Honey Almond Granola
Looking for a tasty little snack? This honey almond granola certainly fits the bill. It’s perfectly sweet and ultra-simple to make!
I’m not quite sure how this happened but it’s become a bit of a tradition for me to share a new granola recipe with you during the holidays.
I mean, there are worse things. Plus, it kind of makes me feel all proud up here on my high horse to share a somewhat nutritious snack in the midst of sugar overload (you know, all those recipes I’ve been posting for weeks now).
Not only is granola a perfect little snack (my favorite way is over homemade yogurt and very often, just by the handful), but it also makes a delightful gift for the holidays.
Package it up in a jar with a tag or even a cellophane bag and you’re done. One year, to only my most special of friends, I gave a jar of granola and a jar of homemade yogurt. And tried not to feel grinchly as I walked away wishing I had kept it all to myself.
While I have many granola loves in my life, this is a new favorite and I’ll tell you why.
Unlike other granola recipes I’ve made and loved, half of the almonds in this recipe are ground up and mixed in with the other ingredients which means the delicious, nutty almond flavor sneaks it’s way into all the nooks and crannies of this granola.
Perfectly sweet (meaning not too sweet) and ultra-simple to make, I have a huge container of this sitting in my pantry waiting for me to decide whether or not I’ll be gifting it or gobbling it up.
Tough holiday decisions ahead.
One Year Ago: Chocolate Pots de Creme
Two Years Ago: Happy Holidays! {Plus 15 of My Favorite Quick Meals for the Post-Holiday Craze}
Three Years Ago: Top 12 Recipes of 2012
Honey Almond Granola
Ingredients
- 6 cups (600 g) old-fashioned oats
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ cup (106 g) brown sugar
- 2 cups raw unsalted almonds, divided
- ½ cup (170 g) honey
- 6 tablespoons coconut oil
- ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 325 degrees. Line two large, rimmed baking sheets with parchment paper (this is optional, you can leave them unlined if you’d rather, just watch to make sure the granola doesn’t stick while baking).
- Add the oats, salt, and brown sugar to a large bowl.
- In a food processor or blender, process one cup of the almonds until they are very finely chopped, similar to the texture of almond meal (don’t process too long or it will become almond butter). Pour the mixture into the bowl with the oats. Coarsely chop the other half of the almonds and add them in the bowl. Toss until mixed evenly.
- Combine the honey and coconut oil in a small saucepan and heat over medium-low just until the coconut oil is melted. Add the vanilla and whisk to combine.
- Pour the honey mixture over the dry ingredients and toss until evenly mixed. Pour the granola evenly on two large, rimmed baking sheets and spread into an even layer.
- Bake the granola for 15-25 minutes, tossing once or twice. Watch carefully so it doesn’t burn. It should smell fragrant and be lightly golden. The exact baking time will depend on how crunchy you like your granola.
- Remove from the oven and let the granola cool on the baking sheets before breaking up into pieces and storing in an airtight container.
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Recipe Source: adapted just slightly from a sweet reader, Jessica S., who sent the recipe to me by way of the Lovely Little Kitchen
Years later, this is still my favorite granola recipe. I’ve made it with canola oil a few times and coconut oil other times. I greatly prefer the flavor the coconut oil brings and since trying it with coconut oil I won’t go back to canola. It’s SO yummy and nutty and delicious. I have also used (gasp!) corn syrup in place of the honey in a pinch and it was still divine.
Hi, I was wondering if this recipe could be frozen?
I haven’t tried freezing granola, but it’s worth a try!
I live in a humid climate and have always stored my granola in a ziplock bag in the freezer with great results.
This comes together so quickly. We layer this in between home made vanilla yogurt and some berries. It’s a great after school snack for the kiddos. Thanks!
So simple, yummy and makes enough to share! Thank you!
Yum! I used canola oil and sliced almonds (half of which I ground up). This was so easy too. Why have I never made my own granola before?
Made this today and can’t stop eating it! Thanks for yet another yummy recipe!
Love the taste, it’s a really easy recipe. Do you know how long they keep in a airtight container?
If it’s stored in a cool dry place (vs a humid spot), it should keep for a week or two!
I made this granola for your chewy granola cookies, and now am addicted, easy and delicious. I highly recommend.
I just made this and its not even totally cooled and I realize I’m in big trouble. I need to get this out of the house ASAP It is so lovely. Make this and splurge on the coconut oil it wasn’t much for a smallish jar and I know I’ll be making variations of this! Thanks Mel Merry Christmas!!
