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!
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.
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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
- 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
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.
- Mix all ingredients together in a medium-sized mixing bowl.
- Spread oat mixture out evenly over a prepared baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
- Use the palm of your hand to press down on the granola to flatten it.
- Bake in a preheated oven.
- 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
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.
Store granola in an airtight container at room temperature for up to three weeks. Or granola can be stored in the freezer.
Yes, you can use maple syrup instead of honey. The granola will still be crunchy but the clusters won't be as big.
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!
More Easy Breakfast Recipes
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!
Easy Homemade Crunchy Granola Recipe
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
Sarah
Thank you for gifting it to us. It was delicious!