Granola is one of those tricky foods. On the surface, it sounds like a super-healthy choice, right? But it can go off the rails pretty quickly! I wonder how many people are bringing home bags of store-bought granola like the ones in the picture below, thinking they are making a good choice? However, they have no idea that their “healthy” granola is packed with canola oil, soybean oil, natural flavors, added sugars, caramel color, and other ingredients that they should be avoiding.
And while there are a few better brands at the grocery store, they are very pricey for a small bag of granola. Not to mention, the sugar-content is sometimes still very high.
That’s the main reason why I wanted to put together my own health granola recipe! I wanted to pack in all of the nutrition and health benefits associated with granola while leaving out all of the bad.
My kids (especially my growing boys) eat Greek yogurt every day. So, when I have some granola ready to top it off, I’m really helping them pack a protein punch while giving them some healthy fats. It’s such an all-around healthy breakfast option for them!
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Best Granola Recipe
This a great recipe because it’s so flexible. I’m including measurements in case you need them, but in reality, I just eyeball it and dump it in the mixing bowl. You could easily swap out pecans for the walnuts, throw in some macadamia nuts, skip the flaxseeds, add in unsweetened coconut flakes…the options are endless. So, use this recipe as a launching pad, but don’t feel tied down to it. Get creative, add your favorite mix-ins, and tweak it until you find your own favorite homemade granola recipe! And remember, simple ingredients are the secret to a good granola recipe!
Ingredients in Homemade Granola
- 1/2 cup walnuts (coarsely chopped)
- 1/2 cup almonds (coarsely chopped)
- 1/2 cup rolled oats (coarsely chopped)
- 1/3 cup sunflower seeds (coarsely chopped)
- 1/4 cup flax seeds meal
- 1/4 cup organic cranberries (or raisins or another dried fruit)
- 1/4 cup honey (could sub maple syrup)
- 1 tbsp unrefined coconut oil (melted)
Directions for Homemade Granola
- Add nuts to food processor and roughly chop.
- Add seeds to food processor and roughly chop.
- Add all ingredients to a large mixing bowl.
- Combine well.
- Line a large cookie sheet with parchment paper.
- Spread granola out with a spatula into a thin, even layer.
- Bake at 350 degrees for 15-20 minutes. Stir and flip half way through baking. You want a golden brown color and a crunchy texture.
- Let your granola cool.
*Store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 weeks. If there are any large pieces, just break them up with your spatula as you are spooning the granola mixture into your container.
Suggestions for Homemade Healthy Granola Recipe
* Turn it into a yogurt parfait! Greek yogurt, granola, chocolate chips, fresh berries, and sprinkles…kids love it!
* Eat it like cereal! Next time, skip the carb-heavy, over-priced cereal at the store, pour some homemade granola in a bowl and top it with some milk. The sweetness of honey and the creaminess of the milk is a great combination!
* Serve over a bowl of fresh fruit.
* Storing your homemade honey granola in a mason jar also works well.
* You could also make seasonal granola…For fall, add pumpkin seeds and cinnamon to change it up a bit. In the spring, maybe try dried blueberries and a little vanilla extract. It’s a great way to introduce new flavors to your kids, and you just can’t mess it up!
* When I make my own granola, I always make a double batch. It disappears FAST at my house!
I hope you enjoy!
Looking for more simple, healthy recipes that your kids will love? Be sure to check out my Nourish with Diligence page for more!
