Homemade Granola Varieties for Healthy Snacking

I know you love having healthy snacks on hand; however, the tough part might be not having enough time to prepare them. That’s why I’m excited to share my go-to homemade granola recipes, perfect for easy meal prepping. 

Making your granola gives you control over the ingredients and is incredibly versatile for breakfast, snacks, or dessert! Plus, it’s a great way to add extra fiber, protein, and healthy fats to your diet.

With these five delicious varieties, you can enjoy a different flavor every day of the week, keeping things interesting and exciting.  

1. Tropical Paradise Granola

This granola is packed with tropical flavors that give you the feeling of being on a tropical island. It’s perfect for adding a touch of sweetness to your yogurt or smoothie bowls or simply enjoying it by the handful.

Ingredients

• 2 cups rolled oats
• 1 cup shredded coconut
• ½ cup chopped dried mango
• ½ cup chopped dried pineapple
• ¼ cup chopped dried papaya
• ¼ cup chopped macadamia nuts
• ¼ cup coconut oil, melted
• ¼ cup honey
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Instructions

1. Preheat the oven to 300°F (150°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
2. In a large bowl, combine the rolled oats, shredded coconut, dried fruits, and macadamia nuts.
3. In a separate bowl, whisk together the melted coconut oil, honey, and vanilla extract.
4. Pour the wet ingredients over the dry ingredients and stir until everything is evenly coated.
5. Spread the mixture onto the prepared baking sheet and bake for 20-25 minutes, stirring occasionally, until golden brown and fragrant.
6. Let cool completely on the baking sheet before storing it in an airtight container

Meal Prep Tips

• Grab-and-Go Snack Packs: Divide the granola into small, reusable containers or snack bags for easy grab-and-go snacks for the kids throughout the week. This is perfect for busy mornings or when you’re on the go.
• Parfait Jars: Layer granola, yogurt, and fresh fruit like mango, pineapple, or berries in mason jars. Prepare several jars in advance for a quick and delicious breakfast option.

2. Savory Spice Granola

Who says granola has to be sweet? This savory version is packed with warm spices and crunchy seeds, making it a delicious topping for salads, roasted vegetables, or even soups.

Ingredients

• 2 cups rolled oats
• ½ cup pumpkin seeds
• ½ cup sunflower seeds
• ¼ cup sliced almonds
• 1 teaspoon curry powder
• ½ teaspoon cumin
• ½ teaspoon coriander
• ½ teaspoon turmeric
• ¼ cup olive oil
• ¼ cup maple syrup

Instructions

1. Preheat your oven to 300°F (150°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
2. In a large bowl, combine the rolled oats, pumpkin seeds, sunflower seeds, and almonds.
3. In a separate bowl, whisk together the curry powder, cumin, coriander, turmeric, olive oil, and maple syrup.
4. Pour the wet ingredients over the dry ingredients and mix well to coat evenly.
5. Spread the granola mixture on the prepared baking sheet and bake for 20-25 minutes, stirring every 5 minutes, until golden brown and fragrant.
6. Remove from the oven and let cool completely before storing in an airtight container.

Meal Prep Tips

• Mason Jar Salads: Layer your favorite salad ingredients in mason jars, starting with the dressing at the bottom, followed by hearty vegetables, protein, and leafy greens. Top with a generous sprinkle of savory granola just before serving. Prepare several jars in advance for a week’s worth of lunches.
• Roasted Vegetable Topping: Roast a variety of vegetables like broccoli, cauliflower, carrots, and sweet potatoes. Sprinkle this granola on top just before serving for a flavorful and satisfying meal.
• Soup Enhancer: Pre-portion the granola into small containers and add a sprinkle to your favorite soups or stews just before serving for an extra crunch and flavor boost.

3. Chocolate Hazelnut Granola

This granola is for all the chocolate lovers out there! It’s a decadent treat that’s perfect for satisfying your sweet tooth in a healthy way.

Ingredients

• 2 cups rolled oats
• ½ cup chopped hazelnuts
• ¼ cup cocoa powder
• ¼ cup dark chocolate chips
• ¼ cup coconut oil, melted
• ¼ cup honey
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 300°F (150°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
2. In a large bowl, combine rolled oats, hazelnuts, and cocoa powder.
3. In a separate bowl, whisk together melted coconut oil, honey, and vanilla extract.
4. Pour wet ingredients over dry ingredients and mix until well combined.
5. Spread mixture evenly onto the prepared baking sheet.
6. Bake for 15-20 minutes, stirring occasionally, until granola is golden brown.
7. Remove from oven and stir in chocolate chips.
8. Let cool completely on baking sheet before storing in an airtight container

Meal Prep Tips

• Overnight Oats: In individual jars, combine ½ cup granola with ½ cup milk (dairy or non-dairy) and your favorite toppings like fruit, chia seeds, or nut butter. Refrigerate overnight and enjoy a delicious and ready-to-eat breakfast.
• Yogurt Parfaits: Layer yogurt, granola, and berries in small mason jars or containers. Make several ahead of time for a grab-and-go breakfast or snack.

