A homemade Healthy Granola recipe that is incredibly easy to make and perfect for a quick breakfast or snack idea. At just 100 calories per serving you can feel good adding this granola to your morning yogurt, or even eating it plain with a bowl of milk.
Easy Healthy Granola
For anyone unfamiliar with this dish, granola is a snack or breakfast food containing oats, sunflower seeds, sesame seeds, shredded coconut, almonds, and other desired ingredients. There are a million varieties out there but i’m completely obsessed with homemade granola, especially this healthier version!
I got the recipe from a family friend–thank you Glinda Straddeck! I eat it pretty much every morning for breakfast, which consists of light Greek yogurt with a scoop of cottage cheese, some berries or bananas, and a handful of granola. I never get sick of it, and I love how filling it is!
What I LOVE about homemade granola:
- Less sugar and lower calorie. Most store-bought brands of granola are around 200 calories per serving and are full of sugar. This homemade granola recipe has just 100 calories per serving!
- Freezer Friendly. I like to make a big batch of it and store it in my freezer.
- Fast and easy. You can prep and cook homemade granola in 30 minutes!
Healthy Granola in 5 Steps
1. Mix dry ingredients. Add all of the dry ingredients to a bowl: whole grain oats, sliced almonds, sunflower seeds, raw sesame seeds and raw unsweetened coconut flakes.
2. Make the syrup. Combine the butter, sugar, honey, salt, and vanilla in a saucepan. Cook the mixture until it boil, then remove it from the heat and stir in the baking soda.
3. Pour syrup over granola mixture. Pour the syrup over the oat mixture and toss everything to evenly coat it.
4. Bake. Pour the mixture out onto a parchment lined or greased baking sheet and bake it for about 18-20 minutes, tossing once during baking.
5. Serve or store. Allow the granola to cool completely in the pan to allow it to harden up and create those clusters of granola that we all love.
Granola Adaptations:
- Make it vegan. Substitute coconut oil for butter and agave nectar for honey.
- Add dried fruit. Raisins, craisins, or freeze dried fruit
- Make it nut free. Substitute seeds (like pumpkin or sunflower), or dry fruit instead.
- Substitute flax seeds. Substitute the brown sesame seeds for flax seeds
- Make it gluten free. This recipe is gluten free so long as you make sure your oats are gluten free. Gluten is naturally found in wheat, rye, and barley, but not all manufacturers guarantee that their products do not contain gluten. Check the packaging to be sure! To make gluten free granola, be sure your oats are gluten free
Is granola healthy?
The key to understanding if granola is healthy or not is the sugar content! Many granolas are packed with added sweeteners. If you then serve granola over sugary yogurt or with a bowl of berries, you really up the sugar content. The serving size of granola is small because it can be high in calories. This recipe has an estimated 5 grams of sugar per serving (¼ cup). Also consider whether the recipe contains whole grains (fiber) and protein. This recipe has a gram of fiber and two grams of protein in each ¼ cup serving.
10 ways to eat granola:
- Eat granola with milk
- Eat granola with yogurt
- Enjoy granola over ice cream
- Eat granola on apple slices that have honey or peanut butter on them
- Eat granola straight out of the bag
- Eat granola with a parfait
- Mix granola into your oatmeal
- Eat granola with spoonfuls of peanut butter
- Make granola into trail mix by adding some dried fruit mix-ins.
- Add granola to a yummy salad!
Storing and Freezing Granola:
To store: Allow granola to cool completely and place it in an air tight container. Store granola in a cool, dry location for 4-6 weeks.
To freeze: Allow granola to cool completely and place in a freezer safe container or ziplock bag. Freeze for 2-3 months.
Don’t miss these HEALTHY SNACK IDEAS!
- Healthy Applesauce Oat Muffins
- Granola Bites
- Homemade Granola Bars
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Recipe
4.95 from 59 votes
Easy and Healthy Granola
A homemade healthy Granola recipe that is incredibly easy to make and the perfect quick breakfast or snack idea.
Print Pin Review
Author Lauren Allen
Course Breakfast, Snack
Cuisine American
Servings 32
Calories 104
Prep 10 minutes mins
Cook 20 minutes mins
Total 30 minutes mins
Ingredients
- 4 1/2 cups old-fashioned rolled oats (not quick-cook or steel cut)
- 1/2 cup raw sunflower seeds
- 1 heaping cup unsweetened flaked coconut (I love Bob's Red Mill)
- 1 heaping cup sliced raw almonds
- 1/3 cup raw brown sesame seeds , or substitute flax seeds
For the Syrup:
- 1/3 cup butter or coconut oil
- 1/3 cup light brown sugar
- 1/3 cup honey
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 3/4 teaspoon baking soda
Instructions
Preheat oven to 325 degrees and spray a large sheet pan with cooking spray, or line with parchment paper.
