• Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar

An Oregon Cottage logo

  • Recipes
    • Best Desserts
    • Easy Salads
    • Easy Side Dishes
    • Homemade Breads
    • Sourdough
    • Homemade Soups
    • Pantry Basics Recipes
    • Simple Dinner Recipes
    • Simple Slow Cooker Recipes
    • Simple Snacks
  • Canning & Preserving
    • Canning Recipes
    • Dehydrator Recipes
    • Freezing Produce
    • Fermented Food Recipes
  • Gardening
    • Yard & Garden Tour
    • Vegetable Garden
    • Flowers, Beds & Borders
    • Gardening Tips
    • Ultimate Vegetable & Fruit Guides
  • DIY & Remodeling
    • 1900 Farmhouse
    • 1982 Ranch-turned-Cottage
    • Easy Handmade Gifts
  • Shop
    • Flexible Planner, Cookbooks, Ebooks & More
    • An Oregon Cottage's Amazon Shop
    • Shopping and Gift Guides
menu icon
go to homepage
search icon
Homepage link
  • Home
  • Recipes
  • Organic Gardening
  • DIY & Remodeling
    • Email
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • YouTube
  • ×

    Get my newsletters + access to a library full of printables!

    Home » Whole Food Recipes » Breakfast Ideas

    October 13, 2021 | By Jami

    30 Minute Homemade Granola Recipe (Pantry Basics)

    Jump to Recipe

    Homemade granola not only makes a great breakfast, but also a good-for-you snack. It takes just minutes to mix and bake, tastes way better than store bought, and you get to control all the ingredients!

    easy homemade granola

    Some links in this article are affiliate links and if you click on them I will receive a small commission at no cost to you.

    This is a Pantry Basics recipe - basic recipes we used to buy all the time, but are easier, cheaper, and healthier to make at home! See all the recipes here.

    We eat homemade granola for breakfast almost every day at our house. My daughter also loves it for a snack, too - and I love knowing exactly what the ingredients are in that snack.

    Store bought granola gets a bad rap because of the sugar, but you can make it with less using this recipe, plus it's a lot less expensive as well.

    2 Hour Granola?

    Years ago when I first attempted making homemade granola, the only recipes I could find for called for baking it at a low temperature for 2 hours! AND stirring it 2-3 times, so you had to babysit it.

    Ugh - I made it only once because I didn't want my oven on for that long, and it just took too much time.

    Then I found a recipe in one of the Tightwad Gazette books that only needed 20 minutes of baking, yay!

    Seems granola doesn't need to be cooked that long after all.

    Over the years I adapted it to our tastes and to make it healthier and it became one of our favorites.

    Update: This is the recipe that started me out making our own granola, but I now make this even easier maple-honey homemade granola recipe, since it uses even less sweetener and cooks in even less time.

    Make Homemade Granola

    pantry basic granola on spoon

    Ingredients

    • oil
    • honey or maple syrup
    • brown sugar
    • vanilla
    • oats or other rolled grain
    • sunflower seeds/nuts
    • flax seeds, bran, etc.
    • optional flour
    • optional dried fruit

    This is a really flexible recipe. Don't have nuts? Leave them out.

    Want to use up a half-eaten bag of dried apricots? Cut them up and throw them in. Or any other dried fruit - you get the idea.

    Sometimes I use all rolled oats and sometimes I use a 5-grain rolled mix. Just keep the total amount of dry ingredients to 10 cups (of which 8 cups should be rolled grains).

    What's with the flour?

    I noticed when looking at boxed granola ingredients that there was always flour listed and since I wanted to create more "chunks" like the commercial cereals, I added a 1/4 cup and it did create more chunks.

    Any type of flour works, since it's being used to add to the "clumpiness" factor, but of course it's also totally optional.

    Shop this recipe:

    • The 5-Grain Rolled Cereal Mix I like to use.
    • The brand of rolled oats I prefer.
    • I like to use this oil for its neutral flavor.
    • To make it extra healthy, I add Flax Seed (for fiber) and Ground Flax (for heart health), and Oat Bran.
    cooking sugar mixture for granola

    Directions

    Add the oil, honey, and sugar to a medium sauce pot and heat over medium heat.

    You can let the mixture cook while mixing your dry ingredients, stirring every now and then. 

    When the sugar melts remove it from the heat before adding vanilla because it will boil up a little - just stir it down.

    Tip: when adding the sweeteners and oil to the saucepan, add the brown sugar first, the oil second, and then add the honey. Measuring in this order will help the honey to simply slide out of the measuring cup!

    pouring sugar mixture on oat mix

    Pour the hot mixture over the dry ingredients and start mixing it together with a large spoon, but don't get discouraged!

    It will seem like it can't possibly cover all the dry ingredients, but just keep mixing, using the spoon to get all the edges and smooshing with the back of the spoon, and it will eventually be evenly coated. And it really only takes a few minutes, I swear!

    Now, I've read that some people recommend using your hands to mix the granola and I actually tried this, which makes me want to mention two things:

    1. The sugar mixture is HOT.
    2. It's really very sticky. Very sticky.

    So I use my large stainless steel spoon.

    baked granola in pan

    Bake for only 20 minutes - much better than 2 hours, don't you think?