I see lots of people subbing in canola oil for the coconut oil – how about subbing in butter?
Could definitely try! Butter has a tendency to burn faster than other oils, though, so keep an eye on that.
That’s what I was worried about. Maybe I’ll try half butter half oil. Thanks for the feedback!
I need a very simple honey granola. I dont have any almonds or coconut oil. I see comments for subbing canola but can I simply omit almonds? Thank you
Yes, you can leave out the almonds.
This is the best basic granola recipe there is. I make it at least once a week and have taken some giant creative license but still come back to the basic recipe when I need tried and true. We’re always adding different kinds of nuts, and seeds, ground flaxseed, all kinds of goodies! We just love it!
Thanks, Jackie! We love it, too! I just made a huge batch for our family reunion (yogurt parfait bar!)
Dear Mel,
This granola recipe is a favourite, and I make it regularly along with some of your other granolas. I can ALWAYS count on your recipes and I am inquiring if you have any new granola recipes that you are going to share. Many thanks for all you do!
Sherry
Thank you, Sherry!
I love this granola and make it regularly!
I thought you might want to know that there is a small village in Germany where half of its residents know and love this granola recipe. Lastyear for christmas I gave a batch of it to my mother. Later she asked me for the recipe so I translated it for her. She gave the recipe to a friend who gave it to a friend and so on…Kind of like a snowball system.
That’s awesome – thank you for sharing!
I just made it! Really really love this recipe, definitely 5 stars ♥️
This is the most addicting granola it only takes 25 min. To bake
Is there a substitute for the coconut oil, like canola oil?
Yes, I think you could probably sub canola oil
Family favorite!
Family favorite!
Could you tell me what the measurement would be of the processed almonds. Also are they as fine as ground almonds?
Thank you.
Hi Brenda – I’m not sure what you mean about the measurements of the processed almonds. I measure out 1 cup of whole almonds and process them until finely ground (slightly chunkier than almond meal). Does that help?
Hi, I have some ground almonds on hand and thought I might skit a step if they were the right texture and thus the reason I asked the for amount of the processed almonds. Would ground almonds be too fine? Just being a little lazy and wanting to save on some dishes to wash.
Thank you.
It’s probably worth a try! Without knowing the exact texture of the ground almonds (brands can differ), it’s hard to say for sure, but it’ll probably work.
I would love to see this recipe adapted to a slow cooker please!
Making this today for probably the 40th time… thanks for such a great recipe!
I’ve been making this granola about every two weeks for the past few months, and my kids still request it almost every morning for breakfast (and it occasionally makes an appearance for lunch and dinner, too). That is pretty rare in our house.
I use vegetable/canola oil, add in some shredded coconut, and about half a cup of flax meal. The honey and almond flavors are so good, and I love that your recipe lends to adapting to personal tastes as well. Thanks Mel!
Easy and delicious! I add toasted coconut for and extra wow factor.
It’s hard to pick, but I think this is my favorite of Mel’s granolas! It’s the perfect balance of sweet & salty and is full of fantastic clusters. Plus it’s a snap to whip up and has a short baking time– my favorite is 16 minutes, using a silicone mat on my rimmed baking sheet.
What can I substitute for coconut oil?
You can use canola or vegetable oil
Thanks!
Hi Mel, I love your site and have been directing all my friends and family to you for years. I have to say, this granola is amazing. I have made several converts to homemade granola since I braved making it last year. Thank you so much for all the effort you put into making the best recipes for us in every category. I haven’t found anything I don’t like!
Thanks, Jen! It always makes me feel so good when I know others agree with my “best of” picks! So happy you love this one! I still make it all the time, too!
Mel- I made this last night with a bunch of adorable cub scouts. They loved it. It was the perfect thing for them to hep us make in the kitchen. I added cinnamon to it and we sprinkled it over vanilla ice cream. It tasted exactly like fried ice cream. YUMMY! Thank you so much for the recipe!
Yum!
We LOVE this! Eric loves it, I love it- i’ve shared it with my family and my parents are obsessed with it. Seriously – it’s become a thing in the family, “Have you tried this granola??? … Oh, let me make it for you, it will change your life!”
This stuff is unbelievably good!! Thanks!!
I just made this. Mostly to put on my yogurt. I fear I may not have any left for my yogurt because I keep snacking on it while it is cooling! So delicious. Time to put it away! Thank-you!
