Healthy Granola Recipe (4 Ingredients!) (2024)

This healthy granola recipe uses wholesome ingredients to make the perfect nutty, crunchy granola. Perfect for a midday snack or addition to your breakfast table!

Healthy Granola Recipe (4 Ingredients!) (1)

As someone who requires breakfast yet rarely has the time to break out a skillet in the morning, I’m always in need of a healthy breakfast recipe. Lately, my family and I have been loving breakfast muffins, overnight oats, and this healthy homemade granola recipe.

For better or worse, store-bought granola has a bad wrap for being loaded with all kinds of sneaky ingredients, like corn syrup, oil, and refined sugar. Luckily, it’s both easy and cost-effective to make at home. Plus, there’s no arguing the taste is far superior.

Table of Contents
  1. Recipe highlights
  2. Ingredients needed
  3. How to make healthy granola
  4. Recipe tips and variations
  5. Storage instructions
  6. More healthy breakfast recipes to try
  7. Healthy Granola (4 Ingredients!) (Recipe Card)

Recipe highlights

  • Easy to customize. Add whatever mix-ins you want and switch up almost every ingredient to suit your taste buds or your diet.
  • Cheaper than store-bought. I’m always amazed at how expensive store-bought granola is. This recipe, along with my chocolate granola and peanut butter granola, is half the cost but ten times more flavorful.
  • Diet-friendly. Like our protein granola, this recipe is full of fiber-packed oats, and the peanuts add protein and healthy fats. Plus, this recipe is naturally dairy-free, vegan, and can easily be made gluten-free.

Ingredients needed

Just 4 key ingredients, plus your mix-ins, are needed to make this granola recipe. Here’s exactly what you’ll need:

  • Rolled oats. I prefer using rolled oats (or “old-fashioned oats”) over instant or steel cut because they have the best texture. Use certified gluten-free oats to make gluten-free granola.
  • Peanuts. Make sure to use raw and unsalted peanuts since they’re getting baked in the oven. You can also use other types of nuts, like walnuts or pecans if you prefer.
  • Peanut butter. Smooth with no added sugar. Feel free to use any type of nut butter, like almond butter or cashew butter, if you prefer.Making this for someone with a nut allergy? Use sunflower seeds and sunflower seed butter instead!
  • Maple syrup. My favorite natural sweetener, though you could also use agave or, if not strictly vegan, honey.
  • Mix-ins. Use your favorite mix-ins like chocolate chips, coconut flakes, dried fruit, or seeds. Just make sure they don’t exceed 1 cup of the total recipe.

Find the printable recipe with measurements below.

How to make healthy granola

Step 1- Prep. Preheat the oven to 350F/180C and line a large baking pan with parchment paper.

Step 2- Mix the dry ingredients. In a large bowl, add the oats and nuts.

Step 3- Mix the wet ingredients. In a microwave-safe bowl or small saucepan, combine the peanut butter and maple syrup and heat until warm. Whisk to combine.

Step 4- Combine. Pour the peanut butter mixture over the oat mixture and mix until incorporated.

Step 5- Bake. Transfer the granola mixture onto the prepared baking sheet and spread it into an even layer. Bake for 25 minutes, stopping halfway through to stir it up.

Step 6- Add mix-ins. Remove the granola from the oven and mix to break up the large pieces. Allow it to cool completely, then fold in your mix-ins of choice.

Healthy Granola Recipe (4 Ingredients!) (2)

What can I serve with homemade granola?

I often get in trouble at home for eating granola straight out of the bag. That said, it’s super versatile and works great with all sorts of additions. Try adding some atop your next bowl of Greek yogurt, coconut ice cream, or a thick smoothie, or layer it in a parfait with fresh berries.

Recipe tips and variations

  • Check periodically. I’ve noticed the exact baking time varies depending on the oven, so make sure to keep an eye on the granola and check it after 15 minutes. Also, don’t skip the stirring midway through since the edges are prone to browning.
  • Wait to add your mix-ins. If you add the mix-ins before the granola has cooled, you may be left with a melted chocolate mess. Ask me how I know!
  • Make granola clusters. I like my granola really broken up, but if you prefer clusters, don’t stir the granola after you’ve removed it from the oven. Let it cool completely, then break it into bite-sized clusters.
  • Don’t overcrowd the baking sheet. It’s important to get the granola in a thin, even layer so all the pieces have a chance to brown. Otherwise, that’s how you end up with soggy granola.
  • Change up the flavors. Add chocolate, dried fruits, candy pieces, or even your favorite nuts.

Storage instructions

To store: Granola should be stored in an airtight container and kept at room temperature for up to one month.

To freeze: To keep granola fresher for longer, freeze it in a freezer-safe container for up to 6 months. Let it thaw overnight at room temperature before enjoying.

Healthy Granola Recipe (4 Ingredients!) (3)

More healthy breakfast recipes to try

  • Strawberry cookies– Soft, chewy cookies loaded with oats and vibrant strawberry flavor.
  • Protein overnight oats– My favorite make-ahead breakfast recipe, made with over 30 grams of protein per serving!
  • Brownie baked oatmeal– A decadent, heart-healthy alternative to brownies.
  • Crustless quiche– Deceptively low-carb and made in under 35 minutes.

Healthy Granola Recipe (4 Ingredients!) (4)

Healthy Granola (4 Ingredients!)

5 from 27 votes

This healthy granola recipe uses wholesome ingredients to make the perfect nutty, crunchy granola. Perfect for a midday snack or addition to your breakfast table!

