Why You’ll Love this Sweet & Simple Homemade Granola
Granola lovers, prepare for a treat that’ll change your breakfast game forever. This homemade granola strikes the perfect balance between sweet and nutty, with warm cinnamon notes that’ll make your kitchen smell divine.
I’m obsessed with how customizable this recipe is—want it cluster-heavy? Just press it down firmly before baking. Craving extra sweetness? The brown sugar and corn syrup combo delivers without being cloying.
What makes this truly special? It’s the simplicity. No fancy ingredients or complicated techniques, just wholesome oats transformed into crunchy, golden goodness that puts store-bought versions to shame.
Ready in under 30 minutes!
What Ingredients are in Sweet & Simple Homemade Granola?
The beauty of homemade granola lies in its simplicity and wholesome ingredients. This recipe uses everyday pantry staples that combine to create something truly magical when baked. I love how these basic ingredients transform into a crunchy, aromatic treat that’s perfect for breakfast, snacking, or even topping yogurt and ice cream.
- 8 cups old fashioned oats
- 1 cup brown sugar
- 1/4 cup ground flax seed
- 1 tablespoon cinnamon
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 cup corn syrup
- 1/2 cup vegetable oil
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Feel free to customize this foundation with your favorite add-ins once the granola has cooled. Dried fruits like cranberries or raisins, chopped nuts such as almonds or pecans, or even chocolate chips can take this granola to the next level. Just remember that the base recipe creates the perfect sweet, crunchy texture that makes homemade granola so much better than store-bought. And don’t substitute quick oats for the old fashioned ones—they’ll give you a completely different texture that won’t have that satisfying crunch we’re looking for.
How to Make this Sweet & Simple Homemade Granola
Making homemade granola couldn’t be easier, and your kitchen will smell absolutely divine while it bakes. Start by preheating your oven to 325°F—this moderate temperature guarantees the granola gets that perfect golden color without burning.
In a large bowl, combine 8 cups of old fashioned oats (the star of our show), 1 cup of brown sugar (for that caramel-like sweetness), 1/4 cup of ground flax seed (hello, omega-3s!), 1 tablespoon of cinnamon (the aroma alone is worth making this), and 1 teaspoon of salt. Give these dry ingredients a good mix until everything is evenly distributed.
Now for the wet ingredients—in a smaller bowl, stir together 1/2 cup of corn syrup, 1/2 cup of vegetable oil, and 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract until well combined. Pour this glistening mixture over your oat mixture and stir, stir, stir! You want to make certain every single oat gets coated with that sweet, vanilla-scented goodness.
This is where the magic happens, transforming plain oats into what’ll become crunchy clusters of granola. Don’t rush this step—thorough coating is the secret to perfect texture.
Divide your mixture evenly between two jelly roll pans, spreading it out in an even layer. Into the oven it goes for about 20-25 minutes. One thing to remember: the granola might seem a bit moist when you take it out, but don’t worry! It continues to crisp up as it cools down, so resist the urge to over-bake it.
Let the baked granola cool for at least 30 minutes before breaking it apart into clusters. Store your homemade treasure in an airtight container, where it will stay fresh and crunchy for up to a week—though I doubt it will last that long once you start snacking on it!
Sweet & Simple Homemade Granola Substitutions and Variations
While our basic homemade granola recipe is absolutely delicious as-is, you’ll love how incredibly adaptable it can be with just a few simple swaps. Try replacing the corn syrup with honey or maple syrup for different flavor notes, or swap vegetable oil for coconut oil to add a tropical hint.
Not a fan of flaxseed? Chia seeds work beautifully instead. And don’t get me started on the add-ins you can mix in after baking—dried cranberries, chocolate chips, coconut flakes, or your favorite chopped nuts. Want it less sweet? Simply reduce the brown sugar to 3/4 cup. The possibilities are endless, really.
What to Serve with Sweet & Simple Homemade Granola
Once you’ve prepared this irresistible homemade granola, your breakfast and snack options suddenly become endless.
I love serving mine over creamy Greek yogurt with a drizzle of honey and fresh berries. It’s divine sprinkled on smoothie bowls or açaí bowls too.
Don’t forget about parfaits, where you can layer granola between yogurt and fruit for a gorgeous breakfast.
Want something more substantial? Try it with milk, like a healthier version of cereal.
For a dessert-like treat, sprinkle it over ice cream or fold it into softened frozen yogurt.
Final Thoughts
After creating your own homemade granola, you’ll likely never go back to store-bought versions again.
There’s something deeply satisfying about customizing each batch exactly to your taste, controlling the sweetness and adding whatever mix-ins make your heart happy.
I love how the kitchen fills with that warm, cinnamon-scented aroma as it bakes.
