The Best Homemade Granola: Crispy, Nutty, and Customizable
An exceptionally crispy, nutrient-dense homemade granola packed with old-fashioned oats, raw almonds, large coconut flakes, and sesame seeds. Perfectly sweetened with pure maple syrup and a hint of fruitiness from extra virgin olive oil, this baseline recipe is endlessly adaptable for a wellness-focused lifestyle.
Servings: 6 cups
Calories: 430kcal
Ingredients
- 240 g old-fashioned rolled oats (Do not use instant oats)
- 130 g raw almonds or pecans (walnuts, etc., roughly chopped)
- 45 g large coconut flakes
- 25 g sesame seeds or chia seeds (hemp seeds, or pumpkin seeds)
- 45 g light brown sugar (or coconut sugar for a refined sugar-free option)
- 1 tsp fine sea salt
- 100 g extra virgin olive oil
- 140 g pure maple syrup (or raw honey or agave)
- 60 g dried fruits
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 300°F (150°C) and line a large, rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Roughly chop the raw almonds into rustic, bite-sized pieces.
- In a large mixing bowl, thoroughly combine the rolled oats, chopped almonds, coconut flakes, sesame seeds, light brown sugar, and sea salt.
- Pour the extra virgin olive oil and maple syrup over the dry ingredients. Stir well with a spatula until everything is evenly coated and the liquid is fully incorporated.
- Transfer the mixture onto the prepared baking sheet and spread it out into an even, flat layer.
- Bake for 40 to 45 minutes, gently stirring the granola every 10 to 15 minutes to ensure uniform toasting and prevent the edges from burning.
- At the 30-minute mark, carefully stir the dried fruits into the warm granola on the sheet pan. Return to the oven for the final 10–15 minutes until beautifully golden brown.
- Remove from the oven and let it cool completely on the pan. To get larger, crunchy clusters, let it sit undisturbed without stirring as it cools.
Notes
Chef’s Tip on Mix-ins: Always add dried fruits during the final 10–15 minutes of baking to prevent them from becoming rock-hard. If you want to add delicate freeze-dried fruits, wait until the granola has completely cooled to room temperature before tossing them in.
Flavor Variations: Try adding 1 tsp of ground cinnamon, a pinch of turmeric, or 1 tbsp of high-quality matcha powder to the dry mix before baking to elevate the flavor profile.
Nutrition
Serving: 70g | Calories: 430kcal | Protein: 7g | Fat: 25g | Saturated Fat: 5.5g | Cholesterol: 48mg | Sodium: 390mg | Fiber: 6g | Sugar: 22g