Air Fryer Granola

Air Fryer Granola is a quick, crunchy and wholesome breakfast or snack option for kids that’s ready in no time! Made with wholefood ingredients like oats, nuts, seeds, dried fruit and just a touch of natural sweetness, this homemade granola is packed with flavour and nourishing ingredients. It’s perfectly golden and crisp, thanks to the air fryer, and makes a great topping for yoghurt, smoothie bowls or just as a snack on its own. Plus, it’s easy to customise with your favourite mix-ins.

➡️ WONDERING WHAT ELSE TO SERVE KIDS FOR BREAKFAST? See my Complete Guide to Baby and Toddler Breakfasts, packed with healthy breakfast ideas, make-ahead recipes and ideas for each age group.

➡️ LOOKING FOR ANOTHER OAT RECIPE? If you’re here for oat-based breakfast recipes for younger children, try this easy oatmeal. It’s better suited to babies and toddlers than this granola for kids.

Why this is the best air fryer granola!

✅ It’s tried and tested! Honestly, I’ve recipe-tested this granola so many times over the years in an oven, and 5+ times using the air fryer method before I posted it. I continue to make it fortnightly for the family. It’s a solid recipe!

✅ It doesn’t take short cuts! In my recipe, there’s an extra step to add seeds and coconut after partially cooking the oats and nuts. Some recipes might dump and cook all ingredients together, at the risk of overcooking or burning some. This granola is perfectly cooked, every time!

✅ It’s customisable! Swap out different types of nuts, seeds and dried fruits, or use your favourite sweetener. Check out the ingredients list with substitutions below.

Is this granola suitable for kids?

This granola is suitable for children over 12 months of age.

For older children, this granola is a great option compared to store-bought which may be high in refined sugars and preservatives. You can customise it just for them, choosing their favourite ingredients.

For toddlers, just be mindful of the size of your ingredients. The nuts are chopped, but may be a potential choking hazard if too big. You might like to pulverise the granola a little once cooked, to make sure that the nuts, seeds and dried fruit pieces are small enough for your child.

This granola isn’t suitable for babies under 12 months. Try this finely ground nut and seed mix for babies instead.

Ingredients in Air Fryer Granola

This simple air fryer granola recipe uses pantry staples:

Rolled Oats – Use old fashioned rolled oats (regular or gluten-free certified oats) for the base of the granola. Don’t substitute – quick oats or steel-cut oats won’t work.

Raw Nuts – Choose your favourite natural nuts, such as almonds, cashews, walnuts, or pecans, for crunch and good fats. ⚠️ NOTE! Nuts are a common allergenic food. If you haven’t yet introduced them, and your toddler has eczema, has reacted to an allergenic food, your family has a history of food allergy and/or you’re worried about allergic reactions to foods, consult your child health practitioner or doctor before serving this or other allergenic foods.

Coconut – Adds texture and flavour. I use shredded coconut but flaked coconut works too. 

Seeds – I use seeds like pumpkin, sunflower or sesame seeds. Choose your favourites! Remember that sesame seeds are a common allergen.

Dried Fruit – Dried fruit adds natural sweetness to the granola. I use goji berries, but choose your favourite dried fruits. Cranberries, raisins, or chopped apricots are good options.

Honey – A natural sweetener that helps bind the granola together. You can substitute with maple syrup for vegan granola.

Coconut Oil – Helps achieve that irresistible golden crispiness. You can a substitute with avocado oil, vegetable oil or grapeseed oil.

Vanilla Bean Paste – For a touch of extra flavour.

Cinnamon – Adds a warm, subtly spiced flavour.

Salt – Just a pinch, to enhance the natural sweetness and nuttiness of the ingredients.