This easy granola uses up whatever nuts and seeds you have on hand. It makes an easy, healthy breakfast or snack.

Granola with yogurt

Starting fresh in January just feels right.

The minute the holidays end, I have an intense urge to pack up every speck of festive decorations, vacuum the whole house, and send at least ten bags of donated clothes and household items out the door.

And then there’s the kitchen: The overstuffed cabinets, packed fridge, and freezer that feels like a bottomless pit of cold, mystery items.

Recently I spent a week organizing those spaces and then figuring out how to use up all the odds and ends I had–so I could cut my grocery bill and waste less food overall.

A perfect way to repurpose half-empty bags of nuts and seeds taking up space in my pantry and freezer: A double batch of this easy granola. One hour of prep and we instantly had breakfasts and yogurt toppings for the next week or more.

Granola on a baking sheet

This easy granola is very flexible and forgiving, but here are a few recipe notes for you:

  • Use a combination of whatever nuts and seeds you happen to have. I’ve used walnuts, almonds, pecans, peanuts, and pistachios with this recipe.
  • I tend to use plain, raw nuts and seeds. If yours are already salted, consider reducing or nixing the additional salt the recipe calls for altogether.
  • If you use pumpkin seeds, opt for shelled seeds (called pepitas).
  • If you like smaller pieces of nuts in your granola, pulse them in a food processor or mini chopper first.

Granola in a jar

Eat this granola on its own as a snack, with milk for breakfast, or over yogurt. Enjoy!

Easy Granola

This easy granola uses up whatever nuts and seeds you have on hand. It’s lightly sweet and makes an easy, healthy breakfast or snack.

Ingredients

  • 3
    cups
    old-fashioned oats
  • 1
    cup
    chopped nuts
    Whatever kind you have, such as walnuts, almonds, or pecans
  • 1/2
    cup
    unsweetened coconut flakes or shredded coconut
  • 1/2
    cup
    seeds
    Whatever kind you have, such as pepitas or sunflower seeds
  • 1/2
    teaspoon
    ground cinnamon
  • 1/2
    teaspoon
    salt
  • 1/2
    stick
    butter
  • 1/4
    cup
    pure maple syrup
  • 1/4
    cup
    packed brown sugar
  • 1/2
    teaspoon
    pure vanilla extract

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 250 degrees F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicone baking mat.

  2. Combine dry ingredients (oats through salt) in a mixing bowl.

  3. Melt butter in a small saucepan over medium heat. Turn to low and add maple syrup, brown sugar, and vanilla. Stir to combine and remove from heat. 

  4. Pour liquid ingredients over dry, mix well until everything is coated, and spread granola onto the baking sheet in an even layer. Bake for 45 minutes, stirring halfway through baking time.

  5. Allow granola to cool, breaking it up into smaller pieces. Store in an airtight container. Keeps for several weeks.

Recipe Notes

*Nutrition information is based on using walnuts and pumpkin seeds.

Nutrition Facts

Easy Granola

Amount Per Serving (0.5 cup)

Calories 365
Calories from Fat 162

% Daily Value*

Total Fat 18g
28%

Total Carbohydrates 41g
14%

Dietary Fiber 7g
28%

Sugars 10g

Protein 11g
22%

Calcium
6%

Iron
17%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

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Granola in a Jar