Let’s be real: nothing beats the satisfaction of digging into a big bowl of granola. Whether you’re pouring it over your morning yogurt, enjoying it with milk, or grabbing a handful as a snack, granola is one of those snacks that’s both comforting and energizing.

The best part? When you make it at home, you can customize it exactly to your liking.

This homemade granola is a perfect balance of crunchy oats, toasted almonds, sweet dried cherries, and a touch of honey for sweetness. It’s not only delicious but packed with fibre, healthy fats, and antioxidants from the almonds and cherries. Plus, it's ridiculously easy to make and customizable to whatever ingredients you’ve got on hand.

Ready to give it a try? Let’s dive into this super simple recipe that will soon become a breakfast (or snack) staple in your kitchen!

Why You’ll Love This Granola

This homemade granola is everything you could want in a snack or breakfast:

Crunchy and satisfying: The oats and almonds give it that perfect crunch, while the chia seeds and sunflower seeds pack in extra nutrients.
Sweet but not too sweet: The honey or maple syrup gives just the right amount of sweetness without being overwhelming. Plus, the dried cherries add a tart kick that makes it irresistible.
Customizable: You can easily swap out ingredients based on what you have on hand or what you’re craving. Prefer walnuts over almonds? Go for it. Want to try raisins instead of dried cherries? Absolutely.

The Ingredients You’ll Need

For the Granola:

3 cups old-fashioned rolled oats
1 cup almonds, sliced or roughly chopped
1/2 cup shredded coconut (optional but adds great flavour)
1/4 cup chia seeds or flaxseeds (optional, but these give it a nice nutritional boost)
1/4 cup sunflower seeds or pumpkin seeds (optional)
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 cup coconut oil (or olive oil if you prefer)
1/3 cup honey or maple syrup (depending on your sweetness preference)
1/4 cup brown sugar (or coconut sugar for a refined-sugar-free option)
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 cup dried cherries, chopped if large
1/4 cup unsweetened apple juice or water (optional, helps with sticking if you like clumpy granola)

How to Make This Homemade Granola

Step 1: Preheat the Oven

Preheat your oven to 325°F (165°C) and line a large baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicone baking mat. This makes cleanup a breeze and keeps your granola from sticking.

Step 2: Mix the Dry Ingredients

In a large bowl, combine the rolled oats, almonds, shredded coconut (if using), chia seeds, sunflower seeds, cinnamon, and salt. Stir everything together so it’s evenly mixed. The smell of cinnamon and toasted oats is already making me hungry!

Step 3: Prepare the Wet Ingredients

In a small saucepan, combine the coconut oil, honey (or maple syrup), and brown sugar. Heat over medium, stirring occasionally, until the coconut oil is melted, and the sugar dissolves into a syrupy mix. Once it’s all melted, remove it from the heat and stir in the vanilla extract.

Step 4: Combine Wet and Dry Ingredients

Pour the wet mixture over the dry ingredients and stir it all together. You want to make sure the oats and nuts are evenly coated. If the mixture feels too dry, you can add a tablespoon of apple juice or water to help it come together and stick.

Step 5: Bake the Granola

Spread the granola evenly onto your prepared baking sheet. Bake it for 25-30 minutes, stirring once or twice during baking to ensure even cooking. The granola should be golden brown and fragrant. Keep a close eye on it in the last few minutes, as granola can burn quickly.

Pro tip: For those clumpy, bakery-style granola bits, don’t stir it too much while baking. If you like big clumps, press the mixture down gently with a spatula after about 10 minutes of baking. It’ll help form the crispy chunks we all love!

Step 6: Add Dried Cherries

Once your granola is baked and golden, take it out of the oven and let it cool on the baking sheet. As it cools, it’ll crisp up. Once it’s completely cool, stir in the dried cherries. They add a pop of sweetness and tartness that balances the crunchy oats perfectly.

Step 7: Store and Serve

Transfer your granola to an airtight container for storage. It’ll keep for up to two weeks at room temperature or longer if you refrigerate it. But honestly, it probably won’t last that long—it’s too delicious!

You can enjoy this homemade granola in so many ways:

With milk or yogurt: A classic combo. Pour it over your favourite yogurt for a breakfast that’s packed with protein, fibre, and crunch.
As a snack: Grab a handful straight from the jar for a mid-afternoon pick-me-up.
On top of smoothie bowls: Add a nice crunch to your smoothie bowls for extra texture.

Customization Tips

Sweetener Swaps: If you’re looking for a different flavour, try using maple syrup or agave nectar instead of honey. For a sugar-free version, coconut sugar works beautifully!
Nuts and Seeds: Feel free to swap the almonds for walnuts, pecans, or even hazelnuts. You can also mix and match seeds—hemp seeds, sesame seeds, or even pumpkin seeds all work great here.
Dried Fruit: While this recipe calls for dried cherries, raisins, cranberries, apricots, or figs all work wonderfully. Just make sure to add fresh fruit after baking so it doesn’t burn in the oven.
Extra Crunch: Want more clusters? Try adding a tablespoon of water or apple juice before baking. It helps the granola stick together in bigger, crunchier chunks!

Why This Granola Is a Winner

This homemade granola isn’t just easy to make—it’s packed with wholesome, nourishing ingredients that will keep you fueled throughout the day. The oats provide fibre, the nuts add healthy fats, and the dried cherries give you a burst of antioxidants. Plus, it’s a great way to use up what’s in your pantry!

Whether you're enjoying it with your morning coffee, tossing it into a yogurt parfait, or eating it by the handful as a snack, this granola is sure to become a staple in your kitchen. And since it’s so customizable, you can make it your own and experiment with different flavours each time.

So go ahead, get baking, and enjoy the crunchy, sweet goodness that only homemade granola can bring!

Homemade Granola with Dried Cherries and Almonds

Let’s be real: nothing beats the satisfaction of digging into a big bowl of granola. Whether you’re pouring it over your morning yogurt, enjoying it with milk, or grabbing a handful as a snack, granola is one of those snacks that’s both comforting and energizing.