I have been making this recipe about every 10-14 days since you posted it – so easy and quick! I add anything else (dried or fresh fruit or even coconut flakes) when I dish it up and find I like that much better than adding a lot to the granola when making it.
I really like the ground almond part and just recently saw a Melissa Clark video and she was going for more clusters so her technique was to grind some of the oatmeal and let the mix sit a bit before putting on the pan so that the ground oatmeal could be hydrated. So, my last round, I ground both a cup of the almonds and a cup of oatmeal and after mixing let everything sit for 20 minutes before putting on baking sheets. I really like the resulting texture which does remain a bit more cluster-y.
Can a different oil, like canola oil, be used in place of the coconut oil? Allergies to coconut!
I currently make a ATK granola recipe that’s really good, but I’m always looking for a new one and this one bakes in half the time! This sounds and looks yummy!
Yes, canola oil would work great!
I just made this. Its so good. I add dried. cherries to it.
Okay you posted the dark chocolate granola today, but I decided to contain myself and wait for my thrive order to arrive that will have yogurt bites & strawberries;) but I did finish off a pumpkin spice granola from Target and wanted more, so I did this recipe, using almond meal from making milk for the processed almonds, and I used pumpkin seeds instead of almonds for the last bit. I didn’t put in vanilla, but I did add Allspice, nutmeg, cardamom, cinnamon, and ginger. It’s awesome. Thanks for such great recipes!!!
That sounds fantastic, Ashlee!
3/4 boys are allergic to nuts. Sad! I’m sure you haven’t tried it without the almonds, but think still good? I lost my granola recipe and looking for a new one!
It would definitely change in texture without the nuts…but certainly worth a try!
Just an update that may help others….wanted to make another batch today but didn’t have honey so I thought I could just substitute more brown sugar. Nope. When I cooked it with the coconut oil it solidified instead of dissolving then hardened when I added it to my oat mixture. #epicfail Needeless to say I went right to the store and bought more honey and I’m back in business!
I love granola!!! I finally got around to trying this. It is now by far my favorite. Thanks so much!!!
This was my first time making granola. I’m not sure why I haven’t attempted to before now. This recipe seemed very doable and I had everything on hand. O my goodness! So so so much better than any store bought granola. I can’t wait to try other varieties, the possibilities seem endless.
I’ve had another favorite granola recipe that I’ve enjoyed for years – this one has now replaced it 🙂 We’re having it tonight in yogurt parfaits for dessert. Thanks for another winning recipe, Mel.
I just made a batch and it is so yummy! Thank you so much for this easy granola recipe!
I made this today and it’s delicious!!!
Just pulled this out of the oven…so, so, SO delicious!!!!!!
This granola looks amazing, and I love anything with almonds. An automatic win right here!
paige
http://thehappyflammily.com
I found this one at Lovely Little Kitchen too, by way of Pinterest, and it is my favorite for a basic granola. I love that it stays more clumpy with the ground almonds. I often sub some of the honey with pure maple syrup, add a bit of cinnamon, and throw in a few tablespoons of ground flax seed too. Yum!
This is very similar to my favorite recipe for granola — the same ingredients except for the oil in slightly differing amounts. I love the idea of chopping the almonds — I’ll add that step to my recipe. Thanks!
I, for one, really like your tradition of posting a granola recipe each year. I hadn’t made it before a few years ago, and now my family has started making your granola after I shared some with them. This new recipe sounds especially good, I love honey and almonds together!
My friend shared this exact recipe with me a few weeks ago, but with coconut flakes added also. My husband eats it up! Also my gluten-free friend is in heaven. http://lloydsrecipebox.blogspot.com/2014/05/granola-with-coconut-and-almonds.html?view=flipcard I have tried it with pecans (because I have a glut of them this year) and it is great with those instead of almonds too.
Could you please provide details on the type of almonds that you use? Raw, roasted, salted or not, etc. Can’t wait to try this.
Love love love your site!
I use raw almonds.
Hi Mel! I’m really excited to try this recipe. I just bought the huge bag of dry roasted almonds from Costco….do you think those would work? If so, should I rinse off the salt first? Thank you thank you!
Hey Meredith – yes, if the almonds are salted, I’d probably either decrease the salt in the recipe or rinse and dry the nuts. Good luck!
Can’t wait to try this !!! Especially since my ONLY New Years resolution this year is to start making homemade yogurt regularly…
Neat idea! Grind up the almonds. Your generous heart is way more giving than mine. Once I get a batch of your so very delicious homemade yogurt made, there is no way I’m giving it away as a gift. 🙁