Name: Vanilla Almond Granola
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 30 min
Total time: 50 min
Ingredients: 3 cups old-fashioned rolled oats; ½ cup sliced almonds; 2 tbsp hemp hearts; 2 tbsp ground flaxseed; 1 tbsp chia seeds; 1 tsp Ceylon cinnamon; ¼ tsp nutmeg; ½ tsp fine sea salt; ¼ cup coconut oil, melted; ¼ cup pure maple syrup; 2 tsp pure vanilla extract

July 29, 2026 | Yields ~4 cups | Prep 20 min | Total 50 min

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I love granola. Not like... love. I looove granola. There are so many delicious ones out there, and I definitely have my brand favorites. But when I really started paying attention to the ingredient lists, it felt like my world was shattered. So... this homemade vanilla almond granola recipe was born.

Loose, gently crunchy, and never clumpy.

Jar filled with homemade vanilla almond granola on a baking sheet with scattered granola.

When I started flipping over bags of granola at the grocery store, I noticed the same things over and over again: highly processed oils, long ingredient lists, and more added sugar than I expected. In the past few years, I've significantly cut back on the use of highly processed oils, and I've become much more mindful of how much added sugar I'm eating. One of the biggest things I've noticed? The less added sugar I eat, the less I've craved it.

So I set out to make a homemade granola that felt more like me. One that's lightly sweet on purpose, made with simple, nourishing ingredients, and crunchy enough to be satisfying without tasting like dessert. Now, I almost always have a jar of this granola on hand. I love sprinkling it over yogurt, layering it into a fruit parfait, or just eating it by the handful. It truly hits my not-so-sweet sweet spot.

You'll also find oats at the center of this recipe, and I know they're one of those ingredients people love to debate. There are plenty of opinions about oats these days. Here's where I've landed: I feel good about eating oats.

I choose organic, old-fashioned rolled oats, and I almost always use Bob's Red Mill because it's a brand I trust. Beyond that, oats are one of the foods that consistently leave me feeling both nourished and satisfied. They're a good source of fiber, including beta-glucan, which has been shown to support heart health and healthy cholesterol levels as part of an overall balanced diet. For me, they're a staple I'm happy to keep in my pantry.

That's really the philosophy behind My Midlife Table. I'm less interested in chasing nutrition trends and more interested in building a way of eating that feels nourishing, sustainable, and enjoyable for the long haul.

Overhead view of homemade vanilla almond granola in a glass jar.

Freshly baked vanilla almond granola on a sheet pan with a wooden spoon.

Why It's on My Midlife Table

Some recipes are nourishing. Others are crave-worthy. This granola is both. I still love granola just as much as I always have. The difference is that now I want one made with ingredients I feel good about.

I use organic oats because that's the choice I've made for my family. I reach for Ceylon cinnamon because I love its more subtle, delicate flavor, and I love that it's been studied for its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties and its potential to support healthy blood sugar levels, among other things. Hemp hearts, flaxseed, and chia are an easy way to sneak a little more protein, fiber, and healthy fats into this granola without changing the flavor. Coconut oil is my go-to for granola because I love the subtle flavor, and I prefer using a simple, single-ingredient oil in my kitchen. And I keep the added sugar modest on purpose because supporting steady blood sugar has become one of my priorities in midlife. I never feel like I'm settling with this recipe, and that's exactly why it keeps earning a place on my table.

And if you enjoy a little more crunch, try using this granola in place of the sliced almonds in my Greek Yogurt Berry Chia Parfait.

Nourishment Snapshot

Here's what this recipe brings to the table.

Fiber: ~3g to help keep you feeling satisfied.
Protein: ~4g (even more when paired with Greek yogurt).
Sugar: Lightly sweet on purpose, with just ~3 g of sugar per serving.
Healthy Fats + Plant-Based Omegas: From almonds, hemp hearts, flaxseed, and coconut oil for satisfying crunch and lasting energy.

Ingredients for homemade vanilla almond granola including rolled oats, almonds, hemp hearts, flaxseed, chia seeds, cinnamon, maple syrup, vanilla, and coconut oil.

A Few Things You'll Need

Organic old-fashioned rolled oats
Sliced almonds
Hemp hearts
Ground flaxseed
Chia seeds
Ceylon cinnamon
Fine sea salt
Coconut oil
Pure maple syrup
Pure vanilla extract
Vanilla bean paste (optional)
Vanilla collagen peptides (optional)

Rolled oats, almonds, hemp hearts, flaxseed, chia seeds, cinnamon, and salt before mixing into homemade granola.

Whisking maple syrup, vanilla, and melted coconut oil for homemade vanilla almond granola.

Pouring the maple syrup and coconut oil mixture over oats and seeds to make homemade vanilla almond granola.

Rolled oats, almonds, and seeds mixed together in a large glass bowl for homemade granola.

Homemade vanilla almond granola being spread out on a parchment-lined baking sheet.

Freshly baked vanilla almond granola spread across a baking sheet to cool.

Cook's Notes & Substitutions

Coconut oil: If your coconut oil is solid, measure it in a dry measuring cup, then melt it. If it's already liquid (common in warmer kitchens or during the summer), simply stir it well and measure ¼ cup in a liquid measuring cup.
Sweetness level: This granola is lightly sweet on purpose. If you prefer a sweeter granola, drizzle a little honey or maple syrup over your yogurt or parfait rather than increasing the sweetness of the entire batch.
Oats: Use old-fashioned rolled oats for the best texture. As mentioned, I prefer organic, old-fashioned rolled oats (I almost always use Bob's Red Mill) but use your favorite brand.
Ceylon cinnamon: I love Ceylon cinnamon for its delicate flavor and health benefits, but regular ground cinnamon works perfectly well if that's what you have on hand.
Ground Chia Seeds: Whole or ground chia seeds work beautifully here, so use whichever you have on hand. Grinding chia can make some of its nutrients, including its plant-based omega-3s, easier for the body to access.
Texture tip: Let the granola cool completely before storing. That's when it develops its best crunch.
Storage: Once completely cooled, store the granola in a mason jar or other airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 weeks. Though, in our house, it never lasts that long.
Vanilla Bean Paste: If you have vanilla bean paste on hand, stir in 1 teaspoon along with the vanilla extract for an even richer vanilla flavor. The granola is delicious with or without it.
Vanilla Collagen Peptides: For an easy protein boost, stir 2–4 tablespoons into the dry ingredients. If the mixture seems a little dry, add 1–2 tablespoons of water as needed. The recipe works beautifully with or without it.