There’s something so satisfying about homemade granola, fresh baked and straight from the oven. Once you’ve tried it, eating store-bought granola is just not the same.

The great thing is that granola is a basic, versatile dish that combines simple ingredients and can easily be made from the comfort of your own home.

There are endless possibilities with granola, from the way you prepare it to how you use it. Combining whole rolled oats with nuts, seeds and healthy fats, granola offers a nutrient-packed snack that is both satisfying and delicious.

Using this basic recipe, you can have your own batch of homemade granola in no time, ready for the whole family to enjoy. Get your kids in the kitchen with you and let them help out with some of the simple steps involved with making this dish.

Healthy Homemade Granola Recipe

Making homemade granola simply uses a base of rolled oats and a mixture of your favorite toppings, like nuts, seeds, and dried fruit. You can customize it however you like and use whatever ingredients you happen to have on hand.

Ingredients:

• 4 Cups Whole Rolled Oats (Old Fashioned)

• 1 ½ Cups Mixed Nuts and Seeds (I like to use a combination of sliced almonds, sunflower and pumpkin seeds)

• 1 cup Dried Cranberries

• 1 tsp Sea Salt

• ½ tsp Cinnamon

• ½ cup Pure Maple Syrup

• ½ cup Coconut Oil, melted

• 1 tsp Vanilla Extract

• Optional Add-ins: Chocolate Chips, Coconut Flakes, other dried fruit, etc.

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 300ºF. Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper.

2. In a large bowl, combine all dry ingredients, including oats, nuts/seeds, sea salt, cinnamon, and dried cranberries. Mix to combine.

3. In a separate mixing bowl, combine wet ingredients, including the maple syrup, coconut oil and vanilla extract. Stir to combine.

4. Pour wet ingredients over oat mixture and mix well.

5. Layer granola mixture evenly on baking sheet. Bake until golden, about 45 minutes, stirring halfway through the process. Once cooled, enjoy, or store in an airtight container to eat as desired! (Can be stored at room temperature for up to 2 weeks or in the freezer for up to 3 months).

Homemade Gluten Free Granola

If you or your little ones need a gluten-free option, you can still safely use this recipe. Just be sure that the rolled oats you purchase and use for this granola recipe are certified gluten-free. Gluten-free oats are widely available at many grocery stores and are an accessible ingredient for making granola.

How to Use Granola for Healthy Snacks

This homemade granola offers a combination of whole grain carbohydrates, protein (from the seeds/nuts), and healthy fats, which can make for a delicious and satisfying snack. Ideas for using granola as a healthy snack might include:

• Adding as a topping to greek yogurt and fresh fruit for a yogurt parfait

• Eat by itself with a serving of your milk of choice

• Sprinkle on your salads for a “crouton” twist

• Top your favorite smoothie for a different texture or to create a smoothie bowl

• Add to muffin or pancake mixes for an added crunch

• Use as a topping for baked fruit, like apples, peaches or berries to create an easy crumble

• Create granola “popsicles”: Cut bananas in half, insert popsicle stick, roll in granola, and put in freezer. (This one is fun for kids!)

Granola for the Breastfeeding Mom

Old-fashioned rolled oats can be a great snack addition for a breastfeeding mom who is looking to maintain and/or increase her milk supply.

Oats are a natural galactagogue, which is a food that can support or increase the milk supply of a breastfeeding mom.

Since whole, rolled oats serve as the main ingredient for granola, this simple, homemade snack can be an easy way to include foods that help maintain the milk supply of a breastfeeding mom. This recipe can be made in batches and kept on hand for quick, nourishing snacks, which are important to have while nursing a baby.

The best part is that granola is portable and easy to take on-the-go, and can be eaten with one hand, which are all necessary to make wholesome snacking as simple as possible for a breastfeeding mama.  

What are your favorite ways to use granola?