This Grain-Free Granola is refined-sugar-free and better than anything you can buy at the store! This low-sugar recipe is perfect to meal prep for breakfast or a snack the whole family will love. Paleo, vegan, and coconut-free!
Coconut-Free Granola
Do you know anyone with a coconut allergy? They are rare, but it must be frustrating for people who have one, simply because coconut is in SO many things. Aside from the actual coconut meat, there’s coconut oil, flour, water…the list goes on. And it isn’t just in foods, but also in things like hair products and soap.
I came up with this grain-free granola for a friend with a coconut allergy. She asked me to make low-sugar granola clusters without coconut. It’s very filling and is great with yogurt, non-dairy milk, or by the handful. Paleo, vegan, and can be made low-carb with the right syrups.
Grain-Free Granola Ingredients
Grain-free, lower-sugar, and no coconut needed to make this grain-free granola recipe. Think of it like a Kind bar, but in cereal form, and way more budget friendly. It takes all of 30 minutes to make.
- Raw mixed nuts – Look for mixed nuts that include in larger nuts like Brazil nuts. The larger nuts help to better form granola clusters during baking.
Nutrition Note: Brazil nuts are rich in fiber and selenium. Selenium helps lower oxidative stress in the body, which reduces inflammation and enhances immunity. The healthy fats in these nuts help to feed the brain, really!
- Slivered Almonds – I used these to replace coconut as they have a similar texture.
- Maple syrup or honey – Both work well to bind everything together. Obviously, maple syrup is the only option if you need a vegan recipe.
Nutrition Note:: Both maple syrup and honey add nutritional value (minerals and antioxidants) without adding refined sugar. Plus, a little goes a long way in this recipe.
- Chocolate chips – Use vegan semi-sweet or dark chocolate chips or sugar-free chocolate chips.
- Flavorings – Vanilla extract, ground cinnamon, and kosher or sea salt.
- Optional chia seeds or flaxseed
Pro Tip: Feel free to add in any other favorite ingredients to this granola; such as dried fruit, seeds, etc. Even puffed rice or oats if you prefer gluten-free grains!
How to make grain-free granola
- To make this granola, simply mix the nuts, spices, and dark chocolate in a large bowl. Add in your honey and dash of sea salt. Flax or chia seed and vanilla extract are optional. Spread the coated nuts onto a large baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Place in oven for 10-15 minutes, then remove the pan from the oven and allow the granola to cool right on the pan. Do not touch! The chocolate and the maple syrup should have melted with the nuts. As a result, everything should be bound together.
- Once the pan has cooled, the nuts/granola should be ready to break into large pieces. Aka, grain-free granola clusters. You can break them apart by hand or place pieces of the baked granola in a large ziplock bag and gently smash it into smaller pieces.
More of Our Favorite
Grain-Free Snacks and Sweets
Grain Free Granola Clusters
- Total Time: 35 minutes
- Yield: 8 servings 1x
Description
This grain free granola recipe makes low sugar granola clusters that are perfect for breakfast or snacking, NO refined sugars – paleo and vegan friendly!
Ingredients
- 1 cup slivered almonds
- 1 cup raw mixed nuts (see notes)
- ⅓ cup semi sweet or dark chocolate chocolate chips (vegan) or sugar free chocolate chips.
- optional 1–2 Tablespoons of chia seeds or flaxseed
- optional 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- ¼ teaspoon kosher salt
- ¼ teaspoon cinnamon
- ¼ cup pure maple syrup or raw honey
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 325 degrees F.
- Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and set aside.
- Add all ingredients to a mixing bowl in the order listed. Stir to combine.
- Spread mixture evenly onto prepared baking sheet and place in oven.
- Bake at 325 F for 25-30 minutes. Mine took 28 minutes. You will know when it’s done when nuts are golden and chocolate is slightly melted with nuts. See picture in blog post.
- Then remove pan from the oven and allow the granola to cool on the pan. Do not touch! The chocolate and the maple syrup should have melted with the nuts, binding it all together.
- Once the pan has cooled, the granola should be ready to break into large pieces. Aka, granola clusters.
- Store in airtight container for up to 2 weeks.
Notes
- Look for mixed nuts that include in larger nuts, i.e brazil nuts. The larger nuts help to better form granola clusters during baking.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Breakfast
- Method: Oven
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: ¼ – ⅓ cup
- Calories: 168
- Sugar: 7.9 g
- Sodium: 76.4 mg
- Fat: 12.2 g
- Saturated Fat: 2.8 g
- Carbohydrates: 13.7 g
- Fiber: 1.6 g
- Protein: 3.1 g
- Cholesterol: 0.3 mg
THANK YOU. THANK YOU. I’m grain free and was recently told to eliminate coconut. I’ve been desperate for a granola recipe without coconut. You’ve made my day! 🙌🏼🙌🏼🙌🏼
I’m so glad you could enjoy granola again!! Time to stock up right? 😉
I’m obsessed with this recipe! I doubled it and am SO glad I did?? I can’t wait to try it tomorrow morning with some milk and fruit!
Such a genius idea! It’s so hard to find granola without coconut and I am not a coconut fan at all!
Glad to help Suzy! Enjoy!
I could munch on this all day (and feel good about it)!
Agreed! Ask me how I know, haha!! 😉
It was really addictive! My kids loved it!
Totally addictive! Glad they loved it Toni!!
I love granola! I ate this all in like 2 days. I just kept snacking on it, it was so good! Will definitely have to make as a bigger batch next time.
I did the same thing Julie! Bigger batches definitely required lol!
This is my new favorite snack! It is so addictivly delicious!!!
Yeassss!! Glad you love!
I adore homemade granola, but not all the sugar in most versions. This recipe was perfect and I’ll have to make a double batch next time!
Right? Double batch it up! 😉
This granola looks SO tasty!! I love those huge clusters! 🙂
Right? Gah, so good and addicting in the best possible way. P.s how are you friend?
Hi Lindsay,
Love your recipes. I have a question, is the flax seed left whole or is it ground? Thank you.
Either actually work! But I used whole flaxseed. ground flaxseed will work just kind of looks a little odd when you bake haha. Keep me posted Aileen!
OH yes, one of my sisters-in-law is allergic to coconut. Selfishly, I’m glad I’m not; and it’s only been about 3 months that I actually gave coconut another chance and now LOVE it! I’ve always loved granola, so of course your recipe is superb. I would totally use brazil nuts (underrated) in this.
Poor sis in law! You should make this for her. 🙂 Or I wish I could deliver.