Start your day off right with a healthy and delicious breakfast option – homemade granola! Packed with nutrients and flavor, this homemade granola recipe is sure to become your favorite way to kickstart your morning.
This healthy homemade granola recipe pairs perfectly with my healthy coconut yoghurt recipe for breakfast or is a great addition to any smoothie bowl recipe. Some more delicious and comforting vegan breakfast recipes include this healthier banana bread, or these protein powder pancakes and protein powder waffles.
Why You'll Love This Recipe
This cinnamon granola recipe is extremely tasty and seriously simple to make! Made with a combination of rolled oats, nuts, cinnamon, and a touch of sweetness, this granola is not only tasty but also healthy! It's also super customizable, making it easy to adjust or make variations to suit your preferences. Whether you like it crunchy or chewy, with dried fruits or chocolate chips, the possibilities are endless.
Additionally, when it comes to breakfast options, homemade granola stands out for being a cost effective breakfast option too! You can save money by making this recipe in large bulk. You can also customise and substitute ingredients, carefully balancing your taste preferences and budget.
The benefits of homemade granola
Homemade granola offers a multitude of benefits that go beyond just taste and customization. One of the main advantages is its nutritional value. By making granola at home, you have control over the ingredients and can choose to add nutritious components such as nuts, seeds, and dried fruits. These ingredients are packed with essential vitamins, minerals, and healthy fats that contribute to a well-balanced diet.
Additionally, homemade granola is often lower in added sugars and artificial additives compared to store-bought options. By making your own granola, you can limit the amount of added sugars and opt for natural sweeteners like maple syrup or honey instead.
Another benefit of homemade granola is the freedom to avoid common allergens or dietary restrictions. If you have specific dietary needs, such as gluten-free or vegan, making your own granola allows you to tailor the recipe to suit those requirements. You can easily substitute ingredients and ensure that your granola fits within your dietary preferences.
Homemade granola vs store-bought granola
While store-bought granola may be convenient, there are several reasons why homemade granola surpasses it in terms of taste and quality. Firstly, homemade granola allows for greater control over the ingredients used. Store-bought granola often contains added sugars, unhealthy fats, and artificial flavors. By making your own granola, you can eliminate these unwanted additives and create a healthier option.
Additionally, homemade granola offers more variety and customization options. Store-bought granola tends to have limited flavor combinations and add-ins. With homemade granola, you can experiment with different nuts, seeds, dried fruits, spices, and sweeteners to create a granola that suits your taste preferences perfectly.
Another advantage of homemade granola is the freshness factor. By making granola at home, you can ensure that it is freshly made and retains its desired texture and taste.
Ingredients Needed For This Homemade Granola Recipe + Ingredient Substitutes
To make a basic homemade granola, you will need a few key ingredients. These ingredients form the foundation of the recipe and can be customized further to suit your preferences.
- Rolled Oats: Rolled oats are the base of any granola recipe. They provide a hearty and nutritious foundation for your granola. It's important to make sure that you are using rolled oats and not quick oats for any granola recipe.
- Nut Butter: Nut butter adds flavor and helps bind the granola together. Almond butter, peanut butter, or tahini are all great options. Choose a natural nut butter without added sugars or oils for a healthier granola. Nut butter can also be substituted for any tasteless oil such as canola oil or refined coconut oil
- Sweetener: Maple syrup is a popular natural sweetener for granola. It adds a hint of sweetness and helps to create a crispy texture. You can adjust the amount of sweetener based on your taste preference. Maple syrup can also be substituted with honey or agave syrup as a more cost effective solution.
- Nuts and Seeds: Pecans, almonds, walnuts, and sunflower seeds are popular choices for homemade granola. They add crunch, flavor, and a dose of healthy fats. Feel free to mix and match nuts and seeds based on your personal preference. Note that sunflower seeds can be mixed in with the granola before baking, whereas nuts are required to be baked separately and mixed through at the end to avoid burning.
