8 Delicious Granola Recipes That Are Surprisingly Easy To Make (2024)

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mbg Nutrition & Health Writer

By Eliza Sullivan

mbg Nutrition & Health Writer

Eliza Sullivan is a food writer and SEO editor at mindbodygreen. She writes about food, recipes, and nutrition—among other things. She studied journalism at Boston University.

8 Delicious Granola Recipes That Are Surprisingly Easy To Make (3)

Image by Daxiao Productions / Stocksy

December 03, 2020

When you think of meal prep, breakfast probably isn't the meal that springs to mind. After all, it's easy enough to make up a quick smoothie or a bowl of healthy cereal—but if you've been looking for a way to bring a little something special to your morning routine, a homemade granola may be just the thing.

The best part of DIY-ing this staple is that you can adapt it to your favorite flavors—including nuts, seeds, grains, dried fruits, sweeteners, and more. But if it's direction you're after, I've got good news: We've got some A+ granola recipes to get you started.

If you happen to like the look of a recipe but are missing ingredients, that's OK! Granola is by no means an exact science: You can swap and replace ingredients as you have (or like) them.

1.

Banana Coconut Granola

This sugar-free recipe is a great way to use up some past-their-prime bananas without making another loaf of banana bread. The blend of banana with coconut is a treat, especially with a touch of cinnamon and sea salt to accent the flavors. The bulk of the mix is finished with oats and pumpkin seeds.

2.

Mango, Orange & Goji Granola

For a superfood-y take on granola, try this summery-flavored recipe with goji berries. These small red berries are packed with vitamins and antioxidants—not to mention the mango and orange added to this mix for even more nutrients. The mix also includes walnuts, cashews, and almonds along with pumpkin, sesame, and sunflower seeds.

3.

Chunky Paleo Granola

This nutty granola skips the grains to adhere to a paleo-friendly breakfast model. It's made up of a mix of the usual suspects: almonds, walnuts, and cashews, though oats are noticeably missing because, again, grain-free! It swaps in chia seeds and a bit of almond butter to help thicken the mixture. If you're feeling ambitious, you can opt to make all three ingredients for these vegan-paleo breakfast bowls yourself.

4.

Apple Pie Granola

Tap into the flavors of fall with this breakfast-y ode to a dessert favorite—but don't let that trick you into thinking this recipe isn't healthy. Sweetened with dates, mixed with dried apple and raisins, and full of healthy fats (thanks in part to a dose of tahini in the mix), it'll also set you up to stay full until lunch.

5.

Autumn Squash Seed Granola

This is a way better use of squash seeds than tossing them in your compost. This granola recipe also uses tahini in the mixture, along with maple syrup—and you'll save money on the nuts and seeds by using ones you have anyway. It's a much more simple recipe than some of the others on this list (only nine ingredients where others have over a dozen), and it can be made with whatever squash seeds and dried fruit you have on hand.

6.

Turmeric, Apricot & Pistachio Granola

This flavorful recipe has a lot going on, but it all works so well together (trust us). Once again using the pairing of maple syrup and tahini to bind the mix together, it's spiced with turmeric, of course, but also cinnamon and pumpkin pie spice. It also adds sesame seeds to the mix, to highlight the tahini flavor, and a small amount of vanilla extract to heighten the sweetness.

7.

Grain-Free Breakfast Granola

Another grain-free take on a traditionally very oat-y breakfast item, this recipe adds a bit of orange zest for brightness and splits the sweetener between honey and maple syrup, so it's not overwhelmingly maple-flavored. It also calls for a more unique mix of dried fruits and nuts: With plums, cherries, cranberries, or apricots and almonds, hazelnuts, and macadamia nuts, it'll certainly be flavorful.

8.

Six-Minute Superfood Granola

If we haven't yet convinced you to try making your own granola instead of buying it, let this serve as a final attempt: This six-minute recipe is so easy, you could even make it from scratch on a busy Monday morning (though, truly, all these recipes are that simple). It uses quinoa for plant-based protein in addition to the nuts and adds in goji berries and cacao nibs for flavors with benefits.

Starting your day with a bowl of granola, paired with your favorite yogurt or milk, is a great way to make sure you're getting your nutrients—but keep in mind this might not be the best option if you're breaking a fast during intermittent fasting.

