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    Home » Recipes » Snacks

    Easy Homemade Crunchy Granola Recipe

    Published: Jul 6, 2020 · Modified: Jan 26, 2022 by Kristi · This post may contain affiliate links

    Jump to Recipe Print Recipe

    This addictive crunchy granola recipe is too good to be true! It's made with simple ingredients, ready in 20 minutes, and it's a hit with kids!

    Granola in a glass dish.

    Making your own granola is so rewarding! It will save money and taste so much better than store bought granola. Your whole family will love it.

    And because it's easy and always a hit, I often gift it as a hostess or teacher gift. In fact, I just made a batch for this exact purpose!

    Serve it for a snack or use it to make Fruit and Yogurt Parfaits, smoothies, and fruit crisps. Granola can also be used as a topping for pancakes or Fresh Fruit Salad!

    Look no further for even more ways to eat all of this crunchy goodness! Check out my recent post that offers tons of ideas on how to eat granola.

    Jump to:
    • Why This Recipe is so Great.
    • Ingredient Notes
    • Step-by-Step Instructions
    • Dietitian Tip
    • Tips for Homemade Granola
    • Recipe FAQs
    • More Easy Breakfast Recipes
    • Easy Homemade Crunchy Granola Recipe

    Why This Recipe is so Great.

    • Easy recipe.
    • There is no mixing required once it goes in the oven.
    • Kids can help you make it.
    • Wholesome, high fiber snack that does not need to be refrigerated.
    • Perfect for when your family is 'on the go', whether to sporting events or when traveling.
    • Can be served alone as a snack or as a topping for smoothie bowls, yogurt, pancakes, and more. Let your kids get creative!

    Ingredient Notes

    Granola ingredients, labeled, in a mixing bowl.
    • Oats Use Rolled Oats. Old Fashioned Rolled oats are easy to find and are inexpensive (especially when purchased in bulk). Oats are a whole grain and are an excellent source of soluble fiber, insoluble fiber, phosphorus, thiamine, magnesium, and zinc.
    • Almonds Add a crunchy texture as well as health benefits to this granola. They contain fiber, omega-3 and monounsaturated fats, protein, Vitamin E, Manganese, Magnesium, and more. Almonds are a tree nut, so do not serve almonds to kid who have an allergy to tree nuts.
    • Hemp Hearts Hemp hearts are a source of Omega-3 fatty acids and protein. They also contain fiber, potassium, and iron.
    • Coconut Chips For flavor and texture. Unsweetened coconut chips add a very mild coconut flavor - it's perfect for those that love coconut and those that could do without it. So good!
    • Olive Oil Rich in monounsaturated fats and is full of antioxidants and anti-inflammatory properties
    My Rolled Oats Pick
    Buying oats in bulk can help to save on cost.
    SHOP NOW

    Photo Credit: amazon.com

    Image of a two-pound bag of Old Fashioned Rolled Oats by Bob's Red Mill taken from amazon.com.

    Step-by-Step Instructions

    Here’s a quick overview of the steps to make this granola. For the full list of ingredients and instructions, scroll down to the recipe.

    1. Mix all ingredients together in a medium-sized mixing bowl.
    2. Spread oat mixture out evenly over a prepared baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
    3. Use the palm of your hand to press down on the granola to flatten it.
    4. Bake in a preheated oven.
    5. Let cool completely, then break it into pieces.

    Dietitian Tip

    Many recipes that call for oats tell you to use "gluten-free" oats. And, you may have noticed that gluten-free oats tend to cost more money.

    Oats are naturally gluten free. Still, there is concern for cross-contamination for those who have to follow a strict gluten-free diet for medical purposes (for example, persons with Celiac Disease).

    If you have never been instructed by a registered dietitian (RD) or physician (MD or DO) to follow a strict gluten-free diet, you can save money by buying regular old-fashioned oats that are not labeled "certified gluten free".

    I should add that this is not medical advice. As always, check with your healthcare professional if you're not sure.