- Ground Cinnamon: Cinnamon adds warmth and depth of flavor to your granola. It pairs well with the sweetness of the maple syrup and enhances the overall taste. I don't recommend skipping this ingredient!
- Fine Salt: A small amount of salt helps to balance the sweetness and enhances the flavors in your granola.
By combining these key ingredients, you can create a delicious and nutritious homemade granola that will become a staple in your breakfast routine.
Step-by-step guide to making homemade granola
To make this granola recipe:
- Preheat your oven to 180 degrees Celsius or 350 degrees Fahrenheit.
- Spread the pecans or your chosen nuts on a baking sheet and toast them in the preheated oven for about 3-4 minutes until fragrant. Remove from the oven and set aside. Be careful not to burn them.
- In a small bowl, mix the nut butter and maple syrup until well combined and smooth. If the nut butter is too thick, you can heat it in the microwave in 20-second bursts to soften it. Alternatively, you can add a small amount of tasteless oil, such as canola oil or refined coconut oil, to achieve a runny consistency.
- In a large bowl, combine the rolled oats, ground cinnamon, and fine salt. Mix well to ensure the dry ingredients are evenly distributed.
- Pour the wet ingredients into the bowl with the dry ingredients. Use a spatula or your hands to mix thoroughly, ensuring all the dry ingredients are coated with the wet mixture.
- Line a baking tray with parchment paper and spread the granola mixture evenly on the tray.
- Bake the granola in the preheated oven for 20 to 25 minutes, or until golden brown and fragrant. Take care to mix the granola every 5 to 10 minutes to ensure even cooking and prevent burning.
- Once the granola is done, remove it from the oven and let it cool completely on the baking tray. Avoid stirring the granola while it cools, as this will allow it to form clusters and achieve a crunchy texture.
- Once cooled, transfer the granola to an airtight jar or container for storage. It can be kept at room temperature for up to two weeks.
By following these simple steps, you can master the art of making homemade granola and enjoy a fresh and delicious breakfast option every day.
Variations and customization options for homemade granola
One of the best things about homemade granola is the ability to customize it to your liking. Here are some variations and customization options to consider:
- Add-Ins: Enhance your granola with additional flavors and textures by adding various mix-ins. Consider dried fruits such as cranberries, raisins, or apricots for a sweet and chewy element. For a touch of indulgence, you can include chocolate chips, coconut flakes, or chopped dark chocolate. Both of these options should only be added to the granola once cooked and cooled
- Spices: Experiment with different spices to elevate the flavor of your granola. In addition to cinnamon, try adding a pinch of nutmeg, ginger, or cardamom for a warm and aromatic twist.
- Nut-Free Options: If you have a nut allergy or prefer to avoid nuts, there are plenty of alternatives. Replace the nuts with pumpkin seeds, sunflower seeds, or chia seeds for a crunchy texture and added nutritional benefits. Substitute the nut butter 1:1 with a tasteless oil such as canola oil or refined coconut oil. Or for a coconut flavour, try using non refined coconut oil.
- Sweeteners: While maple syrup is a popular choice, you can also use other natural sweeteners such as honey, agave syrup, or date syrup. Adjust the amount of sweetener based on your taste preferences.
- Gluten-Free: If you follow a gluten-free diet, ensure that your oats are certified gluten-free.
- Flavor Combinations: Get creative with your flavor combinations. Some popular options include almond and coconut, peanut butter and chocolate, or cranberry and orange. Mix and match ingredients to find your favorite combination.
Remember, the beauty of homemade granola is that you can tailor it to suit your preferences and experiment with different flavors and ingredients. Don't be afraid to get creative and discover your own unique granola recipe.
Storing and preserving homemade granola
To ensure your homemade granola stays fresh and crunchy, it's important to store it properly. Follow these tips for optimal storage and preservation:
- Cool Completely: Allow the granola to cool completely before transferring it to an airtight jar or container. This will help retain its crunchy texture.
- Airtight Container: Store the granola in an airtight container to prevent moisture from seeping in and causing it to become stale. Mason jars or reusable food storage containers work well for this purpose.
