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This healthy granola recipe hits the jackpot as it is super healthy, super crunchy, AND super delicious! Perfect for breakfast, snacking or eating as trail mix!
Step by step photos and instructions below!
This homemade granola recipe is one of the best things you can make! Why? Because you can customize any way your heart desires.
If you have ever tried to find the perfect healthy granola at the grocery store and come up empty, you’ll be delighted to know how easy it is to just make your own!!
This is a good base recipe that you can use any kinds of dried fruits, nuts or seeds. You can also add chocolate chips if you want to add some decadence! If you go that route, I recommend dark chocolate.
We use natural sweeteners in this recipe, which makes it a bunch better than the ones you can buy.
I like to mix mine up and add coconut, wheat germ. Dried sour cherries, dried apricots, dried pineapple, dried apples, dark chocolate, sunflower seeds, almonds, pecans, coconut and using different spices to change it up are all good options.
Basically as long as you have the right amounts of oil/sweetener and dry ingredients, the world of granola is wide open.
Check out my Peanut Butter Granola recipe too!
If you are looking for more healthy recipes, try my Trail Mix Muffins, or my Aussie Bites Recipe.
Why you’ll love this recipe
- Healthy. With coconut oil, agave sweetener, lemon juice, rolled oats, walnuts, chia seeds, flax seeds and craisins? It’s full of nutrients.
- Easy to make. Seriously, just mix it up, bake it and cool.
- Easy to customize. You decide what goes in, or stays out!
I have included step by step photos and instructions, as well as tips and tricks in the post. If you’d rather skip all that, scoot right on down to the recipe card located at the bottom of the post.
Equipment Needed
You will need the following:
- Mixing bowl and spoon
- Measuring Tools
- Sheet pan
- Parchment paper
Ingredients
The full list of ingredients and quantities is found in the printable recipe card below.
- Coconut oil.
- Agave nectar. See notes for alternatives.
- Lemon juice.
- Old fashioned oats. Don’t use the quick kind! The old fashioned ones are best for clumping, forming the granola. This is difficult to achieve with instant oats!
- Craisins. These are sweetened dried cranberries. Dried apricots or raisins also work.
- Walnuts. I buy whole walnuts, and crush them a little. You can use chopped if you prefer.
- Pepitas. Also known as pumpkin seeds. These have the shell off.
- Chia seeds. A superfood, these are packed with fiber!
- Vanilla extract, cinnamon and nutmeg. These all add a warm, delicious flavor. Experiment! Use apple pie spice, or pumpkin spice for a seasonal twist!
- Ground flax seeds.
How to make this recipe
Scroll for Recipe
The full list of ingredients, quantities and instructions can be found in the printable recipe card below.
Get prepped
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Line a sheet pan with parchment paper. Set aside.
Make the granola
In a small bowl, combine the coconut oil, agave nectar, lemon juice, and vanilla extract. Stir until combined.
In a large bowl, combine the rolled oats, walnuts, pepitas, chia seeds, flax seeds, cinnamon, and nutmeg.
Add the wet ingredients, and mix thoroughly until everything is well coated.
Spread the oats mixture evenly on the prepared sheet pan. Use sheet pan that keeps the granola together. If it is spread out too much you won’t get clumping, and your granola can more easily burn.
Bake and cool
Bake for 20-25 minutes stirring only 1 time, until golden brown.
Remove from the oven. To get really good clumping, press down on the granola as soon as it is out of the oven.
Let sit for 10 minutes before topping with craisins.
Let cool completely before breaking it up and serving.
Kylee’s Notes & FAQs
Press down on the granola after removing from the oven for really good clumping!
How do I store my healthy granola?
Seal in an airtight container and keep at room temperature for up to one month. They can be frozen and stored in the freezer for up to 1 year. Keep a jar on your counter ready for snacking!
How can I eat this granola?
Granola is fantastic to eat as a cereal. Add it to your favorite type of milk, including regular milk, almond, coconut, rice, or soy milk. It makes a great topper for smoothies or ice cream.
You can also put this granola in a plastic baggie and take it as a trail mix. It’s the perfect hiking or camping food since it’s light and full of energy.
Substitutions/Additions
- Coconut oil: If you don’t want the healthy version, try with unsalted butter or olive oil.
- Agave nectar: I used blue agave for my sweetener. You can also use pure maple syrup in its place as a substitute. Brown sugar can also be used if you aren’t focusing on the healthy aspect!
- Lemon juice: Use lime juice if you don’t have any lemons. You can use fresh or from concentrate.
- Walnuts: Try another type of nut, like pecans, almonds or pine nuts
- Pepitas: You can replace these with sunflower seeds, but make sure they are without the shell.
- Ground flax seeds: If you don’t use the ground version of flax seeds, they might pass through your system undigested. If you are going to eat flax, you want the benefits, right?
More easy breakfast recipes:
- Bacon Sausage Breakfast Sliders – a batch of these breakfast sliders is JUST the thing for the weekend. Breakfast YOUR way with bacon, sausage, egg, and cheese in a soft bun, brushed with garlic-butter… yes, please!
- Easy Blueberry Waffles from Scratch – These waffles are light and fluffy and golden brown – and take just a few minutes to whip up. You can have 4 Belgian sized waffles in about 15 minutes! DIG IN!!
- Vanilla Maple Baked French Toast – Delightfully flavored french toast, topped with a sweet/nutty/crunchy topping, be warned – you will get addicted!!
- All Breakfast Recipes
If you have tried this recipe or any other recipe on Kylee Cooks, leave a comment and rating – I truly love to hear from you!
Find me on Pinterest, Facebook & Instagram for more delicious recipes!
Healthy Granola Recipe (Homemade!)
Ingredients
- ⅓ cup coconut oil (melted)
- ¼ cup agave sweetener
- ½ Tbs lemon juice
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 2 ½ cups old fashioned oats
- 1 cup walnuts (roughly chopped)
- 2 Tbs chia seeds
- 1 Tbs ground flax seeds
- 1 tsp cinnamon
- ¼ tsp nutmeg
- ¾ cup craisins
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit and line a sheet pan with parchment paper. Set aside.
- In a large bowl, combine the coconut oil, molasses, lemon juice, and vanilla extract. Stir until combined.
- Add in the rolled oats, walnuts, pepitas, chia seeds, flax seeds, cinnamon, and nutmeg. Stir thoroughly until everything is well coated.
- Spread the granola evenly on the sheet pan and bake for 20-25 minutes or until golden brown.
- Remove from the oven.
- Let sit for 10 minutes before topping with craisins.
- Let cool completely before breaking it up and serving.
Notes
Nutrition
Disclaimer
Nutritional information is an estimate and provided to you as a courtesy. You should calculate the nutritional information with the actual ingredients used in your recipe using your preferred nutrition calculator.
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