My Go-To Homemade Granola Recipe

One of my favorite ways to fuel busy shifts at work is with a simple meal prep parfait layered with Greek yogurt, berries, and this crunchy, delicious homemade granola. It’s become a staple in my weekly routine as a nurse practitioner, and after testing out several recipes, I finally found a combo that’s nourishing, easy to make, and honestly way better than store-bought.

I don’t know about you, but when I’m running from room to room, juggling patients, charting, fielding messages, and trying to remember if I’ve eaten lunch yet, it’s a game-changer to have a snack or meal that’s already prepped, satisfying, and gives me real energy. And not the sugar spike/crash kind of snack. The kind that sticks with you.

Homemade granola with oats, almonds, and honey baked on a parchment-lined tray

Why I Started Making My Own Granola

Before I dove into making granola at home, I was spending way too much money on “healthy” granolas from the store. I’d be standing in the aisle reading the nutrition labels and wondering why every bag had so much added sugar or random ingredients I couldn’t pronounce. And it never lasted long, I’d sprinkle it on yogurt two or three times, and it was gone.

So I figured… why not make my own?

One Sunday, I experimented with ingredients I already had in my pantry. Rolled oats, some chopped walnuts, a half-used bag of coconut flakes. A little maple syrup, cinnamon, sunflower seeds. The first batch was a little underbaked, but still tasted amazing. I’ve been perfecting it ever since, and now I keep a jar of it stocked in my kitchen every week.

Freshly baked homemade granola on a parchment-lined baking sheet with oats, almonds, coconut flakes, and dried cranberries

The Benefits of Making Granola at Home

If you’ve never made your own granola before, let me give you a few reasons to try:

You control what’s in it – no preservatives, artificial sweeteners, or weird fillers.
It’s customizable – swap ingredients based on what you love or have on hand.
It’s cost-effective – one batch makes enough for the whole week (or more).
It’s therapeutic – seriously, mixing oats with warm maple syrup and cinnamon? Instant good mood.

And honestly, it’s fun. It’s one of those recipes that invites creativity and still turns out delicious even if you tweak it slightly.

Easy homemade granola made with oats, maple syrup, and coconut oil in a baking tray

My Favorite Homemade Granola Recipe

Ingredients:

3 ½ cups rolled oats
1 cup nuts (I use a mix of walnuts, almonds, and pecans – whatever’s in the pantry)
¼ cup unsweetened coconut flakes
¼ cup sunflower seeds
1 tsp cinnamon
1 tsp salt
½ cup melted coconut oil
½ cup pure maple syrup
1 tsp vanilla extract
½ cup dried fruit (raisins, cranberries, or chopped dates – added after baking)

Optional add-ins:

Chia seeds, hemp seeds or flaxseeds
Extra pinch of nutmeg for warmth

Instructions:

Preheat your oven to 300°F.
In a large bowl, combine the oats, nuts, coconut flakes, sunflower seeds, cinnamon, and salt.
In a separate bowl, melt the coconut oil and stir in the maple syrup and vanilla extract.
Pour the wet mixture over the dry ingredients and mix thoroughly until everything is well coated.
Spread the mixture out evenly on a parchment-lined baking sheet.
Bake for 15–20 minutes, stirring once halfway through. Look for a golden brown color, your kitchen will smell amazing by this point.
Remove from the oven and let cool completely, about 30–40 minutes. This is when it crisps up!
Once fully cooled, stir in the dried fruit and transfer to an airtight container. It stays fresh for up to two weeks.

Easy homemade granola with oats, almonds, and honey in a glass jar on a rustic wooden table

Mixing oats, nuts, and honey in a bowl for easy homemade granola recipe

Hands mixing oats, nuts, and honey in a bowl to make easy homemade granola

Close-up shot of the mixing process for homemade granola with oats, nuts, and seeds in a bowl, perfect for an easy granola recipe.

Easy homemade granola baking recipe with oats, nuts, seeds, and honey for a healthy snack.