8 Delicious Granola Recipes That Are Surprisingly Easy To Make (2024)

FAQs

What was the downside to granola as a food? ›

Granola may prompt weight gain if eaten in excess, as it can be high in calories from added fats and sugars. What's more, sugar is linked to chronic conditions like type 2 diabetes, heart disease, and obesity.

Is it worth making your own granola? ›

Once you try homemade granola, you won't go back to store-bought granola. It's so much better! This granola recipe is also a far more healthy granola option, since it's made with whole grains, unrefined oil and naturally sweetened.

Why are homemade granola not crunchy? ›

Higher temperatures can cause ingredients like nuts, seeds, and coconut to burn before the batch has a chance to properly dry out and crisp up, Perry says. Stick with a low temperature, keep an eye on your mixture, and stir it from time to time to help it brown evenly.

What is Gordon Ramsay's famous recipe? ›

Gordon Ramsay's best recipes include Beef Wellington, Coq au Vin, Beef Stroganoff, Chicken Piccata, Rack of Lamb, Baked Salmon with Lemon and Dill, Shrimp Scampi, Beef and Guinness Stew, Spaghetti Carbonara, and Beef Burgundy.

Is homemade granola healthier? ›

YUM! More reasons to obsess over homemade granola: Healthier: it has less sugar and is lower Calorie than anything you'll find at the store. Freezer Friendly: It will keep for months in the freezer, stored in a freezer safe bag.

Why does my stomach hurt after eating granola? ›

Oat sensitivity may result in milder symptoms that take longer to occur. These symptoms may, however, become chronic if you eat oats or come into contact with them repeatedly. These symptoms include: stomach irritation and inflammation.

What to avoid in granola? ›

Added Sugars. Natural sugars from ingredients like dried fruit are okay. But, the added sugars used to sweeten granola can be harmful. It's important to limit how much of these we consume.

Is granola or oatmeal healthier? ›

Which One Is Better for Breakfast? Both oatmeal and granola make for a healthy, nutritious breakfast, but the winner for us is granola—the added nuts, seeds, and dried fruits give you a source of fiber and healthy fats that oatmeal can't quite compete with.

Is it OK to eat granola every day? ›

Yes. "Granola does contain important nutrients, and if you enjoy it, eating some every day is probably fine as part of a balanced diet," says Harris-Pincus.

Why is granola so expensive in the USA? ›

“These certifications can be costly to obtain and maintain. Plus, you may also see the pricier granola have a higher concentration of nuts, seeds, and dried fruits to provide more nutrients and flavor, which can be costly compared to grain-based ingredients.”

How many days does homemade granola last? ›

When stored properly at room temperature, fresh homemade granola can last for up to four weeks. Preserve its quality by letting it cool completely before storing. Packing it while it's warm leads to condensation and, consequently, unnecessary moisture.

How to crisp up homemade granola? ›

Not only can you transform that soggy, chewy granola back to being blissfully crunchy, but it's easier than you might think. All it takes is spreading the granola in a single layer on a rimmed baking sheet and heating it in a 400 degree oven for five minutes — essentially re-baking it.

What ingredient makes granola stick together? ›

Clumpy Granola Method: Add Whole Wheat and Almond Flour

First, it adds a combo of whole wheat flour and almond flour (or almond meal), which act as a binder to hold the oat mixture together. Second is the bakeware. This recipe opts for a 9×13-inch baking pan instead of the standard rimmed sheet pan.

How can I get my homemade granola to clump? ›

There are other ways to achieve clumpier granola. You can add more fat (in the form of butter or oil). If you're shooting for a somewhat healthy result, you can add some other binder, like an egg white or applesauce.

What is the binding agent for homemade granola? ›

Chia seeds are often praised for their binding powers. In fact, they secure ingredients so well that they can even be used as an egg replacer. Adding just a spoonful of chia seeds to your favorite granola bar recipe will make a huge difference in its texture.

How do you keep homemade granola crispy? ›

Whether it's homemade or store-bought, properly storing granola will help extend the shelf life and maintain crunchiness. Store granola in an airtight container or tightly sealed zip-top bag in a dry, dark place away from heat.

What is granola mix made of? ›

Granola Recipe Ingredients (+Variations!)

My healthy granola recipe starts with four basic ingredients: whole rolled oats, maple syrup, cinnamon, and coconut oil. Then, I add these mix-ins for extra flavor and texture: Almond butter – The key ingredient for creating delicious nutty clusters!

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