If you’re looking for an easy homemade vanilla granola recipe that is crunchy, lightly sweetened, and made with simple pantry ingredients, this recipe is one you’ll want to keep on repeat. This recipe comes together with rolled oats, your favorite nuts, cinnamon, coconut oil, honey or maple syrup, and vanilla.
I love making homemade granola because it tastes so much fresher than store-bought granola, and you can easily customize it with whatever ingredients you have on hand. It’s delicious served over yogurt, sprinkled onto smoothie bowls, eaten with milk, or enjoyed by the handful straight from the jar!
The best part? This vanilla granola recipe takes just a few minutes to prepare and bakes at a low temperature, creating golden, crunchy clusters without complicated steps.
Why You’ll Love This Homemade Granola
There are so many reasons to make your own granola at home!
- Easy to make: You only need a handful of ingredients and one bowl.
- Simple ingredients: No complicated ingredients are needed.
- Customizable: Use walnuts, pecans, almonds, or leave the nuts out completely.
- Lightly sweetened: Honey or maple syrup adds just enough sweetness.
- Perfectly crunchy: Letting the granola cool completely is the secret to getting that satisfying crunch.
- Great for meal prep: Make a batch and keep it on hand for easy breakfasts and snacks.
Ingredients
- Rolled Oats– Old-fashioned rolled oats are the base of this recipe. They provide the hearty texture and become deliciously crisp as they bake. I recommend using rolled oats rather than quick oats for the best texture.
- Chopped Nuts– You can use walnuts, almonds, pecans, or a combination of your favorites. The nuts add crunch and flavor, but they are completely optional. If you need a nut-free granola recipe, simply leave them out.
- Cinnamon– A teaspoon of cinnamon adds warm, cozy flavor and pairs perfectly with the honey or maple syrup and vanilla.
- Coconut Oil– Melted coconut oil helps coat the oats and gives the granola a delicious crisp texture as it bakes.
- Honey or Maple Syrup– Either honey or maple syrup works beautifully in this recipe. Honey gives the granola a classic sweetness, while maple syrup adds a slightly richer maple flavor.
- Vanilla Extract– Vanilla brings everything together and adds a little extra sweetness and warmth.
How to Make Vanilla Granola
Start by preheating your oven to 300°F and lining a baking sheet with parchment paper. The parchment makes cleanup easy and helps prevent the granola from sticking.
In a large mixing bowl, combine the rolled oats, chopped nuts, and cinnamon. Give everything a good stir so the cinnamon is evenly distributed.
Next, melt the coconut oil and honey together in a small saucepan over low heat or in the microwave. Whisk until they are warm and well combined. Stir in the vanilla extract.
Pour the warm coconut oil mixture over the oat mixture. Stir thoroughly until all of the oats and nuts are coated.
Spread the granola onto your prepared baking sheet and press it into one thin, even layer. Keeping the mixture in an even layer helps everything bake consistently.
Bake for about 25 minutes, or until the edges are just beginning to turn golden brown.
Don’t worry if the granola doesn’t seem completely crunchy when it comes out of the oven. Homemade granola gets crisp as it cools!
Allow the granola to cool completely on the baking sheet before breaking it into pieces or clusters.
How to Get Crunchy Granola
The biggest trick for crunchy homemade granola is to let it cool completely before touching it. Right out of the oven, the granola will still be soft. As it cools, the coconut oil and sweetener help the oats firm up and create that crunchy texture.
For larger granola clusters, gently press the mixture into the pan before baking and avoid stirring it while it bakes. Once it’s completely cool, break it into your preferred size.
Nut-Free Homemade Granola
Want to make this recipe without nuts? No problem!
Simply omit the 2 cups of chopped nuts. You don’t need to make any other changes to the recipe.
The result is a simple nut-free granola that is still crunchy, flavorful, and delicious. You can also add other mix-ins if desired, such as unsweetened coconut, pumpkin seeds, sunflower seeds, raisins, dried cranberries, or mini chocolate chips after the granola has cooled.
