Name: Homemade Granola
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 30 min
Total time: 1 h 10 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 3 cups old-fashioned rolled oats, not quick oats; 1 cup raw almonds or pecans, roughly chopped; ½ cup pumpkin seeds; ½ cup unsweetened coconut flakes; 1 tsp ground cinnamon; ½ tsp fine salt; ½ cup honey or maple syrup; ⅓ cup melted coconut oil or light olive oil; 1 tsp vanilla extract; 1 large egg white, optional, for extra-big clusters; ⅔ cup dried fruit, such as cranberries, cherries or chopped apricots

Homemade Granola

Crunchy, golden oat granola with nuts, seeds and coconut, lightly sweetened with honey and baked into big clusters. Make a batch on the weekend for easy breakfasts all week.

By amine Published October 29, 2026

Homemade granola is cheaper, crunchier and far less sweet than most store-bought versions, and it makes the whole kitchen smell wonderful. Rolled oats, nuts and seeds are tossed with warm honey, a little oil and cinnamon, pressed into an even layer and baked low and slow until golden. Leave it alone while it cools and it sets into big, snackable clusters.

How to get big clusters

Press it down. Spread the granola in an even layer and press it firmly with a spatula before baking so the pieces stick together.
Don't stir. Rotate the pan halfway through instead of stirring, so the sheet stays intact.
Cool completely. Granola is soft when it comes out of the oven and crisps as it cools. Break it up only once it is at room temperature.

Make it your own

Once you have the basic ratio of oats to sweetener and fat, you can swap in almost anything: pecans or almonds, pumpkin or sunflower seeds, a pinch of cardamom or ginger. Add dried fruit only after baking so it stays soft and chewy.

Ways to use it

With yogurt and fresh fruit, or with cold milk like cereal
Scattered over a berry smoothie bowl
As a crunchy topping for banana pudding or ice cream

FAQ

Is this granola gluten-free?

Oats are naturally gluten-free but are often processed alongside wheat. Use oats labeled certified gluten-free if you need to avoid gluten.

Why is my granola chewy?

It needs a little more time in the oven or more time to cool. Bake until it is deep golden at the edges and let it cool completely on the pan.