Slightly sweet grain free granola is the perfect breakfast or snack. With no sugar, this gluten free granola is crunchy, slightly sweet and full of healthy ingredients. This granola is paleo, nut free and vegan and is surprisingly easy to make.
One of the foods I missed the most when I switched to the paleo diet was granola. I used to eat granola and yogurt ALL the time! It was my go-to breakfast and snack. I hadn’t eaten granola for a couple years until I came up with this Grain Free Granola recipe. And even though there is no sugar in this gluten free granola it still tastes amazing! Crunchy and slightly sweet, just the way granola should be. You can eat this granola as a snack, on top of your favourite dairy-free yogurt or even turn it into a grain free cereal!
Why you’ll love this recipe:
- This granola has no added sugar and is refined sugar free! It is sweetened with dates, banana, and raisins so it’s naturally low in sugar.
- Even though it has no added sugar it still tastes amazing and has the best crunchy texture.
- This granola is gluten free, grain free and oat free!
- This granola has no nuts. And is made with seeds and coconut flakes instead.
- This granola works with the paleo diet, SCD diet, GAPS diet and vegan or vegetarian diets.
What makes this granola recipe healthy:
- It’s gluten free and is made without oats or grains so if you have celiac or are gluten intolerant you can still eat this granola.
- It’s safe for many different healing diets including paleo, vegan, GAPS, SCD, and Whole30.
- It has no added sugar and is sweetened naturally with coconut, fruit and dried fruit.
- It is nut free so if you are sensitive to nuts you can still enjoy this granola.
Key ingredients and substitutions:
- Seeds: sunflower seeds and pumpkin seeds are the star of the show in this granola. They give this granola the perfect crunch and flavour.
- Shredded coconut and coconut flakes: these give the granola the perfect texture, and add a bit of natural sweetness.
- Fruit: raisins, dates and banana – these are what gives this granola the perfect amount of sweetness, while keeping it sugar free!
- Coconut butter or coconut manna – this surprise ingredient helps give this granola even more flavour.
- Coconut oil – full of healthy fats, this helps give this granola that perfect crunchy texture that you are going to love.
- Spices: ground cinnamon, sea salt – nothing fancy here, but the combination of cinnamon and salt blends perfectly to give this granola the most amazing flavour.
Taste and texture:
This granola is slightly sweet with just the perfect amount of crunch. The flavours from the seeds, coconut and dried fruit blend perfectly to give this granola the most incredible flavour.
How to make:
Step one:
First you will want to soak the dates, so fill a bowl with warm water and add the dates and set them aside for 30 minutes.
Step two:
Next preheat your oven to 325 degrees Fahrenheit.
Step three:
Now add all the dry ingredients to a large bowl and stir to combine them.
Step four:
Then in your food processor, add the dates (drain them first) and the other liquid ingredients. Then blend them well until smooth (if there are a few chunks remaining that is fine).
Step five:
Now transfer the wet ingredients into the bowl with the dry ingredients and stir them well to combine.
Step six:
Next line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Then pour the granola from the bowl onto the baking sheet and spread it out evenly.
Step seven:
Place the baking sheet in the oven and bake for 15 minutes. Then remove the baking sheet from the oven and stir the granola well.
Step eight:
Finally, place the baking sheet back into the oven and bake for an additional 10-14 minutes, until it is cooked to the consistency that you like. Then let the granola cool and enjoy!
Chef’s tips and tricks:
- Store this granola in an air tight container for up to 30 days.
- Feel free to swap the dried fruit in this recipe to give it a different flavour.
- You could swap the seeds in this recipe for other nuts such as cashews or almonds.
Variations and add ins:
- Instead of the seeds you could use chopped nuts such as almond or cashews.
- Feel free to change up the dried fruit you use. Dates or apricots would also be delicious.
- Add a bit of nutmeg to give this granola a different flavour.
How to serve and store:
- This granola can be eaten plain just as it is as a delicious, crunchy snack.
- Use it to top yogurt.
- Add milk or dairy free milk to turn it into cereal.
- Store this granola in an air tight container for up to 30 days.
Frequently asked questions:
Is this grain free granola recipe Whole30 compliant?
Technically no. While all the ingredients on their own are Whole30 compliant, the Whole30 program recommends that you avoid eating foods like baked goods and granola while on the program. However, my own rule of thumb is to always listen to your body and do what’s best for you!
Is this granola recipe keto?
This grain free granola recipe has 20 grams of carbohydrates per serving, with 5 grams of fiber, 7 grams of sugar and 15 grams of net carbs. This granola is lower in carbs compared to many other granola recipes, but is still not a low carb recipe which means it would be difficult to eat this if you are on a keto diet or low carb diet.
Other recipes you will like:
- Gluten free and paleo blueberry muffins
- Bacon and vegetable egg casserole
- Paleo carrot cake donuts
- Paleo caramel apple grain free oatmeal
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Note: This recipe was initially published in February 2016 but the post was updated in March 2022 (the recipe has not been altered).

Slightly Sweet Grain Free Granola
Slightly Sweet Grain Free Granola is the best gluten free granola made with no sugar and safe for the paleo diet. It has the perfect crunchy texture that makes a great snack or breakfast.
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 cups raw sunflower seeds (preferably soaked and dehydrated first)
- 1 1/2 cups raw pumpkin seeds (preferably soaked and dehydrated first)
- 1 cup finely shredded coconut
- 1 cup coconut flakes
- 1 cup raisins
- 1 tbsp organic ground cinnamon
- 1 pinch sea salt
- 15 dates, soaked in warm water for 30 minutes
- 1 ripe banana
- 3 tbsp melted coconut oil
- 2 tbsp melted coconut butter or coconut manna
- 1 tbsp organic vanilla extract
Instructions
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Preheat your oven to 325F.
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In a large bowl combine the dry ingredients and mix well with a spoon.
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In your food processor combine the ripe banana and the dates. Blend well (if there are some chunks remaining that is fine).
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Transfer the ingredients from the food processor to the bowl and mix well with a spoon.
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Add the remaining wet ingredients and stir well to combine.
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Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
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Transfer the granola mixture to the baking sheet and spread well with a spoon.
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Place the cookie sheet in the oven and bake for 15 minutes.
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Remove from the oven, stir and bake for an additional 10-14 minutes (until starting to brown).
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Remove from the oven and let the granola cool completely.
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Serve and enjoy!
Recipe Notes
- This granola makes a great breakfast or snack.
- If you don't like raisins feel free to use other dried fruit .
This looks worth a try as I really miss traditional granola. But I really hate the texture of coconut. The flavor is fine, I just don't like to know I'm eating it. Can I just leave the coconut out, or Would you recommend substituting something else in its place?
Hey Heidi! That's too bad you don't like coconut! I love that stuff. I haven't tried leaving the coconut out but if you do I would try substituting either more seeds or some nuts to try to get the same amount of solid ingredients. Let me know how it goes it you try it!
It looks delicious. Always looking for something nutritious. I don’t buy coconut butter, and don’t really want to buy it for this recipe. Any suggestions?
Coconut manna and coconut cream concentrate are also the same things so you could use those. But beyond that I don’t think there would be anything equivalent…
Hi Dr Erin,
Thanks so much for this… I’m making it today! Is the 215° In Celsius or Fahrenheit?
You’re an angel in disguise!
Kaz❣️
Hey Kaz!
I’m not sure where you saw the 215? It’s 325F that it’s cooked at. I hope you love it!