Add all dry ingredients to a large bowl: oats, sunflower seeds, coconut, almonds, and sesame seeds. Stir to combine and set aside.
Make the sauce by adding butter to a large saucepan. Melt the butter over medium heat.
Add all sauce ingredients EXCEPT baking soda.
Bring the mixture to a boil and once boiling, remove from heat and stir in baking soda.
Pour immediately over the dry oat mixture and toss to evenly coat everything.
Pour mixture onto prepared pan and spread into an even layer.
Bake for 8 minutes. Remove from oven and toss mixture, then gently press down on it with your spatula to flatten it back into the pan. Bake for another 8-12 minutes until golden brown.
Remove pan from oven and use the back of a metal spatula to press the hot granola firm down into the pan. Then allow the granola to cool completely in the pan before stirring or breaking it up (this will yield clusters that stick together).
This recipe yields about 8 cups of granola. Serving size is ¼ cup.
Store leftover granola in an airtight container or freezer-safe ziplock bag for up to 3 months.
Notes
Granola Adaptations:
- Make it vegan. Substitute coconut oil for butter and agave nectar for honey.
- Add dried fruit. Raisins, craisins, or freeze dried fruit
- Make it nut free. Substitute seeds (like pumpkin or sunflower), or dry fruit instead.
- Substitute flax seeds. Substitute the brown sesame seeds for flax seeds
- Make it gluten free. This recipe is gluten free so long as you make sure your oats are gluten free. Gluten is naturally found in wheat, rye, and barley, but not all manufacturers guarantee that their products do not contain gluten. Check the packaging to be sure! To make gluten free granola, be sure your oats are gluten free
To store: Allow granola to cool completely and place it in an air tight container. Store granola in a cool, dry location for 4-6 weeks.
To freeze: Allow granola to cool completely and place in a freezer safe container or ziplock bag. Freeze for 2-3 months.
Serving size: ¼ cup
Nutrition
Calories: 104kcalCarbohydrates: 13gProtein: 2gFat: 4gSaturated Fat: 1gCholesterol: 5mgSodium: 64mgPotassium: 66mgFiber: 1gSugar: 5gVitamin A: 65IUCalcium: 25mgIron: 0.8mg
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Original Post
Updated
Categories
- Breakfast Recipes
- Kid Friendly Recipes
- Snacks/Misc.
About The Author
Lauren Allen
Welcome! I’m Lauren, a mom of four and lover of good food. Here you’ll find easy recipes and weeknight meal ideas made with real ingredients, with step-by-step photos and videos.
Learn More
Expert Introduction
I'm an enthusiastic food enthusiast with a deep knowledge of cooking, baking, and healthy eating. I've spent years experimenting with recipes, learning about nutrition, and understanding the nuances of different cooking techniques. I've also worked in professional kitchens, attended cooking classes, and have a strong grasp of the science behind cooking and baking. I've successfully created and adapted numerous recipes, and I'm always eager to share my expertise and passion for food with others.
Granola: Nutrition, Recipe, and Adaptations
Granola is a versatile and nutritious snack or breakfast food that can be customized to suit individual tastes and dietary needs. It typically contains oats, seeds, nuts, and sweeteners, and can be adapted to be vegan, nut-free, gluten-free, and more. The homemade healthy granola recipe provided is a great example of a low-calorie, freezer-friendly, and easy-to-make option that can be enjoyed in various ways.
Granola Recipe Overview
The homemade healthy granola recipe consists of a combination of oats, sunflower seeds, coconut, almonds, and sesame seeds, sweetened with a syrup made from butter (or coconut oil), brown sugar, honey, salt, and vanilla extract. The mixture is then baked until golden brown, creating delicious clusters of granola that can be enjoyed on its own, with yogurt, milk, or as part of other dishes.
Granola Adaptations
The recipe offers several adaptations to cater to different dietary preferences:
- Vegan: Substitute coconut oil for butter and agave nectar for honey.
- Nut-Free: Substitute seeds or dried fruit for nuts.
- Gluten-Free: Ensure the oats are gluten-free to make the granola suitable for those with gluten sensitivities.
Granola Nutrition and Health Considerations
Granola can be a healthy option when made with whole grains, fiber, and protein while keeping sugar content in check. The homemade granola recipe provided contains an estimated 5 grams of sugar per serving (¼ cup), along with a gram of fiber and two grams of protein. It's important to be mindful of serving sizes, especially when pairing granola with other foods that may increase the overall sugar content of a meal.
Ways to Enjoy Granola
The versatility of granola extends beyond breakfast or snacks, and it can be incorporated into various dishes, such as yogurt, ice cream, oatmeal, salads, and more. The recipe also provides tips for storing and freezing granola to ensure its freshness and longevity.
In summary, granola is a customizable and nutritious addition to a balanced diet, offering a range of flavors and textures that can be enjoyed in numerous ways.
If you have any further questions or need more details on specific aspects of granola or cooking in general, feel free to ask!