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:
Mandy says
I’m making this a second time right now. Did recipe as is the first time and it was perfect! This time I’m trying it with unrefined coconut oil, smells so good. I make this for a granola chocolate chip cookie recipe, and also eat it by itself with milk or yogurt. I will venture no further for a good granola recipe, for me and my kitchen- this is perfect. Thanks for sharing!
Aimee says
I’m so glad you love it! That granola cookie recipe sounds amazing!
Mandy says
https://www.food.com/recipe/granola-chocolate-chip-cookies-120738
100% worth trying the recipe out when you have time. They’re addicting.
Paul Dill says
Good general instructions, but way too sweet. I’d cut the sugar and honey in half.
Ellen says
I haven’t made this simple granola for a long time. My usually favorite (at least twice a month) is the peanut butter granola – and I still love it. But I made this one today and it is definitely going in the rotation! So good. I followed the recipe ingredients exactly, but I did “melt” the sugar, honey, and oil in the microwave. It still come out just as i hoped. Lots of flavor, lots of crunch, lots of granola sticking together! Love it!
Gina R Antignani says
I too loved how simple. I did warm oil, brown sugar and I think honey. I wanted to dissolve granulars. It took a minute or two. I used parchment paper, not pam. Vanilla, cinnamon a pinch of salt. I did spread it out sprinkled a bit more cinnamon on top. It cooked fast, but not a problem because I did check it. It’s cooks so we’ll standing by to keep eye is not an issue. Cooked quick. So when my son tried it he loved it as did my husband. Next day son asked for more and I added chocolate chips to his bowl. He was sold. Next day I had to give him the remaining granola mixed with chocolate chips to bring back to his dorm. He got the large amount of batch. This didn’t last more the 48 hours. Going to make more. I want to do brown sugar and maple syrup. I used vegetable oil. I made sure it was nut free because my daughter has many nuts allergies. So this basic recipe allows each person to add what they choose.
Micheline says
I have tried many granola recipes. This is by far the best recipe because it is easy to make and has a delicious simple base which you can add your favourites add ons.
I will never buy granola again. I added raisins and chopped pecans and used maple syrup. I also baked for an additional 10 minutes. I love my granola crispy.
Aimee says
Yay, I’m so glad you loved it. I’ll have to try adding raisins and pecans next time. Yum
Lisa says
I used coconut oil, left out the brown sugar all together, and cooked it another 15 minutes. Turned out great!
Tish says
I made this today. Came out great!
Cara says
This is a good basic granola recipe but I have found if you double the oil the results are much better – with just a 1/4 cup it’s not enough to moisten and hold the oats together.
Gina R Antignani says
I did add a tad more oil. Cooked in a lot less time and at 300 F. Cools even quicker. Sweetness according to husband said it’s not too sweet and he doesn’t like sweetness heavy snacks. My son agreed and he like sweet. So it catered to all my family. I actually sprinkled more cinnamon after I spreaded it out for cooking. Once done I took a small amount and added Apple pie spice and it’s was good. So I definitely will do that for a batch and even toss dried apples or diced fresh apples. Other recipes call for maple syrup so maple brown sugar sounds like a good blend.
Jen says
I’m just finishing up and the granola is not crunchy or stuck together. Not sure if I did something wrong? I followed the recipe exactly. I’m sure it will taste delicious but it hasn’t come out the way I thought it would.
Aimee says
It should start to harden as it cools, but you’re welcome to let it cook longer if you’re worried
Jen says
I cooked it a little longer and it came out perfect!! Tastes delicious and a perfect crunch ❤️
Hannah says
This is my favorite granola! I wanted a recipe that was simple since my kiddos don’t care for nuts or extra additives, and this one is the winner. It’s simple and yet so yummy!
Aimee says
I love hearing that 🤩
Cordelia says
This is a great recipe! I accidentally used dark brown sugar instead of light but it still came out so delicious! Much better than any store bought granola I’ve bought. Can’t wait to add pecans and dried cranberries when I make this again. Everyone I’ve gifted granola says it’s tastes so good! Love that the nutrition facts are calculated for us as well. Thank you! <3