Granola like this will make you forget all about store-bought! Itโ€™s loaded with flavor and so simple to make.

A big scoop of granola on the sheet pan, ready to enjoy.

Granola Recipe

Granola is something my dad passed down to meโ€”a serious love for it! He goes through so much that heโ€™s filled his pantry with containers stacked high.

So, when he visited us in Ohio last year, I stocked up and made tons, thinking itโ€™d last a while. By day three, though, he had finished it all! Now, I make him this recipe for birthdays or Fatherโ€™s Day, and every time, heโ€™s asking for more!

This recipe, adapted from New York Timesโ€™ Eleven Madison Park Granola, is hands down the best Iโ€™ve ever tried. I canโ€™t wait to hear what you think!

All the ingredients in this recipe are prepped for easy assembly: coconut, oats, vanilla, almonds, pepitas, maple syrup, pistachios, salt, brown sugar, cranberries, and oil.

Ingredients

  • Maple Syrup: This sweetener adds a rich, delicious flavor.
  • Olive Oil: Keeps the granola crunchyโ€”extra virgin works best here!
  • Brown Sugar: Helps sweeten and create those irresistible small clusters.
  • Salt: Balances the sweetness and brings out all the flavors.
  • Oats: Old-fashioned oats work bestโ€”skip quick or steel-cut oats for this.
  • Pistachios: These add crunch and a tasty nutty flavor.
  • Sliced Almonds: Light, crisp, and mild, they blend perfectly with other flavors.
  • Coconut Flakes: Adds a touch of sweetness and toasts beautifully while baking.
  • Pepitas: These give an earthy, crunchy biteโ€”especially nice with the nuts.
  • Vanilla Extract: Adds warmth and a boost of sweetness.
  • Dried Cranberries: Sweet, chewy, and the perfect finishing touch!
Combine the oil, syrup, brown sugar, and salt in a saucepan and heat until the sugar dissolves. Add all the remaining ingredients to a bowl and toss everything together.

How To Make Granola

  1. Preheat: Set the oven to 300ยฐF and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
  2. Wet Ingredients: Warm syrup, oil, sugar, and salt in a pot over low heat.
  3. Dry Ingredients: In a large bowl, mix the oats, nuts, coconut, seeds, and vanilla.
  4. Combine: Pour warm mixture over dry ingredients and stir to coat everything.
  5. Bake: Spread granola on baking sheet in a single layer. Bake until it turns golden brown.
  6. Finish: Cool granola completely, then add the cranberries and enjoy!

How To Serve Granola

  1. With Yogurt: Add granola and fruit on top of a yogurt bowl.
  2. As Cereal: Pour in a bowl and enjoy with milk.
  3. On Smoothie Bowls: Sprinkle over smoothies or Acai Bowls for a nice crunch.
  4. With Ice Cream: Top ice cream or frozen yogurt with granola for extra texture.
  5. Fruit Parfait: Layer with yogurt and fruit in a glass.
  6. On Baked Goods: Use in my favorite Raspberry Bars!
Homemade granola packed in a jar, ready to enjoy.

Storage

To store, keep granola in an airtight container at room temp for up to a week. For longer storage, freeze it! I love grabbing a handful straight from the freezerโ€”itโ€™s so good and extra crunchy that way!

More Breakfast Recipes:

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5 from 7 votes

Granola

After making this homemade granola recipe, youโ€™ll never want to go back to store bought! Itโ€™s packed with flavor, made with good-for-you ingredients, and SO easy to make.
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 22 minutes
Total Time: 37 minutes
Servings: 16 servings (4 cups)

Video

Equipment

Ingredients

Instructionsย 

  • Preheat oven to 300ยฐF (150ยฐC) and line a rimmed sheet pan with parchment paper.
  • In a small pot, add the maple syrup, olive oil, brown sugar, and salt. Heat over medium-low, stirring until the sugar is dissolved and the mixture is smooth.
  • In a large bowl, add oats, pistachios, almonds, coconut flakes, pepitas, and vanilla extract.
  • Pour the sugar mixture over the dry ingredients, gently stirring until everything is evenly coated.
  • Spread the mixture on the prepared sheet pan in a single layer. Bake for 35โ€“40 minutes, stirring every 15 minutes, until the granola is dry and golden brown.
  • Let the granola cool completely. Stir in the dried cranberries, then transfer to an airtight container. Enjoy!
Final step! Please let us know how it was by leaving a review.

Recipe Notes

Note 1: Use old-fashioned oatsโ€”avoid quick or steel-cut.
Note 2: Choose raw nutsโ€”unroasted and unsalted work best.
Storage: Store granola in an airtight container at room temp for up to a week, or freeze it for longer. I love it straight from the freezerโ€”itโ€™s extra crunchy!

Nutrition

Serving: 1serving | Calories: 243kcal | Carbohydrates: 27g | Protein: 4g | Fat: 13g | Sodium: 77.2mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 13g

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

Meet Chelsea


Hello, and welcome to Chelseaโ€™s Messy Apron! Iโ€™m Chelsea, the recipe developer, food photographer, and writer behind the site. Iโ€™m passionate about creating simple, reliable, and delicious recipes that anyone can make.

Thanks for stopping byโ€”I hope you find something delicious to make!

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5 from 7 votes

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30 Comments

  1. Leah says:

    Sounds delish, but I canโ€™t handle 13 g of sugar. Any suggestions to lower the sugar and not compromise the taste?

    1. Chelsea says:

      You can reduce the brown sugar a bit. The maple syrup, plus a little brown sugar, will still keep it super delicious.

  2. Julie R says:

    5 stars
    The absolute best granola!!

    1. Chelsea says:

      Yay! Iโ€™m so thrilled to hear this! Thanks Julie!