Apple juice and maple syrup lend their sweetness to this nutty granola. This is a the eat-in-the-car breakfast when you’re on the road. You’ll love this healthy granola’s strong ratio of nuts to rolled oats, giving each serving 13 grams of protein.
Click here to PIN this Naturally Sweetened Homemade Granola recipe!
Serve with yogurt or milk or both and bananas or oatmeal or both! Granola always makes a healthy snack too.
Naturally Sweetened Homemade Granola variations:
- Feel free to skip the coconut/raisins and switch the nuts around. Really, use what you have on hand. Try pecans or sunflower nuts in place of walnuts and pumpkin seeds.
- Instead of raisins, sub in another dried fruit, like dried cranberries, chopped apricots, dried apples or dates. Again, use what you might have on hand.
More recipe ideas:
- These gluten-free cowboy cookies with oats, raisins and chocolate chips are made with almond flour.
- You might also like my gluten free and vegan Apple Cinnamon Quinoa Muffins!
- This butter pie crust with rolled oats and whole wheat flour is oh so flaky.
This recipe comes from my friend Abhilasha. Abhilasha and her husband offer retreats in the mountains of southern Utah. She cooks incredibly delicious vegetarian meals and he teaches yoga and meditation.
* Updated from healthy homemade granola recipe that I originally posted in January 2014!
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**If you make this recipe, please consider leaving a blog post comment. Your comments help other readers learn more about the recipe.
Naturally Sweetened Homemade Granola
Ingredients
- 9 cups old-fashioned rolled oats
- 1 cup walnuts , chopped
- 1 cup almonds , chopped
- 1 cup cashews , chopped
- 1 cup pumpkin seeds
- 1 cup unsweetened coconut flakes, optional
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1 ½ cups apple juice
- ½ cup melted coconut oil or avocado oil
- ½ cup maple syrup
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 1 ¼ cups raisins or other dried fruit
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 325° F. Toss the rolled oats, nuts, coconut and cinnamon in a large bowl. In another bowl stir together the apple juice, coconut oil, maple syrup and vanilla. (Set aside the dried fruit to stir into the warm granola from the oven.) Pour the wet mixture into the oats and nuts. Stir and toss until everything is well mixed and evenly coated.
- Spread into two 12 x 16-inch baking sheets–about one quarter of the mixture in each pan, about ½-inch deep. You'll need to bake in two batches unless your oven will hold a full (18 x 26-inch) baking sheet.
- Bake 25 to 30 minutes, stirring every 10 minutes so the the granola browns evenly. Transfer to a bowl and stir in the raisins.
- Cool. Store in an airtight container.
I’m not a foodie and you’ll rarely find me in the kitchen doing anything but happily cleaning up my sweeties mess but this might just get me cooking. I feel all of you in all of this and it is beautiful and I want some! · 18 January, 2014
Christine–thanks for the comment and favorite. Pray tell–clue me in and translate “<3" · 18 January, 2014
Translate this <3 ?? It's a sideways heart with a less than and 3, emoticon for love. · 26 January, 2014
<3 back to you! · 26 January, 2014
This. Is. Amazing!! First time I made it I couldn’t stop eating it. I made a batch for my secret Santa in a big jar and she loved it. She gave a few work colleagues a taste and everyone raved over it. I am now, at this moment making more for family Christmas gifts. It’s also very easy to chop n change ingredients. 💖 19 December, 2024
Thank you Vicki. I’m delighted you like the recipe. I sneak a good spoonful (or 4) when I make this granola too! 23 December, 2024
<3 is a sideways heart = Love! · 19 January, 2014
This is a new recipe for me. Please let me know how much healthy benefits has this Granola Recipe ? · 24 December, 2017
Thanks for the note Robert. Rolled oats are whole grain and loaded with fiber that reduces blood sugar and LDL. Apple juice and maple syrup are natural sweeteners, admittedly sugar. I am not a nutritionist, but it is my understanding that natural sugars are better absorbed by our bodies than processed sugars. The high ratio of nuts means this granola is rich in healthy fats and protein. · 25 December, 2017
So easy and always delicious · 30 March, 2025