One of my resolutions this year is to eat less sugar and grains.
I know. It’s a baking blog. But I’m on a mission to prove that eating healthy can be fun, taste delicious, and be disguised as indulgent.
For instance, this 30-minute, 10-ish ingredient granola!
This recipe packs a serious punch in the way of healthy fats, omega 3s and protein from plenty of nuts and seeds. And it’s naturally sweetened with coconut sugar (a first for me!) and maple syrup. Coconut oil helps it crisp up without influencing the flavor.
Because this granola doesn’t have any grains, it’s extremely nutrient rich:
6.2 grams of protein + 4.7 grams of fiber per 1/4 cup serving!
You can either eat it as is or with your favorite dairy-free milk of yogurt. Or, if you’re like me and can’t kick cereal altogether, it makes a great addition to bran flakes to bulk up the protein content.
This granola is my new favorite. It’s
Nutty
Crunchy
Perfectly sweet
Hearty
Satisfying
Nutrient-rich
Simple
& Quick
It’s also extremely customizable. Just use whatever nuts and seeds you have on hand and make it your own. I scored some dried wild blueberries at Trader Joe’s, but I also think it would be amazing with dried cherries or cranberries.
If you give this recipe a try, let us know! Leave a comment, rate it, or take a picture and tag it #minimalistbaker on Instagram! We see every one and it always makes our day. Cheers, friends!
Simple Grain-Free Granola
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup unsweetened coconut flake
- 2 cups slivered raw almonds (slivered almonds do best here)
- 1 1/4 cup raw pecans
- 1 cup raw walnuts
- 3 Tbsp chia seeds
- 1 Tbsp flaxseed meal
- 1 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon (optional)
- 2 Tbsp coconut, cane, or muscavado sugar
- 1/4 tsp sea salt
- 3 Tbsp coconut or olive oil
- 1/3 scant cup maple syrup (or sub agave or honey if not vegan)
- 1/4 cup dried blueberries (optional // or other dried fruit)
- 1/4 cup roasted unsalted sunflower seeds (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 325 degrees F (162 C) and position a rack in the center of the oven.
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the coconut, nuts, chia seeds, flax seed, cinnamon, coconut sugar, and salt.
- In a small saucepan over low heat, warm the coconut oil and maple syrup and pour over the dry ingredients and mix well.
- Spread the mixture evenly onto a large baking sheet (may require two depending on size) and bake for 20 minutes. Then remove from oven, add dried blueberries and roasted sunflower seeds, and stir.
- Increase heat to 340 degrees F (171 C) and return to oven for another 5-8 minutes, or until deep golden brown.
- The coconut oil will help this granola crisp up nicely, but be sure to watch it carefully as it browns quickly.
- Once the granola is visibly browned and done cooking (about 27 minutes total for me), remove from the oven and let cool completely.
- Store in a container with an air-tight seal, and it should keep for a few weeks.
Notes
*Recipe makes ~5 cups granola.
Karen Koehn says
This is delicious!! I won’t ever need another recipe for granola. I added a couple tablespoons of hemp hearts as I was a bit short on the walnuts. A quarter cup of this in yogurt makes a fantastic breakfast! A handful as a snack is great, too. 5 stars for sure!
Support @ Minimalist Baker says
Whoop! We’re so glad you love this granola, Karen. Thank you for the wonderful review! xo
Olivier Prud'homme says
I made this recipe twice now and love it as It it a nice indulgent snack for someone on paleo. However, I find that even though I mix the ingredients with the sugar well, it tends to fall at the bottom of the pan leaving some pieces without a sweet taste. Am I they only that experienced this?
Support @ Minimalist Baker says
We’re so glad you’re enjoying it, Olivier! Hmm, we assume you aren’t using less oil? It sounds like for some reason it’s not sticking to the nuts/seeds. You could try giving it another stir halfway through baking, though it may not create as many chunky clumps. Hope that helps!
Samra Habib says
So good and easy to follow recipe. I would put less maple syrup next time though as the coconut sugar and the cranberries add enough sweetness (for me). Turned out beautifully.
Support @ Minimalist Baker says
Thank you for sharing, Samra! We’re glad you enjoyed it overall! xo
Doreen says
I’ve made this many times. It’s so good with yogurt and berries or just by the handful! I’m always asked fir recipe when I bring it to a gathering.
Support @ Minimalist Baker says
Yay! We’re so glad you enjoy the recipe, Doreen. Thank you for the lovely review! xo
Natasha says
This looks great. What would you recommend to substitute the chia seeds and flax seed meal? I can do nuts, just not seeds. TIA!
Support @ Minimalist Baker says
Hi Natasha, you could do more coconut, almonds, walnuts, and pecans. Hope that helps!
Marlene Gail Allard-Lutynski says
my go-to granola recipe. I add 2 cups of raw buckwheat.
Support @ Minimalist Baker says
Lovely! Thank you for sharing, Marlene! xo
HAt says
Hello, big fan!, ? can I substitute mashed banana for the oil?
Thanks in advance
Support @ Minimalist Baker says
It won’t crisp up as well and may need to cook for longer, but might be okay!
Alex says
Did you try using mashed banana? If so, how did it turn out please?