This homemade recipe for granola is super yummy and so flexible! Below is our favorite cereal version, but there are many ways to tweak the recipe depending on your preferences.
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Homemade Granola Bar and Cereal Recipe
For the nuts you can put either all almonds or all cashews (or split them as listed below or even try a totally different type of nut). Also, the same thing works for the seeds – you can either put in all pumpkin seeds or all sesame seeds or put in half and half. You could easily play around with the amounts of sesame seeds and flaxseeds as well. If you can’t find unsweetened shredded coconut you can leave it out completely.
If you want granola cereal make it with rolled oats. If you want granola bars then substitute steel cut oats for the rolled oats, and I also like to add dried fruit bits before baking the bars.
How to Make Cereal Homemade (Or, Granola Bars)!
For the cereal, once it has baked and cooled completely, you want to put it in a gallon zip lock to break it up into small cereal pieces. If you are making granola bars just break off big chunks instead of using a bag. Don’t expect perfectly uniform rectangles for your granola bars, these are homemade after all!
The oats, nuts and spices are seriously what make these bars come together! That being said, you can add any number of ingredients to make this cereal homemade with some fun, seasonal flavors. Simple modifications in the ingredient ratios can make for a festive mix, too. For instance, amp up the cinnamon and nutmeg for a perfectly fragrant winter-themed granola.
Looking for a protein granola that can help you last through those late-afternoon cravings? Fill your homemade granola mixture with some flax seeds, chia seeds or even powdered peanut butter to make those macros skyrocket! Dried fruits like raisins (or craisins, a personal favorite) can also make for a granola bar or homemade cereal that is perfectly crafted to fit your palate. Besides, the best way to add more nutrients to your family’s diet is by making recipes you’ll actually want to come back to!
How Long Does Homemade Granola Last?
This homemade granola recipe will stay crunchy and flavorful for about a month when stored in an airtight container out of direct sunlight. After that, you should probably start to plan your next batch! Side note: finished granola bars might fare well in the freezer if sealed properly although you should expect to lose some of that desired ‘crunch’ in doing so.
Granola Recipe (Cereal or Bars)
Ingredients
- 3 1/2 cups oats (rolled, (if you want bars use steel cut oats so it will stick together better))
- 1 cup almonds (raw, sliced)
- 1 cup cashews (or walnuts or pecans)
- 1 cup unsweetened coconut flakes
- 1/2 cup sunflower seeds (raw)
- 1/2 cup pumpkin seeds (raw)
- 2 teaspoons cinnamon (ground)
- 1 1/2 teaspoons ginger (ground)
- 1/2 teaspoon nutmeg (ground)
- 6 tablespoons butter (unsalted)
- 1/2 cup honey
- 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 250 degrees. Cover a rectangular baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Mix the dry oats, almonds, cashews, coconut, seeds and spices together in a large mixing bowl.
- Heat the butter and honey together in a small saucepan over low heat. Once the butter melts stir in the vanilla and salt.
- Pour the hot liquids over the dry ingredients and stir together with a rubber spatula until evenly coated.
- Spread mixture onto prepared pan in one even layer. Bake for 75 minutes.
- The granola will become crisp as it cools at which point you can break into pieces (if making bars) or break it up into small chunks by pounding it in a zip lock bag (if making cereal). Store in air tight container at room temperature for up to 2 weeks.
Notes
Nutrition Facts
More Homemade Breakfast Ideas:
- Fluffy Whole Wheat Banana Pancakes
- Blueberry, Fruit and Nut Whole Wheat Muffins
- Freezer Friendly Breakfast Burritos
I have been using this recipe for years with a few tweaks, based on my preferences. I use walnuts and pecans in place of the cashews and almonds. I leave out the coconut. I use my own homemade pumpkin pie spice (cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, cardamom, allspice, ground cloves) and I use a lot more than the ~4 tsp. of ground spices used in the recipe.
I love this granola recipe. I am really impressed with this recipe. Keep it up!
For the homemade granola, does it have to be coconut flakes or can it be shredded coconut?
The great thing about this recipe is that it can be customized to your liking in so many ways. – Nicole
I love the granola recipe. I have it on hand almost continuously. I do keep it much longer than the 2 weeks. I keep thinking I should try some variations, but I like the original so much I haven’t made any adjustments. It is good plain as a snack, with milk/blueberries for breakfast, and on yogurt.
That’s awesome! Glad to hear you enjoy it so much. It’s such a great snack/meal to have on hand. – Nicole
DELICIOUS! Use this to top yogurt for a quick, “I want something sweet but not bad” type of snack. We keep it in the freezer so that it stays wonderful for a little longer. LOVE, love, love this granola!!
Glad to hear you enjoy it and that it freezes well. – Nicole
This is my favorite granola recipe. Ive even got others hooked on it. Ive been able to adapt it and play with it to make it plant based and its just perfect. But I have one question. How can I make it more crunchy or crispy? The only change I made was I took out the butter and swapped 1/2 cup coconut oil, and went a little bit less on the honey. Otherwise the flavor is perfect! Its just soft instead of crunchy like I like. I dont know if thats because of my substitution or if you had any other suggestions. Thanks for sharing this recipe!
You may just want to cook it a little longer to get a bit more crunch. – Nicole
My family loves this granola! We use pecans instead of cashews and maple syrup instead of honey to mix it up and it’s delicious!
What about using already roasted nuts?
I’ve used some roasted nuts- I think sunflower seeds when that’s all I’ve had and it turned out fine. I just don’t think you’d want a lot of roasted and salted since that would probably make it way too salty.
You said you could use steel cut oats if you want the bars to hold together. It seems like steel cut oats would break your teeth! Did you mean quick oats?
My daughter likes plain granola with no nuts or seeds. Would I just add 4 more cups of oats to replace the nuts and seeds called for in the recipe?
Love this recipe! Just wondering what the serving size is though? I don’t see it anywhere.
Love this recipe. But what is the serving size for this recipe?
I have a granola bar pan. Would the cooking time change to make bars instead?
I love this recipe for a cereal but I would really like to have bars. I find when I try to cut it into bars, it crumbles apart. Could I use more honey or add something to help it hold together better?
Thank you!
I make this recipe every other week for my husband and me… We love it! I’m sorry that I don’t have time to read through 90 pages of comments, and maybe this has already been answered. We’re getting ready to start the Daniel Fast next week, and I wondered if there is a way to make this adaptable for the fast. If you’re not familiar with the fast, it’s very strictly vegan, including the fact that I wouldn’t be able to use cow butter, but could I use coconut oil? Also, I can’t use any sweeteners, including I can’t use honey. I know the honey helps hold it together, but would it still work okay without adding honey? Obviously not as sweet, and also not held together, so a “looser” granola. The thing I’m looking for is that this would be a whole grains/nuts mix that would be great sprinkled on fruit for breakfast! I’m just curious if you’ve ever tried something like that with this recipe. Have you ever added raisins or dates, for example, to maybe add some sweetness to it. I might also add that I live overseas, so my options are somewhat limited… Any thoughts or recommendations you have would be greatly appreciated! ;)
Coconut oil would be a good sub for the butter, but I’m not sure how it would turn out without honey. Good luck!
Do u use quick oats or old fashioned? Ty