This is the best grain free granola recipe! Made with no sugar, this healthy homemade granola is gluten-free, crunchy, slightly sweet and full of healthy ingredients. This granola recipe is also paleo, nut free and vegan and is surprisingly easy to make.
Table of Contents
Why you will love this recipe:
- Even though this homemade granola recipe is made from scratch it is simple and easy to make!
- Despite having no added sugar and being refined sugar free it still tastes amazing and has the best crunchy texture!
- It is naturally sweetened with dates, banana, and raisins so it's low in sugar, high in fiber, high in protein and healthy compared to other granola recipes.
- This granola is gluten-free, grain free, nut free, dairy free, paleo, vegan and oat free!
- You can use this granola in so many ways and it also stores really well so it's great for meal prep.
- Making your own granola is so much cheaper than buying store bought granola so it's a great way to save money on groceries.
If you love granola you will also love granola butter!
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. Be sure to use raw pumpkin seeds and raw sunflower seeds to make this granola rather than roasted seeds.
- Shredded coconut and coconut flakes: these help 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. Feel free to add other dried fruit such as dried apricots, dried cranberries or figs to this granola to give it a different flavour and even more sweetness.
- Coconut oil - when you roast the granola this helps give it that perfect crunchy texture that you are going to love. I don't recommend trying to swap the coconut oil for another oil as the texture of the granola won't turn out as crunchy.
- Spices: ground cinnamon and sea salt - nothing fancy here, but the combination of cinnamon and salt blends perfectly to give this granola the most amazing flavour.
- Vanilla extract - this helps enhance all the delicious flavours of this crunchy granola.
How to make (step-by-step):
Step one:
First preheat your oven to 325 degrees Fahrenheit and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
Step two:
Now add all the dry ingredients to a large bowl and stir to combine them.
Step three:
Now add the dates, banana, coconut oil and vanilla extract to your food processor.
Step four:
Then blend the ingredients well until you have a smooth texture (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:
Transfer the granola mixture to the baking sheet and spread it out evenly. Then bake the granola for 40-45 minutes, until it's crunchy and golden brown.
Step seven:
Lastly, let the granola cool completely before breaking it into pieces. Then enjoy!
Top Tips:
- If you don't bake the granola for long enough it won't be crispy so don't take it out of the oven too soon.
- Don't over-bake this granola. You don't want the granola to burn so watch it closely near the end.
Variations and add ins:
- Instead of the seeds you could use chopped nuts such as almonds, pecans, walnuts 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 or use apple pie spice or pumpkin pie spice.
- If you want extras or are serving many people you can make a double or triple batch of this granola and have extras for meal prep.
How to serve:
You can use this healthy granola in so many ways! It is delicious eaten as is as a crunchy snack but you can also use it to top yogurt or add milk to it to turn it into cereal. You can also layer this granola with whipped cream, coconut whipped cream or yogurt and fruit to make granola parfaits.
How to store:
Store this granola in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 30 days.
This granola also freezes really well for up to 3 months in a freezer safe bag or container.
Frequently asked questions:
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!
This grain free granola recipe has 12 grams of total carbohydrates per serving, with 3 grams of fiber, 4 grams of sugar and 9 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.
Yes!
Grain free granola is granola that is made without oats or other grains such as quinoa flakes. For those with allergies to oats or if you need to avoid grains for health reasons grain free granola is a great alternative.
Not always. All grain free granola recipes would be gluten free but most gluten free granola recipes will still contain grains in the form of gluten free oats or quinoa flakes.
Other recipes you will love:
- Curry cashews and almonds
- 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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Recipe
No Sugar Grain Free Granola
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 cups raw sunflower seeds
- 1 1/2 cups raw pumpkin seeds
- 1 cup finely shredded coconut
- 1 cup coconut flakes
- 1 cup raisins
- 1 tablespoon organic ground cinnamon
- 1 pinch sea salt
- 20 dates, soaked in warm water for 15 minutes
- 2 ripe bananas
- 5 tablespoon melted coconut oil
- 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 325F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- In a large bowl combine the dry ingredients and mix well with a spoon.
- Add the banana, dates, coconut oil and vanilla extract to your food processor.
- Blend until you have a smooth mixture (if there are some chunks remaining that is alright).
- Transfer the ingredients from the food processor to the bowl and mix well with a spoon.
- Transfer the granola mixture to the baking sheet and spread well with a spoon.
- Place the cookie sheet in the oven and bake for approximately 40-45 minutes, until it's golden brown and crisp.
- Remove from the oven and let the granola cool completely.
- Break the granola into pieces and enjoy!
Notes
- If you don't like raisins feel free to use other dried fruit.
- Nutritional values are an estimate and will vary depending on the exact ingredients used. The calculations are based on a serving size of 3 tbsp.
- Store this granola in an airtight container for up to 30 days.
MJS
Do you have a substitute for banana?
Erin Carter
I haven't tried it with any substitutes. Apple sauce might work but I can't guarantee anything since I haven't tried it.
Kaz
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❣️
Erin Carter
Hey Kaz!
I'm not sure where you saw the 215? It's 325F that it's cooked at. I hope you love it!
Dianne
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?
Erin Carter
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...
Erin Carter
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!
Heidi
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?