Easy Homemade Healthy Granola (Gluten-Free, Naturally Sweetened)

ByTrish Peters Published: Modified:

This easy homemade healthy granola is crunchy and made with simple pantry ingredients like oats, honey, and seeds. It comes together in one bowl and bakes low and slow for the perfect golden clusters. No refined sugar, gluten-free, totally customizable, and perfect for busy mornings or snack time.

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QUICK LOOK: EASY HOMEMADE HEALTHY GRANOLA


⏱️ Prep Time: 10 minutes
🔥 Bake Time: 30 minutes
❄️ Cool Time: 30 Minutes
⏳ Total Time: ~1 hour 10 minutes

🍽️ Servings: 16–20 (¼ cup each)
🔢 Calories: ~110–140 per serving
💡 Difficulty: Easy — one bowl, simple ingredients

🥣 Key Ingredients: Gluten-free oats, puffed quinoa, nuts, seeds, honey or maple syrup, coconut oil, cinnamon, vanilla

🌿 Dietary Info: Gluten-free, refined sugar-free, high fibre, naturally sweetened

✨ What Makes This Granola Recipe Different: A mix of oats, puffed quinoa, and seeds creates the perfect crunchy clusters; light, crispy, and naturally sweet without any refined sugar

Granola was always one of those things I bought at the store until I realized how simple it actually is to make at home.

Now I whip up a fresh batch whenever we run out, and I love that I can switch it up depending on what I’ve got in the pantry. That’s one of my favorite things about this simple granola recipe, is that it’s endlessly customizable, so you can make it your own based on whatever ingredients you have or the flavours you’re craving.

If you’re looking for more easy homemade breakfast ideas, try my Greek Yogurt Chocolate Chip Muffins, Cinnamon Crunch Banana Bread, or Fudgy Banana Chocolate Cookies next.

Why You’ll Love This Homemade Healthy Granola Recipe

  • Easy 1-bowl recipe
  • Easy to customize based on what you have
  • Packed with fibre and healthy fats
  • Naturally sweetened with honey or maple syrup

Key Ingredients Notes & Substitutions

Here’s a look at the main ingredients and easy substitutions. * For exact measurements and instructions, scroll down to the recipe card.

Ingredients for Healthy Homemade Granola in clear glass bowls
  • Gluten-Free Oats
    I prefer organic so that they are glyphosate-free. If gluten-free are not needed, you can use any oats. Old-fashioned and quick oats work great.
  • Puffed Quinoa
    Adds light crunch and boosts protein.
    Sub: Use extra oats if you don’t have it.
  • Nuts (Almonds or Any)
    Adds crunch and healthy fats. Use whateve nuts you have on hand. I love using walnuts too for brain health.
    Nut-free: Use pumpkin or sunflower seeds.
  • Coconut Oil (Melted)
    Helps everything crisp up beautifully.
    Sub: Butter or avocado oil.
  • Honey or Maple Syrup
    Natural sweetness + helps create clusters.
  • Seeds (Chia, Hemp, Flax, Sunflower)
    Adds fibre, protein, and texture.
    Use what you have. I always mix it up based on the ones I have on had when making it.
  • Coconut Smilies (or flakes)
    Optional, but adds texture and a subtle sweetness. I don’t always add these in. You can add dried fruit too. Experiment with your favorite ingredients.

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Recommended Supplies/Tools

How to Make Homemade Healthy Granola

Time needed: 1 hour and 10 minutes

  1. Prep

    Preheat your oven to 300°F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper. parchment lined baking sheet

  2. Mix dry ingredients

     In a large bowl, add oats, puffed quinoa, nuts, coconut, cinnamon, and all seeds. Stir well.
    oats, puffed quinoa, nuts, coconut, and all seeds mixed together in large mixing bowl for granola

  3. Add wet ingredients

    Pour in melted coconut oil, honey (or maple syrup), and vanilla. Stir until everything is evenly coated. melted coconut oil, honey and vanilla mixed into dry ingredients for granola

  4. Spread onto baking sheet

    Press it down slightly for chunkier granola.Easy Homemade Healthy Granola pressed down into parchment-lined baking sheet

  5. Bake for 30 minutes

    Stir every 10 minutes to prevent burning and ensure even crisping.baked Homemade Healthy Granola

  6. Cool completely

    Allow the granola to cool until it is no longer warm to the touch. Allowing it to cool completely helps it to crisp up, so don’t skip this. Once cool, break into clusters & enjoy. I like to store mine in mason jars to keep it fresh. Easy Homemade Healthy Granola in mason jar

Storage & Freezer Tips

  • Store your granola in a sealed mason jar at room temperature for up to 4 weeks.
  • For longer storage, you can freeze it for up to 3 months. If it softens, crisp it back up in the oven by cooking at 300°F for about 10 minutes.

