13 Homemade Granola, Bar and Parfait Recipes That Beat Anything in a Box

Have you ever read the label on a box of store bought granola? It is often loaded with sugar and costs a small fortune. The good news is that homemade granola takes about 30 minutes, fills your kitchen with a warm toasty smell and lets you choose exactly what goes in. In this gallery you will find big crunchy clusters, chewy bars, no bake bites and pretty yogurt parfaits. Each slide has a simple recipe. Looking for more grab and go ideas? Try these high protein snacks that keep you full. Ready to raid your pantry? Let us get started..

Honey Almond Homemade Granola With Yogurt and Berries

This is the base recipe every kitchen needs. Rolled oats, almonds and seeds get tossed with honey, a little oil and cinnamon, then baked low and slow until golden. Spoon it over thick yogurt with fresh berries and you have a breakfast that looks like a cafe bowl. A big jar of homemade granola lasts about two weeks, if your family does not eat it all first.

You will need: 3 cups rolled oats, 1 cup sliced almonds, 1/2 cup pumpkin seeds, 1/3 cup honey, 1/4 cup olive or coconut oil, 1 teaspoon cinnamon, 1 teaspoon vanilla, 1/2 teaspoon salt, yogurt and berries to serve.

How to make it: Heat the oven to 325 F. Mix oats, almonds, seeds, cinnamon and salt in a bowl. Warm honey, oil and vanilla and pour over. Stir until coated. Spread on a lined sheet pan and press down. Bake 25 to 30 minutes, stirring once. Cool completely before breaking into pieces.

Coconut Cashew Homemade Granola

If you love a tropical flavor, this version is for you. Toasted coconut flakes and buttery cashews turn plain oats into something special. Maple syrup gives a deep, cozy sweetness that pairs perfectly with the coconut. Add the coconut in the last ten minutes so it browns but never burns. It is wonderful over yogurt, with cold milk or eaten by the handful.

You will need: 3 cups rolled oats, 1 cup cashews, 1 cup coconut flakes, 1/3 cup maple syrup, 1/4 cup coconut oil, 1/2 teaspoon salt, 1 teaspoon vanilla.

How to make it: Heat the oven to 325 F. Mix oats, cashews and salt. Stir in melted coconut oil, maple syrup and vanilla. Spread on a lined pan and bake 20 minutes. Stir in the coconut flakes and bake 8 to 10 minutes more until golden. Let it cool on the pan.

How to Get Big Crunchy Clusters

Are you team big clusters or team loose crumbs? If you love chunky clusters, there are two secrets. First, add an egg white to the mix, which glues everything together. Second, press the granola flat on the pan and do not stir it while baking. Once it cools, break it into large pieces. You will get those bakery style chunks every single time.

You will need: 3 cups rolled oats, 1 cup chopped nuts, 1 egg white, 1/3 cup honey, 1/4 cup oil, 1 teaspoon cinnamon, 1/2 teaspoon salt.

How to make it: Heat the oven to 300 F. Whisk the egg white until foamy. Mix in honey, oil, cinnamon and salt. Add oats and nuts and stir well. Press firmly into a thin layer on a lined pan. Bake 40 minutes without stirring. Cool completely, then break into clusters.

Maple Pecan Homemade Granola for Gifting

A big glass jar of homemade granola makes a lovely gift for neighbors, teachers or hosts this holiday season. Maple and pecans taste like fall, and a pinch of nutmeg makes it smell amazing. Tie a ribbon around the jar and add a small tag with serving ideas. It is thoughtful, budget friendly and far more personal than anything from the store.

You will need: 3 cups rolled oats, 1 1/2 cups pecans, 1/2 cup maple syrup, 1/4 cup melted butter or oil, 1 teaspoon cinnamon, 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg, 1/2 teaspoon salt, 1/2 cup dried cranberries.

How to make it: Heat the oven to 325 F. Toss oats, chopped pecans, spices and salt. Stir in maple syrup and butter. Bake on a lined pan for 25 minutes, stirring halfway. Stir in cranberries once cooled. Pack into clean jars with tight lids.

Simple Granola and Milk Breakfast Bowl

Sometimes the simplest breakfast is the best one. A bowl of crunchy granola with cold milk is fast, filling and endlessly flexible. Use dairy milk, oat milk or almond milk, and top with sliced banana or a spoon of nut butter. Here is a lighter granola that uses less sugar but still tastes great. Which milk do you pour? A) dairy B) oat C) almond D) soy.

You will need: 2 cups rolled oats, 1/2 cup chopped walnuts, 1/4 cup sunflower seeds, 3 tablespoons maple syrup, 2 tablespoons oil, 1 teaspoon cinnamon, a pinch of salt, milk and banana to serve.

How to make it: Heat the oven to 325 F. Mix oats, walnuts, seeds, cinnamon and salt. Stir in syrup and oil. Bake on a lined pan 20 to 25 minutes. Cool. Serve in a bowl with milk and sliced banana.

Strawberry Yogurt Parfait in a Glass

A parfait is basically dessert for breakfast, but much better for you. Layers of creamy yogurt, juicy strawberries and crunchy granola look gorgeous in a tall glass. Build it right before eating so the granola stays crisp. For meal prep, keep the granola in a small separate container and add it in the morning. Kids love building their own.

You will need: 1 cup Greek yogurt, 1 cup sliced strawberries, 1/2 cup granola, 1 teaspoon honey, a few mint leaves.

