Homemade Granola

This crunchy homemade granola is a wholesome, customizable breakfast staple or snack that beats store-bought versions in flavor and cost. Made with rolled oats, nuts, seeds, and a touch of honey for natural sweetness, it’s perfect homes—bake once and enjoy for weeks over yogurt, with milk, or as a trail mix. Simple, aromatic, and endlessly adaptable with local market ingredientS.

Homemade Granola

Ingredients

For about 6 cups (12 to 15 servings), gather these affordable items:

  • 4 cups rolled oats (old-fashioned, not instant)
  • 1 cup mixed nuts (almonds, peanuts, cashews, roughly chopped)
  • ½ cup seeds (pumpkin seeds, sunflower seeds, or sesame seeds)
  • ½ cup dried fruits (raisins, chopped apricots, or cranberries—add after baking)
  • ½ cup honey or date syrup
  • ¼ cup vegetable oil or melted coconut oil
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • ½ teaspoon ground cardamom (optional for desi warmth)
  • ¼ teaspoon salt
  • Optional: ¼ cup shredded coconut, 2 tablespoons chia seeds

Direction

  • Bake this golden granola with these easy steps:
  • Step 1: Preheat oven to 150°C (300°F). Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper.
  • Step 2: In a large bowl, combine rolled oats, chopped nuts, seeds, cinnamon, cardamom, and salt. Mix well.
  • Step 3: In a small saucepan or microwave-safe bowl, gently warm honey (or date syrup) and oil until pourable (do not boil). Stir in vanilla extract.
  • Step 4: Pour the honey-oil mixture over the dry ingredients. Stir thoroughly until everything is evenly coated.
  • Step 5: Spread the mixture in a thin, even layer on the prepared baking sheet. Press lightly with a spatula for clusters.
  • Step 6: Bake 25 to 35 minutes, stirring once halfway through, until golden brown and fragrant. Watch closely the last 5 minutes to avoid burning. Remove from oven, let cool completely on the tray (it crisps as it cools). Once cool, mix in dried fruits. Store in an airtight jar up to 1 month.

Nutrients Information

Per serving (about ½ cup, approximate values without dried fruit):

  • Calories: 220 to 260
  • Total Fat: 12 to 15 grams
  • Saturated Fat: 2 to 4 grams
  • Cholesterol: 0 milligrams
  • Sodium: 80 to 120 milligrams
  • Total Carbohydrates: 26 to 30 grams
  • Dietary Fiber: 4 to 6 grams
  • Sugars: 8 to 10 grams (mostly from honey)
  • Protein: 6 to 8 grams
  • A good source of healthy fats from nuts/seeds, fiber for digestion, and sustained energy from oats. Add dried fruit for extra vitamins and natural sweetness.

Recipes Credit

Contributed by United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Extension Service