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
Jana says
We love this granola! Is it normal for 3 of us to eat a batch/week? Ha! I also used fresh ground ginger and it tastes so good. Thanks!
Sherrie says
Loving this recipe. Made it as written last week and we all loved it! Thanks. Have you ever added cocoa powder to the honey butter mixture? I wondered if that would give us a little bit of our long last chocolate flavor we are all craving so much!
100 Days of Real Food says
So glad it was a hit. I have not tried cocoa powder in the recipe, but made this whenever I was craving chocolate during our 100-day pledge: https://www.100daysofrealfood.com/2010/07/17/recipe-chocolate-torte-with-whipped-cream-and-chocolate-sauce/
Jen says
Thanks for the recipe! It's delicious and we love it for cereal, but it's very crumbly as granola bars. It looks like we've dumped birdseed on the on the floor after my kiddos eat. I used steel cut oats. Any other thoughts? I've heard sometimes people will add an egg to granola to help is stick together better.
100 Days of Real Food says
It's definitely a crumbly food that I wouldn't recommend eating while walking around or anything like that, but did you wait until it cooled off completely before you broke it into bars?
Jennifer says
What's the serving size for this? I find myself eating a bunch and don't want to go overboard!! :) Thanks!
100 Days of Real Food says
About 3/4 cup as a bowl of cereal (with fruit and milk).
Vanessa says
Hi. Just wanted to know why you tweaked the sesame seeds from the recipe?
100 Days of Real Food says
I had tried it without the sesame seeds and liked it better...just a change of heart about my personal preference is all!
Jaime says
What would you consider to be a typical serving size if eating it as cereal?
100 Days of Real Food says
About 3/4 cup with fresh fruit on top and milk.
Kat says
I'm wondering if I did something wrong :( I pulled my granola out of the oven and let it cool, but as I was going to pick it up to break it, it all just crumbled in my hands. Have you ever had this happen before? I double checked the recipe and know I used the right amounts - the only changes I made were pecan pieces instead of cashews, and no coconut.
100 Days of Real Food says
Did you use steel cut or rolled oats?
Jennifer says
Does anyone have experience freezing the granola bars? I am expecting our second child in a few weeks and trying to find things to have stocked in the freezer for those first few hectic weeks home from the hospital.
100 Days of Real Food says
I haven't heard from anyone who has tried that...sorry (and good luck)!
Brittney says
I have a huge bucket of quick rolled oats from my food storage. Are these considered processed because they are quick rolled oats and not just rolled oats? Sorry I'm very new to all of this! Probably a silly question.
100 Days of Real Food says
Not a silly question at all...any kind of oat (quick, steel cut, rolled, etc.) is considered to be whole-grain and therefore "real food approved!" Here's some more info on grains: https://www.100daysofrealfood.com/2011/07/22/understanding-grains/
Becca says
Just put this in the oven! :) Hopefully it turns out good. I didn't have pumpkin or sunflower seeds, so just used what I had in almonds... hopefully it will be good
Nel says
Do the steel-cut oats cook thoroughly if not boiled beforehand? I can't imagine them cooking at 250 F...perhaps 75 minutes is long enough to cook them? Just afraid of having raw oats on my hands (it's happened before).
100 Days of Real Food says
Yes, they do cook thoroughly although we personally find that they require a little more chewing than the rolled oats in this recipe.
Nel says
Ok, thank you! I will definitely try this recipe now that I know for sure!
Jennifer says
Oh. My. Yumminess! Just made my first batch of granola and it is AMAZING! I've made granola before and it was good, but the spices in your recipes made all the difference! Well, that and the butter :) I love that the recipe is flexible, especially since I'm sticking to a pretty strict grocery budget right now. I'm looking forward to having some sprinkled over my homemade yogurt!!
Michelle Diaz says
I was just curious how you could tell if your granola had gone bad. Is two weeks the limit on how long you should keep it? Mine tastes ok, but wasn't sure.
By the way, I've been following your blog for over a month now and we are working very hard at this real food idea. I've made so much progress thanks to your blog and am working on finding a balance between too hard core and giving myself some grace. I am a stay at home mom & wife to four boys...9,6,5.& 33..and can't imagine how anyone who works could ever pull this off! I am so very thankful for the privilege I have to stay home, and for now, this new lifestyle is doable for us financially. Mostly I am struggling with feeling like I LIVE in the kitchen and am always cooking or cleaning up from cooking. My goal is too somehow soon have a handle on all of this and get more into a cooking schedule and routine so that I don't feel almost enslaved by it. Thank you so much for taking the time to make this a bit easier on those of us who are new;)
100 Days of Real Food says
I think the granola is "freshest" and tastes best the first week, but it is still totally fine for the second week as well. It's personal preference at that point. Also, things get easier over time although I am still in the kitchen a lot...at least on some days. Then I also take some days "off" from cooking. Eventually it becomes your new normal!
