Homemade Vanilla Almond Granola

Name: Easy Homemade Honey Almond Vanila Granola {Gluten Free}
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 30 min
Total time: 35 min
Ingredients: 2 cups rolled oats; 1/3 cup uncooked quinoa; 3/4 cup sliced almonds; 1/3 cup honey; 1/3 cup oil; 2 tbsp brown sugar; 1 tbsp vanilla bean paste (yes, a whole tablespoon! or vanilla extract); 1 tsp cinnamon; 1/2 tsp sea salt

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Packed with crunchy oats, honey and sweet vanilla, this Honey Almond Vanilla Granola recipe is perfect for breakfast or a healthy snack.

Crispy, crunchy, salty, sweet, and nutrient packed! Homemade vanilla almond granola is a delicious gluten-free treat. Perfect for sprinkling on yogurt or enjoying with milk, or by the handful for snacking. I've even used it as an ice cream topping. The crispy crunchy clusters - It’s just SO GOOD.

If you regularly buy granola or cereal at the grocery store, try this easy vanilla almond granola! It’s delicious, simple to make, and you probably have all of the ingredients in your pantry already to make your own homemade gluten free granola. All you need is just nine ingredients!

If you're looking for more breakfast ideas with oats, I highly recommend you also check out my Pumpkin Pecan Granola for another crispy, crunchy treat. This Blended Banana Bread Baked Oatmeal is one of the most popular recipes on the site and these Peanut Butter Energy Balls are a weekly meal prep go to for me!

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Why you will love this recipe
Ingredients and Substitutions
Ingredients and Substitutions
Step by Step Instructions
Tips to Make the Best Granola at Home
How to store homemade granola
FAQ
More Great Breakfast Recipes with Gluten Free Oats to Try
Easy Homemade Honey Almond Vanila Granola {Gluten Free}

Why you will love this recipe

Store bought granola is often laden with sugar and preservatives. Making your own granola is easy and it’s so much healthier.
Not only is this recipe gluten-free, it’s also egg and dairy free and can easily be made vegan.
It’s crispy, crunchy, sweet, salty and nutrient-packed. It also keeps well in the pantry for several weeks to have on hand for a quick, healthy breakfast.
Homemade granola is easy to make and a lot cheaper!

Ingredients and Substitutions

Ingredients and Substitutions

All you need is nine simple ingredients to make this easy recipe. I always have everything stocked in my pantry so I can make this regularly.

Old-fashioned rolled oats – if you want to ensure this recipe is gluten-free, make sure the packaging on your oats says "certified gluten free". My favorite is Bob’s Red Mill Gluten Free Organic Rolled Oats.
Raw sliced almonds – sliced almonds work best. It’s important to use raw nuts as they will toast along with the rest of the ingredients in the oven. You can substitute slivered almonds, but I would not recommend using whole almonds.
Raw quinoa – this adds another layer of nutty flavor, more texture and a healthy boost of protein! No need to cook it first.
Honey – You can use honey or maple syrup to make this granola vegan. I personally like the flavor of honey almond. Do not skip this ingredient, the syrupy goodness is what helps achieve that sticky sweet texture of homemade granola clusters.
Brown Sugar – helps the granola caramelize and get super crunchy! I would stick with brown sugar and substitute white or coconut sugar. Brown sugar holds more moisture and helps to form the crunchy granola clusters we all crave.
Avocado or Coconut Oil – I prefer to use avocado oil for a more neutral flavor but you can also use coconut oil.
Vanilla – use good, real vanilla. This recipe calls for a whole tablespoon! Vanilla bean paste is my favorite but vanilla extract works too. If you want to amp up the almond flavor, you could also add in a little bit of almond extract.
Cinnamon – this is optional, but I love a touch of cinnamon for more flavor and a bit of warmth. It plays so well with the honey and vanilla.
Sea Salt – the salty sweet combo is what makes this so irresistible!
Variations – once the granola has come out of the oven but before it cools, sprinkle some chocolate chips, unsweetened shredded coconut, dried cherries, dried cranberries or chopped dried apricots on top. You can also experiment with other nuts or seeds like hemp seeds, flax seeds pecans, pepitas or pistachios. This is a great base recipe to customize!

Step by Step Instructions

You will be surprised at how easy it is to make granola at home!

Wet ingredients in a glass bowl with a whisk.

Step 1: Preheat the oven to 300 degrees f and line a baking sheet with parchment paper. In a small bowl whisk together honey, oil, sugar, vanilla, cinnamon and salt.

Dry ingredients in a large glass bowl with a blue silicone spatula.

Step 2: In a large bowl add the uncooked quinoa, oats and almonds.

Wet and dry ingredients mixed together in a large glass bowl with a blue silicone spatula.

Step 3: Pour wet ingredients into dry and use a rubber spatula or wooden spoon to combine until all of the oat mixture is thoroughly coated.

Oat mixture spread out on parchment lined baking sheet with a blue silicone spatula.

Step 4: Turn the mixture out onto the prepared baking sheet and spread the granola out into an even layer. Press it down a little bit so it sticks together.

Granola clusters on a parchment lined baking sheet with a blue silicone spatula.

Step 5: Bake at 300°F for 30-35 minutes until golden. Stir it around once, halfway through cooking. Start checking at around 25 minutes, it should be light golden brown and smell nutty but not burnt.

Remove the baking sheet from the oven and let the granola cool completely, undisturbed. It will be sticky while warm and crisp up as it cools.

Once cooled, break up into clusters and store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to three weeks.

Granola in a white bowl with berries in the background.

Tips to Make the Best Granola at Home

A big pinch of salt helps to balance the sweetness in the granola, making for a tasty salty-sweet bite. Perfect for breakfast!
Only stir the granola once during the cooking process. This will help it cook evenly and form super crunchy clusters.
Be sure to let it cool completely on the the baking sheet. This also allows the clusters to form. It will be a bit sticky when first out of the oven, but crisps as it cools down. If you’re adding chocolate chips, dried fruit or coconut flakes, sprinkle them on top while it’s still warm and sticky, but do not stir.
Don’t omit the brown sugar, it’s part of what makes the granola crunchy! Just a couple tablespoons make all the difference.
You should definitely not skip adding the quinoa to this recipe. Not only is it super healthy, but it also gives the granola an extra crunchy texture and a delicious nutty flavor that plays so well with the honey, almond and vanilla.

How to store homemade granola

The most important thing is to wait until the granola is completely cooled before storing it. You can use glass jars, zip top bags or any type of airtight container to preserve freshness.
Store granola in an airtight container in the pantry for about 3 weeks.
If you need it to last longer, freeze it! Add the granola to freezer bags or a freezer safe container and store it for up to six months. You can thaw it on the counter for about 30 minutes or just enjoy it frozen.
If you live in a particularly hot and humid climate, you can also store your homemade granola in the refrigerator.

FAQ

Can I use steel cut oats for this granola recipe?

No. Steel cut oats are cut smaller and have a chewier texture. This recipe will not work with steel cut or instant oats. Stick with old fashioned rolled oats.

How do I ensure that my granola is gluten free?

Look for a label on the packaging that specifically states that your oats are certified gluten-free – this means that they were processed with gluten-free equipment and handled with care at a dedicated facility to protect consumers with celiac disease.

How can I make my granola crunchy?

To achieve that perfect crunchy texture in your almond granola, ensure that the mixture is evenly spread on the baking sheet and allow it to bake until it turns a beautiful golden brown. Additionally, letting the granola cool completely after baking is crucial as it hardens as it cools. This will help create granola clusters that are both satisfying and delicious.