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 ½ 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
- ½ cup sunflower seeds (raw)
- ½ cup pumpkin seeds (raw)
- 2 teaspoons cinnamon (ground)
- 1 ½ teaspoons ginger (ground)
- ½ teaspoon nutmeg (ground)
- 6 tablespoons butter (unsalted)
- ½ cup honey
- 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
- ½ 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
Christy says
OMGoodness...this is sooo good!! I tried this a couple of months ago but it all got burnt so I had to throw it out...I'm so happy I gave it another try...the difference this time is I only baked it for 35 minutes...that's all it took for mine to be done! I let it sit out and waited till it set for a little bit then broke off big chunks (some will still fall apart but that's great for cereal!). I left out the shredded coconut but may try it next time..also instead of 1 cup of cashews, I did 1/2 cup of pecans and 1/2 cup of walnuts. Next time I may add cashews..I love that this is a flexible recipe. I bought some steal cut oats so I plan on trying it next time with those so that I can make bars. Thanks Lisa for all of your great recipes! I make something of yours seriously every single day. Todays recipe is your chicken in a crockpot for supper! I have already pre-ordered your cookbook and can't wait to get it ..I love that it has pictures of all of the recipes in the book..you really thought of everything!! Thanks !!
Nichole says
Just made this for the first time last night and loved it!!! I did have a question though...I was kind of hoping it would be chunkier- it was definitely chunkier on the outside but not as much in the middle...any idea why this may be?
Assistant to 100 Days (Amy) says
Hi Nichole. It may just be that the outer parts were more cooked. ~Amy
tasha says
Hi I'm in Western Australia. I made your granola late last night and had it for breakfast today. I just wanted to say - YUM!really great recipe and I'm looking forward to my new breakfasts.Thanks so much :)
Franki says
So I've made this three times now. I omitted all of the nuts as we have nut allergies. This time I halved the spices because there is less volume without the nuts I realized. I put mini chocolate chips in while cooling and one one end did sunflower seeds and coconut. I tried using steel cut oats and they do nicely turn into granola bars. I have to admit though I'm not crazy about the steel cut oat texture. I think next time I would do half and half rolled oats even if the bars came out crumbly. To me it just tastes better. The steel cut oats remind me of grapenuts when cooked:)
Susan says
Thank you so much for sharing Franki! I was about to post asking for suggestions on substitutions for the nuts. My boys and husband are all allergic. Have you tried adding any dried fruit? Wasn't sure how that would do cooking for so long. (And I appreciate your note about steel cut oats vs rolled oats. Will try half and half.)
Franki says
I put raisins in the first time and they got burnt and gross, so I would do the dried fruit when cooling. I added sunflower seeds and it was ok. But I personally like it better plain (seasonings, butter and honey) or with a a small amount of chocolate chips. We just found out my daughter is very allergic to tree nuts and peanuts, we really miss the flexibility around here.
Jeanne says
Thank you for sharing this. Our family has nut allergies as well. I knew I was going to have to tweak the recipe to work for our family.
Tiffonie says
This is a nice recipe for Granola, but a very expensive one. If youre hoping to make homemade, all natural granola and not spend a fourtune, use less nuts. Typically, follow 7 cups of dry ingredients to 1 cup of wet which she did pretty closely. Some ways to reduce the cost: sub whole wheat flour for a cup of the nuts. You get some yummy clumps with flour. You could make oat flour if youre not able to eat wheat.
Elizabeth says
Made this for the first time today and it was a total hit! We stopped eating cereal a few months ago so this will be a nice treat for my kiddos!
Carmin says
We are vegan and I just started making. We love it!!!! I use coconut oil. so glad we tried this!
Linda says
Paula, I make this all the time with coconut oil instead of butter. I love it so much more! Yes, use the same amount as butter. Enjoy!
Paula says
Hi Amy, Do you still use the same amount of coconut oil as butter?
Assistant to 100 Days (Amy) says
Hi Paula. Yep, it is a 1:1 trade. :)
Hope says
I just made this for the first time in almost a year. Forgot how amazing it is! Can't wait for breakfast tomorrow!!!
Leah says
Hi,
I've made this recipe exactly several times and my whole family loves it. I was recently diagnosed with MS and will be starting a vegan type diet.
Is there any substitute I can make for the butter? I still want to make this because it's perfect for my new diet with the exception of the dairy.
Thanks!
Assistant to 100 Days (Amy) says
Hi Leah. Coconut oil is a common substitute for butter and a favorite among vegans. :)
Luisa says
Well, I left out the ginger,cinnamon, and coconut, and added craisins. However, I didn't have parchment paper and used WAX paper ~~~ needless to say, we couldn't eat that batch!
