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
Can I make cereal with the steel cut oats? It’s all I have right now and Idon’t want to make bars. Thanks!
What about adding maple syrup?
Hi, it’ summer here in Maine and I think the humidity is effecting my granola. It’s not crisping well since it’s been more moist outside. Any suggestions? Thanks!
Hi there. Are you storing it in an airtight container. It’s pretty humid here in NC, too, :)
How would I change the recipe to make this into bars?
Thanks!
We love this recipe. Does it freeze well? I would love to make an really large batch all at once. Thanks!
Yes, it does. :)
If I were to add dried fruit to this recipe, how much should I add? Also, should it be added before or after baking?
Hi there. I think you will find this useful: https://food52.com/blog/16732-how-to-add-dried-fruit-to-granola-before-baking.
My daughter introduced me to this recipe as granola. This is fantastic. I use fresh nutmeg so the amount is cut back some. The first time I couldn’t find raw cashews so I used almond slices and pecans. My daughter made it with the cashews and almonds and I must say I prefer it that way but it’s a taste preference. Have you ever tried making it with agave syrup and coconut oil?
Hi there. We’ve used coconut oil but do not use agave.
Do you have the calories figured out on the granola recipe? I absolutely love it!!!! Need to know if I eat a 1/2 cup, how many calories is that? Fat? Carbs? Protein? Thanks so much!
Hi there. We do not provide the nutrition details on our recipes. Our focus is simply getting people to eat real food and to be less concerned about numbers. This post helps explain our philosophy: https://www.100daysofrealfood.com/healthy-eating-defined/.
Do I need to stir while it’s cooking. Thank you,
I usually do simply to help it cook more evenly.
It seems like you’re referring to sunflower and sesame seeds interchangeably. Are they the same thing?
No. Sunflower seeds are a lot larger than sesame seeds.
I just cooked this up in the oven, and it’s delicious! Nonetheless, I don’t think I’ll be able to eat it all by myself in two weeks. Would it refrigerate/freeze well? If so, how long do you think it would keep?
It does freeze well and can be kept for months in the freezer.
Can you substitute 100% pure maple syrup for all or part of the honey?
Hi there. You could…but the honey does help the clusters stick.
Hi,
I definitely want to try this recipe. However we are trying not to use butter or coconut oil as my husband is watching his cholesterol intake. What other healthy substitute we can use?
Thank you!
We’ve not tried it with other oils. I’d go with something very neutral in flavor.
How much is a serving size?
About a 1/2 cup.
My son has a dairy allergy and can’t have butter. What would you recommend for a substitute in this recipe?
Hi. Coconut oil works well.
Would the coconut oil measurements be the same as the butter?
Yes, it would.
We have made this granola for years and it’s always a family fave but now I have to use earth balance vegan butter for this recipe since I can’t do dairy and it is just as terrific as the real butter version :)
Yes, do you have nutritional information on these? Thanks!
Hi there. We do not provide the nutrition details on our recipes. We want people to people to simply eat real food and focus less on numbers. This post helps explain our philosphy: https://www.100daysofrealfood.com/healthy-eating-defined/.
What is the calorie count for each bar.
Hi there. We do not provide the nutrition details on our recipes. Our focus is simply getting people to eat real food and to be less concerned about numbers. This post helps explain our philosphy: https://www.100daysofrealfood.com/healthy-eating-defined/.
Does this granola freeze well? I’m hoping to make a double batch and freeze half.
It does freeze well.
This is THE BEST granola recipe I have found – just made another double batch last night! Just wanted to let you know – I added about 3 Tbsp nut butter & used only sunflower seeds (since I was out of nuts) and traded out the nutmeg for allspice…and it turned out fantastic! This BF mommy truly appreciates a great go-to, quick breakfast that nourishes and keeps me feeling full. As a mommy of 7 I appreciate a great recipe that is easy to make and food that keeps my busy family satisfied until the next meal. Thank you!!
My son and I both have severe tree nut and peanut allergies, will it make a huge difference to this recipe to leave the nuts out? Is there another substitute?
Thank you!
Hi there. Other readers have added seeds such as pumpkin and sunflower.
Clare, have you been able to find almonds, sunflower seeds and pumpkin seeds that are not processed in the same factory as other nuts? I cannot find any, making granola difficult to make with protein in it.
Gerbs! https://www.mygerbs.com/
David sunflower seeds are free from other nuts.
I can’t thank you enough for this recipe! I make it on a weekly basis, but instead of using as cereal I use steel cut oats and make them into granola bars. I am allergic to peanuts and tree buts so I instead add extra sunflower seeds, pumpkin seeds, and almonds. I also mix almond butter with the butter mixture on the stove. The end result is delicious and the perfect addition to my lunch at work to keep my energy up!
Would almond extract work well with this? Substituting one teaspoon of almond extract for one vanilla. I love the recipe as is but was looking to try something new!
We have not tried it with almond extract. Let us know if you give it a try.
How many calories are in a serving of the granola?
Hi there. We do not provide calorie details because calorie counting is somewhat against our philosophy but if you scroll through comments, other readers have done their own calculations.
I made this Tuesday, and it is sooo good. I have it over plain greek yogurt for breakfast…… also a couple scoops a day because I can’t help it!!
Will this turn out well if I substitute coconut oil for the butter? My daughter is allergic to dairy, so unfortunately butter is not an option.
I use coconut oil in this recipe. Works great.
I accidentally found a small time saver for this. I’m so used to making it that I don’t look at the recipe much. Today I accidentally forgot to hear any of the honey mixture and just dumped it into my huge bowl of oats & nuts. Once I started stirring I realized my mistake as it was coating at all. I quickly popped the whole bowl of oats into the microwave for 1.5 mins and then took it out and atirrrd and it was perfect!! The honey mixture had melted and it easily coated and spread all over the oats. I might do it on purpose next time!
