Homemade Fully Loaded Granola Recipe: Crunchy, Delicious, and Easy to Make
My Fully Loaded Granola is one of those versatile foods that can be enjoyed in so many ways – sprinkled over yoghurt, added to smoothie bowls, eaten with milk, or even nibbled on as a quick snack. While shop-bought granola is convenient, nothing beats the flavour and freshness of homemade. Plus, when you make it yourself, you have complete control over the ingredients, allowing you to tailor it to your taste and dietary preferences.
In this blog post, I’ll guide you through a simple and customizable homemade granola recipe that’s sure to become a staple in your kitchen. Breakfast sorted!
Why Make Homemade Granola?
Before we dive into the recipe, let’s talk about why homemade granola is worth the effort:
- Customizable: You can mix and match ingredients to suit your tastes, dietary needs, or whatever you have on hand.
- Healthier: By making granola at home, you avoid the excess sugar and unhealthy fats often found in stop-bought versions.
- Cost-effective: Making granola at home can be cheaper than buying it, especially if you buy ingredients like oats, nuts, and seeds in bulk.
- Freshness: Homemade granola doesn’t sit on a shop shelf for weeks; you can enjoy it fresh from the oven.
- Simple: It’s so easy to make and takes hardly any time at all to have tasty, fresh, homemade granola.
Basic Ingredients for Homemade Granola
Here’s what you’ll need to get started:
- jumbo oats: The base of your granola; you can use any form of oats but I find jumbo oats give the best texture.
- a mixture of nuts: Almonds, walnuts, or pecans add crunch and healthy fats.
- a mixture of seeds: Chia seeds, sunflower seeds, pumpkin seeds or flaxseeds are great options for an extra nutrient boost.
- some sweetener: Honey, maple syrup, or agave syrup provides the right amount of sweetness.
- a little oil: sunflower or olive oil helps the granola crisp up beautifully, you could also use cocnut oil if you prefer
- a little vanilla extract: Adds a warm, aromatic flavor.
- optional mix-ins: Dried fruits, chocolate chips, coconut flakes, or spices like cinnamon and nutmeg will take you granola up a notch and make it truly delicious.
Step-by-Step Instructions
1. Preheat Your Oven
Preheat your oven to 140°C and line two large baking sheets with parchment paper.
2. Mix the Ingredients
In a large bowl, combine the oil, sweetener(s) and vanilla. Add the oats, nuts, seeds and any spices you’re using. Stir everything together until well mixed.
3. Spread and Bake
Spread the mixture evenly onto your prepared baking sheets. Bake for 15 minutes, remove from the oven and give it a good stir. Add in dried fruit, smaller seeds, coconut flakes and mix again. Pop it back in the oven for another 15 minutes.
4. Add Optional Mix-Ins
Remove from the oven and allow to cool thoroughly before adding extras such a chocolate chips. Once cooled, it will become crisp and clump together. Store your homemade granola in an airtight container at room temperature for up to two weeks.
Customization Ideas
One of the best things about homemade granola is how easily you can switch things up. Here are a few ideas:
- Nut-Free: Replace nuts with additional seeds or puffed quinoa.
- Spiced Up: Add a teaspoon of cinnamon, nutmeg, or cardamom for a warm, spiced flavor.
- Chocolate Lovers: Stir in cocoa powder with the dry ingredients, and add chocolate chips after baking.
- Tropical Twist: Add coconut flakes, dried pineapple, and mango for a tropical flavor.
Fully Loaded Granola
Ingredients
Wet Ingredients
- 2 tbsp sunflower oil
- 2 tbsp honey
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 120 ml pure maple syrup
Dry Ingredients
- 300 g jumbo oats
- 50 g pumpkin seeds
- 50 g sunflower seeds
- 50 g pecans, chopped
- 50 g walnuts, chopped
- 80 g flaked almonds
- 15 g chia seeds
- 15 g flax seeds
- 50 g dried cranberries
- 50 g dried soft apricots, chopped
- 50 g sultanas
- 50 g coconut flakes
Optional extras
- 150 g chocolate chips
Instructions
- Turn oven on to 140°C.
- To a large bowl add the wet ingredients and give them a stir to combine.
- Add the oats, nuts and large seeds to the bowl and stir until coated and well combined.
- Spread out on baking trays and put in oven at for 15 mins.
- Remove from the oven and add the small seeds and dried fruit. Give everything a good mix together and spread it out again.
- Return to the oven for another 15 minutes.
- Remove from the oven and allow to cool completely in the trays.
- Once cool add in the chocolate chips.
- Store in an airtight jar. Should keep for about two weeks though rarely lasts that long in this house!
Enjoy Your Homemade Fully Loaded Granola!
Making my Fully Loaded Granola at home is a simple and rewarding process that will fill your kitchen with a delicious aroma and your larder with a healthy, tasty treat.
I love to top my Fully Loaded Granola with fresh berries, some coconut yoghurt and a drizzle of maple syrup. Whether you enjoy it for breakfast or as a snack, this homemade granola is sure to become a favourite. Give it a try, and don’t be afraid to experiment with different flavours and textures. Happy making!
How do you like yours? Let me know in the comments.
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If you like this recipe why not check out my Fruity Baked French Toast recipe.