How I Use It in Meal Prep as a Nurse Practitioner

Every Sunday afternoon (after laundry, cleaning, and maybe a quick nap), I do a light meal prep for the week. I don’t go full Pinterest-perfection with 12 containers lined up, but I do make sure I’ve got some quick grab-and-go breakfasts for my work week.

My current favorite setup?

Greek Yogurt Parfaits with Homemade Granola:

Mason jars or small containers
¾ cup plain Greek yogurt with chia seeds mixed in
A handful of frozen berries (blueberries, strawberries, or rasberries)
2–3 tablespoons of homemade granola
Optional drizzle of honey or spoonful of nut butter

Homemade granola meal prep parfaits with yogurt, fresh fruit, and crunchy granola layers, perfect for easy and healthy breakfasts.

I layer the yogurt and fruit in the jars, store them in the fridge, and keep the granola in a separate container so it stays crunchy. Then in the morning, I toss some granola on top, grab a spoon, and I’m good to go. Using frozen fruit makes things so much easier, I always have a stash of frozen berries in the freezer, ready to go with zero prep required.

It’s such a small thing, but it honestly makes my mornings feel less rushed, and helps me avoid the vending machine at 10 a.m.

What Makes This Granola Actually Work

I’ve tried several versions of granola, and here’s what I’ve learned:

The slow bake at 300°F helps everything crisp up without burning. Higher temps brown too fast and leave the middle soggy.
Don’t skip the cooling step– it’s what lets the clusters form. I’m always tempted to sneak a taste while it’s hot, but patience pays off.
Try adding the dried fruit after baking. Otherwise it can get overly chewy or even burn.
Maple syrup adds just the right amount of sweetness without overdoing it. And it makes your kitchen smell like fall.

If you like clumpier granola, press it down a little on the baking sheet before putting it in the oven. Let it cool completely before breaking it apart.

Homemade granola recipe for easy meal prep with oats, nuts, and seeds for a healthy snack or breakfast.

Variations to Try

This recipe is super flexible. Some swaps I’ve tried when I’m in the mood for something different:

Pumpkin spice version: Swap cinnamon for pumpkin pie spice, and add pumpkin seeds.
Chocolate lover’s: Stir in a few dark chocolate chips after cooling.
Tropical twist: Use macadamia nuts, dried pineapple, and mango with coconut flakes.
Nut-free: Use seeds (sunflower, pumpkin, chia) and skip the tree nuts altogether.

Whatever your flavor preference, you can make this granola fit your vibe.

A bowl of homemade granola with oats, nuts, and dried fruits, served as a healthy breakfast or snack.

Why Homemade Granola Is a Self-Care Win

As a nurse practitioner, I spend a lot of my energy caring for others. My patients, my colleagues, my family. It’s easy to let my own nutrition take a back seat, especially during busy clinic days or when I’m working late reviewing charts.

But little things, like prepping yogurt parfaits with this granola, help me stay centered and healthy. It’s food that fuels me, that I look forward to on my break, and that I know supports my energy levels during long days.

Plus, there’s something really satisfying about eating something you made from scratch. It reminds me I’m capable, intentional, and taking care of myself too. And hey, if I can make this granola on a Sunday between loads of laundry and work emails, you definitely can too.

Healthy homemade granola with oats, nuts, and honey, perfect for breakfast or snacking.

Ready to Make Your Own Homemade Granola?

If your’e also someone who’s tired of store-bought granola, this recipe is a great place to start. It’s:

Easy
Budget-friendly
Naturally sweetened
Completely customizable
A great way to elevate your breakfasts or snacks

So pull out that bag of oats in the pantry and give it a try this weekend. Your yogurt (and your future self) will thank you.

A bowl of homemade granola with oats, nuts, honey, and cinnamon, served as a healthy breakfast option.

Let me know if you try it! I’d love to hear how it turns out, or what creative combos you come up with.

Have a favorite dried fruit or nut? Got a question about substitutions? Drop a comment or message me. I’m always happy to swap ideas, especially with my fellow healthcare heroes.

With love,

Bri & Cat