Jenn says
I was getting up to make these as granola bars for school snacks but just noticed the steel cut oats option. I'm having a hard time picturing it and wondering if you really use 3 1/2 cups. That seems like a big amount--about the whole container!
100 Days of Real Food says
Yep, that is the correct amount! But the recipe would still work if you wanted to use a little less...it's pretty flexible.
Sarah says
Never buying granola bars again!!! I was eating it right out of the bowl before even sticking it on the pan. :) I put some allspice and half almond half vanilla extract. It's SO yummy!
Also, love this site! We've been trying to eat more real food and your recipes are extremely helpful.
Andrea says
Is it really supposed to cook for 75 minutes?
100 Days of Real Food says
yes...at 250 degrees F
vanessa says
What do you suggest if I can't get ginger or pumpkin seeds?
100 Days of Real Food says
You can double the sunflower seeds instead of pumpkin seeds...but not sure it would be the same without ginger. You can't find dried ginger (in the spice/herb section of your store)?
Netty says
Jsut made this with steel cut oats ( didn't even know what that was until I found your site). I followed your recipe and they turned out AWESOME. I cut some out for granola bars and then put some in a bag and broke it up for granola cereal. My kids asked for seconds during snacks today.
My hubby has sightly elevated cholesterol...I'm wondering if this would be good for him or if I should tweak the recipe a bit?
Oh and our house smells incredible...I think this will be a favorite in our house. :)
100 Days of Real Food says
I am so glad it was a hit! Also, in regards to cholesterol I am not sure what guidelines are supposed to be followed exactly for someone with high levels...definitely check with his doctor to make sure proper protocol is followed!
Shawn says
I just made this with quick oats, butter, 1/2 honey and 1/2 maple syrup. A dash of salt and cinnamon. My boys loved it! We are nut free due to allergies and my kids are not crazy about nutmeg and ginger. It cooked in only 10 mins. and they can't believe it's considered breakfast and not a snack! Gotta love it!!!
Joye says
Delicious! I made it simple (and economical) as you suggested with just almonds and sunflower seeds. It's a really delicious, versatile granola recipe. Warming the honey really helped it to coat every piece of oatmeal. Bye, bye cereal aisle.
Jennifer says
What size baking sheet do you use?
100 Days of Real Food says
The one we use is 12 X 17 inches.
Joylene says
Made this today. Thanks for the recipe! I haven't had cereal in a while. Looking forward to a big bowl with cold milk.
Jillian says
This is awesome! I am currently baking my second batch, my husband and son loved the first one! I switched larger flaked coconut out this time, just because I like it chunky :) This is also great over ice cream!!
Jessica says
Your granola recipe has become a staple in my weekly cooking, and if I made a giant rubbermaid tote full it still probably wouldn't be enough. Today I am going to venture into the unknown with the granola bars. =)
Cheryl says
We love the granola recipe! Thank you! We included currants in our batch.
Amy @ A Little Nosh says
Made this one last night, using dried apples and dried cranberries, along with some pecans, coconut, pumpkin seeds and sliced almonds. I asked my husband if he wanted to take some in the car to go to my in-laws because he kept snacking on it and he said, and I quote, "No, because then I'd have to share." LOL
Dawnette says
Have you tweaked this recipe since Dec. 3? I could have sworn that the last time I made it, the recipe called for (not just listed as an option) raw sesame seeds, as well as the pepitas (pumpkin seeds).
100 Days of Real Food says
Yes, I did tweak it! Guess I got caught taking advantage of these recipes being "live."
Michell says
This was excellent. I made it into bars and used dried fruit instead of nuts so the kids can take it to school (nut free school). I also used coconut oil instead of butter and maple syrup instead of honey. (I am vegan)
Definately will be making again and hopefully often :)
Lee says
I think my oven runs kind of hot, because the first time I made it the granola was a little too dark. Not quite burnt but definitely getting close. (That did not stop us from eating it, though!! YUM!!) I'm trying to reduce the temp and/or time a little bit and just watching it to see how it goes. Do you have any tips on what it should look like when you would consider it done? Thanks so much for the recipe, it smells heavenly and I think we'll be making it on a regular basis! And I'm loving the whole blog and learning a ton.
100 Days of Real Food says
Here's a picture that might help you gauge the color...sounds like your oven might not be calibrated correctly. Good luck!
https://www.100daysofrealfood.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/granola.jpg
Lee says
Thanks so much!! I have had lots of success with the recipe and we've been eating it for breakfast everyday. Our first small real food change!
Heather says
I just made a half recipe to see if we liked it. It is great! I am thinking of making some and packaging it in cereal bowls for those little Christmas presents I need to get. YUMMY!
