Learn this basic granola recipe with variations and you will never need another. It is the best and only granola you will ever need.
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Back when we were first married, I was on the search for how to make granola since the store-bought versions were so expensive for a newlywed budget. I tried so many recipes and tweaked them to finally come to this one that is so good, that most times it is gone before it leaves the baking sheet. It makes our house smell absolutely amazing while it is baking!
After it has dried, it is so chewy and with crunch edges. To me it has the perfect balance of sweet, salt and, aromatic honey vanilla notes. Our family loves this recipe, because it can be combined with absolutely every topping that we have tried, and it makes a new granola variation without searching and testing a new recipe. Learn and enjoy the basic granola then have fun mixing and matching the variations below then come up with your own!
Tools You’ll Need to Make Basic Granola with Variations
- Large mixing bowl
- Wooden spoon
- Baking sheet
- Measuring spoons
- Parchment paper
- Measuring cups
- Airtight storage container
Ingredients You’ll Need to Make Basic Granola
- 3 cups rolled oats
- 3 tablespoons packed light brown sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/3 cup honey
- 1/4 cup olive oil
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
How to Make Basic Granola
- Preheat oven to 300 F and arrange rack in the middle.
- In a large bowl, mix together the oats, brown sugar, cinnamon, and salt. In a separate smaller bowl whisk together the honey olive oil, and vanilla extract.
- Pour the olive oil and honey mixture over the oats, scraping the bowl with a rubber spatula to get all the sweet stuff!
- With a rubber spatula mix the oats and the honey olive oil mixture very well, making sure to coat the oats evenly.
- Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Pour granola mixture and spread evenly over the baking sheet.
- Bake for 15 minutes. Stir oats and bake for another 10 minutes.
- Remove oats from oven and let them cool COMPLETELY before storing.
- If you are adding anything to the granola (like nuts or dried fruit) add and mix it in now before storing. Store in an airtight container.
Basic Granola with Variations Tips
- Right after removing granola from the oven, it will soft until it is completely cooled. After adding any desired toppings let the granola cool completely before enjoying.
- Store granola in an airtight container until you are ready to use.
- Granola can be frozen for up to six months!
- Make sure mix the liquid ingredients with the oats well, so that everything is coated evenly!
- This recipe can be doubled!
Variations for Basic Granola
With a few ingredients, this basic granola can be transformed into so many different flavors. My favorite is to swap out ingredients based on the season. During the fall, I will even add a little pumpkin to the olive oil and honey mixture, then swap the cinnamon with pumpkin spices! Below are some ideas to get you started, you might even think of your own. Have fun mixing and matching fruit with nuts and/or chocolate chips. Because of the endless combinations, this is the only recipe you will ever need!
Dried Fruit
- Dried apples
- Banana chips
- Dried apricots
- Coconut flakes
- Dried cherries
- Candied pineapple
- Raisins
- Dried cranberries
- Dates
- Dried Figs
- Freeze-dried blueberries
- Dried Peaches
- Freeze-dried raspberries
- Dried goji berries
- Freeze-dried strawberries
- Dried mangos
NUTS & SEEDS:
- Walnuts
- Almonds
- Pistachios
- Macadamia Nuts
- Peanuts
- Hazelnuts
- Pecans
- Cashews
- Flaxseeds
- Chia Seeds
- Hemp Seeds
- Sunflower Seeds
- Pumpkin Seeds
Specialty:
- Chocolate chips
- White Chocolate Chips
- Dried Ginger
- Pumpkin
- Gingerbread
- Freeze-dried yogurt
Ideas to use granola:
So, you have a homemade batch of basic granola and countless variations. Here are some ideas for how to enjoy this granola to the fullest!
- Top yogurt or a parfait with granola
- serve with milk as a cereal
- Serve granola with a smoothie bowl
- Bake fruit like pears or apples and top with granola
- Snack on all by itself
You can also package this homemade granola in a decorative jar and give as a gift! This is a great idea for around the holidays or other special occasions. A homemade gift is so thoughtful, and once the recipient tastes they’ll want the recipe! Simply make a decorative tag and tie with some butcher’s twine. How thoughtful!
How to Make Granola Clusters?
This recipe naturally has tons of granola clusters! To ensure you are getting bigger chunks, press the granola down with the back of a wooden spoon to allow the granola to cling together more during the cooking process. I have noticed that when I double the recipe and more granola is crowded together on the baking sheet then there are naturally more clusters.
Is Homemade Granola Cheaper?
Absolutely! Depending on where your source is for store-bought granola the price difference may vary, but I have found that making granola is much cheaper than many of the store-bought varieties. Since we most often have these ingredients bought in bulk in our rotating pantry, I find making homemade granola is much cheaper!
Does Homemade Granola Need to be Refrigerated?
No! Of course, if you want your granola to last a longer you could store it in the refrigerator, but it is absolutely not necessary.
What is the Best Way to Store Homemade Granola?
Granola should be stored in an airtight container at room temperature. Wait until the granola is cooled completely before storing. Alternatively it can be stored in the refrigerator, but it is not necessary.
Can you Freeze Homemade Granola?
Yes, you can freeze homemade granola up to six months if you would like to make it ahead of time. Just be sure that the granola is completely cooled and put into an airtight freezer bag or container before freezing. Don’t forget to label the contents!
Basic Granola with Variations
Learn this basic granola recipe with variations and you will never need another. It is the best and only granola you will ever need.
Ingredients
- 3 cups rolled oats
- 3 tablespoons packed light brown sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/3 cup honey
- 1/4 cup olive oil
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- *Variation ideas in notes
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 300 F and arrange rack in the middle.
- In a large bowl, mix together the oats, brown sugar, cinnamon, and salt. In a separate smaller bowl whisk together the honey olive oil, and vanilla extract.
- Pour the olive oil and honey mixture over the oats, scraping the bowl with a rubber spatula to get all the sweet stuff!
- With a rubber spatula mix the oats and the honey olive oil mixture very well, making sure to coat the oats evenly.
- Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Pour granola mixture and spread evenly over the baking sheet.
- Bake for 15 minutes. Stir oats and bake for another 10 minutes.
- Remove oats from oven and let them cool COMPLETELY before storing.
- If you are adding anything to the granola (like nuts or dried fruit) add and mix it in now before storing. Store in an airtight container.
Notes
VARIATION IDEAS!
DRIED FRUIT:
- Dried apples
- Banana chips
- Dried apricots
- Coconut flakes
- Dried cherries
- Candied pineapple
- Raisins
- Dried cranberries
- Dates
- Dried Figs
- Freeze-dried blueberries
- Dried Peaches
- Freeze-dried raspberries
- Dried goji berries
- Freeze-dried strawberries
- Dried mangos
NUTS & SEEDS:
- Almonds
- Walnuts
- Pistachios
- Macadamia Nuts
- Peanuts
- Hazelnuts
- Pecans
- Cashews
- Flaxseeds
- Chia Seeds
- Hemp Seeds
- Sunflower Seeds
- Pumpkin Seeds
Specialty:
- Chocolate chips
- White Chocolate Chips
- Dried Ginger
- Pumpkin
- Gingerbread
- Freeze-dried yogurt
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