4. Nut-Free Power Granola

This granola is perfect for those with nut allergies or anyone looking for a nutritious and allergy-friendly snack. It’s packed with seeds, dried fruit, and a hint of cinnamon for a warming flavor.

Ingredients

• 2 cups rolled oats
• ½ cup sunflower seeds
• ½ cup pumpkin seeds
• ¼ cup pepitas
• ¼ cup dried cranberries
• ¼ cup chopped dried apricots
• ¼ cup coconut oil, melted
• ¼ cup honey
• ½ teaspoon cinnamon

Instructions

1. Preheat the oven to 300°F (150°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
2. In a large bowl, combine the rolled oats, sunflower seeds, pumpkin seeds, pepitas, dried cranberries, and dried apricots. Mix well to ensure all ingredients are evenly distributed.
3. In a separate bowl, whisk together the melted coconut oil, honey, and cinnamon until well combined.
4. Pour the wet ingredients over the dry ingredients in the large bowl. Use a spatula or large spoon to gently mix until all the dry ingredients are evenly coated with the wet mixture.
5. Spread the granola mixture onto the prepared baking sheet in an even layer.
6. Place the baking sheet in the preheated oven and bake for 20-25 minutes, stirring every 5-7 minutes to ensure even browning. The granola is done when it is golden brown and fragrant.
7. Remove the baking sheet from the oven and let the granola cool completely on the sheet. As it cools, it will crisp up further.
8. Once cooled, break up any large clumps and transfer the granola to an airtight container for storage.

Meal Prep Tip

• Snack Packs: Pre-portion the granola into small reusable bags or containers for a quick and healthy snack option throughout the week.
• Custom Trail Mix: Combine this granola with your favorite nuts (if no allergies are present), seeds, and dried fruits to create a personalized trail mix. Store in a large container or divide into individual portions for on-the-go snacks.
• Breakfast Parfaits: Layer granola, yogurt, and fresh or frozen fruit in jars or containers for a convenient and balanced breakfast option. Prepare several parfaits ahead of time for a week’s worth of breakfasts.

5. Customizable Granola Base

This recipe is your blank canvas! Get creative and experiment with different combinations of nuts, seeds, dried fruits, and spices to create your own signature granola.

Ingredients

• 2 cups rolled oats
• ½ cup of your choice of nuts and/or seeds (e.g., almonds, cashews, walnuts, pecans, chia seeds, flax seeds)
• ½ cup of your choice of dried fruit (e.g., raisins, dates, cranberries, blueberries, cherries)
• ¼ cup coconut oil, melted
• ¼ cup sweetener of your choice (e.g., honey, maple syrup, agave nectar)
• ½ teaspoon of your choice of spices (e.g., cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, cardamom)

Instructions

1. Preheat your oven to 300°F (150°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
2. In a large mixing bowl, combine the rolled oats, your choice of nuts and/or seeds, and your choice of dried fruit.
3. In a separate bowl, whisk together the melted coconut oil, sweetener, and spices until well combined.
4. Pour the wet ingredients over the dry ingredients in the large bowl. Use a spatula or large spoon to gently mix until all the dry ingredients are evenly coated with the wet mixture.
5. Spread the granola mixture onto the prepared baking sheet in an even layer.
6. Place the baking sheet in the preheated oven and bake for 20-25 minutes, stirring every 5-7 minutes to ensure even browning. The granola is done when it is golden brown and fragrant.
7. Remove the baking sheet from the oven and let the granola cool completely on the sheet. As it cools, it will crisp up further.
8. Once cooled, break up any large clumps and transfer the granola to an airtight container for storage.

Meal Prep Tips

• Bulk Batch: Make a large batch of this granola and store it in an airtight container for up to two weeks. You can then use it as a base for various meal prep recipes throughout the week.
• Yogurt Parfaits: Layer this granola with yogurt, fresh or frozen fruit, and a drizzle of honey or maple syrup in individual jars or containers for a convenient and healthy breakfast.
• Overnight Oats: Combine ½ cup granola with ½ cup milk (dairy or non-dairy) and your favorite toppings like fruit, nuts, or seeds in a jar or container. Refrigerate overnight and enjoy a delicious and ready-to-eat breakfast.

Final Thoughts

I hope you enjoy these homemade granola recipes as much as I do! Making your own granola is a fun and rewarding way to create healthy and delicious snacks that are perfect for meal prepping. With a little creativity and these easy-to-follow recipes, you can enjoy a variety of flavors and textures throughout the week!