If you’re making this for someone with a nut allergy, always check the labels on your other ingredients and use products that are processed in a facility appropriate for your needs.
Homemade Granola Variations
One of my favorite things about making granola from scratch is how easy it is to change up the flavors.
Maple Pecan Granola
Use maple syrup as your sweetener and chopped pecans for a delicious maple pecan combination.
Cinnamon Almond Granola
Use chopped almonds and honey for a classic cinnamon almond granola.
Cranberry Granola
Make the granola according to the recipe, then stir in dried cranberries after it has completely cooled.
Chocolate Granola
Add mini chocolate chips or chocolate chunks after the granola has cooled. Adding them afterward prevents the chocolate from completely melting during baking.
Coconut Granola
Add unsweetened shredded coconut to the oat mixture before baking for extra texture and coconut flavor.
Nut-Free Seed Granola
Skip the nuts and add pumpkin seeds or sunflower seeds for a crunchy alternative.
How to Store Homemade Granola
Once your granola has completely cooled, transfer it to an airtight container or glass jar. Store it at room temperature in a cool, dry place.
Properly stored, homemade granola can last for several weeks, although ours rarely lasts that long!
Make sure the granola is completely cool before storing it. Any leftover warmth or moisture can cause it to lose its crunch.
Ways to Serve Homemade Granola
There are so many ways to enjoy this easy homemade granola recipe!
- Sprinkle it over Greek yogurt.
- Add it to a smoothie bowl.
- Serve it with milk like cereal.
- Top oatmeal with a crunchy handful.
- Add it to a fruit parfait.
- Enjoy it as an easy snack.
- Sprinkle it over ice cream.
- Pack it for a quick on-the-go snack.
FAQs
Can I use quick oats instead of rolled oats?
You can, but rolled oats are recommended for this recipe. Quick oats have a finer texture and can result in softer, less chunky granola.
Why isn’t my granola crunchy?
Granola often feels soft when it first comes out of the oven. Allow it to cool completely before judging the texture. It will become much crunchier as it cools.
Can I make granola without nuts?
Absolutely! Simply leave out the nuts for an easy nut-free granola recipe. You can enjoy it with just the oats, cinnamon, coconut oil, honey or maple syrup, and vanilla.
Can I use maple syrup instead of honey?
Yes! Maple syrup is an easy one-to-one substitute for honey in this recipe.
Can I use a different oil?
Coconut oil gives this granola its crisp texture and subtle flavor, but you can experiment with another neutral-flavored oil if needed.
Should I stir the granola while it bakes?
For larger clusters, I recommend leaving it undisturbed while it bakes. Spread it into an even layer, bake it, and let it cool completely before breaking it apart.
How do I make bigger granola clusters?
Press the granola firmly into an even layer before baking and don’t stir it during baking. Let it cool completely before breaking it into pieces.
Is homemade granola healthy?
Homemade granola allows you to control the ingredients and amount of sweetener used. This recipe uses simple ingredients, but granola is still an energy-dense food, so portion size can be considered depending on your dietary needs.
Can I add dried fruit?
Yes! Dried cranberries, raisins, cherries, or chopped dried apricots are delicious additions. Add dried fruit after baking so it doesn’t become overly hard or burnt.
Vanilla Granola
Ingredients
Method
- Preheat your oven to 300° and line a baking pan with parchment paper.
- In a large mixing bowl, add your dry ingredients (oats, nuts, cinnamon) and stir them together.
- Either in a pot or microwave, melt the coconut oil and honey, whisk them together until very warm. Add your vanilla and whisk it.
- Pour your wet ingredients over your dry ingredients and stir till all of your oats and nuts are covered entirely. Pour your granola onto your pan and spread it out into one, thin, even layer. Bake in the oven for 25- minutes, or till the edges are just starting to gain a bit of color. The granola will get crunchy as it cools.
- Let granola cool entirely, before breaking it up into pieces.