This looks delicious!! If I needed to omit the nuts and seeds for my boys, would anything else need to be adjusted (honey, butter, etc..)?
Hi there. This is a pretty forgiving recipe. I’ve left out nuts and seeds when I’ve made it for nut free people. I increased the oats, obviously, and added some dried fruit. I do think I ended up adding a bit of butter and honey simply becuse oats absorb more that nuts and seeds. I’m sorry that I can’t be more specific. ;)
Hi! Do you think coconut butter would work for the butter?
I swap coconut oil for butter regularly. Taste is clearly different but it works very well.
Did you use the same amount of coconut oil as butter from the recipe?
do you know what the nutritional content is, such as the calories?
Hi there. We do not provide nutrition information on our recipes. This post helps explain why: https://www.100daysofrealfood.com/2013/01/04/healthy-eating-defined/.
I added the ingredients to the USDA Supertracker with the modifications I made to the recipe (I made a double recipe), which included using 3/4 c sunflower seed, 1/4 c pumpkin seed, and 1 c peanuts for the 2 cups needed at that part. Also, I used sweetened coconut since I had that laying around. For a 1/2 c servimg, the nutrition facts I got were 377 cal, 45 cal from added sugar, and 71 cal from fat. 9g protein, 36g carb, 6g fiber, 14 g sugar, 24g fat (8 sat/9 mono unsat/5 poly unsat), 5g linoleic acid, .1g A-la, no omega 3’s, 15 mg cholesterol, 65 mg Ca, 311 mg K, 322 mg Na, 0.5 mg Cu, 3 mg iron, 111 mg Mg, 274 mg phosphorus, 3 mg zinc, .012mg Se. Vitamins A, K, folate, niacin, and choline showed up.
I made this tonight and definitely was turned off by the chewy texture of the steel cut oats (was going for bars) that Lisa described in her first book…FYI: I would stick with the rolled oats “cereal version”! Can’t wait to try it again.
If anyone has a recommendation for a fail safe real food granola “bar” recipe, let me know!
I have made these countless times with numerous variations, and they are incredible each and every time! Don’t make a single batch- they won’t last!!
http://cookieandkate.com/2016/almond-coconut-granola-bars/
I’m allergic to nuts and seeds but would like an alternative to boxed cereal. Any ideas on how I can modify this recipe? Thank you!
I’m looking for nut-free, seed-free recipes too and came to this page from her Granola Larabar recipe. What if you started with this one and left out the nuts? I would consider increasing the amount of oats to 4 1/2 or 5 cups to try to balance out the liquid/dry ratio (seems oats would absorb more liquid than 2 c. nuts so you wouldn’t need as much??). OR… to increase the texture variation the way adding two types of nuts would, you could use quinoa or hemp hearts or even try combining both steel cut oats and rolled oats. Maybe sub in 1 cup dried cherries or raisins,
My question with this recipe was why it calls for raw seeds if they are going to be cooked anyway? I’m sure there’s a great reason and I’d love to learn it :)
When you buy seeds you should buy them raw. If you buy seeds already roasted, they usually used refined oils and other non “real” ingredients for roasting. Hope that clarifies for you!
Not sure if this has been asked before, but I’m having a hard time scraping the baked granola off of the parchment papers. Once everything’s cooled, when i try scraping, the granola, it sticks to the paper and I cannot take it off without having bits of the paper tearing and sticking to the granola. What am I doing wrong? Thanks!
Hi. It might help to “butter” your paper a little. I’ve had it stick to the parchment on occasion and that solved it for me.
I LOVE this granola! I have it at least 4 days a week. Thank you so much for providing us with this delicious recipe!
I shared my own version on my blog here: http://blog.planeatlove.com/2016/10/12/start-the-day-off-right-with-a-bowl-of-granola/
Thanks again!
This is the best granola recipe I’ve ever made! And I’ve made a lot of granola recipes!
We love this recipe! We make it every other week, and it’s always awesome! Have you ever made it with coconut oil in place of the butter? I’m a fan of butter, but I’m in the middle of a batch and discovered I have no butter!
I have! It’s not as good, in my opinion (butter is delicious) but it definitely works!
I’m sure you could cut down on the amount of honey and butter. Especially if this is eaten daily or weekly for breakfast. You also need to understand the portions as well you are not eating the whole 1/2 cup of honey or 6 tbsp of butter!
Please understand why these are so “yummy”? 1/2 a cup of honey and 6 tablespoons of butter! This is not something your going to eat to cut sugar and lose weight. These are not something you’re going to eat during your new, I’m being health now, phase. This is a better alternative to processed granola, but Remember while it may be “real” that doesn’t mean real healthy.
I just made my first batch of granola and I kept it in the oven for alot longer than it was supposed to so it’s extra crunchy and I love it! I am addicted to your blog and am excited to try more recipes!
As the hubby is deployed for a year, I have decided now is the perfect time to fix our eating habits. It will be so much easier to figure this out while there is only me and easier to get him on board when he gets back if all there is in the kitchen is healthy food, I made this granola today and it was super easy. I was not too sure about the cinnamon as I am not a fan, but I left it in and am thrilled at how great everything tasted. Now onto the next recipe.
How could I adjust it to eliminate nuts? Double the seeds? More oatmeal? I can’t have nuts and am looking to control sugar. TIA!
Karen, I meant to add in my post that I added cranberries and golden raisins. You could add all kinds of fruit instead of nuts.