Gluten-Free Granola Recipe

If you're searching for a delectable breakfast or snack that aligns with your dietary needs, you've come to the right place. We're excited to share our homemade gluten-free granola Recipe with you. This recipe not only ticks all the boxes of being gluten-free, but it's also oil-free and vegan without sacrificing any of the crunch or flavor you'd expect from a good granola. It's ideal for a nutrient-packed, guilt-free start to your day. Prepare to embark on a journey of flavors and wholesome goodness with our exclusive guide. Let's get started!

The aroma of granola while baking is truly a simple pleasure, always brightening the day. Homemade granola, enjoyed as a meal or a snack, never fails to satisfy. We often make granola bars every few weeks, indulging in its irresistible form. Crafting cereal-based snacks like homemade vegan granola bars with peanut butter or oats-free homemade fig bars, found on our site, is not only cost-effective but also deliciously rewarding. Making your own granola is straightforward, offering a tasty alternative to store-bought options.

Jump to:

• 💚 Why you will love it
• 🧾 Ingredients
• 🔪 Instructions
• 💡 Expert tips
• 📖 Variations and substitutions
• 💡 7 Tips for budget-friendly granola
• 🫙 Storage
• 📚 More unique oats and granola recipes
• 📋 Recipe
• 💬 Reviews and Comments

🧾 Ingredients

• Certified Gluten-Free Oats: Here lies the key to making granola gluten-free. We use these as a hearty and nutritious base for our granola. They are safe for those with gluten sensitivity or celiac disease and provide a slow release of energy, keeping you full for longer.
• Nuts (any mix of almonds, walnuts, and pecans): These are chosen for their rich crunchiness, boosting the granola's texture. They also add a wealth of essential fats and protein to support overall health.
• Seeds (flaxseeds, sunflower seeds, chia, and/or poppy seeds): Seeds deliver a superfood punch to our granola, packed with fiber and heart-healthy omega-3 fatty acids, adding a nutty flavor and enhancing the texture.
• Spices (turmeric, cinnamon, nutmeg): These warming spices are key to enhancing the flavor profile of our granola. They also come with numerous health benefits, including anti-inflammatory properties and antioxidants.
• Dried fruit such as raisins and/or cranberries: We include these to add a touch of natural sweetness and a chewy texture contrast. These fruits also provide a great source of dietary fiber and essential vitamins.
• Vanilla extract: It gives our granola a subtle, sweet, and aromatic depth of flavor, blending well with the other ingredients and enhancing their natural taste.
• Agave or pure maple syrup: These natural sweeteners bind the granola ingredients together, creating those delightful crispy clusters while also adding a sweet yet balanced flavor.

Optional:

• Hulled hemp seeds: You can add these to increase the protein content and give the granola a slightly nutty taste.
• Shredded coconut: This adds a tropical twist to the granola, increases its fiber content, and provides a distinct, naturally sweet flavor.

🔪 Instructions

Step 1: Preheat the oven to 350ºF (175ºC). Prepare a rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper.

Step 2: Mix the rolled gluten-free oats, seeds, sweeteners, and spices in a large bowl. Do not add the dried fruit (or chocolate chips if used). Add pure maple syrup at this point.

Step 3: Lay the granola mixture on a prepared baking sheet and bake for 25-30 minutes. I like using my oven's fan function to ensure the heat is even inside. Bake until the granola is lightly toasted.

Step 4: Cool down. Let the granola cool completely and top with the dried fruit (and vegan chocolate chips, if used). I also like adding the coconut flakes after baking the granola batch.

Step 5: Stir and Store. Store your vegan granola in an airtight container at room temperature.

📖 Variations and substitutions

Oats & Cereals

• Preferred Oats: Old-fashioned oats (whole rolled oats) are ideal for their texture and quick baking time, unlike steel-cut oats. Instant oats bake quicker, so watch them closely.
• Gluten-Free: For gluten-free granola, ensure your oats are certified gluten-free. All other ingredients are naturally gluten-free.
• Alternative Cereals: Experiment with spelt (replace half the oats), farro (similar to oats in look and taste), or wheat germ (rich in Vitamin E and antioxidants) for variety.

