Homemade Granola Recipe with Nuts, Seeds and Dried Fruit

I really love the idea of homemade granola. Once you’ve tried making your own, it’s hard to go back to the bags of cereal sitting on the supermarket shelves. 😀

Personally, I don’t really get along with store-bought cereal or muesli. I never seem to find a combination I actually like. It’s almost impossible to find one that doesn’t contain raisins, pineapple, bananas or some other ingredient I’m not particularly fond of.

So I prefer making my own granola and adding exactly what I like. Plus, it’s the kind of recipe that’s really easy to adapt depending on what you have in the pantry.

For me, granola is a great option when I want a quick breakfast, but it works just as well as a snack. Served with yogurt and some fresh fruit, it’s one of my favorite combinations.

How to Make Crunchy Granola

If you like your granola nice and crunchy, there are a few things that make a difference.

First of all, don’t rush it. A temperature that’s too high can cause the nuts and oats to brown too quickly, while the rest of the mixture doesn’t get the texture you’re looking for.

It’s also important to spread the mixture evenly in the baking tray and stir it from time to time while it bakes. This helps everything brown evenly, so you don’t end up with one part burnt and another barely baked.

And perhaps the most important thing: granola gets crunchier as it cools. So don’t worry if it doesn’t have that perfect crunchy texture as soon as you take it out of the oven.

What Can You Add to Granola?

This is my favorite part because you can change the recipe every time.

The oat base stays the same, but the rest of the ingredients can easily be switched up.

You can use walnuts, almonds, hazelnuts, pumpkin seeds, sunflower seeds or sliced almonds. I prefer combinations with different textures because I like my granola to be crunchy, with something different in every bite.

When it comes to dried fruit, you can use apricots, prunes, raisins, cranberries or anything else you enjoy.

I have a thing against raisins, so you won’t find them in my granola. 😁

You can also add a little cinnamon if you like the flavor, especially during the colder months.

How to Store Homemade Granola

Once it has cooled completely, store the granola in an airtight container in a dry place at room temperature.

It’s important not to seal it while it’s still warm, as any remaining moisture can affect its crunchy texture.

I prefer storing mine in a glass jar because it’s easy to see how much is left and, of course, it looks cute in the kitchen. 😀

If you’re making a larger batch, make sure to use a container that’s big enough so the granola isn’t packed too tightly and you can easily scoop some out.

Frequently Asked Questions About Homemade Granola

Can I change the nuts and seeds?

Of course! You can use different types of nuts and seeds depending on your preferences. This is one of the easiest parts of the recipe to customize.

Can I make granola without dried fruit?

Absolutely. If you don’t like dried fruit or simply prefer a simpler granola, you can leave it out and add fresh fruit when serving.

Why isn’t my granola crunchy right after baking?

Granola continues to firm up as it cools, so it’s completely normal for it to be a little softer when it first comes out of the oven.

What can I serve granola with?

The simplest option is yogurt and fresh fruit, but you can also sprinkle it over smoothie bowls, serve it with fresh fruit, or enjoy it on its own as a snack.

More Oat Recipes for Breakfast or Snacks

If you like oat recipes, I have a few more ideas on the blog that are worth trying. They are perfect for breakfast, but also for those moments when you need a quick and satisfying snack.

From simple recipes that you can prepare ahead of time to something sweet to enjoy with your morning coffee, oats are one of those ingredients I always like to have in my pantry.

More oat recipes you can try:

High-Protein Chia & Oat Pudding

Mixed Berry Oatmeal Crumble Cake

Apple Oat Bread, No Added Sugar

Oat and Carrot Pancakes

Homemade Granola Recipe with Nuts, Seeds and Dried Fruit

Recipe by Loredana Arion

Servings

8

servings

Prep time

10

minutes

Cooking time

20

minutes

Calories per serving

220

kcal

A simple and crunchy homemade granola made with oats, nuts, seeds, almonds and dried fruit. Easy to make and perfect for a quick breakfast served with yogurt and fresh fruit.

Ingredients

• 2 cups rolled oats

• 1 cup mixed chopped nuts, seeds (pine nuts, sunflower seeds, pumpkin seeds), and sliced almonds

• 1/2 cup mixed dried fruit, finely chopped (I used prunes and apricots)

• 2 tablespoons honey

• 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon (optional)

Directions

• Place the rolled oats, nuts, seeds and cinnamon in a bowl, then add the honey. Mix well with a wooden spoon until the ingredients are evenly coated, then transfer the mixture to a baking tray.
• Place the tray in a preheated oven at 160°C (320°F) and bake for about 20 minutes, or until the mixture turns golden brown. Every 5 minutes, remove the tray from the oven and stir the mixture to ensure it bakes evenly.
• Once baked, let the granola cool for 2-3 minutes, then add the dried fruit mixture and gently stir until evenly distributed.
• Once completely cooled, transfer the granola to a jar with a lid.
• But not before enjoying a serving with yogurt. 😋