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
Elena says
Hi Lisa, 250 degrees C or F?
Assistant to 100 Days (Amy) says
F. :)
Raina says
I love granola but always thought the store bought variety tasted like cardboard! Made this today and loved it!! Instead of the sunflower seeds and pumpkin seeds i added raisins and used desiccated coconut. It came out amazing. My 3 year old could not wait for it to cool down to eat it!
Clarissa says
I have some of this in the oven right meow and I can honestly say I'm already in love with it.
Stephanie says
I've made this recipe several times now, and it is a winner! I will occasionally make substitutions, and use coconut oil instead of butter, chia and flax instead of sunflower seeds, and will use whatever nuts I have on hand. Still, it comes out perfect every time! Because her ratios and base recipe is perfect, making little substitutions is no big deal!
A wonderful recipe Lisa, thank you!
Amy says
Thank you for this granola recipe! I love granola, but the store brands either have too much fat or too much fiber :) This recipe is absolutely perfect, and so easy to make!
Heather says
Can this be frozen to extend the shelf life? Do you have any suggestions for adding fruit: ie using dried or fresh and how much. This is wonderful!
Assistant to 100 Days (Amy) says
Hi. Yep, it freezes well. You can add to by cutting back on another ingredient like nuts or seeds. ~Amy
Allison says
Hi, maybe this is a silly question but what would you consider to be one serving size of this delicious granola? I have been eating it as a snack with Greek Yogurt and it's so yummy but I put the recipe in a calorie counter today as a serving size being 1/2 cup and it said it was over 300 calories just in the granola alone...I'm guessing I should rethink that serving size? Has anyone else looked at this? Am I just a bit of a pig? :)
Denise says
Not sure how much a serving would be, but 300 cals for 1/2 cup sounds about right. Nuts and seeds and coconut are high calorie. Still healthy though. I've had to limit myself to 1/4 cup (except in emergencies, then 1/3) lol
Laura says
Hi there. Awesome recipe....a little expensive with all the ingredients though. I made Granola bars....do they freeze well?
Thanks
Assistant to 100 Days (Amy) says
Hi Laura. They do! :) ~Amy
Gina says
This recipe is delicious! My daughter and husband gobbled it up! Making it for the second time today... Added 1/2 cup cocoa nibs as a belated Valentine's day treat :) It's so yummy!
Lisa says
Hello,
My daughter has nut allergies. Will this recipe still work if I omit the almonds and cashews? Or do you have a suggestion for anything to replace it? Thank you, Lisa
Assistant to 100 Days (Amy) says
Hi there. You can replace them with sunflower and pumpkin seeds. Many readers have added chia, as well. ~Amy
Jennifer says
If I needed to leave out the oats because my husband can't have gluten or grains, should I just up the nuts and seeds by 3 1.2 more cups?
Assistant to 100 Days (Amy) says
Hi Jennifer. That is a big ingredient to change out but I think it would work. ~Amy
Francoise says
Jennifer - I use GF oats. I find them in some of our regular grocery stores.
Mary Ann says
I made and it was great. l love to add to greek yogurt. I added a splash of vanilla and left out the nutmeg. I also added some raw quonoa too. I used the coconut oil and sugar free maple syrup
Michelle says
My family loves this! The recipe is so versatile and forgiving. Today I made it using a combination of sliced almonds and flax seed and I substituted almond extract for the vanilla. Love making my own granola cereal for a fraction of the cost of store bought! Thank you so much for sharing this!
Kerry says
Going to try this fantastic recipe....can you use a non stick cookie sheet instead of parchment paper?
Assistant to 100 Days (Amy) says
Hi Kerry. Sure, you can. :) ~Amy
Stephanie says
What would the conversion for coconut oil instead of butter? How much coconut oil would I use to replace butter?
Assistant to 100 Days (Amy) says
Hi Stephanie. It is a 1:1 conversion. Here is more info on cooking with coconut oil: https://www.100daysofrealfood.com/2012/02/07/how-to-cook-with-coconut-oil/. ~Amy
Anka says
Hi,
I just made my second batch. So yummy. FYI, Pampered Chef has ceramic cookie sheets, bar pans etc. that become seasoned over time. One way not to even have to use the parchment paper.
Nichole says
I just made a batch...did half cereal and half bars. I am eagerly awaiting the results. I did forget to add in some organic goji berries and cacao nibs to the bars...the three kiddos three and under distracted me 😉
Michelle says
Made this delicious granola and had it for breakfast this morning. Loved it so much I had it for snack too!
