Homemade Granola Recipe (2024)

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There’s granola, and then there’s Homemade Almond Granola which has attained somewhat of a legendary status in my neck of the woods. I’ve been making this Almond Granola recipe for 10 years now (that’s so crazy to say out loud!) and it has become one of the most anticipated homemade Holiday Gifts! Everyone who has tasted this almond granola studded with dried fruits has asked for the recipe and now I’m sharing it with all of you!!

Homemade Granola Recipe (1)
Jump to:
  • The Story of Kristen’s Granola
  • Homemade Almond Granola in the Oven
  • Homemade Granola in the Air Fryer
  • Ingredients
  • Variations
  • How to Make Air Fryer Homemade Granola
  • How to Serve Granola
  • Tips
  • How to Store Homemade Granola
  • How to Package for Gifting
  • FAQ's
  • Recipe

The Story of Kristen’s Granola

My cousin has been making us jars of this delicious homemade almond granola for years using the recipe from her friend Kristen at AfamilyKitchen. When I moved to Ridgewood, 10 years ago, I thought this would be a fun way to get to know my neighbors so I started packing up this amazing granola as a holiday gift. I would give dressed-up little jars to family, friends, and neighbors during the holidays. It was such a huge hit that I still keep up this tradition!

Last year on Instagram stories, I shared a photo of the beautifully packaged homemade granola that I had made. I literally got hundreds of requests for the recipe and that’s why I’m so excited to share this recipe for the holidays!! I can’t wait to see the photos of all of your creations on Instagram! Adding personality to the packaging is so much fun!

Homemade Granola Recipe (2)

Homemade Almond Granola in the Oven

During the holidays I make big batches of this granola in the oven so I always have enough on hand for sharing. You can double, triple, and quadruple the recipe. And you can change it up to make it your own. I have tons of tips and substitutions below.

Homemade Granola in the Air Fryer

Almond Granola is a staple in our house because once we tasted this homemade version there was no going back. The Air Fryer is perfect for cooking up a small batch for the family. We sprinkle this granola on our Overnight Oats with Chia Seeds, yogurt parfaits, and hot oatmeal with berries, and it always makes an appearance on the Breakfast Charcuterie Board.
The AIR FRYER is also my go-to when I’m invited to someone’s home and need a last-minute hostess gift. I always have the ingredients in my pantry and in a few minutes, the granola is ready to go. Your hosts will have a thoughtful and delicious treat waiting for breakfast and it always gets rave reviews!

Ingredients

  1. Old-fashioned rolled oats - These healthy whole grains are naturally gluten-free. Oats are a rich source of dietary fiber which is essential for digestive and heart health. As part of a healthy diet, it can help lower cholesterol and blood pressure, and maintain blood sugar levels.
  2. Almonds - Sliced almonds are available in most US grocery stores. Blanched sliced almonds can be replaced with regular sliced almonds. Almonds are a great source of plant-based protein, manganese, vitamin E, and magnesium. They can help control blood sugar and blood pressure.
  3. Rice Krispies - Makes the granola light and crispy while adding extra crunch!
  4. Cinnamon - An essential holiday spice!
  5. Honey - Adds sweetness and helps the granola stick together
  6. Butter - I use Kerrygold grass-fed Irish butter
  7. Brown Sugar - Perfectly sweet
  8. Dried Fruits - Add flavor and texture
Homemade Granola Recipe (3)

Variations

I love that this recipe is super versatile, you can customize the ingredients to your liking!

  • Kristen's Original recipe called for dried apples and raisins which are delicious! Sour-dried cherries can help cut a bit of sweetness. I also love it with dried cranberries and raisins.
  • For a vegan version, substitute butter with coconut oil and honey with maple syrup.
  • Want to make a small batch for your family, use your air fryer! Want to share with friends and family? Bake a big batch in the oven.
  • If you like chunky granola, simply press down after stirring and then air fry again. Allow it to completely cool down and then break it.
Homemade Granola Recipe (4)

How to Make Air Fryer Homemade Granola

Scroll below to the recipe card for a printable recipe with ingredients and Oven instructions.

