How to Make Granola

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Buying bags of granola at the grocery store may seem more convenient, but it’s actually really easy to make your own delicious granola at home. All you need are a handful of ingredients you probably already have in your pantry, a few standard kitchen tools, and an oven. Start with a basic recipe that uses a 6-to-1 ratio of dry to wet ingredients, then customize your homemade granola with whatever flavors you prefer. After that, you can munch away anytime you like!

Ingredients

Basic Granola Recipe

  • 3 c (775 g) rolled oats
  • 1 c (225 g) nuts (almonds, walnuts, etc.)
  • 1 c (225 g) seeds (pumpkin, sunflower, etc.)
  • 1 c (225 g) other dry ingredients (coconut flakes, millet puffs, etc.)
  • 0.5  c (120 mL) olive, canola, or grapeseed oil
  • 0.5  c (120 mL) liquid sweetener (honey, maple syrup, etc.)
  • dried fruit (raisins, cranberries, etc.) to taste
  • seasonings (cinnamon, salt, etc.) to taste

Coconut Cashew Almond Granola

  • 3 c (775 g) rolled oats
  • 1 c (225 g) slivered almonds
  • 1 c (225 g) cashews
  • 0.75 c (170 g) shredded sweet coconut
  • 0.25 c (56 g) plus 2 tbsp (28 g) dark brown sugar
  • 0.25  c (59 mL) plus 2 US tbsp (30 mL) maple syrup
  • 0.25  c (59 mL) vegetable oil
  • ¾ tsp (3.6 g) salt
  • 1 c (225 g) raisins
Method 1
Method 1 of 3:

Basic Granola Recipe

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  1. Watermark wikiHow to Make Granola
    Rolled oats are really the only non-negotiable ingredient in homemade granola. For this basic recipe, they should make up half of your dry ingredient total (3 out of 6 cups). [1]
    • Any type of rolled oats will work, but old-fashioned rolled oats may provide a better texture than either quick-cook or instant rolled oats.
  2. Watermark wikiHow to Make Granola
    Use a wooden spoon or your hand to incorporate everything together. Add the following amounts of the other dry ingredients: [2]
    • 1 c (225 g) nuts (cashews, almonds, peanuts, walnuts, etc.)
    • 1 c (225 g) seeds (pumpkin, sunflower, sesame, etc.)
    • 1 c (225 g) other—this could be more nuts or seeds, or another dry ingredient like coconut flakes or puffed millet. However, dried fruit is an add-on that you’ll add later, and doesn’t count here. Likewise, chocolate chips or other add-ons that melt don’t count here and should be added at the end.
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  3. Watermark wikiHow to Make Granola
    The wet ingredients make up 1  c (240 mL) total in this recipe, and should be half vegetable oil and half liquid sweetener. Pour the oil and sweetener into a medium bowl, then stir them with a wooden spoon. [3]
    • Canola oil has the mildest flavor, but extra virgin olive oil and grapeseed oil also work well, depending on the flavor profile of your granola.
    • For liquid sweeteners, try honey, maple syrup, agave nectar, brown rice syrup, or coconut nectar.
  4. Watermark wikiHow to Make Granola
    Pour the contents of the medium bowl into the large bowl, and use the wooden spoon or your hand to thoroughly incorporate the wet and dry ingredients. Do your best to coat all of the dry ingredients in the oil and sweetener mixture. [4]
  5. Watermark wikiHow to Make Granola
    Set your oven to 300 °F (149 °C). As it preheats, spread your granola out in an even layer on a rimmed baking sheet. If desired, you can lay parchment paper on the pan first. [5]
    • Depending on your oven’s temperature accuracy and your preferences on how toasty you like your granola, you may instead choose to set your oven to 275 or 250 °F (135 or 121 °C).
  6. Watermark wikiHow to Make Granola
    Pull the granola from the oven every 15 minutes, stir it around with a wooden spoon or silicone spatula, smooth it back out into a single layer, and return it to the oven. After 30 minutes, check it every 5 minutes or so for doneness. When it’s golden brown, it’s finished. [6]
    • Keep checking often, because the granola can go from golden brown to burned quickly!
  7. Watermark wikiHow to Make Granola
    Let the granola cool for about 5-10 minutes, then scoop it into a large bowl. Stir in as much and as many kinds of dried fruit as you like—raisins, dried cranberries, and dried cherries are just some of your options. Taste the granola and decide if you want to add any seasoning—maybe a pinch of salt, a spoonful of sugar, or flavors like cinnamon or vanilla. [7]
    • If you’re adding chocolate chips or another add-in that you don’t want to melt, make sure the granola is completely cooled before mixing it in.
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Method 2
Method 2 of 3:

