Homemade Granola Crunch
A crunchy, sweet homemade granola packed with oats, nuts, coconut, and dried fruit, perfect for breakfast or snacking for those craving wholesome, flavorful energy bites.
Ingredients
- 4 c. old fashioned oats ⓘ
- 1 c. flaked coconut ⓘ
- 1 c. coarsely chopped pecans ⓘ
- 1/2 c. unsalted sunflower seeds ⓘ
- 1/2 c. wheat germ ⓘ
- 1/2 c. firmly packed light brown sugar ⓘ
- 1 tsp. cinnamon ⓘ
- 1 tsp. salt ⓘ
- 1/2 c. vegetable oil ⓘ
- 1/2 c. water ⓘ
- 2 Tbsp. honey ⓘ
- 1 tsp. vanilla ⓘ
- 1 c. raisins and dates ⓘ
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 300°F (150°C).
- Lightly grease a jelly roll pan.
- Combine oats, coconut, pecans, sunflower seeds, wheat germ, sugar, cinnamon, and salt in a large bowl.
- In a small bowl, stir together oil, water, honey, and vanilla.
- Pour the liquid mixture over the oat mixture and mix well.
- Spread the mixture evenly on the prepared pan.
- Bake for about 30 minutes, stirring halfway through, until golden brown.
- Allow to cool completely before adding raisins and dates.
- Store in an airtight container.
Tips & Substitutions
For added flavor, consider substituting maple syrup for honey or using almond oil instead of vegetable oil. You can also mix in your favorite nuts or seeds based on availability. If you prefer a sweeter granola, increase the brown sugar slightly. For a vegan version, use agave syrup instead of honey. Stirring in some chocolate chips after baking can add a delightful twist.
Serving Suggestions
Enjoy this granola as a breakfast cereal with milk or yogurt, or sprinkle it over smoothie bowls for added texture. It pairs beautifully with a side of fresh fruit or can be added to a parfait with layers of Greek yogurt and berries. For a quick snack, enjoy it on its own or combine it with dried fruits for a trail mix.
Storage & Reheating
Store the cooled granola in an airtight container at room temperature for up to two weeks. For longer storage, you can keep it in the freezer for up to three months. To refresh the granola after freezing, simply let it thaw at room temperature or warm it in the oven for a few minutes to regain its crunch.
Nutrition & Diet Analysis (per serving)
Each serving of Homemade Granola Crunch contains roughly 1055 calories, with 10g protein, 85g carbohydrates, and 47g fat. It is a good source of protein (19% of the Daily Value), dietary fiber (19% of the Daily Value), and iron (17% of the Daily Value). Note that it is relatively high in sodium, at 961mg per serving (42% of the Daily Value).
Estimated from ingredients & per-serving nutrition — verify against package labels for allergies or strict diets.
* % Daily Values based on a 2,000 calorie diet (FDA 2020).
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I customize the nuts and seeds in this granola?
Absolutely! This granola recipe is very flexible. You can swap out the pecans for walnuts or almonds and use pumpkin seeds or chia seeds instead of sunflower seeds. Just keep the overall proportions similar to maintain texture and flavor balance.
Is it possible to make this granola gluten-free?
Yes, to make this granola gluten-free, ensure you use certified gluten-free oats. All other ingredients listed are naturally gluten-free, making it easy to enjoy a gluten-free version of this delicious snack.
How can I make this recipe nut-free?
To make this granola nut-free, simply omit the pecans and replace them with additional seeds like pumpkin or sunflower seeds. You could also add more dried fruits for extra flavor and texture without compromising the crunch.
Nutrition is estimated from USDA FoodData Central ingredient data and may vary with brand, portion and preparation — see our methodology. This information is for general educational purposes only and is not medical or dietary advice (disclaimer).