Gretchen M. says
This is now my go to granola recipe! It's not too crunchy or dry. I use coconut oil in place of the butter only because I'm not a huge fan of butter in granola. The spice combination is what got my attention and it is amazing! Makes my house smell so good, and wakes up my mouth when I eat it. My whole family enjoys it, which I can't say about much these days. I have added chopped figs and dates, dried cherries and cranberries, and raisins after baking. Adds a different texture, which I appreciate. This is just a wonderful granola recipe! Thanks for sharing!
Assistant to 100 Days (Amy) says
Hi there. Sure, you can leave it out. ~Amy
Michelle says
Can you omit the ginger? Only because I don't have any at home and wanted to get started!
Daniela says
I made this granola the first time for family and friends. It does taste delicious! I wasn't sure about the coconut in it, but I cannot taste it at all! Iwill definitely make this again!
Jamie Dunson says
I make this all the time. Recently fell into a slump but just yesterday I got a batch out. Outcome- delicious cereal right before the farmers market this morning. :)
Erin says
I have tried a bunch of granola recipes and this is the first one everyone loved!!! My family asks for it now. Thank you!
Marlena says
Has anyone tried to substitute anything for the butter??
Brenda says
I am gonna try coconut oil.
Assistant to 100 Days (Amy) says
Coconut oil is what we typically substitute for butter. :)
Franki says
Hah, wish I had read the comments before I made this. I omitted the nuts and seeds because of allergies. I added some golden raisins and they ballooned up. Next time I'll do this after it cooks:) I doubled the recipe and used two baking sheets. It's going on 75 minutes tastes delicious but still not crunchy. So if you double it count on more baking time.
Franki says
On second thought I think I cooked it too long waiting for it to crisp up and it seemed to crisp up instead during the cooling process. It still tastes pretty delicious but a little burnt:)
Katie says
Started our hundred days with this recipe! It was great--makes a ton so I made cereal and bars. Kids loved it!
Bridget says
This may have already been asked, but has anyone tried this with agave? Does it taste the same?
Assistant to 100 Days (Amy) says
Hi Bridget. Lisa does not use agave in her recipes. This might help explain why: http://www.foodrenegade.com/agave-nectar-good-or-bad/. ~Amy
Cassi says
Mine are still in the oven (almost done) but im worried there isnt enough honey holding it all together. Everything got mixed really well but it isnt sticky and all stuck together like i would expect it to be.
this is our first time making them...do they bind together as it finishes cooking and when its cooling?
Assistant to 100 Days (Amy) says
Hi Cassie. Are you making bars?
Katie @ KatieTevis.com says
My 6 yo did not like the granola I made last time but loved this recipe, and it made the house smell amazing. :)
Suzanne says
I've been trying recipes like crazy. All have been delicious. I am baking bread and granola as I write. My freezer is filling with corn bread, carrot muffins waffles and biscuits. Also love the berry sauce. We are starting our second week of real food. Added bonus, we are losing weight! Thanks for the easy recipes. I'm not much of a cook but this has been fail proof!
Gail says
I made this recipe exactly as written, using steel cut oats because I wanted granola bars. Unfortunately when the mix cooled and I broke it up, it wouldn't adhere together as bars. It completely fell apart so I ended up with cereal. Has this happened to anyone else?
Jen says
Happened to me too! I followed the recipe exactly and it was completely cool before I began cutting. It just crumbled into pieces. Any suggestions?? Thx.
Amy says
My family loves this recipe. They make sure I am aware when we're almost out so that a new batch will be made and ready. I was thinking this would make great Christmas gifts for neighbors, co-workers, etc. Has anyone tried adding peppermint or a little dark chocolate to the recipe? Would love a little guidance (how to add, measurements, baking time adjustments?) to cut down on the trial-and-error process. Thanks!!
Assistant to 100 Days (Amy) says
Hello Amy. I've added 1/2 c dark chocolate chips after the granola cooks but while its is still warm. It works well. ~Amy
Molly says
Love this recipe! I did the full time last time and it burned a little. Did 60 min this time and it was perfect!!
I did double up the salt this time and liked it much better. Plays off the honey sweetness well.
Constance says
As I am following Weight Watchers and calculating points, I am on the lookout for a granola recipe that is low in points. This one calculates out to 10 points for 1/3 cup (my normal serving size plus yogurt). Do you have a recipe that would be lower in calories, carbs or fat? Any suggestions for lightening up this one? I really want to make my own, but would like a lightened version if possible. Thanks so much. I love your site and the guidelines for whole food on a budget!