  • Combine the sugar, butter, and honey in a mixing bowl. Microwave until the butter melts. Mix well until the sugar has dissolved. Separately mix the oats, rice crispies, cinnamon, and sliced almonds.
Homemade Granola Recipe (5)
  • Fold the melted butter in the oats mixture together until the oats are well coated. Preheat the air fryer to 320 F. Place parchment paper in the air fryer basket. Add the oat mixture to the parchment paper and spread evenly.Air fry for 10 minutes or until well toasted. Stir the granola 3 to 4 times to cook evenly.
Homemade Granola Recipe (6)
  • Remove from the air fryer and let the granola cool for about 20 minutes. Place into a mixing bowl and stir in the raisins and diced dried apples (or whatever dried fruit you have decided to use). Store tightly covered in a dry place.

How to Serve Granola

I love to top crunchy almond granola on flavored or plain yogurt making for delicious breakfast parfaits. Add a spoonful to your breakfast cereal or serve it as is with a cup of hot chai.

Tips

  1. Remember to line the air fryer basket as well as the baking tray with parchment paper.
  2. Spread the granola evenly on the tray or the air fryer basket so it cooks evenly. Remember to spread it again after each stir.
  3. Do not overcook the granola as it continues to crisp as it cools down.

How to Store Homemade Granola

I love to store my granola in glass jars! It looks pretty on your kitchen countertop and can be enjoyed along with breakfast, as a snack, or as a dessert. Granola stays crisp and fresh for upto 2 weeks at room temperature. You can also freeze it for a longer shelf life. Simply keep it at room temperature for a few minutes before serving.

How to Package for Gifting

Want to give them as gifts or share them for a Holiday cookie exchange? Here are some ideas for packaging:

  1. mason jars are easily available online and at many home stores
  2. Small take-out boxes are also sold at arts and crafts stores like Joanne or Michaels
  3. Zip lock bags with a gift label tied with baker twine
Homemade Granola Recipe (7)

FAQ's

Can I substitute quick oats for rolled oats in granola?

Rolled or Old-fashioned oats are best for making homemade granola. Quick or Instant oats can be used in place of rolled oats, although the cooking time will be much less and the final dish may not have as much texture.

Where can I buy rolled oats?

I buy Quaker Oats brand old-fashioned/rolled oats from Costco. They have a long shelf life and can be used in many recipes such as quinoa-oats dosa, overnight oats, baked oats, etc

Can I make this recipe vegan?

Substitute butter with coconut oil and honey with maple syrup.

Recipe

Tried this recipe? We love your feedback.Please click on the stars in the recipe card below

Homemade Granola Recipe (8)

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4.84 from 6 votes

Homemade Almond Granola Recipe

Almond granola with rolled oats, almonds, cinnamon, dried cranberries and raisins

Prep Time10 minutes mins

Cook Time10 minutes mins

Total Time20 minutes mins

Course: Breakfast, Snack

Cuisine: American

Servings: 8

Calories: 222kcal

Author: Archana Mundhe

Equipment

Ingredients

  • 1 cup rolled oats
  • cup rice krispies
  • cup light brown sugar
  • 4 tablespoons unsalted butter
  • 1 tablespoons honey
  • 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • ½ cups blanched sliced almonds
  • dried cranberries to taste
  • raisins to taste

Instructions

  • Combine the sugar, butter, and honey in a mixing bowl. Microwave until the butter melts. Mix well until the sugar has dissolved.

  • Separately mix the oats, rice krispies, cinnamon, and sliced almonds together.

  • Fold the melted butter and oats mixture together until the oats are well coated.

  • Preheat the air fryer to 320 F. Place parchment paper in the air fryer basket. Add the oat mixture to the parchment paper and spread evenly.

  • Air fry for 10 minutes or until well toasted. Stir the granola 3 to 4 times to cook evenly.

  • Remove from the air fryer and let the granola cool for about 20 minutes.