Macros (Per 1/4 cup serving)

  • Calories: ~110–140
  • Protein: ~3–4g
  • Fibre: ~2–3g
  • Healthy Fats: ~6–9g (from nuts, seeds, and coconut oil)

This granola is a great source of healthy fats, mainly from almonds, chia seeds, hemp hearts, flax, and coconut oil. These fats help with satiety (keeping you full longer) and provide steady energy—making this a really satisfying snack or breakfast addition.

NOTE: Nutrition information is an estimate based on the ingredients used and may vary depending on brands and substitutions.

Trish’s Tips for the Best Homemade Healthy Granola

If you want your granola to turn out perfect every time, follow these tips I used in my professional baking business:

  • Bake low and slow – 300°F is the sweet spot for crispy, golden granola (not burnt!).
  • Gently press the granola into the baking sheet before baking for bigger clusters.
  • Let it cool completely to get nice and crispy
  • Add extras after baking – Add some chocolate chips or dried fruit after it’s cooled to prevent burning delicate ingredients.
  • Make it your own – play around with the ingredients using flavors you love and have on hand.

Frequently Asked Questions

What can I eat granola with?

I love to use it to top my favorite homemade papaya bowls, yogurt bowls, smoothie bowls, and to add crunch to my overnight oats. You can also add milk and eat it like cereal, top fruit with it, or eat it straight from the jar!

Is homemade granola healthier than store-bought?

Yes—this healthy homemade granola uses simple ingredients and no refined sugars or additives.

More Simple Breakfast Recipes You’ll Love:

I’d love to hear how your baking turned out!

Leave a review and star rating to let me know what you think.

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Easy Homemade Healthy Granola (Gluten-Free, Naturally Sweetened)

This easy homemade granola is crispy, golden, and packed with wholesome ingredients. Naturally sweetened and endlessly customizable, it’s the only granola recipe you’ll need.
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Cooling Time 30 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 10 minutes
Serving Size 20
Calories: 110kcal

Equipment

  • 1 Baking Sheet
  • 1 Parchment Paper
  • 1 Mixing Bowl
  • 1 Measuring Cups & Spoons

Ingredients

  • 1½ cups gluten-free oats
  • ½ cup puffed quinoa or use an extra ½ cup–1 cup oats if needed
  • ½ cup almonds or nut of choice, roughly chopped
  • ¼ cup coconut smilies or coconut flakes
  • ¼ cup coconut oil melted
  • ¼ cup honey or maple syrup
  • 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
  • 1 teaspoon cinnamon
  • 1 tablespoon chia seeds
  • 1 tablespoon sunflower seeds
  • 1 tablespoon hemp hearts
  • 1 tablespoon ground flaxseed

Instructions

Prep

  • Preheat your oven to 300°F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
    parchment lined baking sheet

Mix dry ingredients

  • In a large bowl, add oats, puffed quinoa, nuts, coconut, cinnamon and all seeds. Stir well.
    1½ cups gluten-free oats, ½ cup puffed quinoa, ½ cup almonds, ¼ cup coconut smilies, 1 teaspoon cinnamon, 1 tablespoon chia seeds, 1 tablespoon sunflower seeds, 1 tablespoon hemp hearts, 1 tablespoon ground flaxseed
    oats, puffed quinoa, nuts, coconut, and all seeds mixed together in large mixing bowl for granola

Add wet ingredients

  • Pour in melted coconut oil, honey (or maple syrup), and vanilla. Stir until everything is evenly coated.
    ¼ cup coconut oil, ¼ cup honey or maple syrup, 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
    melted coconut oil, honey and vanilla mixed into dry ingredients for granola

Spread onto baking sheet

  • Press it down slightly for chunkier granola.
    Easy Homemade Healthy Granola pressed down into parchment-lined baking sheet

Bake for 30 minutes

  • Stir every 10 minutes to prevent burning and ensure even crisping.
    baked Homemade Healthy Granola

Cool completely

  • Allow the granola to cool until it is no longer warm to the touch. Allowing it to cool completely helps it to crisp up, so don’t skip this. Once cool, break into clusters & enjoy. I like to store mine in mason jars to keep it fresh.
    Easy Homemade Healthy Granola in mason jar

Notes

Storage Instructions

  • Store your granola in a sealed mason jar at room temperature for up to 4 weeks.
  • For longer storage, you can freeze it for up to 3 months—just let it come to room temperature before eating.

Macros (per serving, based on 1/4 cup)

Calories: ~110–140 | Protein: ~3–4g | Fibre: ~2–3g | Healthy Fats: ~6–9g (from nuts, seeds, and coconut oil)
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