Healthy Homemade Granola (vegan and gluten free)
Granola! I truly believe granola is one of the most delicious and wholesome breakfasts or snacks you can enjoy. Not only is it incredibly easy to make—requiring just eight simple cupboard ingredients or even fewer—but it’s also packed with goodness.
The recipe I’ll show you here is a basic starting point, but the beauty of homemade granola is that you can customise each batch to suit your taste or mood.
Whole grain foods like granola can be a valuable part of a varied and balanced diet, so why not get into the habit of making your own healthy mix and storing it in containers for those busy mornings?
Unlike many shop-bought varieties—which often include refined sugar, salt, and excessive fat—homemade granola lets you control exactly what goes in, so there’s no need for added sugar, too much oil, or unnecessary salt. Happy snacking!
What You’ll Need
· gluten free oats
· sunflower seeds
· pumpkin seeds
· healthy oil (coconut, macadamia, olive)
· honey
· walnuts
· vanilla extract
· ground cinnamon
Notes on Ingredients
The Oats: Oats are naturally gluten free, but if you’re on a gluten free diet, always choose oats specifically labelled as such to avoid cross-contamination during processing.
The Oil: Opt for healthy choices like coconut, macadamia, or extra-virgin olive oil to keep things light and wholesome.
Sweetener: To keep your granola vegan, swap honey for maple syrup. Coating the oats in honey or syrup produces that irresistible crunchy texture everyone loves.
Vanilla Extract: A delightful addition to your granola, but feel free to leave it out and add more spices if you fancy!
Substitutions
· Oats: Quick oats don’t yield the same texture—stick with rolled oats for best results.
· Honey: Maple syrup or any liquid sweetener works beautifully.
· Oil: You may use melted butter instead of oil for a richer taste.
Don’t be afraid to get creative—your kitchen is your playground! Mix and match ingredients to invent your own favourite blend. Share your favourite mix-ins in the comments below so others can try them too.
Ideas for Optional Extras
These are just a few ideas, but the list of optional mix-ins is much longer!
· Seeds: Sunflower seeds and pumpkin seeds are great additions to your granola. These seeds not only add crunch but also boost the nutritional profile of your granola.
· Nuts: I used walnuts in this version, which is such a delicious addition to your granola—I highly recommend it! Just make sure you don’t burn them in the oven, as they can become bitter. Any raw nuts are fine here.
· Dried fruit: Add them at the end to avoid burning. Try dried cranberries or raisins for a touch of sweetness.
· Spices: Use spices for extra flavour. In this recipe, I used cinnamon, but feel free to try cloves, nutmeg or ginger, or even a combination of these for a warming aroma and taste.
· Flax-seed: Ground flaxseed can add to the nutrition,
· Mixing and matching these extras can help you create your own signature granola blend!
Serving ideas
*Mix it with yogurt
*Eat it like a cereal
*Add it to smoothies
*Add to muffins
*Serve over ice cream
*Make granola bars
*Use as a topping for salad
This simple granola recipe makes the perfect base for your breakfast or snack. Serve it as cereal with unsweetened plant milk, stir it into dairy-free yoghurt, or simply enjoy a handful on its own. To make things even more exciting, try adding dried fruits like cranberries or apricots, a handful of nuts such as almonds or walnuts, or spices like cinnamon or nutmeg to create your favourite flavour combination. Don’t be afraid to experiment—mix and match your favourite ingredients for endless variety.
Why you’l love this recipe
✅Cupboard ingredients
✅Budget-friendly
✅Customizable
✅Easy to make
✅Delicious
✅Healthy
✅Simple
✅Quick
Healthy Homemade Granola
Easy, Customisable and Delicious – Perfect for Breakfast or Snacking
(vegan and gluten free)
Preparation time: 2 minutes
Cooking time: 20-25 minutes
Total time: 25-30 minutes
Servings: 8
Ingredients
· 150g (1½ cups) gluten-free rolled oats
· 40g (¼ cup) sunflower seeds
· 50g (⅓ cup) pumpkin seeds
· 80ml (⅓ cup) healthy oil
· 115g (⅓ cup) honey or maple syrup
· 100g (1 cup) walnuts, finely chopped
· 1 tbsp vanilla extract
· 1 tbsp ground cinnamon
Method
1. Preheat the oven to 170°C (338°F, Gas Mark 3). Line a large baking tray with parchment paper for easy clean-up.
2. Combine the dry ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, add the oats, sunflower seeds, pumpkin seeds, chopped walnuts and ground cinnamon. Stir until well mixed.
3. Mix the wet ingredients: In a separate bowl or jug, whisk together the oil, honey (or maple syrup), and vanilla extract until fully combined and smooth.
4. Combine everything: Pour the wet mixture over the dry ingredients. Use a large spoon or spatula to mix thoroughly until all the dry ingredients are coated and slightly sticky. The mixture should clump together a little but not be overly wet.
5. Spread and bake: Spread the granola mixture evenly over the prepared baking tray. Press down gently with the back of a spoon if you like chunkier clusters.
6. Bake for 20-25 minutes, stirring halfway through to ensure even toasting. The granola is ready when it’s golden-brown and smells toasty.
7. Cool completely: Remove from the oven and let cool fully on the tray – it will crisp up as it cools. Once cool, break up any large clusters if desired.
8. Serve: Enjoy with cold milk, yoghurt, or your favourite plant-based alternative. Add fresh fruit for extra goodness!
Notes & Tips
· To store: Allow the granola to cool completely before transferring to an airtight container. Store at room temperature in a cool, dry place for up to 1-2 weeks (if it lasts that long!).
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· To freeze: Place cooled granola in a resealable freezer bag, remove excess air, and freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw at room temperature before serving.
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· To reheat: If you prefer warm granola, spread a portion on a baking tray and pop in a preheated oven at 150°C for 5 minutes, or warm gently in a dry frying pan for a few minutes, stirring occasionally.
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Let me know what you think of this recipe in the comments below. If you know anyone who would like to try it, please share. Thank you!
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Original recipe created and published in 2018, updated in 2025
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