Easy Grain-Free Granola (Paleo and Gluten-Free)
If you love a delicious, crunchy snack but want to maintain a healthy lifestyle, try this Easy Grain-Free Granola recipe! It is full of nutritious ingredients that will give you energy and is super tasty!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe!
- Uses whole, unprocessed ingredients
- Paleo, gluten-free, and grain-free
- It makes a great on-the-go snack or breakfast.
Benefits of a Grain-Free Diet
When I started working on my gut health, eating more grain-free foods did noticeably improve my symptoms! But you don’t have to be on a complete grain-free diet to enjoy the benefits of grain-free granola. Eating some grain-free foods can help improve digestion. Many people experience digestive issues such as bloating and discomfort after consuming grains. Reducing grains and choosing grain-free foods like this grain-free granola recipe may help improve your digestive symptoms.
Some other benefits of eating a grain-free or mostly grain-free diet include improved energy levels, mental clarity, reduced inflammation and blood sugars, and improved sleep. If you have any allergies or intolerances to specific grains, removing those will also help improve your health.
Remember that a grain-free diet is not for everyone, and you do not have to go entirely grain-free to enjoy the health benefits of grain-free foods. Consult a registered dietitian to help individualize your diet for your health needs.
Ingredients and Substitutions
- Unsweetened coconut flakes: Adds a tropical twist and natural sweetness.
- Sliced almonds: Rich in vitamin E and healthy fats, almonds also add some crunch and texture.
- Chopped pecans or walnuts: Packed with antioxidants and healthy fats.
- Raw pumpkin seeds (pepitas): These tiny seeds are super nutritious!
- Ground flaxseeds: A great way to increase fiber and omega-3s to help with digestion and heart health.
- Cinnamon: Adds a spicy warmth to granola.
- Sea salt: Enhances the other flavors.
- Real maple syrup: Using this natural sweetener adds a touch of maple sweetness.
- Raw cane sugar or coconut sugar: Provides another layer of sweetness.
- Coconut oil: A healthy fat with MCTs (medium chain triglycerides).
- Vanilla extract: Vanilla flavor pairs so well with the other ingredients.
- Dried cranberries (optional): Increase the flavor with tangy, sweet dried cranberries.
Step-by-Step Instructions
Step One: Preheat the oven to 300 degrees and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
Step Two: Combine the coconut flakes, almonds, pecans, pumpkin seeds, flaxseeds, cinnamon, and salt in a large bowl. Stir the ingredients together until well combined. Add the maple syrup and coconut oil to a small bowl and microwave for 30 seconds or until the coconut oil melts. Then add in the vanilla.
Step Three: Pour the maple syrup and coconut oil mixture over the granola mixture, then mix well to coat. Spread onto the baking sheet and bake for 15-20 minutes or until the granola is golden brown, stirring at least once halfway through.
Step Four: Remove from the oven and cool completely on the sheet pan before transferring to an airtight container. The granola will begin to crisp as it cools.
Common Questions
Grain-free granola is free from grains such as oats. Traditionally, granola has been made with grains, typically oats, but some people may have difficulty digesting certain grains. Therefore, grain-free granola recipes are a great alternative.
Grain-free granola is a healthy breakfast or snack option because it is made with heart-healthy nuts and seeds. And it is lower in carbohydrates and higher in protein, making you feel more satisfied and full.
Nutritional Benefits
This tasty Paleo Granola recipe is grain-free, gluten-free, and high in protein and carbs. Because of all the fantastic ingredients in this recipe, it is nutrient-dense! For example, almonds are an excellent source of healthy fats such as mono- and polyunsaturated fats. Almonds are a good protein, fiber, vitamin E, magnesium, potassium, and phosphorus source.
Flaxseeds are another super nutritious ingredient in this grain-free granola. High in fiber, protein, and omega-3 fatty acids, flaxseeds can help lower the risk of heart disease and certain cancers and stabilize blood sugars. Ground flaxseeds help you absorb the nutrients better, and it is easy to add to different recipes for extra fiber.
Storage Instructions
Before storing the granola, make sure it has thoroughly cooled. Then, place it in the refrigerator in an airtight container for up to 2 weeks.
More Healthy Breakfast Recipes
Grain-Free Granola
Ingredients
- 1 ½ cups unsweetened coconut flakes
- 1 cup sliced almonds
- ½ cup chopped pecans or walnuts
- ¼ cup pumpkin seeds raw
- 1 tablespoon ground flaxseeds
- ½ teaspoon cinnamon
- ¼ teaspoon sea salt
- ¼ cup maple syrup
- 1 tablespoon raw cane sugar or coconut sugar
- 1 tablespoon coconut oil melted
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- ½ cup dried cranberries optional
Instructions
- First, preheat the oven to 300℉ and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Then, combine the coconut flakes, almonds, pecans, pumpkin seeds, flaxseeds, cinnamon, and salt in a medium bowl. Stir the ingredients together until well combinted.
- Add the maple syrup, cane or coconut sugar, and coconut oil to a small bowl and microwave for 30 seconds or until the coconut oil melts. then add in the vanilla.
- Pour the mixture of maple syrup and coconut oil over the granola mixture, then mix to coat. Spread onto the baking sheet and bake for 15-20 minutes or until the granola is golden brown, stirring at least once halfway through.
- Remove the granola from the oven and cool completely on the sheet pan before transferring to an airtight container. The granola will begin to crisp as it cools.
Great snack.