Homemade Crunchy Granola Recipe

Granola is a great way to kick off your morning, and is something that tastes great by the handful, or paired with yogurt or milk. This homemade crunchy granola contains wholesome and filling ingredients like rolled oats, almonds, and pecans. According to Healthline, granola is generally seen as a healthy choice, since it's filled with both protein and fiber.

Recipe developer Catherine Brookes of Blue Sky Eating came up with this fantastic recipe for homemade granola with a sweet "dressing" that adds some major flavor. "I find that homemade granola has a lot more crunch and flavor than store bought, and it's healthy too," Brookes shares. "Granola is so easy and fun to make at home, and I love how easy it is to customize with your favorite nuts and seeds." How can you go wrong with that? 

Keep reading to find out how to make this wholesome, homemade crunchy granola.

This recipe calls for several common granola ingredients, including rolled oats, almonds, pecans, pumpkin seeds, sunflower seeds, coconut oil, honey, cinnamon, and vanilla extract.

Once you have those things, you can make this homemade crunchy granola.

Preheat the oven to 300 F.

Roughly chop the almonds and pecans, and then set them to the side. "The almond and pecans can be chopped as small or large as you'd prefer. I tend to go for about 1/4-inch chunks," Brookes suggests.

To make the granola dressing, grab a large mixing bowl. Add the melted coconut oil, honey, cinnamon, and vanilla extract, and stir to combine. "The dressing is sweet with a hint of spice, coconut and vanilla ... The addition of vanilla extract adds an extra layer of flavor that is delicious alongside the honey and cinnamon," Brookes notes. 

Now, incorporate the oats, pecans, almonds, and seeds into the bowl with the dressing, and toss to coat, making sure to distribute all the ingredients evenly. 

Line a baking sheet with parchment paper, and then spread the mixture on top in an even layer. When the oven is ready, put the granola in for about 35-40 minutes. Every 15 minutes, be sure to stir the granola to prevent it from burning.

After 35-40 minutes, remove the granola from the oven, and let it cool on the baking sheet. Once it's cooled completely, you can transfer it to an airtight container.

There are plenty of ways to enjoy this delicious, homemade granola, and you can simply use it on whatever your heart desires. "It's great with Greek yogurt or milk and I love to add fresh berries or banana," Brookes suggests. 

And, you can stretch out the leftovers for quite some time –– perfect for meal prepping. "It should keep well in an airtight container for up to 1 month," she shares.