The Best Grain Free Granola is naturally sweetened with a drizzle of pure maple syrup, and is full of crispy, crunchy, healthy ingredients.
“This really is the best grain free granola I’ve ever had. My only issue is it goes too quickly as I can’t demonstrate self control eating it!”
Miiiight have found my new favorite recipe: the actual best, mind-meltingly-delicious, make-this-NOW, Grain Free Granola. I am obsessed!
Since experiencing gestational diabetes during one of my pregnancies, I have a new appreciation for nutrient dense “power foods”. Whole foods that are packed with protein, vitamins, minerals and more importantly, serve a purpose other then tasting good – like nuts and seeds.
We all know that a handful of nuts a day is beneficial for overall heart health, but pecans and almonds especially, which are included in this grain free granola, also help reduce inflammation in the body, aid in weight loss, and can help lower and/or stabilize blood sugar levels.
That said, GIVE ME ALL THE NUTS.
Ahem.
Healthy Granola Recipe
Seriously though, during that pregnancy I became a bit obsessive about researching different kinds of nuts and their health benefits. Did you know brazil nuts are so nutrient dense that you can pop a couple each day and consider it a supplement? I love it!
Of course it doesn’t hurt that nuts are also lower in carbs and make an excellent base for this low sugar, grain free granola that’s nearly impossible to not eat by the fistful. It’s incredibly yummy and full of crispy clusters and crunch.
Gluten + Grain Free Granola
So what does grain free mean, exactly? It means this granola recipe doesn’t call for oats, which most classic granola recipes do. I love gluten-free oats as much as the next gal, but they’re very high in carbs.
Trust me, this granola is better without them.
Unsweetened coconut chips, raw pecans and pumpkin seeds, sliced almonds, and chia seeds are tossed with a mixture of pure maple syrup, coconut oil, and lots of cinnamon and vanilla.The coconut chips plus cinnamon and vanilla trick your tongue into thinking the granola is sweeter then it actually is.
That said, the addition of mini chocolate chips and/or raisins would be divine in here.
I like sprinkling grain free granola over Greek yogurt or eating a small bowl with almond milk for snacks and/or breakfast. How will you enjoy it?
How to Make Grain Free Granola
Step 1: Combine the dry ingredients.
In a large mixing bowl, stir together unsweetened coconut flakes/chips, sliced almonds, raw pecans, raw pumpkin seeds (pepitas), chia seeds, cinnamon, and a big pinch of salt.
I love these raw pumpkin seeds, btw. They’re super good sprinkled into salads, oatmeal, in this granola, and I’ll also grab a pinch or two anytime I need something to crunch on.
Step 2: Combine the wet ingredients.
Next microwave pure maple syrup (not pancake syrup) plus coconut oil in a small bowl until the oil has melted, 25-30 seconds, then stir in vanilla extract.
Step 3: Combine then bake.
Pour the maple syrup mixture over the nut mixture then stir to evenly coat and spread onto a parchment paper or silpat-lined half sheet pan.
Bake for 15-20 minutes at 300 degrees or until the almonds and coconut are light golden brown (any darker and the granola could taste burnt) stirring a couple times.
Let the granola cool completely then store in a Ziplock bag or airtight container for 3-4 days.
Like I said, this granola is perfect to enjoy with milk or sprinkled into yogurt – so good! Enjoy!
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1-1/2 cups unsweetened coconut chips/flakes
- 3/4 cups sliced almonds
- 3/4 cups whole raw pecans
- 1/2 cup raw pumpkin seeds, pepitas
- 1 Tablespoon chia seeds
- 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
- big pinch salt
- 1/4 cup pure maple syrup, not pancake syrup
- 1 Tablespoon coconut oil
- 1 teaspoon vanilla
Directions
- Preheat oven to 300 degrees then line a half sheet pan with a silpat or parchment paper and set aside.
- Combine first 7 ingredients (coconut chips through salt) in a large bowl then stir to combine. Add maple syrup and coconut oil to a small bowl then microwave for 25-30 seconds to melt the coconut oil. Stir in vanilla.
- Pour the maple syrup mixture over the granola mixture then mix well to coat. Spread onto prepared sheet pan then bake for 15-20 minutes or until almond slices and coconut chips are golden brown (don’t let them get too dark) stirring twice. Granola will crisp as it cools.