How to make it: Stir honey into the yogurt. Spoon a layer of yogurt into a tall glass. Add a layer of strawberries, then a layer of granola. Repeat the layers. Top with a final sprinkle of granola and a mint leaf. Eat right away.

Greek Yogurt and Homemade Granola Breakfast Cup

This little breakfast cup is high in protein and keeps you full for hours. Thick Greek yogurt brings creaminess and protein, while a handful of homemade granola adds crunch. A few strawberries and a drizzle of honey finish it off. It takes two minutes to put together, and it is a great post workout snack too. Do you like your yogurt plain or sweetened?

You will need: 3/4 cup plain Greek yogurt, 1/3 cup granola, 4 strawberries, 1 teaspoon honey, 1 teaspoon chia seeds.

How to make it: Spoon the yogurt into a bowl or cup. Slice the strawberries and arrange them on top. Sprinkle granola and chia seeds over everything. Drizzle with honey just before serving.

Chewy Seed and Fruit Granola Bars

Store bought bars can be pricey and full of things you cannot pronounce. These chewy bars hold together with honey and nut butter, and you can pack them with pumpkin seeds, dried cranberries and oats. Cut them into squares or long bars and wrap each one for school lunches. They keep for a week in an airtight container.

You will need: 2 cups rolled oats, 1/2 cup pumpkin seeds, 1/2 cup dried cranberries, 1/2 cup peanut or almond butter, 1/3 cup honey, 2 tablespoons oil, 1 teaspoon vanilla, a pinch of salt.

How to make it: Heat the oven to 350 F and line an 8 inch pan. Warm nut butter, honey and oil until smooth. Stir in vanilla and salt. Mix in oats, seeds and cranberries. Press very firmly into the pan. Bake 20 minutes. Cool fully before cutting.

No Bake Peanut Butter Chocolate Oat Bars

No oven? No problem. These bars set in the fridge and taste like a peanut butter cup. A chewy oat and peanut butter base is topped with a thin layer of melted chocolate. They are a great treat for after school or a little afternoon pick me up. Which flavor wins at your house: peanut butter or chocolate?

You will need: 2 cups quick oats, 3/4 cup peanut butter, 1/3 cup honey, 2 tablespoons melted butter or coconut oil, 1/2 cup dark chocolate chips, a pinch of salt.

How to make it: Line an 8 inch pan. Stir peanut butter, honey and butter until smooth. Mix in oats and salt. Press firmly into the pan. Melt the chocolate chips and spread over the top. Chill 1 hour, then cut into bars.

Oat Energy Balls

Energy balls are the easiest snack you can make. Just stir oats, nut butter, honey and a few chocolate chips together and roll them into bites. No baking at all. Keep a container in the fridge for a quick snack before the gym or when the 3 PM slump hits. They also freeze well for up to two months.

You will need: 1 cup rolled oats, 1/2 cup peanut butter, 1/3 cup honey, 1/4 cup mini chocolate chips, 2 tablespoons ground flaxseed, 1 teaspoon vanilla.

How to make it: Stir all the ingredients together in a bowl. Chill the mix for 20 minutes so it is easier to handle. Roll into 1 inch balls. Keep in an airtight container in the fridge for up to a week.

Chocolate Oat Bars With a Fudgy Middle

These bars are for chocolate lovers who still want something with oats. A crumbly oat base and topping sandwich a soft, fudgy chocolate middle. They are richer than the other recipes here, so think of them as a weekend treat. Cut them small and share them with friends. Pair one with a glass of milk for an old school snack.

You will need: 2 cups rolled oats, 1 cup flour, 3/4 cup brown sugar, 1/2 teaspoon baking soda, 3/4 cup melted butter, 1 cup chocolate chips, 1/2 cup sweetened condensed milk.

How to make it: Heat the oven to 350 F. Mix oats, flour, sugar, baking soda and butter. Press 2/3 into a lined 8 inch pan. Melt the chocolate with condensed milk and spread on top. Crumble the rest of the oat mix over it. Bake 25 minutes. Cool before cutting.

Acai Bowl With Homemade Granola

Acai bowls look like art and taste like a thick, frosty smoothie. Frozen acai blended with banana and berries makes a deep purple base. The fun part is the toppings: crunchy homemade granola, fresh fruit, coconut and even edible flowers if you want to show off. Use as little liquid as possible so the bowl stays thick enough to hold the toppings.

You will need: 1 packet frozen acai puree, 1 frozen banana, 1/2 cup frozen mixed berries, 1/4 cup milk of choice, granola, fresh fruit and coconut to top.

How to make it: Break the acai packet into pieces. Blend with banana, berries and milk, scraping down the sides often, until very thick. Spoon into a bowl. Top with granola, sliced fruit and coconut. Serve right away.

Blueberry Lemon Yogurt and Granola Bowl

Blueberries and lemon are a bright, fresh combination that wakes up your taste buds. Stir a little lemon zest into the yogurt, then pile on juicy blueberries and a handful of granola. It tastes like a blueberry muffin, but it is ready in two minutes. Quick poll: what is your favorite parfait fruit? A) blueberries B) strawberries C) banana D) mango.

You will need: 1 cup Greek yogurt, 1 teaspoon lemon zest, 1 teaspoon honey, 3/4 cup blueberries, 1/2 cup granola.

How to make it: Stir lemon zest and honey into the yogurt. Spoon into a bowl. Top with blueberries and granola. Add a little extra zest on top and enjoy right away.