Dried Fruits: Swap in any dried fruits like apricots, golden raisins, or blueberries. Mix and match based on what's in your pantry for varied flavors and nutrients.

Nuts: Use a variety of nuts for diverse nutrients. Add slivered almonds mid-baking to avoid over-toasting. For a nut-free version, use pumpkin, sunflower, or hemp seeds for protein and healthy fats.

Seeds: Add a mix of sesame, pumpkin, chia, sunflower, and ground flax seeds for extra minerals, vitamins, antioxidants, protein, and Omega-3.

Spices: Cinnamon is a must. Add turmeric, ground black pepper, cloves, nutmeg, and ginger.

Aromas: Vanilla extract is a favorite, but orange extract, almond extract, and orange blossom water are great, too. Use citrus zest for a fresh twist.

Sweeteners: Maple syrup is preferred, but agave nectar or brown sugar are good alternatives.

Extras: Dark chocolate chips can be added once the mixture has cooled. Opt for coconut oil or extra virgin olive oil for an extra crunchy granola.

💡 7 Tips for budget-friendly granola

Some people have asked me how to make their baked granola budget-friendly, as nuts have crazy prices in some places. So, I am giving you my budget hacks. I always do this exercise when moving to a new/expensive city, like we recently did to Milano.

1. Bulk

Try to find places where you can buy in bulk quantities. They are usually cheaper—stock on Rolled Oats and Nuts.

2. Seeds

This is nut-based granola, but you can also replace a fraction of the nuts called out in the recipe for the same amount of seeds; they are cheaper.

3. Budget Supermarkets

I have found that cheap retailers and supermarkets may not have fancy stuff but sometimes have very competitive prices on nuts, dry fruits, and seeds. You may not find organic stuff, but the good thing about nuts is that you can ensure they are raw and without additives.

4. Use half

Oats or Farro provide even better benefits when activated (soaking them overnight). In addition, they are the cheapest components of your quick granola recipe.

Our morning breakfast usually consists of one of these options: One cup of Granola, millet porridge, Oats and Chia Pudding + 1 Fruit.

Instead of using 1 cup of granola, let soak ½ cup of Raw Oats, either:

• Overnight at room temperature or in the fridge.
• In the morning, 15 minutes before eating with warm water.

Add the soaked oats to ½ cup of your Granola. Now, your granola will last twice.

5. Your own plant-milk

If you leave your Oats or Farro soaking overnight with 3 times the water (i.e., ½ cup Oats + 1 ½ cups water). You will have Oat Milk in addition to the soaked oats volume, so you don’t need to add milk to your quick granola bowl. If you rather have Soy Milk or Almond Milk, check them out. They are super easy to make.

6. Fresh fruit or applesauce

Top your basic granola recipe bowl with cheap fruit like bananas or apples, and cut it into rough pieces. You can also add a spoonful of chunky, unsweetened applesauce. You are increasing not only the volume of your granola but also its flavor and nutritional value.

7. Flavor

Instead of using essences, grind the zest of an orange, lemon, or citrus fruit you have handy.

🫙 Storage

To ensure your homemade granola stays fresh and crunchy for as long as possible, follow these steps to store gluten-free granola properly:

1. Let it Cool: Before storing, ensure the granola is completely cool. Storing warm granola can lead to condensation in the storage container, making it go soggy.
2. Airtight Containers: Store gluten-free granola in airtight containers. Glass jars with a tight-fitting lid, plastic containers, or resealable food storage bags all work well.
3. Store in a Cool, Dry Place: Keep the container in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight. A pantry or cupboard is typically ideal.
4. Avoid Contamination: Use a clean, dry spoon when serving granola. Moisture or crumbs can shorten the granola's shelf life.

📚 More unique oats and granola recipes

If you are like us and love everything pumpkin, we suggest you give a check to our pumpkin and maple granola recipe.

If you try this recipe, let us know! Leave a comment, rate it, and don't forget to tag a photo #ourplantbasedworld on Instagram. Cheers!

📋 Recipe