    TIP: I've found that if you cool it for about 20 minutes without stirring there will be more of the chunks that my family likes. If you don't want larger pieces, stir it more often while it's cooling.

    In either case, you will have to stir from the outside after 20 minutes or it will stick to the pan. 

    If it ever does stick badly (like if you've forgotten about it because you're outside in the garden...not that I've ever done that), put it back in a warm oven for a few minutes, and it should come up without a problem.

    Stir in any dried fruit you'd like either right when you take it out of the oven or after letting it sit for awhile.

    pantry basic granola above in bowl

    Store the granola in a large jar easily accessible by anyone, because everyone will love this.

    Easy Homemade Granola FAQs

    What's the purpose of the flax/germ/bran? Can I leave them out?

    There's no other purpose than to add more of their healthy qualities (omega-3s, fiber, nutrients, etc.). Leave them out and fill in with more oats or add other things.

    Can I add chia seeds?

    Yes, you can add them before baking or to the top of your granola in the bowl when eating.

    Is this a crunchy granola or chewy-crunchy?

    It's a little of both. If you want more crunch, lay the unbaked mixture out flat in a large cookie sheet and cook 5-10 minutes longer.

    What is the sugar content?

    There's 1-1/4 cup sugar total (honey and br. sugar combined) to 10 cups of dry ingredients. That's about 2 tablespoons of sugar in every 1 cup of granola (not counting any added fruit). A serving is 1/4 to 1/3 cup, so about 1-1/2 teaspoons of sugar in a serving.

    Print Recipe Pin Recipe
    5 from 1 vote

    30 Minute Homemade Granola Recipe (Pantry Basic)

    Homemade granola makes great breakfasts and snacks, especially when you control the ingredients. This recipe takes just minutes to mix and bake and tastes way better than store bought!
    Prep Time10 mins
    Cook Time20 mins
    Total Time30 mins
    Course: Breakfast
    Cuisine: American
    Yield: 10 cups
    Author: Jami Boys

    Ingredients

    • 1/2 cup oil (cold-pressed sunflower, neutral olive oil, or melted coconut oil)
    • 3/4 cup honey or maple syrup*
    • 1/2 cup brown sugar
    • 1 tablespoon vanilla
    • 8 cups rolled oats (or other rolled grains)
    • 1 cup sunflower seeds and/or other nuts
    • 1 cup total of any of the following: ground flax seed, whole flax seed, or oat bran, etc.**
    • 2 teaspoons cinnamon
    • 1/4 cup flour (optional to increase clumps)
    • 1 cup dried fruit of choice (optional - add after baking)

    Instructions

    • Heat oven to 350 degrees.
    • Mix oil, sugar, and honey/maple syrup in a saucepan over medium heat until sugar is dissolved.
    • Meanwhile, mix all the dry ingredients (except the fruit, if using) in a lightly oiled large roasting pan (use a large rimmed cookie sheet if you'd like it crunchier).
    • Remove the sugar-oil mixture from heat and add the vanilla. It may bubble a bit, just stir it down. Pour the sugar mixture over the dry ingredients, stirring everything well until all the dry ingredients are evenly coated.
    • Bake for 20 minutes, until lightly brown. (Or bake 10 minutes longer for a crunchier granola.) Note: if you want granola without clumps, stir at the halfway point.
    • Remove from oven and add dried fruit, if using. Let cool about 20 minutes before stirring once or twice and then letting cool completely.
    • Store in an airtight container.

    Notes

    *You can decrease this to 1/2 cup, though your granola will be less clumpy.
    **You can replace these add-ins of with a cup more oats if you don't have them available.

    Nutrition

    Serving: 1/2 cup | Calories: 275kcal | Carbohydrates: 40.1g | Protein: 5.9g | Fat: 10.3g | Saturated Fat: 1.4g | Cholesterol: 0mg | Sodium: 5mg | Fiber: 5.4g | Sugar: 14.7g
    Did you make this recipe?Mention @anoregoncottage or tag #anoregoncottage!
    Pin this arrow
    30-minute homemade granola_pin

    Other Easy Breakfast Recipes To Try

    Healthy, Quick Maple-Honey Granola {with Bark-Like Clusters}

    Simple Healthy Buckwheat Oat Granola Bark with Nuts & Seeds

    Freezer Mediterranean Breakfast Wraps

    This recipe has been updated - it was originally published in April of 2009.

    Disclosure: affiliate links in this article will earn commission based on sales, but it doesn't change your price. Click here to read my full disclaimer and advertising disclosure.

    About Jami

    Since 2009 Jami Boys has been helping readers live a simple homemade life through whole food recipes, doable gardening, and easy DIY projects on An Oregon Cottage. From baking bread, to creating a floor from paper, to growing and preserving food, Jami shares the easiest ways to get things done. She's been featured in Cottages and Bungalows, Old House Journal, and First for Women magazines as well as numerous sites like Good Housekeeping, Huffington Post, and Apartment Therapy.

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Louise says

      October 16, 2021 at 4:25 pm

      Can I use almond flour?