  • Place into a mixing bowl and stir in the cranberries and raisins (or whatever dried fruit you have decided to use).

  • Makes about 2.5 to 3 cups of granola. Store tightly covered in a dry place.

Video

Notes

Oven Recipe

For Holidays and giving out to your neighbors or friends, increase the number of servings and bake the granola in the oven

  • Pour out the oat and butter mixture onto sheet pans, spreading evenly, no more than ½" thick.
  • Bake the granola in a preheated 350-degree oven for 20-25 minutes or until well toasted. Stir the granola several times while cooking to cook evenly.
  • Remove from the oven and let cool on the sheet pans for about 30 minutes.
  • Place into a large mixing bowl and stir in the raisins and diced dried apples (or whatever dried fruit you have decided to use). Store tightly covered in a dry place.

Tips

  1. Remember to line the air fryer basket as well as the baking tray with parchment paper.
  2. Spread the granola evenly on the tray or the air fryer basket so it cooks evenly. Remember to spread it again after each stir.
  3. Do not overcook the granola as it continues to crisp as it cools down.

Want to give them as gifts or share them for a Holiday cookie exchange? Here are some ideas for packaging:

Nutrition

Calories: 222kcal | Carbohydrates: 22g | Protein: 5g | Fat: 14g | Saturated Fat: 4g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g | Monounsaturated Fat: 6g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 15mg | Sodium: 10mg | Potassium: 159mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 12g | Vitamin A: 253IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 56mg | Iron: 1mg

Tried this recipe?Share your photo and tag @ministry_of_curry or tag #ministryofcurry

Author: Archana

Hey there! I am a techie turned recipe developer, cooking instructor, and food blogger. I love food and enjoy developing easy and healthy recipes for busy lifestyles. I live in New Jersey with my husband and two sons.

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Reader Interactions

Comments

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  1. Rashmi says

    Hi Archana,
    I made this today to gift my friends and it turned out so delicious Nothing can be more special than homemade healthy snack! Thanks a ton for the great idea and a super easy recipe. Doubled it for a bigger batch and added pumpkin seeds as well! Replaced honey with Maple syrup and used the oven for 25 mins stirring every 10 mins.Homemade Granola Recipe (13)

    Reply

    • Archana says

      Awesome! So glad you enjoyed it. Thank you for the feedback.

      Reply

  2. Sunita says

    Hi Archana
    Looks like an amazing recipe. Will definitely try it.
    Question - can i use jaggery powder instead of sugar? If so, how much and do i need to make any modifications to the recipe steps (if i use jaggery)?
    Thanks!!

    BTW, your site is amazing and well organized. Looking forward to make many recipes.

    Reply

    • Archana says

      Hi Sunita! Thank you for the kind words. I am glad you are enjoying the site and the recipes. Yes, you can substitute brown sugar with jaggery powder with a 1:1 substitution.

      Reply

  3. Shibani says

    I made this with diced dried mango and it was amazing. Fair warning, you may have to physically remove yourself from this granola to stop eating it.Homemade Granola Recipe (14)

    Reply

    • Archana says

      Thank you Shibani! I love the idea of adding dried mangoes.

      Reply

  4. Juhi Agarwal says

    Perfect recipe! I made it to gift my friends and neighbours for Christmas and turned out amazing. Everyone loved it. Thank you for such super simple and delicious recipe.Homemade Granola Recipe (15)

    Reply

    • Archana says

      Thank you!

      Reply

Homemade Granola Recipe (2024)

FAQs

Is it worth making your own granola? ›

Once you try homemade granola, you won't go back to store-bought granola. It's so much better! This granola recipe is also a far more healthy granola option, since it's made with whole grains, unrefined oil and naturally sweetened.

Is eating homemade granola healthy? ›

On the downside, granola can be high in added sugars, hidden calories, and saturated fat, making some options less healthy. Choosing the right type of granola, controlling serving sizes, and homemade options can make granola a part of a healthy diet.

Why are homemade granola not crunchy? ›

Bake low and slow.

