Healthy Air Fryer Granola

My favourite thing about air fryer granola? It's quick and easy to make. You can enjoy a homemade batch of this almond honey granola in only 25 minutes. So, let's get started!

Jump to:

• Why you'll love this recipe
• Why is this recipe healthy?
• Ingredients
• Instructions
• How to store
• Recipe variations
• Equipment
• FAQs
• How to serve
• Similar recipes
• Healthy Air Fryer Granola

Why you'll love this recipe

• Ready in 25 minutes
• Made with only 9 simple ingredients
• No refined sugars
• Dairy free
• High in antioxidants, fibre and healthy fat

Why is this recipe healthy?

Not only is this airfryer granola incredibly easy to make, it's also great for your health. Here are a couple of reasons why:

• It's made with real ingredients: This healthy air fryer granola recipe is much better for you than store-bought varieties that are usually filled with added sugars and other unhealthy additives. It's made with whole grains, unrefined oil, natural sweetener, and all-around good-for-you ingredients.
• It's made without refined oil: Refined oil is bleached or deodorized after extraction. It's best to use unrefined oils, which haven't been messed with since extraction. These are healthiest for you. I like coconut oil for the flavour and texture it produces in the granola.
• It's full of antioxidants: Antioxidants help protect against oxidative stress, which can damage molecules in your cells and contribute to inflammation, aging and diseases like cancer. Almonds are a rich sources of antioxidants.
• It's high in healthy fats and fibre: Almonds, pumpkin seeds, sunflower seeds and hemp seeds are great sources of all three nutrients. Thanks to these ingredients, this granola is a satiating option that won't cause your blood sugar to spike rapidly after consuming it. That's a good thing because blood sugar swings can lead to depression, agitation, feeling irritable, anxiety, lack of energy, easy fatiguability, and uncontrollable temper.

Scroll down to see the printable recipe with nutritional information.

Ingredients

Here's what you'll need for this air fried granola:

• Rolled oats: You can use another alternative grain, but oats are a good choice because they easily soak up flavour. If you would like this recipe to be gluten-free, be sure to use gluten-free oats.
• Sunflower seeds, pumpkin seeds, and hemp seeds: These nuts and seeds add texture to the granola. Chop them or leave them whole - it's up to you. You'll see in my suggested swaps section that you can alternate these for other options to your heart's desire.
• Vanilla extract: This adds warming spice to the granola.
• Salt: Whatever you do, don’t skip the salt. Without it, your flavours will fall a little flat. I like to use Himalayan sea salt, but any salt will do.
• Honey: Sweetener is important in granola because it helps bind the mixture. You can use any natural sweetener, although honey plays a big role in the flavour of this recipe.
• Coconut oil: Oil also plays a role in binding the mixture and making it crispy. You can replace with any unrefined oil, like olive oil or avocado oil. These options will have a slightly more savoury flavour.

Scroll down to find the printable recipe with ingredient measurements.

Instructions

Let’s break it down step by step to take any guesswork out of this granola in air fryer.

• Preheat the oven to 350°F.
• Combine rolled oats, sliced almonds, pumpkin seeds, sunflower seeds, hemp seeds and salt together in a mixing bowl.  
• In another small mixing bowl, combine melted coconut oil, honey and vanilla extract. 
• Pour the liquid mixture over the dry mixture. Stir until mixed thoroughly. 

• Cut a parchment paper to fit the base of the air fryer and poke a few small holes in the paper so that the air can circulate.
• Line the air fryer basket with with parchment paper. Spread granola mix evenly on top.
• Air fry for approximately 20 minutes. Every 5 minutes, remove the basket from the air fryer and stir the mixture. Be sure to keep an eye on the granola in the final minutes as it can burn easily. 
• Remove from the air fryer and let the granola cool completely on a baking sheet before storing. The granola will crisp up further during this time.

• Store in airtight container in the cupboard.
• Enjoy as a snack or on top of your favourite breakfast bowl. 

Recipe notes:

• Be sure to use rolled oats. Quick oats and steel cut oats do not work well in this recipe. 
• Rolled oats burn easily. Keep an eye on the granola in the final minutes. 
• To get more clumps in your granola: Use a spatula to gently press down on the mixture when adding it to the air fryer. Do this again 10 minutes into baking. Also, be sure to let the granola cool completely before breaking up the mixture.

For the full ingredient list and step-by-step directions, scroll down to view the recipe card.

How to store

Air fryer granola is one of my favourite recipes to meal prep. Here's everything you need to know about storing it.

• Pantry: Store in an airtight container in a cool, dark cupboard for up to two weeks. 
• Refrigerator: Granola will go soggy in the refrigerator, so avoid this storage option. 
• Freezer: Store in an airtight container or freezer bag for up to two months. 

Recipe variations

This almond honey granola didn't quite hit the mark? There are plenty of easy customizations you can make. Here are a few of my favourites.

• Nuts and seeds: I used almonds, pumpkin seeds, sunflowers seeds and hemp seeds to make this recipe. But, swap these out to your heart's content. Other great options include walnuts, pecans, cashews, hazlenuts, or pistachios. Add these before baking.
• Embrace alternative grains: Just like you can swap out your nuts and seeds, you can substitute rolled oats for a different whole grain. Other good options are quinoa flakes or spelt. Just keep the ratio the same.
• Bring in more spice: I like the simplicity of this recipe. But, if you feel like it needs a little extra something, try some warming spices like cinnamon, ground ginger, allspice, nutmeg, ground cardamom or pumpkin spice. Start with ¼ teaspoon and scale up from there. In general, anything more than a teaspoon will be overpowering.
• Add dried fruits: These can bring in additional sweetness and contribute to a a delicious, chewy consistency in your granola. Good options include chopped dates, dried cherries, dried apricots, or raisins. Add the fruit in during the final 10 minutes of air frying. If you add at the beginning the dried fruit will turn rock hard.

Equipment

Here's what you need to make this aloha granola recipe:

• Air fryer, I love my Ninja AF161 Max XL Air Fryer
• Parchment paper
• Measuring cups and spoons
• Baking tray (to cool the granola on)
• Mason jar or another airtight container for storage

my go-to products

Ninja AF161 Max XL Air Fryer

Buy Now →

measuring cups and spoons

Buy Now →

pre-cut parchment paper

Buy Now →

32 oz wide mouth mason jar

Buy Now →

rimmed baking sheet

Buy Now →

FAQs

Here are some of the most frequently asked questions about healthy air fried granola.

How to serve

To complete the meal, serve your air fryer granola up on top of your favourite breakfast bowl or smoothie. Some of my favourites are below.

• Mix-in your favourite breakfast bowl: Add this granola on top of your favourite yogurt, oatmeal or chia seed bowls for a healthy breakfast or snack. It's nutritious and delicious when you don't feel like cooking.
• Top your favourite smoothies with this granola: Add a little bit of crunch to your favourite smoothie by sprinkling a tablespoon of almond vanilla granola on top . I love using this healthy granola to amp up my vanilla smoothies with even more delicious vanilla flavour.

Check out these easy healthy recipes below.

Similar recipes

Obsessed with granola like me? I invite you to check out some of my other healthy granola options below, or peruse all of my healthy breakfast recipes here.

If you make this Air Fryer Granola, please consider leaving a star rating and a comment. Don't forget to tag @caiteyjay on Instagram or @caiteyjay on Pinterest so I can see your creations.

Print