Assistant to 100 Days (Amy) says
Hi there. No, we don't. One of our goals here is helping folks focus on eating real foods/more whole foods and less on numbers. Here are some posts which help explain our philosophy: https://www.100daysofrealfood.com/2013/01/04/healthy-eating-defined/, https://www.100daysofrealfood.com/2013/01/23/portion-size-matters/, and https://www.100daysofrealfood.com/10-reasons-to-cut-out-processed-food/ and https://www.100daysofrealfood.com/2011/04/29/mini-pledge-week-8-stop-eating-when-you-feel-full/. That said, you are welcome to adapt the recipe to more suit your needs. ~Amy
Erin says
Hello!
do you have nutrition facts some where on this recipe? This recipe is FABULOUS by the way, thank you!
Assistant to 100 Days (Amy) says
Hi Erin. We do not provide nutrition information on our recipes. We want people focusing on eating real foods/more whole foods and less on numbers. Here are some posts which help explain our philosophy: https://www.100daysofrealfood.com/2013/01/04/healthy-eating-defined/, https://www.100daysofrealfood.com/2013/01/23/portion-size-matters/, and https://www.100daysofrealfood.com/10-reasons-to-cut-out-processed-food/ and https://www.100daysofrealfood.com/2011/04/29/mini-pledge-week-8-stop-eating-when-you-feel-full/. There are many tools available online which can help calculate nutrition details for recipes. ~Amy
Jewelia says
What can you use instead of butter if you have a lactose allergy?
Assistant to 100 Days (Amy) says
Hi Jewelia. You can substitute with coconut oil. ~Amy
whitney says
Just did my shopping for fall meal plan 5 and realized the coconut was not on the shopping list fyi. Thanks for putting this together though!
Alicia says
Is there something I'm doing wrong? I love most of your recipes, but no one in my family is crazy about this granola at all. I even tried it a second time and left out the pecans, sunflower seeds, and pumpkin seeds and only seasoned it with vanilla (left out the cinnamon, nutmeg, and ginger. Since I left out the other ingredients, I put in another 1/2 cup of granola. I didn't cook it for as long as as the directions say to, but it kind of has a burnt flavor to it. Has anyone else had that problem? Maybe I should cut down the time to 60 minutes. (I really hate to give a poor rating).
Assistant to 100 Days (Amy) says
Hi Alicia. I'm not sure what the issue might be. This is a very popular recipe but every recipe isn't right for everyone. Some ovens do run hot and a few other readers have had to cut back on cook time. Don't worry about the rating. We want honest feedback. :) ~Amy
Faith says
I loved this recipe... and all the recipes on this page. I was terrified to try to eat all natural because I had no idea what I would cook and this page has made it much easier.
Just a tip.. I didn't have any Cinnamon so instead I used Pumpkin Spice... it was divine.
Karen says
Do you think I could sub all or some of the butter with coconut oil. Thanks!
Assistant to 100 Days (Amy) says
Hi there. Yep, many readers have. ~Amy
Kristi says
Is it a 1:1 substitution?
Assistant to 100 Days (Amy) says
Yes! :)
Stephanie says
What's the recommended serving size?
Assistant to 100 Days (Amy) says
Hi Stephanie. I'd say approximately 1/2 cup. ~Amy
Janie Fox says
What do you do if you are allergic to nuts? Almonds, cashews, pecans, etc are out of the question in any recipe.
Assistant to 100 Days (Amy) says
Hi Janie. You can load up on seeds like pumpkin and sunflower and increase your oats. Other readers have also added flax and chia. ~Amy
Bethia says
I use oil for most of my recipes. Can I substitute butter with oil instead?
Assistant to 100 Days (Amy) says
Hi Bethia. Many readers substitute with coconut oil. ~Amy
Gina says
Please forgive me if this is a dumb question but......
When making granola bars, should the steel cut oats be cooked before starting this recipe, or dry out of the container?
Assistant to 100 Days (Amy) says
Hi Gina. The oats will cook in the oven. :) ~Amy
Terra says
What can be used instead of oats? My kids both have wheat and oat allergies.
Assistant to 100 Days (Amy) says
Hi Terra. I found these two recipes for a grain free granola: http://deliciouslyorganic.net/granola-bars-grain-free-recipe and http://www.thekitchn.com/grain-free-gran-163916. ~Amy
Terra says
Wonderful! Thanks a bunch:-)