    Tips for Homemade Granola

    • Let granola cool completely (to room temperature) before breaking it into pieces.
    • Use Old-Fashioned oats, also known as Rolled Oats. Do not use 'Quick-Cooking' or 'Steel-Cut' oats for this recipe.
    • Feel free to use slivered almonds in place of chopped almonds.
    • Use a good quality food chopper to get the almonds to the perfect size. I use one from Pampered Chef. It's quick and easy.
    • Hemp hearts, shelled hemp seeds, and hulled hemp seeds are the same thing. When the outer shell has been removed, you are left with the softer, chewier inner seed.

    Recipe FAQs

    What is granola?

    Granola typically consists of rolled oats, nuts, honey or other sweeteners, oil, and sometimes, dried fruit. Granola is served with breakfast or as a snack.

    How do you store homemade granola?

    Store granola in an airtight container at room temperature for up to three weeks. Or granola can be stored in the freezer.

    Can this recipe be made vegan?

    Yes, you can use maple syrup instead of honey. The granola will still be crunchy but the clusters won't be as big.

    How do you eat granola?

    Great question! Granola can be eaten alone, with milk, with yogurt or fruit. It can also be used as a topping or ingredient in a variety of recipes. I've compiled a post with a list of 20 ideas of ways to eat granola, check it out!

    Granola in a mason jar.
    Granola in a jar

    More Easy Breakfast Recipes

    • Banana Carrot Muffins with Raisins
    • Simple Unsweetened Applesauce
    • Strawberry Peanut Butter Smoothie for Kids
    • Ultimate Homemade Whole Wheat Pumpkin Waffles

    Did your kids love this homemade crunchy granola? Please leave a 5-star rating below or a review in the comments section!

    Don't forget to snap a pic of how they chose to eat this granola and tag @carrots.and.cookies on Instagram so I can see it. Enjoy!

    Granola in a glass bowl

    Easy Homemade Crunchy Granola Recipe

    Kristi
    This easy and healthy granola recipe makes the perfect stand-alone snack or topping for yogurt parfaits and smoothie bowls.
    5 from 8 votes
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe
    Prep Time 5 mins
    Cook Time 15 mins
    Additional Time 1 min
    Total Time 21 mins
    Course Recipes
    Cuisine American
    Servings 4 cups of granola
    Calories 597 kcal

    Ingredients
      

    • 2 ½ cups rolled oats
    • ⅔ cup raw almonds chopped
    • ¼ cup hemp hearts
    • ½ teaspoon cinnamon
    • ⅓ cup honey
    • 2 tablespoon olive oil
    • ⅓ cup unsweetened coconut chips

    Instructions
     

    • Preheat oven to 375° Fahrenheit
    • Line a rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper*
    • In a medium mixing bowl, combine the oats, chopped almonds, hemp hearts, cinnamon, and unsweetened coconut chips
    • Add olive oil and honey to the oat mixture and mix well
    • Spread granola mixture out evenly over the rimmed baking sheet and press down using the palm of your hand or the backside of a spatula so the mixture is firmly packed
    • Bake in the oven for 15 minutes
    • Remove from oven and let cool completely
    • Once completely cooled, break granola apart and store it in an airtight container

    Notes

    *Instead of lining with parchment paper, you could lightly oil the baking sheet pan
    *If using a Pampered Chef bar pan, you can skip step 2

    Nutrition

    Calories: 597kcalCarbohydrates: 65gProtein: 17gFat: 32gSaturated Fat: 7gPolyunsaturated Fat: 9gMonounsaturated Fat: 14gTrans Fat: 1gSodium: 7mgPotassium: 406mgFiber: 10gSugar: 25gVitamin A: 66IUVitamin C: 1mgCalcium: 113mgIron: 5mg
    Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Sarah

      July 08, 2020 at 1:41 am

      Thank you for gifting it to us. It was delicious!

      Reply

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    Kristi Ruth wearing a green long sleeved blouse and jeans, holding tri-colored carrots plated on a white oval platter with one hand and leaning on the counter with the other hand in a kitchen.
    Welcome! Kristi is a Registered Dietitian and busy mom of three, ages 7-15. After being displaced from a housefire in 2021, Kristi decided to say 'goodbye' to her long commute so she could turn her passion for sharing easy recipes and tips to help you learn what it means to feed your family well with less stress into a reality. Let's get cooking!

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