Homemade breakfast doesn’t have to be overly complicated. This air fryer granola is crisp, golden, and ready in under 10 minutes. It’s perfect for quick breakfasts like matcha chia pudding, vegan yogurt parfait, or high protein overnight oats.

Air fryer granola in a mason jar, with a wooden spoon sticking out.

I never knew how simple and straightforward granola is. It blew my mind how quick and relatively affordable it is compared to the store-bought alternative. If you enjoyed my hot chocolate granola and healthy homemade granola recipe, you’ll love this air fryer version.

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Why You’ll Love This Recipe

  • Fast and practically foolproof , this crispy air fryer granola is ready in under 10 minutes.
  • Better yet, you don’t have to make a pound of granola. This recipe is small-batch friendly for small households.
  • This recipe is easily customizable depending on preference and allergies (see Hack It! section below).
  • Naturally sweetened with just maple syrup so that you don’t get a huge sugar spike.
  • While dry goods don’t perish in the same way as fresh produce, something crunchy can go stale. This recipe is so delicous, it’ll be gone before it has a chance to “expire”.

Key Ingredients

The ingredients for air fryer granola laid out and labeled on a white background.
  • Rolled oats are the backbone of almost any granola. Oats toast up beautifully for the classic granola texture.
  • Mixed nuts and pumpkin seeds add crunch, a whole-food fat source, lots of energy, and even fiber.
  • Flax and hemp hearts blend seamlessly into the mix for subtle nuttiness and more fiber!
  • Coconut oil helps everything crisp up and cluster into chunks.
  • Maple syrup adds natural sweetness and a dash of golden color.
  • Dried cranberries (or other fruit) add another sumbtle note of sweetness and a chewy contrast to the crunch.

Hack It!

  • Swap any nuts or seeds for what you have on hand. If you have nut allergies, you can do seeds only, adding sunflower and sesame seeds as desired.
  • Use any neutral oil instead of coconut oil.
  • Add cinnamon or vanilla extract for extra depth. You can take it even further with pumpkin spice mix.
  • Stir in chocolate chips for a more indulgent version of air fryer granola. Make sure to do it after cooling.
  • Make it chunkier by pressing it down slightly before air frying and mixing less.

How to Make Air Fryer Granola

Step 1: Preheat the air fryer to 375F and line the air fryer with a piece of parchment. Add the oats, nuts, flax, hemp and dried cranberries into a bowl. 

A mixture of oats, nuts, seeds, and dried fruit with coconut oil and maple syrup.

Step 2: Drizzle the coconut oil and maple syrup over your mixture. Toss everything together.

The granola mixture added to the lined air fryer drawer.

Step 3: Transfer your granola mixture into the air fryer in an even layer.

After 7-8 minutes, the air fryer granola is ready.

Step 4: Air fry for 7-8 minutes, stirring halfway through. Enjoy with plant-based milk or yogurt as desired. 

Frequently Asked Questions

How should I store it?

Keep in a sealed container on the counter for up to 3 weeks.

Can I use quick oats?

You can, but the texture will be less chunky and more delicate. Be careful not to burn your granola.

Can I leave out any of the ingredients?

This recipe is fully customizable! Don’t like cranberries? Swap them for blueberries, dried figs, or leave them out. Allergic to nuts? More seeds!

What if I don’t have an air fryer?

You can make this in an oven but it takes a little longer. Spread the mixture on a lined sheet and place in a preheated oven (same temperature). Bake it for 10-15 minutes, stirring after 5 mins and then checking regularly so that it doesn’t burn.

Homemade granola spread across a baking sheet lined with parchment.

What is the best way to serve air fryer granola?

You can enjoy it as a cereal or a topping for vegan yogurt bowls, smoothie bowls, oatmeal, and more!

A close up of a spoonful of air fryer granola and yogurt.

More Plant-Based Basics

If you’re a fan of straightforward, beginner-friendly recipes like this one, I highly recommend grabbing both of the PlantYou Cookbooks! They have an impressive collection of whole-food, plant-based recipes suitable for any occasion. Each recipe is accompanied by a helpful infographic that breaks down the ingredients, too!

A close shot of air fryer granola in a bowl with yogurt.
Top down image of a mason jar filled with air fryer granola, with a wooden spoon sticking out.

The Recipe: Air Fryer Granola

A very quick and easy homemade granola recipe full of delicious and nutritious whole food ingredients.
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Ingredients

  • 2 cups rolled oats, organic
  • ¼ cup sliced almonds
  • ¼ cup pistachios
  • ¼ cup walnuts
  • ¼ cup pumpkin seeds
  • 2 tbsp flax seeds
  • 2 tbsp hemp hearts
  • ¼ cup dried cranberries, or other fruit, e.g. dried blueberries
  • 3 tbsp coconut oil, melted
  • 2 tbsp maple syrup

Instructions 

  • Preheat the air fryer to 375F. Line the air fryer with a piece of parchment.
  • Add the oats, nuts, flax, hemp and dried cranberries and toss. Drizzle on the coconut oil and maple syrup and toss.
  • Air fry for 7 to 8 minutes, stirring halfway through.  
  • Store in a sealed container on the counter for up to 3 weeks. Enjoy with plant-based milk as desired. 

Notes

  • Swap any nuts or seeds for what you have on hand. If you have nut allergies, you can do seeds only, adding sunflower and sesame seeds as desired.
  • Use any neutral oil instead of coconut oil.
  • Add cinnamon or vanilla extract for extra depth. You can take it even further with pumpkin spice mix.
  • Stir in chocolate chips for a more indulgent version of air fryer granola. Make sure to do it after cooling.
  • Make it chunkier by pressing it down slightly before air frying and mixing less.
Calories: 105.2kcal, Carbohydrates: 9.7g, Protein: 3.4g, Fat: 6.4g, Saturated Fat: 2.2g, Polyunsaturated Fat: 2.3g, Monounsaturated Fat: 1.5g, Trans Fat: 0.001g, Sodium: 1.2mg, Potassium: 111.6mg, Fiber: 2.2g, Sugar: 1.5g, Vitamin A: 14.6IU, Vitamin C: 0.1mg, Calcium: 20.7mg, Iron: 1mg