Amy says
This is absolutely one of the best tasting granola recipes I have seen and made. I love that crunchy, nutty-ness and have been shying away from too much granola because its so high in fat. However, with less sweet and more "crunch" (i.e., I love the unsweetened coconut) I feel good about eating this one!
Kelly says
Be careful when buying seeds -- just saw that my sunflower seeds have msg on them!
Nicole B says
Be sure to use organic butter.
sarah ledoux says
Wait, isn't butter considered a processed food?
100 Days of Real Food says
Cooking is technically a form of "processing" or changing your food. Since we aren't on a "raw diet" we try to avoid all HIGHLY processed foods. I hope that helps to clear things up!
Erin Girard says
Suggestions on changing out the nuts? We are nut free due to allergies and I make our own granola but would like to try your recipe as it doesn't have sugar :)
100 Days of Real Food says
Just replace the nuts with extra sunflower and pumpkin seeds...good luck!
Nicole B says
My husband has high triglycerides and high cholesterol and is trying to lose weight. I wonder if this recipe would be okay for him. Any thoughts?
100 Days of Real Food says
I honestly don't know what you are supposed to avoid with those conditions...what does his doctor advise?
Ashley says
It would be fantastic. Anything with oats and I'm going to venture that anything on this website will be fine for him. As a side note, I lowered my cholesterol considerably (like 75 pts.) by switching to whole grains, cutting back on my meat and adding veggies whenever possible)
Karen says
My husband had a heart attack a few years ago and we have done more research than I'd care to admit :) Unfortunately, "real" food does not always equal "heart healthy" food. Butter is real, but not great for someone with high cholesterol. Shrimp is a great lean protein, but has a lot of cholesterol. I would definitely consult with his doctor. In general, though, lots of vegetables, some fruits, lean, low-cholesterol protein (chicken, fish), and lots of omega-3 (fish, nuts, beans, olive oil). This site is a great place to start because processed "never" equals "heart healthy"! Good luck :)
Pat says
My husband just had a heart attack several months ago. Although we eat chemical free at home, while at work he ate many processed meals. He has completely changed his diet to over 50% raw fruits and vegetables. It is true that not all natural things are low cholesterol, but that never means that chemical products are an ok substitution. Margarine is always a recipe for a heart attack; butter is better, but olive oil is the best.
Shelley Phillips says
I talked to a nutritionist about these same issues (high cholesterol and triglycerides) recently, and she told me to eat more fiber, fewer refined carbs, and take a fish oil where you're getting high amounts of EPA/DHA (most 1000 mg pills don't give you enough; you need an actual oil to do this unless you want to take 12 pills a day!). I dropped my cholesterol 55 points and my triglycerides 90 points in about 5 months! I am eating between 50-65 grams of fiber each day, which amount to about 25% of my total carb intake. I also eat a primarily vegetarian diet with fish and cheese for protein. I've been eating this somewhat vegetarian diet for over 2 years and that didn't change my cholesterol. The high fiber and fish oil did though. This recipe sounds really good, especially using steel cut oats which provide a good amount of fiber; I would add chia seeds, which are high in fiber; and maybe reduce the honey by half or substitute stevia (some people find this bitter though). I would also substitute almond butter for the cow's butter. I'm obviously not a health practioner, but thought I'd pass along some information that worked for me. I wonder why you have to cook this though?
Berneda says
I would love to know what you eat to get 50-65 grams a day of fiber. And almond butter instead of cow's butter? What is that exactly? Thank you.
Jody says
Almond butter is like peanut butter - just made out of almonds :-) It is delicious!!!
Christina Ryan says
I made the granola and it will not get hard and crunchy. Not sure what I did wrong...any thoughts?
100 Days of Real Food says
It hardens as it cools. How long had it been out of the oven?
Susie B. says
I have been making granola for years and years. I know I should soak the oats first but that hasn't worked out well for me. This year I began using coconut oil instead of butter. I always use thick cut rolled oats, pecans and almonds. I also add ground flax seeds sometimes. And the last batch, I used maple syrup instead of honey. It was very good! Sometimes I don't use cinnamon. I love the idea of "pumpkin pie" spice! We are ready to make a new batch, I think I'll try it!
Kelly says
I too have 2 kiddos allergic to nuts....I would be interested in knowing if I omit the nuts would all the other amounts remain the same? Any ideas for substitutions would be great! Thanks!
100 Days of Real Food says
Replace the nuts with extra pumpkin and sunflower seeds and it will work great!
Lauren says
I have a little girl who is allergic to nuts. Do you have any suggestions of ways to alter the recipe when leaving out nuts? I was not sure if I could keep all of the other measurements the same, but I am guessing not.
Thanks!
100 Days of Real Food says
Keep everything the same except add extra pumpkin and sunflower seeds in place of the nuts. I've made this nut-free version for my daughter to take to school and it worked great!