Servings: 8 servings

Prep: 5 minutes mins

Cook: 25 minutes mins

Total: 30 minutes mins

Rate This Recipe

Print

Ingredients

  • 2 1/2 cups rolled oats gluten free, if needed
  • 1 cup peanuts or any nut or seed of choice
  • 2/3 cup peanut butter
  • 2/3 cup maple syrup can use agave nectar or honey (if not vegan)
  • 1 cup mix-ins seeds, chocolate chips, coconut flakes, etc.

Instructions

  • Preheat the oven to 180C/350F. Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper and set aside.

  • In a large mixing bowl, add your oats and nuts, and set aside. In a microwave safe bowl or in a small saucepan, combine your peanut butter and maple syrup and heat until warm. Whisk together, until combined.

  • Pour the peanut butter/syrup mixture over the oat mixture. Mix very well, until fully incorporated.

  • Transfer the granola mixture onto the lined sheet and spread out in an even layer. Bake for 25 minutes, removing halfway through to give it a mix.

  • Remove the granola from the oven and mix once more, before allowing it to cool completely. Once cool, add your mix-ins of choice, and transfer to a sealable container.

Notes

TO STORE: Granola can be stored in a sealable container, for up to 2 months. If your granola has begun to stick together, simply shake the container to break it apart again.

TO FREEZE: Place granola in a ziplock bag and store in the freezer for up to 6 months.

Nutrition

Serving: 1servingCalories: 276kcalCarbohydrates: 24gProtein: 13gFat: 19gSodium: 104mgPotassium: 367mgFiber: 6gCalcium: 42mgIron: 2mgNET CARBS: 18g

Course: Breakfast

Cuisine: American

Author: Arman Liew

Tried this recipe?Give us a shout at @thebigmansworld or tag #thebigmansworld!

Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links. I may earn a small commission for my endorsem*nt, recommendation, testimonial, and/or link to any products or services from this website.

Healthy Granola Recipe (4 Ingredients!) (2024)

FAQs

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.

What ingredient makes granola clump 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.

What is the binder in granola? ›

The binder is what helps the base ingredients clump together into clusters. Traditionally this is usually a sugar syrup, but it's possible to use any ingredient that has the power to bind. Egg - Egg whites are a great binder for granola if you are trying to avoid sugar.

What is the healthiest way to eat granola? ›

Yogurt. A guide for how to eat granola would not be complete without including yogurt! Yogurt and granola can be eaten in the morning for breakfast or in the afternoon for a wholesome snack. Parfaits are wildly simple to throw together and pack a lot of nutrition into the day when combined with fresh fruit and berries.

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.

Does homemade granola spike blood sugar? ›

Because granola contains carbohydrates, it can spike blood sugar levels in some people with diabetes. However, whether or not granola spikes your blood sugar levels, and how quickly it may cause a blood sugar spike, will vary depending on what type of granola you eat and what you pair it with.

Why are homemade granola not crunchy? ›

Baking time: Increase the baking time for your granola. The longer you bake it, the drier and crunchier it will become. Keep a close eye on it to avoid burning, and stir it occasionally during baking to ensure even toasting.

What is the binding agent for homemade granola? ›

Nut butter is a super flavorful fat that serves multiple purposes in granola. It acts as a binding agent—along with additional coconut oil and whatever natural sweetener I've chosen—helping to pull the dry ingredients together into a wet, sticky mass for baking.

How do I get my homemade granola to stick together? ›

Add an egg white.

The whites act as a kind of glue that binds the ingredients together. To ensure that the egg whites coat all the ingredients, I beat them with a whisk until foamy and increased in volume, which makes it much easier to fold into the granola.

What keeps granola together? ›

When added to your homemade granola bars, honey acts as glue that sticks all the pieces together. Another upside of adding honey to your recipe is that it is a natural sweetener, meaning you won't have to add any artificial sweeteners to your recipe.

Why do my homemade granola bars fall apart? ›

If your granola bars are falling apart or seem too crumbly, here are a few tips. Make sure you use honey or another sticky sweetener such as maple syrup in the liquid part of the recipe; this recipe calls for honey. This will help bind together the ingredients and keep that signature bar shape.

What does granola do to your digestive system? ›

Granola is almost unrivaled as a digestive aid. It is popular among people who want to increase their fiber intake because it contains soluble and insoluble fiber. Dietary fiber is an essential part of anyone's diet because it regulates digestion.

Is granola better with milk or yogurt? ›

The best blend is Greek yogurt with granola, which is high in protein and fiber.

Is it OK to eat granola every morning? ›

"If it's not high in sugar, one daily serving of granola paired with milk or yogurt can be a great way to start the day," says Abbie Gellman, M.S., RD, a culinary and nutrition expert. Less than 7 grams of sugar per serving is a good goal. Saturated fat. A little coconut oil never hurt anyone.

Which yogurt is best for granola? ›

You can use any kind that you like, but my favorite low sugar vanilla yogurts are Two Good, Chobani Less Sugar, or Siggi's. If you prefer to sweeten your own, you can use plain Greek yogurt and use either honey or maple syrup.

Is homemade granola a processed food? ›

Is granola processed? Technically, all granola is processed to some degree because it's a food made out of ingredients which you have combined and cooked. However, there are huge variations in the amount of processing used across different brands.

Is homemade granola a healthy breakfast? ›

Adding milk or natural yogurt and fresh fruit may help create a more balanced breakfast, and add protein as well as vitamins and minerals. Granola may form part of a varied and balanced diet, but it's best to keep to the recommended portion size because granola is high in calories, carbs and sugar.

Are homemade granola bars healthier than store-bought? ›

While store-bought granola bars can be unhealthy and full of added sugars, these homemade granola bars are healthy in moderation. They're a delicious and nutritious snack option compared to those that come in a package.

Is eating granola as healthy as eating oatmeal? ›

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.

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