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It’s easy to make delicious, healthy granola like this Homemade Coconut Maple Granola. Make a large batch on the weekends and enjoy it throughout the week when you want a quick, nutritious snack.

Most of us think of granola as a health food. But the truth is that store-bought granola is often high in calories, sugar and fat. Fortunately, it’s very easy to make delicious, healthy granola at home.

When you make homemade granola, you can customize it to include your favorite ingredients. You can also control the amount of sugar and fat that you’re adding.

I like to make a large batch of granola on the weekends so that I have it on hand throughout the week when I want a quick, nutritious snack. It also makes a delicious topping for Greek yogurt in the morning.

Basic components for homemade granola

Grains- Rolled oats are the most common grain used but you can also try other flaked grains like wheat, quinoa, barley or brown rice flakes. Oats are whole grains that are loaded with fiber, vitamins, minerals and antioxidants. Because they are packed with fiber, they help lower cholesterol and may reduce the risk of heart disease. They’ve also been shown to help control blood sugar levels and maintain a healthy blood pressure. The fiber also helps keep you feeling full for a long time thereby cutting down on snacking.

Nuts- Chopped or sliced nuts are another major component of granola. Almonds, pecans and walnuts are commonly used but you can use many different varieties like hazelnuts, peanuts, pistachios and pine nuts. Although nuts are high in fat, they are comprised mainly of unsaturated fats, which help lower your LDL or “bad” cholesterol levels. In addition, nuts are also a great source of protein and fiber and contain several other nutrients that have beneficial effects on heart health.

Seeds- Seeds add texture and nutrients to granola. They also contain healthy unsaturated fats and plenty of vitamins and minerals. Sunflower seeds, pumpkin seeds (pepitas), chia and sesame seeds are all great options.

Dried fruit- Dried fruit adds a sweet component to granola. Dried fruit has a much higher amount of natural sugars than fresh fruit and some varieties also have additional sugar added to it, which adds calories. Be sure to check the sugar content when choosing fruit for your granola. Raisins, dried cranberries, cherries, apricots and mango are some great options.

Oil- Oil helps the granola crisp up when it bakes in the oven. It’s best to use a neutral-flavored oil like safflower or grapeseed oil. Coconut oil can also be used and will add a nutty flavor. When you make homemade granola you can control the amount of oil used to keep the calories and fat in check.

Sweetener- Liquid sweeteners like maple syrup or honey coat the ingredients and add sweetness. You can also add in a small amount of brown sugar. Store-bought granola is often packed with sugar but when you make your own, you can add just the right amount to suit your taste.

Flavorings- You can add flavor to your granola with flavorings like vanilla or almond extract. You can also use dried spices like cinnamon, nutmeg or ginger. A nice pinch of salt should also be added to balance the sweetness.

You can also add in other ingredients like shredded, unsweetened coconut, wheat germ or ground flaxseed. Use the recipe below as a guideline and try substituting different combinations of ingredients.