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.
Just made this -and it’s terrific. Had everything on hand and made as directed. 20 minutes turned out perfect for me. Nice, crunchy clusters, perfect flavor balance. The trick will be getting it to last until our roadtrip tomorrow. It’s very addictive!
I can relate!! I’m so very glad you enjoyed this recipe, Nancy! Thank you so much for your feedback!
I modified this recipe slightly because I was trying to get something similar to Coconola granola and this was perfect! I added in sunflower seeds, cashews and some sesame seeds and used 1/2 cup maple syrup with 2 tbs butter…it was delicious and smells like home-baked cookies! I probably could lower the maple syrup but I’m eating it with unsweetened homemade cashew milk. Thanks for the recipe!
That sounds SO delicious, Cheryl!! Thank you so much for your feedback and recipe rating!
I double and freeze half! It freezes well. Thank you it’s delicious!
I’m so glad you love this recipe, Destiny! Great idea to freeze some of it!
i haven’t made this yet but am going to today, my son can’t tolerate oats anymore.. in my prior fav granola recipe it was oats and coconut but also sunflowerbutter mixed with some coconut oil and maple syrup. do you ever or did you try a nut butter whne you were trialing ingredietns? how did it work/ not work? thx.
Hi Sherry! I did not test this recipe incorporating any nut butters into the mix of ingredients.
I love this recipe but now I am doubling it and Quadrupling it and I don’t understand the coconut flakes measurement. Please advise.
Hi Heather! If doubling, use 3 cups coconut chips. If quadrupling, use 6 cups.
My favorite granola recipe. Not too sweet and a bit of salt balances flavors. I make it with whatever nuts I have on hand and also add ground hemp seeds with the chia. Everyone loves this recipe
I’m so glad you love this recipe, Molly — great idea adding hemp seeds, too! Thank you so much for your feedback and recipe rating!
Love this recipe!
I sometimes add Sun flower seeds and cut up gigneg.
Oh I love that, Donna! This is an easy recipe to switch up and make your own. :)
Thank you for this recipe. I love it! It has all the nuts and seeds I love and can eat, it’s not overly sweet, and it is just plain delicious!
I can’t do coconut, what can I sun in for that?
Hi LaKaye! I haven’t tested this recipe with a swap for the coconut, and since it makes up the bulk of the granola mixture, I couldn’t recommend a substitution without further testing. I’m sorry I can’t be of more help in this area!
This was a great recipe! I was looking for something not loaded with grains to put on top of yogurt and this hit the spot. I put around .5 a cup on top of mine.
I’ll say, I ended up with more like 5 cups when I made the recipe. I didn’t have chia seeds, so I subbed hemp hearts. It smells DIVINE too!
SO glad it worked out for you, and you were able to make it your own, Kristin! Thank you so much for your feedback and recipe rating!
The recipe looks interesting but there are so many ads running on this site it makes it hard to maneuver.
I made this a few days ago and have almost eaten it all myself! My boyfriend tried it and loves it too.
Hello! I was making this using the recipe card which says 4 tbsp of maple syrup but then noticed that in the writeup you say 3 tbsp of maple syrup….so which one is the correct amount?
Oops! Should be 4 – good catch, Wendy!
I love the look of this recipe and am going to try it. However, not to be rude, but if you are microwaving your food, especially precious, healthy maple syrup, you are losing out on nutrition, big time. Please do some research on this. Microwaves kill lives enzymes etc. I have done without one for over 15 years. It IS an adjustment, but it is healthier!
I was searching for keto recipes. This isn’t keto if it has maple syrup in it. It may be lower carb, but it definitely isn’t keto.
Hi Mel! I’m not sure where you are seeing where I said this was a keto recipe? I don’t know anything about the diet, so I wouldn’t claim to say this was keto friendly or anything!