Coconut Cashew Almond Granola

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  1. Watermark wikiHow to Make Granola
    Set the oven to 250 °F (121 °C), then grab a large bowl and stir the dry ingredients together with a wooden spoon or your hand. Use the following: [8]
    • 3 c (775 g) rolled oats.
    • 1 c (225 g) slivered almonds.
    • 1 c (225 g) cashews.
    • 0.75 c (170 g) shredded sweet coconut.
    • 0.25 c (56 g) plus 2 tbsp (28 g) dark brown sugar.
  2. Watermark wikiHow to Make Granola
    Pour the liquids and the salt in a separate bowl from the dry ingredients, then stir them together with a wooden spoon. The wet ingredients include: [9]
    • 0.25  c (59 mL) plus 2 US tbsp (30 mL) maple syrup.
    • 0.25  c (59 mL) vegetable oil.
    • ¾ tsp (3.6 g) salt—while this is obviously a dry ingredient, mixing it into the wet ingredients first helps incorporate it evenly throughout the granola.
  3. Watermark wikiHow to Make Granola
    Pour the medium bowl of wet ingredients into the large bowl of dry ingredients, then stir them together with your hand or a wooden spoon. Make sure to give the dry ingredients an even coating of the maple syrup and oil mixture. [10]
    • Don’t be afraid to use your hand as a mixing tool—just make sure you wash it first!
  4. Watermark wikiHow to Make Granola
    Use a rimmed baking sheet and spread the granola out evenly. Every 15 minutes, remove the pan from the oven and stir around the granola to ensure even browning. After 1 hour, check the granola often to make sure it doesn’t over-brown. Remove it promptly when it’s golden brown. [11]
    • You can try increasing the temperature to 300 °F (149 °C) and reducing the baking time to 45 minutes, but you’ll run a slightly greater risk of burning some of the granola.
  5. Watermark wikiHow to Make Granola
    After 5-10 minutes of cooling, scoop the granola into a large bowl. Then, mix in the raisins. [12]
    • This granola tastes great slightly warm, but don’t store it in a sealed container until it is completely cooled to room temperature.
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Method 3
Method 3 of 3:

Storing and Serving Granola

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  1. Watermark wikiHow to Make Granola
    A glass jar with a screw-top lid is great for storing granola, but a zip-close bag will do the job as well. Just make sure the granola is completely cooled first! [13]
    • Warm granola will release moisture inside the sealed container, ruining the granola’s delightful crunch.
  2. Watermark wikiHow to Make Granola
    Your pantry is a great place to keep your granola. Make sure you seal it back up tightly after each use, and it should last for a month—if you haven’t eaten it all before then! [14]
    • If you’re giving granola as a gift—in small screw-top jars, for instance—add a tag with a use-by date.
  3. Watermark wikiHow to Make Granola
    It’s great with yogurt, as a breakfast cereal with milk, and on ice cream. Or, just grab a handful for a quick snack! [15]
    • Once you start making your own granola, you’ll probably never want to settle for the store-bought stuff again.
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Expert Q&A

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  • Question
    How do you eat healthy granola?
    Katie Hake RDN, LD
    Registered Dietitian, Nutritionist & Certified Personal Trainer
    Katie Hake is a Registered Dietitian, Licensed Nutritionist, Fitness Professional and the Owner of Katie Hake Health & Fitness, LLC. She specializes in constructing sustainable life changes in health and fitness. Katie received a dual degree BS in Dietetics and Nutrition & Fitness and Health from Purdue University.
    Katie Hake RDN, LD
    Registered Dietitian, Nutritionist & Certified Personal Trainer
    Expert Answer
    If you want to make it even healthier, consider adding blueberries, strawberries, or another fruit for additional fiber and antioxidants!
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  • Question
    How should I cook my granola to make it more crunchy?
    Community Answer
    Bake in the oven at 150 degrees Celsius, for about 20-30 minutes. The oil and honey makes the oats deliciously crunchy.
    Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
    Thank you for your feedback.
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    Not Helpful 1 Helpful 4
  • Question
    What else can be used to replace honey as part of the binder?
    Community Answer
    Maple syrup is a good option, or melted butter (it depends on how clumpy it is).
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    If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
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      References

      1. ↑ https://www.epicurious.com/expert-advice/how-to-make-granola-without-a-recipe-article
      2. ↑ https://www.epicurious.com/expert-advice/how-to-make-granola-without-a-recipe-article
      3. ↑ https://www.epicurious.com/expert-advice/how-to-make-granola-without-a-recipe-article
      4. ↑ https://www.epicurious.com/expert-advice/how-to-make-granola-without-a-recipe-article
      5. ↑ https://www.epicurious.com/expert-advice/how-to-make-granola-without-a-recipe-article
      6. ↑ https://www.epicurious.com/expert-advice/how-to-make-granola-without-a-recipe-article
      7. ↑ https://www.epicurious.com/expert-advice/how-to-make-granola-without-a-recipe-article
      8. ↑ https://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/alton-brown/granola-recipe-1939521
      9. ↑ https://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/alton-brown/granola-recipe-1939521
      1. ↑ https://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/alton-brown/granola-recipe-1939521
      2. ↑ https://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/alton-brown/granola-recipe-1939521
      3. ↑ https://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/alton-brown/granola-recipe-1939521
      4. ↑ https://www.thekitchn.com/granola-recipe-258376
      5. ↑ https://www.thekitchn.com/granola-recipe-258376
      6. ↑ https://www.thekitchn.com/granola-recipe-258376

      About This Article

      Article Summary X

      If you want to make your own granola, mix rolled oats, and your favorite nuts and seeds. In a separate bowl, mix equal parts oil and a liquid sweetener like honey or agave nectar, then pour the wet mixture over the dry ingredients and stir them together with a wooden spoon. Spread the combined ingredients out on a baking sheet and bake it for about 45 minutes at 300°F, stirring every 15 minutes. Let the granola cool for 5-10 minutes, then add in your dried fruit and other add-ins. Keep reading to learn how to make coconut cashew almond granola!

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      • Adanne Udo Orji

        Feb 13, 2022

        "Thank you for recipes. I was able to make my own granola."
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