!
Wilhelmina says
This granola is my kind of breakfast! So much tastier than store bought!
Alex says
I am so insanely sick of every single cooking blog requiring readers to scroll halfway down the page through paragraphs of pointless background and commentary before getting to the actual recipe. Can you please lead by example and stop doing this?
Aimee says
So sorry Alex, I try to only have a short paragraph or two about personal experiences and the rest of the text is talking about the recipe, this recipe in particular has a lot of tips throughout the post 🙂
mary says
Thanks for your tips, Aimee. They were helpful to me! Love the recipe, too!
Stephanie says
This is my biggest pet peeve too! I dread looking up recipes…I don’t care about personal experiences or what your kids think, I just want to know how to make it! If it’s scientific and impacts the cooking/preparation process, PLEASE put it on top! If it’s not, then tell your little story underneath the recipe for your emotionally engaged readers!
Denise says
Love the simplicity of this recipe, however mine did not form into clusters, maybe it’s because I didn’t caramelize the mixture beforehand? I did microwave it to save time and am wondering if maybe that’s why. Still, a nice easy tasty way to make some yummy granola at home..thank you!
Aimee says
Sometimes mine clumps more than others. I think it helps to not stir it at the end until it’s totally cooled, then breaking it into pieces. Hope that helps for next time!
Denise says
This just seems harsh…though I wholeheartedly agree…so many bloggers do this..we have very little data each month for our plan, so it seems tough when you try to load a single recipe and have like 20 pictures to scroll through until you get to the recipe..the stories should come after the recipe, maybe bloggers use the recipe as the bait haha..kinda forcing you to read their content?? Not sure, some make money from the ads or affiliate links? Either way, still unfair for those of us who don’t have a ton of data (also those auto play videos! Oh my!).
Judy says
Made this today.
Added vanilla, half cup steel oaks, almonds and dried cranberries.
My daughter loved it!!! Thanks you!
martha nabors says
I tried to print the recipefor simple granola but all I got was comments about what others thought about it and I don’t because I only wanted the recipe not others thought. .if nobody can print the recipe than why put in on the internet
Aimee says
Hi Judy, if you click the “print button” in the recipe box it will take you to a screen that only shows the recipe. Then you can print that page. I just tested it out so that should work for you.
Sarah says
Just made this granola…. oh my goodness! I could eat the whole tray right now. Made the house smell like cinnamon. I cooked mine for about an hour and 15 minutes as it did not feel like it would crunch up as well. Turned out perfectly and super simple. I added a splash of vanilla as well
Aimee says
Sounds so good with the vanilla! I’m glad you loved it!
Aimee says
Sarah! I’m so glad you liked it so much! Its my favorite too!
jaycee says
why press them down if you have stir every 15 minutes. youre just going to break them up again.
Aimee says
Im not sure, its just what I’ve always done the first time. I don’t continue to press it down inbetween each step
Kathy Juda says
May I use steel cut oats? How long at room temp. Will the mix last if I set coconut or olive oil?
Aimee Berrett says
I’m not sure about steel cut oats, I think they should work fine, though the texture might be different. I usually only have it last about a week till I eat it all, but it may be good longer, I’m not positive though!
Angie says
I’m doing sugar free this month. What would be a good substitute for the brown sugar? More honey? Stevia? Maple syrup? Thanks!
Aimee Berrett says
I’m not sure if it will turn ad crunchy without the brownsugar since that hardens a bir when cooked, but they may work, let me know if you try it!
Andrea says
Hi Aimee, can you please suggest me “a must” places to visit in Utah, park city, I am traveling there this April with my husband and kids (9 & 6 yrs), let me know please to andrea@chelamix.com. Lot of thanks!!
Aimee Berrett says
andrea, I actually haven’t been to park city too much but I think your family would definitely like going to the apline slide and coaster. Otherwise I’ve just wandered main street and looked at different art galleries and shops, and ate dinner. Otherwise if you’re traveling around, some family friendly activities are going to the Zoo, Discovery Gateway, Thanksgiving Point, Living Planet Aquarium, Stewart Falls, and more!
Beverly Gonzalez says
I made this today Oct 27 2016 and it is awesome! I also added 1/2 tsp vanilla. This is very tasty
Aimee Berrett says
So glad you liked it! I definitely need to try it with vanilla next time!
Nikki Burgin says
Would coconut oil work in place of canola oil? Would it need to be melted coconut oil?
Aimee Berrett says
Coconut oil should work too! I’ve used it a few times. I always zap it in the microwave for a few seconds to melt it first. Let me know if you try it!
Meredith says
Can I use gluten free rolled oats?
Aimee says
I’ve never tried it with them, but I think it should work fine! Let me know!
Anita says
How long do you think it will last if it’s vacuum sealed in a plastic bag or mason jar? I’m thinking about Christmas gifts but don’t want to wait until the last minute to make it.
Aimee Berrett says
I haven’t tried vacuum sealing this granola myself so I can’t say for sure, I would guess up to 6 months though. Let me know how it goes!
Amanda says
I just made this. It is amazing! I added some pecans to the mix. It is great with yogurt 🙂
Aimee Berrett says
So glad you liked it! I agree, I love it with yogurt! Its perfect for making little parfaits too!
diane says
I made it as a give for ski patrol. Layer plain yogurt, costco frozen fruit and granola on top. Hero of the day.. 🙂
Aimee Berrett says
That sounds FABULOUS Diane! I’m sure they all loved it! I’ll have to give it a try next time I make a batch!
Jennifer O. says
I love this! I now make a half recipe of this once a week as a topping for my fruit and yogurt. I add about 1/2 C of nuts, walnuts and/or almonds. I also double the cinnamon and salt. I have some in the oven right now and it smells soooo good!