Easy Honey Maple Granola

This easy homemade honey maple granola is loaded with oats, crunchy nuts, and natural sweetness from honey and maple syrup. Perfect for breakfast, snacking, yogurt parfaits, or enjoying as a cereal with milk.

The Crunchy Lifestyle

If you've spent any time online lately, you've probably stumbled across one of those "crunchy mom" videos. You know the ones—homemade sourdough on the counter, vegetables from the garden, and just about everything made from scratch.

I have to admit, I find those videos fascinating. While I have no aspirations of becoming crunchy myself, I do love homemade food. And if there's one ingredient I've always had a soft spot for, it's oats.

That's what inspired this easy homemade granola recipe.

Easy. Homemade. Granola. Yum!

What I love most about granola is its versatility. Some days I keep things simple with oats, nuts, and a touch of sweetness. Other days I toss in chocolate chips and call it breakfast. Either way, it's delicious.

This honey maple granola is lightly sweetened with both honey and maple syrup and packed with crunchy nuts. Enjoy it by the handful, sprinkle it over yogurt, or pour it into a bowl and enjoy it with milk like cereal.

Ingredients

You will find a full printable recipe card at the bottom of this post but here's a glance at what you'll need. This is a flexible recipe so you can swap out the nuts or other items with things you love.

• 4 cups old-fashioned rolled oats
• 1 cup chopped almonds
• 1 cup chopped pecans
• 1 cup chopped walnuts
• 1 teaspoon cinnamon
• ½ teaspoon salt
• ¼ cup honey
• ¼ cup pure maple syrup
• ¼ cup coconut oil, melted
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Optional Mix-Ins:

• ½ cup dried cranberries (Craisins)
• ½ cup mini chocolate chips
• ½ cup coconut flakes

How to Make Honey Maple Granola

This recipe comes together so easily!

Preheat your oven to 325 degrees Fahrenheit and line a large baking sheet with parchment paper.

Before mixing the goodies together, chop any nuts into smaller bite-sized pieces.

In a large mixing bowl, combine the oats, almonds, pecans, walnuts, cinnamon, and salt. Mix well.

In a separate bowl, whisk together the honey, maple syrup, melted coconut oil, and vanilla.

Pour the wet ingredients over the oat mixture and stir until everything is evenly coated.

Spread the mixture into a thin layer on the prepared baking sheet. Be sure not to overcrowd the pan. Granola crisps up best when it has room to bake evenly.

Bake for 25 to 30 minutes, stirring once halfway through, until lightly golden brown.

The granola may seem slightly soft when it comes out of the oven. That's normal! It will continue to dry and crisp as it cools.

Allow the granola to cool completely before stirring in any dried fruit or chocolate chips.

Transfer to an airtight container for storage.

Variations

One of the best things about homemade granola is how easy it is to customize.

Switch up the nuts with pistachios, cashews, hazelnuts, or extra pecans. Add dried cherries, raisins, chopped apricots, or coconut flakes. For a sweeter treat, stir in mini chocolate chips, peanut butter chips, butterscotch chips, or mini M&M's after the granola has cooled.

You can even create seasonal versions by adding pumpkin pie spice in the fall or dried strawberries in the spring.

Storage Tips

Store granola in an airtight container at room temperature for up to two weeks.

For longer storage, refrigerate for up to one month. Granola freezes beautifully for up to six months.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is homemade granola healthy?

Homemade granola can be a healthier option because you control the ingredients. Oats provide fiber, while nuts offer protein and healthy fats.

Will granola continue to crisp up after baking?

Yes! Granola often seems soft when it first comes out of the oven. It will become much crunchier as it cools.

Can I freeze homemade granola?

Absolutely. Place it in an airtight freezer-safe container or zip-top bag and freeze for up to six months.

Why isn't my granola crunchy?

Usually it's because the granola was spread too thick on the pan, under-baked, or stored before it cooled completely.

Can I use quick oats instead of old-fashioned oats?

You can, but rolled oats create a heartier texture and better crunch.

What are the best nuts to use in granola?

Almonds, pecans, walnuts, pistachios, cashews, and hazelnuts all work beautifully. Use your favorites or whatever you have on hand.

Expert Tips

After making this recipe myself, I've learned that spreading the granola in a thin layer is one of the keys to success. If it's piled too thickly on the baking sheet, it won't crisp evenly.

I've also learned not to judge the texture straight out of the oven. Granola continues to dry and crisp significantly as it cools, so resist the temptation to keep baking it longer than necessary.

Finally, don't be afraid to make it your own. Granola is one of those wonderfully forgiving recipes that welcomes creativity.

Final Thoughts

Whether you're looking for an easy breakfast, a grab-and-go snack, or something crunchy to sprinkle over yogurt, this honey maple granola delivers. It's simple, customizable, and incredibly delicious.

Just don't be surprised if you find yourself eating it straight from the jar!

Thanks for stopping by. If you make this delicious granola and love it, please leave a comment or review. Before you go, why not pin some photos to your Pinterest boards?

Janice Thompson is a professional baker, cake designer, and author with over 20 years of experience creating unique cakes and desserts. She’s the creator of Out of the Box Baking, where she shares her favorite doctored cake mix recipes, tutorials, and baking tips. Learn more →