Homemade Granola is the best simple breakfast or snack for both kids and adults! This healthy Homemade Granola recipe is chunky and packed with nuts, seeds, dried fruit and toasted coconut!
Granola Recipe
When it comes to breakfast I am all about simple and fast. I love that this homemade granola recipe can be made ahead of time and last for weeks making breakfast and snacks simple for me.
Along with being simple, this healthy granola can be enjoyed several ways so I am never getting bored of it. You can pair it with yogurt, milk or fresh fruit for the perfect combo.
Granola is also great for camping trips, road trips or enjoying on a lunch break at work. Also, I love how versatile granola is and how easy it is to swap in different nuts, seeds and add-ins depending on my mood.
How to Make Homemade Granola
- Begin by preheating your oven to 350 degrees F, then lining a half baking sheet with parchment paper.
- In a large bowl, combine rolled oats, nuts, seeds and stir to combine. Next, add in oil, honey and vanilla extract then stir granola again until everything is well combined and coated.
- Pour the granola onto the prepared baking sheet and pat into a thin even layer and place in the oven on the center rack for 15 minutes.
- Once 10 minutes have elapsed, remove the granola from the oven, stir, then add the coconut flakes on top. Return to the oven and bake an additional 10-15 minutes or until the granola is golden.
- Once the granola is finished baking, leave the granola on the baking sheet and let it cool for 1-2 hours. After the granola is cool break apart and enjoy, or store in an airtight container.
Pro Tip: I cannot stress this enough: do not add in the coconut at the beginning of the bake time. If you add it in early the coconut will be burnt and no one wants burnt coconut in their granola.
Customize Your Granola
This healthy homemade granola recipe can be easily customized by swapping in different dried fruit, nuts, or adding in fun extras.
Nuts: Some great nuts to add to this homemade granola recipe instead of almonds or in addition to are pecans, walnuts, pecans or pistachios.Also, I used pepitas and chia seeds for my healthy granola but you could use sunflower seeds or a combination of all three.
Dried Fruit: I love dried cherries in this recipe but you can also use dried cranberries, dried apricots, raisins, or mixed dried berries in your chunky homemade granola.
Pro Tip: To ensure that the granola gets toasted and crispy throughout, be sure to toss it halfway through.
Sweeteners: Honey, maple syrup, brown sugar, vanilla extract are all great options for granola.
Extras: Coconut flakes add so much flavor to this healthy granola, but if you are not a coconut fan you can leave them out.If you want a hint more spice you can also add some additional spices like cinnamon or nutmeg.
A fun mix-in idea for kids is mini chocolate chips (add them after baked or they will melt.)
Pro Tip: The homemade granola may not seem like it is finishing baking, but the granola should be lightly toasted and golden. You just want the granola lightly toasted and not over-cooked.
What to eat granola with
- On it’s own as a snack
- In a bowl of milk topped with fruit
- Over pancakes, french toast or waffles
- In a yogurt parfait
- In oatmeal
- Pair with fresh fruit and nut butter
- Make it into granola cookies
Pro Tip: For chunky granola lightly press the granola down onto the baking sheet with the back of a wooden spoon after tossing it halfway through baking. Also, be sure to let the granola cool completely before breaking it up.
Storage and Freezing
Store leftover coconut granola in an airtight container for up to 2 weeks at room temperature. Personally, I love storing mine in an extra mason jar but any airtight container or zip-lock bag will work.
Unfortunately homemade granola cannot be frozen. The grains will get soggy after thawing and the granola will not have the correct texture.
More breakfast recipes you will love:
Za’atar Chickpeas and Poached Eggs
EASY Fruit Pizza
Homemade Granola with Toasted Coconut
Equipment
Ingredients
- 4 cups Old Fashioned Oats (Rolled Oats)
- 1 cup Sliced Almonds
- 1/2 cup Pepitas
- 1/4 cup Chia Seeds
- 2/3 cup Coconut Oil , melted
- 1/3 cup Honey
- 2 teaspoons Vanilla Extract
- 1 cup Dried Cherries
- 2/3 cup Unsweetened Flaked Coconut
- 1/2 teaspoon Fine Sea Salt
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees and line a ½ baking sheet with parchment paper. Set aside.
- While the oven is preheating, combine Old Fashioned Oats, sliced almonds, pepitas and chia seeds to a large bowl and stir to combine.
- In the same bowl, add in coconut oil, honey and vanilla extract and stir until everything is evenly coated.
- Pour the granola onto the prepared cookie sheet and lightly press into a thin even layer. Place on the center rack of the oven and cook for 10 minutes.
- After 10 minutes, remove the granola from the oven and toss it then lightly press down with the back of a spoon to help everything stick together. Also, add the coconut flakes over top. Return to the oven and bake an additional 10-15 minutes until golden. Do not overbake.
- Once golden, remove from the oven, add the dried cherries over top and let cool for 1-2 hours on the baking sheet. Once cool, break apart and enjoy or store.
- If you've tried this recipe, come back and let us know how it was in the comments or ratings!
Everyone at my house loved it! So delish!
Thank you so much for his recipe..its just what I was looking for!
I love making home-made granola and this recipe looks so so so good! Love all the seeds and nuts in there!
I can’t wait to give this granola recipe a try. Coconut is one of my favorite ingredients so I know I will love this one ~ perfect for my morning granola.
This is a great tasting and easy granola. I love the added coconut!