Cook at 300 degrees F slowly for about 30 minutes or until it is golden brown and toasty. Cooking at too high of a temperature will likely burn the honey coating, the oats, and the nuts. A lower temperature ensures even baking for crispy, crunchy granola.

What ingredient makes granola clump together? ›

Add an egg white.

However, when I did this the clusters disappeared. In order to get them back, the fix was simple: I had to add a couple of egg whites. The whites act as a kind of glue that binds the ingredients together.

What was the downside to granola as a food? ›

Downsides of granola

Although granola contains several healthy ingredients, it can be high in calories and packed with added fats and sugars.

Is it healthy to eat granola every morning? ›

The Bottom Line

Granola is healthy in small amounts, especially because oats, nuts, seeds and dried fruit in granola provide some fiber that's good for heart and gut health. However, granola can also be a rich source of calories, saturated fat and sugar, depending on the brand you buy.

Does homemade granola spike blood sugar? ›

Because granola contains carbohydrates, it can spike blood sugar levels in some people with diabetes. However, whether or not granola spikes your blood sugar levels, and how quickly it may cause a blood sugar spike, will vary depending on what type of granola you eat and what you pair it with.

Is granola better for you than Oatmeal? ›

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 many days does homemade granola last? ›

When stored properly at room temperature, fresh homemade granola can last for up to four weeks. Preserve its quality by letting it cool completely before storing. Packing it while it's warm leads to condensation and, consequently, unnecessary moisture.

Why is my homemade granola bitter? ›

Most granola recipes add the nuts in the beginning and the nuts just cook too long and become bitter. Also cooking at a low temperature means there is no constant stirring like most recipes. You only stir when you add the nuts and coconut.

Should you stir granola while baking? ›

If you want a less clumpy granola, stir and then add the nuts, flaxmeal, and coconut on top of the half-baked granola. If you want a more clumpy granola, don't stir before adding the additional ingredients. Return the sheet to the oven and bake 10 minutes more until everything is lightly toasted.

Why is granola not vegan? ›

Is granola vegan? Not all granola is vegan, despite the fact it contains many fruits and grains. This is because honey can often be used as a sweetener and binder in granola clusters, so if on a plant-based diet, always check the label to see whether it is suitable.

What is the binding agent for homemade granola? ›

Chia seeds are often praised for their binding powers. In fact, they secure ingredients so well that they can even be used as an egg replacer. Adding just a spoonful of chia seeds to your favorite granola bar recipe will make a huge difference in its texture.

Why do my homemade granola bars fall apart? ›

Ensure any nuts you use are very small as larger nuts will make your bar fall apart when you cut into your granola bars. Use a binding ingredient such as a flax seed egg! Make sure bars are compacted into the pan – use either the granola bar press OR a piece of wax paper to firmly press down on the bars.

How do I get my homemade granola bars to stick together? ›

Honey – Along with the nut butter, it helps all these ingredients stick together! I love its warm amber flavor in this recipe.

Is it cost effective to make your own granola bars? ›

Homemade granola bars aren't hard to make once you have all the right ingredients and they'll certainly save you money in the long term. It's hard to fight against the convenience and habit of picking up a box of bars at the store, but it really seems like it's worth trying to make our own.

What are the benefits of homemade granola? ›

Granola is a significant source of important vitamins and minerals. It is typically made from oats, which contain micronutrients like Vitamin E, folates, zinc, iron, selenium, copper, manganese, choline and more. These all play crucial roles in the human body. Vitamin E is vital for immune function and skin health.

Can you sell homemade granola? ›

Allowable items include most baked goods, candies, syrups, mustards, nut butters, pastries, preserves, caramel corn, honey, granola, candied apples, crackers, pretzels, and dried goods like cereals, coffee beans and fruit leather. California cottage food producers may not sell pickles, juices and products containing ...

How much does homemade granola last? ›

When stored properly at room temperature, fresh homemade granola can last for up to four weeks. Preserve its quality by letting it cool completely before storing. Packing it while it's warm leads to condensation and, consequently, unnecessary moisture.

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