April says
I want to make this so bad but one of my girls is allergic to nuts and we have to avoid a lot of seeds because of cross-contamination with nuts during manufacturing. I found a brand of flax seeds that are peanut free. Do you think the recipe would still taste good if I used oats, raisins, flax seeds and all the spices you recommended?
Assistant to 100 Days (Amy) says
Hi April. I think the texture/consistency might be effected but I think it would taste fine. ~Amy
Allana Tilley says
Hiya
just made this with quinoa flakes so it would be gluten free. Yum!! I'm a bit confused by the baking instructions though.....250?? 75 mins is great but is the temp degrees celsius or fahrenheit and fan forced oven or not??
thank you so much :)
Allana
Assistant to 100 Days (Amy) says
Hi. It is Fahrenheit. :) ~Amy
Diane says
Just made this recipe for the first time today and it is amazing! Thanks for all you do!
One Mom and a Blog says
I am super excited to try this recipe. We have stopped eating cereal for awhile now and are getting a little tired of oatmeal everyday!
Dawn says
Good Morning,
I just whipped up a batch of granola. It is slowly cooking right now and I can not WAIT until it's done. I tasted the precooked version and am so mad at myself for putting off making this for a while. I found unsweetened coconut at Wegmans, a grocery chain here in WNY, by Bobs Red Mill and it wasn't too costly (less than $5). I read a suggestion to use coconut oil vs butter and did do that differently. Next time I want to try it with organic agave instead. Spare time is not a luxury afforded to me, so to be able to make a granola this easy and fast and healthy for my four girls is a PLUS PLUS in my book. Thanks for the great ideas and recipes, I can't wait to try out others.
Mary says
I shop at Wegmans too and they sell unsweetened coconut in bulk which is even less expensive. :)
Robin Gorton says
So excited to try this. Just made a batch following the recipe exactly. Pressed 1/2 into an 8x8 pan firmly for bars (will sprinkle with mini chocolate chips while cooling), and the other 1/2 put in a pie baking dish to use for granola. Put parchment down for both. Can't wait to see how it turns out and to have the kids try it. Here's hoping they love it!
Natalie says
Love all your recipes I have tried so far. I would like to try this one to make my kids granola bars for snacks. My son loves peanut butter, have you tried this with peanut butter before? Any suggestions for making a peanut butter granola bar?
Thanks,
Natalie
Assistant to 100 Days (Amy) says
Hi Natalie. I just made bars with peanut butter! I used a half cup of peanut butter and the steel cut oats, as suggested, and they turned out really good but a little sticky. ~Amy
Megan says
Do you think it would be possible to make this with olive oil or coconut oil instead of butter?
Assistant to 100 Days (Amy) says
Hello Megan. Yep, lots of readers have made that substitution. :) ~Amy
Misty says
Hi... I made this and it was AWESOME!
I really want to add cran-raisens... What do you think? Will it work?
Assistant to 100 Days (Amy) says
Hello Misty. Yep, I've added craisins. ~Amy
Chelsee says
Made this for the first time yesterday afternoon and added it to my yogurt this morning. It was my first granola recipe I've ever tried making and it was delicious! Recipe was perfect. Wouldn't change a thing.
Becky says
Help! I made this delicious granola for my daughter with intentions on them being bars but they didn't stick together. How can I make them into bars?
Jamie says
I'm interested in the answer to this question too!
Jamie says
I'm interested in the answer to this question too!
Same here.
Assistant to 100 Days (Amy) says
Hi Becky. What has has worked for me is compressing (only slightly or it won't cook through) the mixture into a smaller rectangle glass pan before baking. I have sometimes added a bit of extra honey and always allow it to completely cool once baked. ~Amy
Kevin says
Have to let it cool completely; I move the pan away from the oven and then (carefully, with another set of hands) move the parchment away from the pans and let sit for 30 minutes. You'll have a crumbly one or two, but otherwise they should be good to go. We make this recipe for both cereal and bars probably once a week...my favorite one so far!
Marybeth Rubinacci says
I read on one of these chains that you can use steel cut oats for bars...
Carmin Bullock says
I made this tonight for the first time and it is delicious! I read comments above about it burning, and about not using quick oats because of this. Well, that is what I had on hand so I cut the temp down to 235 for 40 minutes and then turned it up to 275 for about 20 more minutes. It turned out great and didn't burn at all. I also subbed coconut oil for butter. I left out the shredded coconut because my coconut turned out to be moldy on the inside when I cracked it. It's great without it-can't wait to try it again with it!
