Name: The Best Granola Recipe
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 25 min
Ingredients: 4 cups old-fashioned rolled oats; 1 cup of shredded or chipped coconut; 1 cup nuts of choice (coarsely chopped (I love pecans)); 1/4 teaspoon real salt; 1/2 cup 1 stick butter; 1/4 cup honey; 1/4 cup pure maple syrup; 1/2 teaspoon pure vanilla extract; 1 cup dried fruits (cranberries, cherries, apricots, raisins, dates, etc., optional (I usually leave these out))

Jump to Recipe Print Recipe

This is the best granola recipe that I've ever made. The ingredients seem basic, but the flavor is spot on.

The Best Granola Recipe | Buttered Side Up

I have been making this granola recipe for over five years. You know a recipe is gold when you keep going back to it after trying many others.

Sure, it's fun to try new recipes and flavors. But somehow I always return to this tried and true granola. It really can't be beat for its simple, hearty, wonderful flavor.

Waaaay back in 2009 I first posted about this recipe on Cooking for Seven. I had found the recipe on my then-online baking bible: Joy of Baking. For some reason Stephanie (the author of that website) decided to change the recipe she had online.

I felt very fortunate to have saved the original before it was moved.

And so I felt that I should share this recipe with ya'll again. It will forever be my favorite granola.

How to Make the Best Granola Recipe:

Equipment:

All you really need is a large mixing bowl, a wooden spoon, a small saucepan, and a baking sheet. Parchment paper makes cleanup really easy, but it isn't strictly necessary.

Ingredients:

You only need nine ingredients to make the best granola recipe:

Old fashioned rolled oats (don't use quick cooking oats)
Shredded or chipped desiccated coconut
1 cup of nuts of choice (pecans are my absolute favorite, but I've also used a combo of pecans and sliced almonds)
Unrefined sea salt
½ cup salted butter (if you use unsalted, increase the amount of unrefined salt)
A mix of honey and maple syrup (you can use all maple syrup or all honey, but a mix is the best)
Pure vanilla extract (don't use imitation unless you just love the flavor)
Dried fruit (I usually leave this out because it's not my jam, but feel free to include it if you like!)

Baking Method:

This granola recipe is baked low and slow for the best, most even browning. Make sure to stir it frequently as it bakes so you don't get dark patches and light patches.

It will seem kind of soft when it first comes out of the oven. But it will crisp up as it cools.

And in the style of Top With Cinnamon, I had to share a gif of Reuben pouring milk over the granola. I convinced him, still bleary-eyed from sleep, to help a food-blogger-girl out.

More Breakfast Recipes:

5 from 1 vote

The Best Granola Recipe

A basic granola recipe that doesn't taste basic!

Course Breakfast

Cuisine American

Keyword Granola, Oats

Prep Time 10 minutes

Cook Time 25 minutes

Servings 5 cups

Calories 633 kcal

Author Erica Kastner

Ingredients

4 cups old-fashioned rolled oats
1 cup of shredded or chipped coconut
1 cup nuts of choice coarsely chopped (I love pecans)
¼ teaspoon real salt
½ cup 1 stick butter
¼ cup honey
¼ cup pure maple syrup
½ teaspoon pure vanilla extract
1 cup dried fruits cranberries, cherries, apricots, raisins, dates, etc., optional (I usually leave these out)

Instructions

Preheat oven to 300 degrees F (150 C). Line a rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper or a silpat.
In a large bowl, mix together the oats, coconut, nuts, and salt.
In a small saucepan set over medium heat, melt the butter. Remove from heat and stir in the honey, maple syrup and vanilla. Pour this mixture over the dry ingredients and toss together, making sure all of the dry ingredients are evenly coated.
Spread onto the prepared baking sheet and baking in the preheated oven for 20-30 minutes, or until golden brown. Stir the granola every 10 minutes and rotate the pan halfway through baking.
Remove from oven and allow to cool in the pan on a wire rack. Once the granola is completely cool you may stir in the dried fruit. Store in an airtight container at room temperature, or in the refrigerator or freezer for longer storage.

Recipe Notes

adapted from Joy of Baking

More Best Healthy Baking Recipes

18 Comments

Erica,
I'm looking forward to making some granola! I love the recipe!

This granola truly looks perfect! It has everything I love in a granola recipe 🙂

I have 2 favorite granola recipes - could this be the third? I will try it! Just got in the mood for granola recently - it's a hot-weather food for me.

Hope you enjoy! 🙂

Thanks, Katrina! 🙂

I know what you mean about hot weather - you don't want a hot breakfast! What are your two favorite granola recipes like? 🙂

http://thriftathome.blogspot.com/2012/07/another-great-granola.html

and

with peanut butter and blackstrap molasses

http://thriftathome.blogspot.com/2010/06/hot-weather-granola.html

I'm back here to print out your recipe!

Is there a way to make them bars? I've never made granola and I've been looking for a good, easy, healthy snack like granola bars. Thank you!!!

I've never made this particular granola into bars, but I suppose it might work if you increased the butter and honey a little and pressed it into a pan. But they would be pretty crumbly, I would think.

I made some no-bake granola bars that were quite good once. You can find the recipe here: http://tastykitchen.com/blog/2012/11/no-bake-granola-bars/

Hope that helps!

Thanks for sharing - and hope you enjoy the granola! 🙂

A couple years ago I was searching for a granola recipe, remembered this one, made it, and have never searched for another granola recipe again. I'm totally convinced that this is the simply the best granola one could ever eat. I've been asked for the recipe more times than I can count.

I don't comment much, but I've been following you for several years; I love you, love your blog, love your baby, love your recipes, love your photos, and love the glimpses we get into your life every now and then. 🙂 Blessings to you ~ Jeremiah 9:23-24

Aw, this is the nicest comment I've received in a while. Thank you ever so much for the encouragement!

we loved it! On the third batch now. Definitely adding this recipe to my favorites.

Hooray! I can't tell you how happy I am that you guys enjoyed this. 🙂

You are right - This is the BEST granola. Finally got around to making it this weekend, and I will never purchase store bought again. I added about 1 cup of wheat germ, and used almonds. Delicious!

So pleased that you like it! 🙂

Pingback: (Mostly) Organic/Natural Grocery Haul #2 - Buttered Side Up

I Just made this recipe with a couple additions. This recipe is great for a base to add whatever kind of fruit or nuts you like.
Thanks for the easy instructions and delicious recipe!