Homemade healthy granola is one of those recipes that, every time I make it, I question my sanity as to why I haven’t been whipping up a fresh batch every single week. It’s simple, scrumptious, and will have you throwing elbows on your way to the pantry to snag the final few handfuls. Compared to store-bought alternatives, making your own homemade granola (or Healthy Granola Bars) is also far less expensive and much better for you too. In my opinion, it is the healthiest granola you can make that still tastes incredibly decadent, and its crunch is truly delightful. Although there are a flurry of homemade granola recipes in the land, I’m going to put up a strong case that this healthy granola recipe is the one you should try next.
Why You Should Make this Healthy Granola
It’s a healthy granola recipe that is actually healthy. Any granola isn’t healthy. Too many homemade and healthy granola brands from stores are loaded with unhealthy oils and gobs of sugar. Not this honey almond flax homemade granola! It’s sweetened entirely with honey and needs only two tiny tablespoons of coconut oil for the whole batch, thanks to my stealthy healthy ingredient, egg white. The egg white also contributes to my homemade granola selling point….It’s crispity-crunchity. Nothing is more loathsome than a soggy homemade granola recipe. This crunchy granola recipe has a delightfully crisp texture and forms nice chunks, thanks to the egg white. It’s the same trick I use in my other favorite healthy granola recipe of all time, the Ridiculously Addictive Maple Quinoa Granola from The Well Plated Cookbook. The egg white allows us to cut the amount of oil we need to form and toast the homemade granola in half.
It’s loaded with good for you ingredients. In addition to whole grain oats, I added flaxseed meal, which contains heart-healthy Omega-3s (the same good fats found in avocados, salmon, and olive oil), fiber, and other essential nutrients. For an extra health boost, I’ve started adding a tablespoon of flaxseed meal to everything from my oatmeal to my smoothies, and it’s great sprinkled lightly on salads too.It’s filling. Since this recipe contains fiber, protein, and good fats, it’s more filling than most, making this granola healthy for weight loss diets and everyday diets. It can keep you satisfied for longer. (I’m not a dietician so be sure to contact your doctor RD if you’d like to use this recipe to come up with a specific diet plan.) Combine this granola with other nutritious ingredients like protein-rich Greek yogurt and fresh fruit for healthy breakfasts and snacks.
How to Make Healthy Granola
In addition to the lovely duo of the sweet honey and rich almonds, I amped up this healthy granola recipe with plenty of vanilla extract and a touch of cinnamon. It’s a classic, comforting flavor combination and makes for granola that’s wonderful with milk, stirred into yogurt, or as I’m continually reaffirming, snitched by furtive handfuls directly from the container. Other fun healthy granola recipe additions: wheat germ, unsweetened coconut, and toasted almonds. Feel free to change them up to suit what you have in your pantry.
The Ingredients
Rolled Oats. The base of our low calorie granola recipe that adds oodles of fiber and protein.Raw Almonds. Adds delicious crunch and filling protein. Feel free to swap in other nuts here if you like.Shredded Coconut. Using unsweetened coconut makes the granola taste rich and toasty. The coconut flavor isn’t strong; rather, it gives the granola an extra somethin’ somethin’ to make it particularly addictive. You’ve been warned.Flaxseed Meal. A simple, ultra healthy addition.Wheat Germ. The super nutritious heart of the wheat berry. Wheat germ is rich in protein, fiber, and minerals (read more about its health benefits here). If you can’t find it, you can swap additional flaxseed meal.Cinnamon + Honey + Vanilla. The flavor makers! All three provide cozy goodness, and the honey adds a delightful sweetness. For a vegan healthy granola, swap the honey for pure maple syrup (the maple syrup will brown more quickly, but it won’t taste burnt. It will be delicious!).Egg White. One little egg white can moisten and bind the entire batch, and you cannot taste it in the slightest. If you need to make the recipe vegan, you can use 2 additional tablespoons of oil instead of the egg white.Mix-ins. Chocolate chips are always a welcomed addition. I also love adding dried apricots, figs, dates, raisins, or dried cranberries.
The Directions
Homemade Granola Storage Tips
To Store. Keep leftover granola in an airtight storage container at room temperature for up to 1 to 2 weeks.To Freeze. Freeze granola in an airtight, freezer-safe storage container for up to 3 months. Let thaw at room temperature before serving.
How to Serve Healthy Granola
By Itself. I love snacking on this granola by the handful.With Yogurt. Spruce up your morning routine by topping your favorite yogurt with this granola.With Ice Cream. Make dessert more nutritious by scattering some granola on top of ice cream.On Pancakes or Waffles. Granola breakfast pancakes or waffles are scrumptious and delightfully crunchy.In Cookies. Use it in these healthy Granola Cookies for a perfect, healthy alternative to granola!
If you’re looking for a healthy granola bar recipe, check out these no-bake Trail Mix Peanut Butter Granola Bars.
More Healthy Granola Recipes
Gluten Free GranolaGingerbread GranolaPumpkin GranolaChocolate Almond Olive Oil Granola
Recommended Tools to Make This Recipe
Baking Sheet. With this tool, you can make homemade granola as often as you’d like.Parchment Paper. Helps to keep your granola from sticking to the pan.Fish Spatula. Perfect for flipping so much more than fish! It keeps the granola in big chunks when you turn it and is great for baking cookies too.
I originally shared this post in partnership with Bob’s Red Mill. As always, all opinions are my own, and thanks for supporting the brands and companies who make it possible for me to continue providing quality content to you!