- Cool completely on sheet pan before transferring to a Ziplock bag or airtight container. Will stay fresh for four days or so on the counter.
Notes
- Adapted from Epicurious.
Nutrition
Nutritional values are estimates only. Please read our full nutrition information disclaimer.
I made this granola this afternoon. I was a bit skeptical because I’m not a fan of coconut but decided to make it as written. It is great!! Since the coconut is toasted it doesn’t have that chewy texture that I don’t like. I love the touch of maple syrup flavor, and I realized after reading through the post just now that I left out the vanilla! I’m sure I’ll love it even more the next time I make it with the vanilla! The crunchy texture is great. And I appreciate that it is oatmeal free. I LOVE oatmeal, but I do eat a lot of it – for breakfast, in muffins, in bars, etc., so it is nice to have a great healthy snack with something different. I don’t think this batch is going to last long, and I might be the only one eating it! Thanks again!
Oh I am SO glad to hear it, Kristine! I bet you’ll love it even more with the vanilla, which gives it a hint of even more sweetness. Thank you so much for your feedback and star rating!
Just wanted to pop in to say if you have a Fresh Thyme Farmers’ Market store near you, they sell organic raw pumpkin seeds in their bulk food section for $4.99/pound and they fairly regularly go on sale for $2.99 or $3.99/pound. (These are Indiana prices…) I add them to a spring mix salad with mandarin oranges, unsweetened coconut and dried cranberries with a fruity balsamic vinegar … delish. … Making your margarita chicken recipe with tenders (from 2013) this week! Thanks for all your work with recipe creation!
This looks amazing! I’ve been looking for a granola recipe like this. Can’t wait to try it this afternoon!
Going to try this out for work, we usually buy its pre-mixed at the supper market, but this is so easy to make and swap out ingredients. liked that last comment about swapping nuts for seeds.
Flax seed would be a great addition – I may add a few tablespoons of ground flax to the recipe – it looks great!
Go for it! I think this recipe could be very versatile with swapping nuts/seeds in and out!
I do Cancer fighting nutrition and looking at your grain free granola, I’d think about adding perhaps 1/3 cup of hemp. It’s loaded with protein and fiber and would bake nicely. I cook and bake GF and throw in Hemp in smoothies as well. It’s just a good way to get some additional nutrients. All the best.
I was *just* reading about hemp’s nutritional benefits, including how it’s high in protein. I will have to give it a try in here and in other dishes – thank you for the information!
Was thinking of sprinkling on my breakfast. I am going low carb and would like the carb count. Is that available?
Hi Nonna! I recommend a service like Livestrong’s Recipe Nutrition Calculator or My Fitness Pal if you need that info!
Thanks! I was making my own granola after I first got my celiac diagnosis then oatmeal decided to not be my friend. I break out in hives on my head and back every time I eat it. This grain-free granola recipe is the perfect answer to my desire to make granola again! Can you share where you buy or what brand of coconut flakes you use?
I can eat oats on a limited basis, and buy from GF Harvest only (http://glutenfreeoats.com/) but really try and limit them so this is a great snack staple to have on hand. I buy the coconut chips from Nuts.com: https://nuts.com/driedfruit/coconut/unsweeted-chips.html
I love the addition of pumpkin seeds! They are so great to add to snacks/bars too!
I don’t know what took me so long to start buying them – well I do, the price – but they are so versatile and really last a long time. Love them!!
Sounds amazing! I’ll be making it this weekend. FYI…I love Hy-Vee, but Trader Joe’s definitely has the best prices for nuts/seeds!
For sure! I don’t know if their nuts are GF though so I had to stop buying them there. They do have a huge and inexpensive offering though!
This looks amazing! And good info on Brazil nuts — did not know that at all! I vote talk about gestational diabetes all you want — if it was me, I’d have serious mentionitis about it and mention it all I wanted :) Great recipe!
Isn’t that cool? I just ordered some online so we’ll see how they work.
That looks so delicious. I need to try it.
Have a great weekend.
Love, Esther
I hope you love it, Esther!
Not sure if I’ve ever commented, but so appreciate your honesty about Celiac, living with food allergies in your home, and the gestational diabetes. No need to not mention any of these things! Keep on being you. :) Best wishes to you! Thanks for all the wonderful recipes. Several family members and friends all read your blog and make them often!
Thank you so much, Apriori, I appreciate it!