Basic Granola Recipe (2024)

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Published: February 16, 2016 • Modified: September 13, 202354 Comments »

You’ll come back to this basic granola recipe time and time again- it’s simple and so good. Big clusters of crunchy oats and almonds, lightly sweetened with honey and brown sugar, with just a hint of warm cinnamon.

There’s nothing fancy about this recipe. It’s about as basic as it gets.

I love brunch food and I’ve got plenty of fun and unique breakfast ideas on this site to prove it. But sometimes you just wan to keep it simple.

I love this granola because it’s so versatile. It tastes good paired with all kinds of fruit. It works just as well with tropical pineapple or mango as it does with apples, cherries, or lemon. Tops for yogurt parfaits, plus it’s great cold or warm. Lately I’ve been addinga little milk and heatingit slightly in the microwave- so comforting! It softens up a little bit but still has a great hearty texture.

If you’ve never made homemade granola, I urge you to try this recipe! It’s so quick and easy (we’re talking 10 minutes of active time), and nothing store bought could ever beat the taste or crunch. Plus you can totally put your own spin on it. Add dried fruit, seeds, coconut, nut butters, even chocolate- the options are limitless!

4.24 stars (21 ratings)

Basic Granola Recipe

Servings: 8 1/2-cup servings

Prep Time: 10 minutes mins

Cook Time: 30 minutes mins

Total Time: 40 minutes mins

You’ll come back to this basic granola recipe time and time again- it’s simple and so good. Big clusters of crunchy oats and almonds, lightly sweetened with honey and brown sugar, with just a hint of warm cinnamon.

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Ingredients

▢ 4 cups (324 g) old-fashioned oats
▢ 1 cup (143 g) sliced almonds
▢ 1/2 cup (110 g) light brown sugar
▢ 1/2 teaspoon (0.5 teaspoon) ground cinnamon
▢ 1/4 teaspoon (0.25 teaspoon) kosher salt
▢ 1/4 cup (56.75 g) unsalted butter, (half a stick), melted
▢ 1/3 cup (113 ml) honey
▢ 2 (1) egg whites

Instructions

Preheat the oven to 300 degrees F, and line a baking sheet with a silicone mat, parchment, or foil.
Place the oats, almonds, brown sugar, cinnamon, and salt in a large mixing bowl and toss to combine.
Stir the melted butter, honey, and egg whites together, and pour into the oat mixture.
Stir together until well-combined.
Transfer the mixture to the prepared baking sheet, spreading it out in an even layer.
Bake for 30 minutes or until the almonds look lightly toasted.
Cool completely on the baking sheet, then transfer to an airtight container. Keeps for 2 weeks at room temperature.

Calories: 379kcal, Carbohydrates: 55g, Protein: 8g, Fat: 15g, Saturated Fat: 4g, Cholesterol: 15mg, Sodium: 86mg, Potassium: 273mg, Fiber: 5g, Sugar: 25g, Vitamin A: 175IU, Calcium: 73mg, Iron: 2.4mg

Cuisine: American

Course: Breakfast, Brunch, Snack

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54 comments
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Sophia Farmer — September 13, 2023 @ 12:25 pm Reply

This tastes great! Is it supposed to clump up in clusters? Mine just stayed very loose. I was hoping it would cluster up.

Allie {Baking A Moment} — September 13, 2023 @ 2:20 pm Reply

Yes, it should clump up. I’m sorry to hear yours didn’t. I think an additional egg white would fix that. I’ll update the recipe- thank you for the heads up!

Sophia Farmer — September 13, 2023 @ 3:57 pm

I can definitely try that. Thanks. Again, it tastes great and overall is crispy. Just wasn’t clumpy…not a big deal. Thanks for the reply 🙂

MaryB — May 5, 2023 @ 4:48 pm Reply

My favorite base recipe for granola! So good and easy.

cindy — January 31, 2021 @ 1:59 pm Reply

Thought I had left a rating on this before, but just to be sure…..Best granola recipe I have ever tried! Seriously…..and I have tried some others, but this one…..it’s the keeper. I make it just as the recipe is written, and after it’s baked, I like to add dried chopped dates, sometimes coconut, craisins, all kinds of dried fruit. I bagged this granola and gave to so many as Christmas gifts…..and many wanted the recipe. If you are looking for a yummy granola that will “cluster” after baking…..this is your recipe. Thank you for this amazing recipe!

Lucretia — April 16, 2020 @ 11:27 am Reply

I love this. I have made it twice now, only adding pecans (because that’s what I had) . I also added some vanilla, and then craisins after it cooled. Delicious! Thanks for zharing!

Allie {Baking A Moment} — April 20, 2020 @ 11:51 am Reply

My pleasure Lucretia! I love that you’re getting creative with it!

Nathalie — April 24, 2019 @ 5:05 pm Reply

Delicious and so crunchy!

Allie {Baking A Moment} — April 25, 2019 @ 4:12 pm Reply

So happy you enjoyed! Thanks for the great feedback!

Charity — January 8, 2019 @ 11:02 am Reply

I started making my own Greek yogurt and this topping is perfect. I am currently making my second batch in two weeks. Thanks for posting this.

Allie {Baking A Moment} — January 8, 2019 @ 2:42 pm Reply

That sounds fantastic! I have never made Greek yogurt but it sounds like a really fun project. So glad you’re enjoying this granola! Thanks for the 5-star review!

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FAQs

Go for a healthier choice with less added sugars and fats. And pay attention to the suggested serving size. How much granola should be consumed in a day? For one meal, a 1/4 to 1/2 cup serving should do.

Clumpy Granola Method: Add Egg White

About this method: According to Deb Perelman of Smitten Kitchen, “Nothing glues like protein.” While there are many granola recipes that include an egg white, I got this tip from the Big Cluster Maple Granola recipe in The Smitten Kitchen Cookbook.

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.

The serving size for granola can differ by brand, but a typical portion of granola is 1/3 cup, says Sass, “about the size of one-third of a tennis ball.” That means sitting down to a big bowl of granola for breakfast is excessive.

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.

How much granola should you eat a day? The prevailing belief is that you should consume 45-50g of granola daily. This is frequently the recommended portion size on the granola cereal package. Suggested portion sizes are often 45g, only about three tablespoons full.

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.

To avoid overeating granola, it's important to pay attention to portion sizes and the nutrition information on the packaging. Stick to a serving size of around 1/4 to 1/2 cup, and look for granolas that are low in added sugars and high in fiber and protein.

The general consensus is that you should eat between 45 to 50g of granola a day. This is often the recommended portion size that is stated on our granola cereal packaging.

Basic Granola Recipe (2024)

You’ll come back to this basic granola recipe time and time again- it’s simple and so good. Big clusters of crunchy oats and almonds, lightly sweetened with honey and brown sugar, with just a hint of warm cinnamon.

Basic Granola Recipe

Ingredients

Instructions

FREE BONUS 5 Secrets for Baking Impossibly Soft Cookies

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FAQs

How much granola is enough? ›