Best American Healthy Homemade Granola Most store-bought granola is high in sugar, contains unhealthy saturated fats and oils, and is full of fillers and unnecessary ingredients.
This healthy homemade granola recipe is super quick to make. This allows you to control the amount of sugar and the quality of the ingredients, as well as vary things up and add in your favorite flavors.
Is it cheap to make your own American granola? It’s cheaper to make your own granola if you want to make it more than once. Buying all the ingredients in bulk can be a bit pricey, but homemade granola is much cheaper in the long run.
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Ingredients for Healthy Homemade American Granola
Whole Rolled Oats
Whole oats are good for you, rich in fiber, protein, and vitamins and minerals like folate, iron and magnesium.
I buy my whole rolled oats in the bulk section at my local grocery store, but if your store doesn’t have a bulk section, you’ll probably be able to find them in the baking aisle.
Regardless, make sure you’re buying 100% pure whole rolled oats for your homemade granola. Avoid anything that says “instant” or “quick-cooking.” (Quick/quick-cooking oats.
Oats are gluten-free by nature, but most are kept in facilities that contain gluten. If you are allergic or sensitive to gluten, check the package label for a “certified gluten-free” badge.
Coconut oil (or any healthy oil)
I like to use coconut oil because it adds a really lovely mild flavor to the granola, but you can use any healthy oil you prefer. The oil we use here helps pull off healthy homemade granola, but you can barely taste it.
Other options: Extra virgin olive oil, grapeseed oil, or macadamia nut oil would also be great here.
Coconut oil, macadamia nut oil, or extra virgin olive oil would be my first choice. Avocado oil probably has a very strong flavor, but you can try it in a pinch.
Nuts, seeds, dried fruits and more
This is where you can customize your healthy homemade granola to your liking. I give you the exact homemade granola recipe.
I made at home below, but feel free to replace any nuts, seeds, or dried fruits with an equal amount of one of the three.
I always add unsalted nuts and seeds to my homemade granola to add flavor, texture, extra nutrients, and healthy protein and fiber. What you like and use what you have.
I like to include almonds, walnuts, peanuts, pistachios, cashews and pecans. If you avoid nuts, you can replace the nuts with more pumpkin (pepitas) or sunflower seeds.
A small amount of unsweetened dried fruits such as raisins, dried cranberries, or dried apricots also make an excellent addition. I prefer to buy dried fruits without added sugar to keep the sugar content down.
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honey or real maple syrup
To add a little sweetness to healthy homemade granola, I prefer real maple syrup. Just make sure it’s the real stuff and none of that pancake syrup is crap
Local raw organic honey is also a great option, especially if someone you’re cooking for suffers from seasonal allergies.
Some health experts say that local raw honey that hasn’t been pasteurized will contain tiny traces of local pollen that can help with allergy issues (a little bit of homemade homeopathy).
Although the scientific evidence is limited, it doesn’t hurt to try! Healthy homemade granola is baked over low heat so your ingredients retain their nutrients.
Vanilla Extract, Cinnamon and Sea Salt
Don’t skip the vanilla addition and salt! Vanilla extract adds a savory flavor to homemade granola, and salt brings out the flavor of each ingredient and makes the sweetener taste even sweeter.
How to Make Crunchy and Sticky American Granola
No extra ingredients are needed to make crunchy, sticky granola – just a few extra steps. Be sure to press the ingredients into an even layer before baking. Bake granola once and halve it.
To get your granola extra crunch, press the granola to room temperature before it cools completely, and then avoid stirring until it’s completely cool so the flakes can dry together.
Best American Healthy Homemade Granola Recipe – 2022
Most store-bought granola is high in sugar, contains unhealthy saturated fats and oils, and is full of fillers and unnecessary ingredients. This healthy homemade granola recipe is super quick to make. This allows you to control the amount of sugar and the quality of the ingredients, as well as vary things up and add in your favorite flavors.
- 4 cups old-fashioned rolled oats
- 11/2 cup raw nuts and/or seeds
- 1 teaspoon fine-grain sea salt
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/2 cup melted coconut oil or olive oil
- 1/2 cup maple syrup or honey
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2/3 cup dried fruit, chopped if large
- 1/2 cup chocolate chips or coconut flakes
Preheat oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit and line a large, rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper.
In a large mixing bowl, combine the oats, nuts and/or seeds, salt and cinnamon. Stir to blend.
Pour in the oil, maple syrup and/or honey and vanilla. Mix well, until every oat and nut is lightly coated. Pour the granola onto your prepared pan and use a large spoon to spread it in an even layer.
Bake until lightly golden, about 21 to 24 minutes, stirring halfway (for extra-clumpy granola, press the stirred granola down with your spatula to create a more even layer). The granola will further crisp up as it cools.
Let the granola cool completely, undisturbed (at least 45 minutes). Top with the dried fruit (and optional chocolate chips, if using). Break the granola into pieces with your hands if you want to retain big chunks, or stir it around with a spoon if you don’t want extra-clumpy granola.
Store the granola in an airtight container at room temperature for 1 to 2 weeks, or in a sealed freezer bag in the freezer for up to 3 months. The dried fruit can freeze solid, so let it warm to room temperature for 5 to 10 minutes before serving.
MAKE IT GLUTEN FREE: Be sure to use certified gluten-free oats.
MAKE IT NUT FREE: Use seeds, like pepitas or sunflower seeds, instead of nuts.
*IF YOU WANT TOASTED COCONUT IN YOUR GRANOLA: Stir the coconut flakes into the granola halfway through baking. They’ll get nice and toasty that way.
SERVING SUGGESTIONS: This granola is awesome on its own, with milk or yogurt and fresh fruit, and you can even throw a couple handfuls into a salad for granola “croutons.”
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