Ros says
Hi,
Thank you for all the good work you are doing educating us!! question for you..which oatmeal do you use that does not contain GMO? the more i read about them, the more i know i have to read all labels!!
Assistant to 100 Days (Amy) says
Hi Ros. This is taken directly from the Non-GMO shopping guide: "Other than corn, no GM grains are sold on the market. Look for 100% wheat flour, pasta, couscous, rice, quinoa, oats, barley, sorghum, and dried beans (except soybeans)." You can find that guide here: http://www.nongmoshoppingguide.com/. ~Amy
Mollie Clark says
My younger sister and I made this recipe yesterday and it was a hit! We both loved all of the flavor it had! We are both in our teens and have spent the last 8 months making healthy changes (exercising 5-6 times a week, eating out less, eating more fruits and veggies, cutting out processed food). After reading your blog, we have decided to eat all real food. Although our dad is interested in being healthy, he is more focused on calories than food being "real". We have tried to convince my dad that real eating is the best but he is not convinced. Do you have any suggestions for eating real food when my parents aren't doing it themselves and they don't want us to spend too much money? It's only two of us in the house eating real which makes it hard for dinner and pantry supplies in general. Thanks so much!
Assistant to 100 Days (Amy) says
Hi Mollie. Wow, it is really great to heed this call so early in your life! I was well into my thirties before I really considered our food system. My first thought for you is: can you inject yourselves more in the grocery shopping and food prep/cooking? That way, you would be helping in your parents in so many ways and furthering your own cause. :) This post will also give you a lot of guidance on this issue: https://www.100daysofrealfood.com/2011/07/07/convincing-a-reluctant-spouse-to-eat-real-food/. You will probably find that once your parents find out the "whys" behind eating real, they will come around, too. ~Amy
Tamara says
I have been using this recipe for awhile now and love it!! I realize I bought quick cookig oatmeal instead of regular this time...will the quick cooking work in this recipe?
Assistant to 100 Days (Amy) says
Hi Tamara. No, you need regular rolled oats. The quick oats burn. ~Amy
Carmin Bullock says
I used quick oats tonight and it worked great (I bought them by accident too). Just turn the temp down and watch it a little more closely.
Nicole S. says
Basically doing all whole foods like this will pretty much remove the need to count calories and fats and such. If you only eat until you're not hungry and not snack all day, a whole foods lifestyle will take you to the natural weight for your body. Of course get your daily exercise in.
Amazingly delicious recipe, by the way.
Denee says
Wow! Thank you for that...just signed up for the 10 days and was going over meal the meal plans wondering about that. I will have to plug all of the recipes into a recipe calculator but the great thing about those is I can make substitutions to see what will work best. I was planning to use the coconut oil as others have described in place of butter so hoping that will help a little. I usually use yogurt in place of butter but I don't think that will bake so well :(
the Savings Wife says
I found that I have to modify it because of the nutrition info. Even with 12 servings this is the nutrition facts. i does taste good though but I switch the honey to maple syrup and cut the butter in half. Dropped some of the nuts and decreased the coconuts. This is the nutritional value of the original recipe. If your trying to loose weight I would not use this recipe.
Nutrition Facts
Serving Size 92 g
Amount Per Serving
Calories 469
Calories from Fat 290
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 32.2g 50%
Saturated Fat 16.5g 83%
Trans Fat 0.0g
Cholesterol 15mg 5%
Sodium 150mg 6%
Total Carbohydrates 39.9g 13%
Dietary Fiber 7.7g 31%
Sugars 14.3g
Protein 9.9g
Vitamin A 4% • Vitamin C 2%
Calcium 5% • Iron 21%
Nutrition Grade C-
* Based on a 2000 calorie diet
gemma says
Just made this exactly as per recipe and it burnt within 20 minutes... anyone know why?!
Kelly says
Make sure to use parchment paper .
Laurie says
Did you use quick oats by mistake?
Elizabeth says
Have y'all ever frozen this??? I think it would freeze nicely, right?
Assistant to 100 Days (Amy) says
Yes it does, Elizabeth. :) ~Amy
Christy says
Oh and I forgot to note that the last batch that got burnt ..I didn't use parchment paper..this time I did. I also re-use my parchment paper..just clean it off with a wet napkin/rag.
Christy says
Oh and P.S. I have lost 10 lbs. since I discovered your blog! So thank you!! I feel great and don't feel like I'm even missing out at all..your foods are delicious and I look forward to them!