      Reply
      • Jami says

        October 22, 2021 at 1:57 pm

        Yes, it's just an optional thing, so the almond flour would be good. In fact, it might be very good!

        Reply
    2. Louise says

      October 16, 2021 at 4:23 pm

      Can I just use honey? I don’t even buy white or brown sugar!

      Reply
      • Jami says

        October 22, 2021 at 1:59 pm

        You can try it! I'd cut it, though, since it's sweeter than sugars.
        BTW, You can try the other granola I have on the site that only uses honey (and/or maple syrup).

        Reply
    3. Shannon says

      August 24, 2016 at 11:31 am

      What's the purpose of the flax/germ/bran? Just curious as I don't have any in the pantry. Also, if I add chia seeds should I add them with the fruit to prevent over heating in the oven?

      Reply
      • Jami says

        August 26, 2016 at 12:10 pm

        No other purpose than to add more of their unique qualities (omega-3s, fiber, nutrients, etc.). Leave them out and fill in with more oats or add other things, like your chia seeds. I'm not sure about heating the seeds, Shannon. I just add chia to the top of the granola when I eat it, just to be on the safe side. I think adding it later, they would just all fall to the bottom of whatever container you stored the granola in.

        Reply
    4. Katie says

      October 08, 2013 at 10:11 am

      Does yours come out really crunchy? I tried this recipe and it was kind of chewy-crunchy. I even popped it in the oven later on for an additional 20 minutes and got no difference. I wonder if it's because there's no water in it?

      Reply
      • Jami says

        October 08, 2013 at 4:37 pm

        The thinner you make the granola, the crunchier it will be - so if you spread it out on a large cookie sheet instead of a cake pan it will be crunchy if you cook it long enough. I think putting it in later rather than cooking longer was the issue - whenever I've tried that with other recipes, it doesn't seem to work very well. In our house we have to have both some crunchy and chewy parts to satisfy all the differing taste preferences. 😉

        Reply
    5. Jen says

      June 08, 2012 at 11:33 pm

      I just made this and it is DELICIOUS! thanks for posting!

      Reply
    6. Alisa says

      May 18, 2012 at 8:00 pm

      I know this is a silly question, just wondering what the sugar content is (I'm diabetic). Just stumbled upon your site and love what I see so far! Cant wait to make the granola bars!

      Reply
      • Jami @ An Oregon Cottage says

        May 19, 2012 at 12:37 am

        Well, it's 1-1/2 c. sugar (honey and br. sugar combined) to 10 c. of dry ingredients, so there's about 1-1/4 TABLESPOONS of sweet/sugar in every 1 cup of granola (not counting any added fruit), and a serving is 1/4 to 1/3 cup. SO about 1-1/2 TEASPOONS of sugar in a serving.

        I have no idea if this is too much or not. 🙂 I think you could easily cut the sugar to just a cup total - there won't be as many chunks, 'cause it won't stick together as much, but will still be tasty (sometimes I've made it with less when we were out of honey!).

        Reply
    7. Tami says

      March 08, 2011 at 12:55 am

      Just made a batch! Thanks so much for the recipe it is YUM!!

      Reply
    8. Mirawyn says

      January 10, 2010 at 10:53 pm

      Just made this last night! Thanks for posting all these recipes for staple items!

      Reply
    9. Jennifer says

      July 09, 2009 at 5:41 am

      Thanks for this recipe. I was looking for an easier granola recipe than the one I had. This fits the bill, super easy and very tasty! Thumbs up from my husband too who is very picky about his granola. It looks like I bought a box from the store and dumped it in the pan!

      Reply

    Leave a Reply Cancel reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    Recipe Rating




    Primary Sidebar

    Jami Boys headshot

    Hi, I'm Jami and I'm so glad you're here! My goal is to help you live a simple homemade life on your terms: cooking delicious real food, painless gardening, and making easy things that are totally worth your time. 

    Read More →

    Popular Posts

    • Easy, Soft 100% Whole Wheat Sandwich Bread Tutorial
    • Roasted Cabbage Wedges with Onion Dijon Sauce
    • Easy Sourdough Artisan Bread Recipe (Ready in 1 Day)
    • Original Brown Paper Floor Tutorial: A DIY Alternative to Wood Floors
    • How To Freeze Green Beans The Easy Way Without Blanching
    • 5 Reasons To Grow Cucumbers On A Trellis (And Taking Up Less Space Isn't One Of Them)

    ALL OUR CATEGORIES

    • Mail
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • YouTube

    Footer

    ↑ back to top

    About

    • Privacy Policy & Disclosure
    • Terms of Use & Disclaimer

    Newsletter

    • Sign Up! for emails and updates

    Contact

    • Contact
    • Collaboration & Advertising

    Disclosure: As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

    Disclaimer: All Content Provided On An Oregon Cottage Is For Informational Purposes Only. The Owner Of This Blog Makes No Representations As To The Accuracy Or Completeness Of Any Information On This Site Or Found By Following Any Link On This Site.

    Copyright © 2009-2023 An Oregon Cottage | No Content On This Site, Including Text And Photos, May Be Reused In Any Fashion Without Written Permission.