How to Make Granola

5 from 1 vote

Learning how to make granola could not be easier! Homemade granola costs less than storebought and can be made to suit tastes and diets.

Prep Time20

Cook Time40

Cooling Time1

Total Time2

Course: Breakfast, Snack

Cuisine: Universal

Keyword: breakfast, brunch, cereal, dairy free, fiber, gluten free, grains, granola, high fiber, vegan, whole grain

Servings: servings

Calories: 150kcal

Prepare a half-sheet pan by lining it with parchment paper or a silicone baking mat (don't worry if the edges of the pan aren't covered. As long as the bottom of the pan is mostly covered, the granola will still come out easily). Set aside. Move the oven rack to the upper-middle position. Heat the oven to 325°F.
Whisk together the maple syrup, brown sugar, vanilla, and salt in a large bowl. Slowly whisk in the canola oil until it is emulsified.
Add the rolled oats, chia seeds, ground flaxseed, and nuts and/or seeds. Gently stir the mixture together until all the ingredients are evenly distributed and coated with the syrup mixture.
Pour the granola mixture into the prepared baking sheet. Press the mixture firmly into the baking sheet with the back of a spatula so that it is spread evenly over the baking sheet and compressed as much as possible.
Bake the granola until it is lightly browned, 40-45 minutes, turning the baking sheet halfway through the cooking time.
Place the baking sheet on a wire rack to cool to room temperature, about 1 hour. Break the granola apart into chunks as big or small as you'd like, and mix in the dried fruit. Store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 1 month. If you think it will take you longer than 1 month to eat it, it can be stored in an airtight container in the freezer for several months.

If using nuts like pecans, walnuts, almonds, or pistachios, coarsely chop them. If using seeds like pumpkin seeds, sunflower seeds, or dried coconut leave them whole. You can use a combination of your favorite nuts and/or seeds, as long as it totals up to 1 cup.
If using larger dried fruit like pineapple, mango, strawberries, or apricots, coarsely chop it before adding it to the granola. Smaller dried fruits like blueberries, cherries, or raisins can be left whole. If you like mixing fresh fruit with your granola when you eat it, feel free to skip the dried fruit altogether.