- Avoid Heat and Moisture: Keep your granola away from direct sunlight, heat, and moisture. These factors can cause the granola to lose its crunch and become soft or sticky.
- Use within Two Weeks: Homemade granola is best consumed within two weeks of making it. Over time, it may lose its freshness, crunchiness and flavor.
By following these storage guidelines, you can enjoy your healthy homemade granola for an extended period while maintaining its quality
Further Questions
Is this homemade granola gluten free?
Sort of. The only ingredient that could be considered not gluten free is the rolled oats. Oats are often contaminated with gluten because they may be processed in the same facilities as gluten-containing grains like wheat, rye, and barley. Some brands claim to be gluten free as they are processed separately. This is allowed in some countries but not others. Gluten free oats are often safe for most people with a gluten intolerance or sensitivity, but usually not for those with cealic. If you want truly 100% gluten free homemade granola then I suggest you use a recipe without oats.
How long does homemade granola last?
In this recipe I recommend to consume the granola within 2 weeks. However, with proper storage, this granola can likely last up to 1 month. I live in a country with extremely high humidity (Malaysia) and I therefore recommend consuming within 2 week to ensure maximum flavour and crunch! Also, homemade granola is so tasty I'm not sure how it could possible last 1 month without being eaten!
How to make cinnamon granola clusters
To make cinnamon granola clusters, squeeze sections of the wet granola mixture together for baking. Don't touch the granola whilst cooling, allowing it to completely cool before transferring to the storage jar.
A word of warning. Be careful not to burn it!
Be careful not to burn the oats! Everyone’s oven is different. Even 1-2 minutes could be make or break with this recipe, so please keep an eye on the cooking oats!
Cinnamon Granola
Ingredients
- 3 cups rolled oats whole oats not quick oats
- ½ cup nut butter almond butter, peanut butter, or tahini are all great options, refer to recipe notes for more options
- ½ cup maple syrup can be substituted for agave or honey if vegan is not required, but maple syrup works best
- 1 cup pecans can be substituted for any nuts such as almonds, walnuts, macadamias etc.
- 1 tablespoon ground cinnamon
- ½ teaspoon fine salt
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 180 degrees Celsius or 350 degrees Fahrenheit.
- Spread the pecans or your chosen nuts on a baking sheet and toast them in the preheated oven for about 3-4 minutes until fragrant. Remove from the oven and set aside. Be careful not to burn them.
- In a small bowl, mix the nut butter and maple syrup until well combined and smooth. If the nut butter is too thick, you can heat it in the microwave in 20-second bursts to soften it. Alternatively, you can add a small amount of tasteless oil, such as canola oil or refined coconut oil, to achieve a runny consistency.
- In a large bowl, combine the rolled oats, ground cinnamon, and fine salt. Mix well to ensure the dry ingredients are evenly distributed.
- Pour the wet ingredients into the bowl with the dry ingredients. Use a spatula or your hands to mix thoroughly, ensuring all the dry ingredients are coated with the wet mixture.
- Line a baking tray with parchment paper and spread the granola mixture evenly on the tray.
- Bake the granola in the preheated oven for 20 to 25 minutes, or until golden brown and fragrant. Take care to mix the granola every 5 to 10 minutes to ensure even cooking and prevent burning.
- Once the granola is done, remove it from the oven and let it cool completely on the baking tray. Avoid stirring the granola while it cools, as this will allow it to form clusters and achieve a crunchy texture.
- Once cooled, transfer the granola to an airtight jar or container for storage. It can be kept at room temperature for up to two weeks.
Matt says
Simple and delicious
Georgia Papas says
Thanks! 😘
Gracie says
So yummy! I saw it has 8 servings, is that per cup?
Georgia Papas says
Hi Gracie,
I agree, very delish! The whole recipe makes about 4 and bit cups of granola. Therefore 1 serving is a little more than 1/2 cup. This of course depends on how loosely packed you cups are. Enjoy!
Georgia