Healthy Oil-Free Granola (Vegan + Crunchy)

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This homemade oil-free granola is easy to make and perfect for a healthy breakfast. Serve it in a bowl with your favorite plant-based milk and a handful of fresh fruit, or use it as topping on oatmeal, yogurt, or just as a simple snack on its own.  It’s naturally sweetened, crispy, and full of crunchy clusters.

Oil-Free Granola: The Perfect Healthy Breakfast

Granola should be rich in whole foods, crunchy nuts, and sweet dried fruit. But every time I look at granola in grocery stores, I see two things: store-bought granola is full of added oil and sugar, or it’s incredibly expensive.

This is why I wanted to share with your this healthy, oil-free granola recipe. It’s crispy, crunchy, wholesome, and naturally sweetened. You’ll only need 7 ingredients, and it’s going to be kind to your wallet!

And I forgot to say the most important thing: it’s incredibly delicious! Especially with some plant-based milk or yogurt and a handful of fresh berries. It’s one of my favorite breakfasts these days, and I’m pretty sure you’re going to love it too.

Ingredients you’ll need

Dry ingredients

• Old-fashioned rolled oats: Oats are a great source of protein and fiber. Make sure to use gluten-free oats, if needed.
• Chopped almonds: Almonds are packed with vitamin E, magnesium, and potassium. Plus, they are full of healthy fats and fiber, to keep you fuller for longer.
• Chopped walnuts: Walnuts are incredibly rich in omega-3s and help lowering inflammation. They are one of my favorite nuts!
• Sunflower seeds: Perfect to add some extra crunch, plus they are a great source of copper, selenium, and zinc.
• Dried fruits: A good amount of dried fruits help to give this oil-free granola a sweet taste without any added sugar. I used goji berries, cranberries, and sultanas.

Wet ingredients

• Date syrup: Date syrup made from 100% dates is a great natural sweetener. It has all the benefits of eating dates (fiber, antioxidants, lots of minerals) but in liquid form.
• Unsweetened apple sauce: The perfect substitute for oil helps create crunchy clusters of granola without the extra unhealthy fats. Plus, with its mild flavor, you won’t even notice it’s there.

How to make homemade oil-free granola

Honestly, making homemade crunchy granola is so easy! I usually make a big batch to keep in my kitchen, so it is always handy when I want a nutritious breakfast or a healthy snack.

1. Add the rolled oats, chopped nuts, sunflower seeds, date syrup, and unsweetened apple sauce into a large bowl and mix everything until combined.

2. Distribute the granola in a flat layer on a large baking sheet covered with parchment paper. You can either use your hands or press down with a spoon.

3. Bake the granola for 15 minutes at 325F, then stir and bake for another 15-20 minutes until it starts to turn slightly golden brown. Keep an eye on it for the last 8-10 minutes. You don’t want it to burn.

4. Remove it from the oven. Add the dry fruit, and let it cool completely before storing it in an airtight container. If you like granola clusters, you can break and store the granola into big chunks.

5. Enjoy in a bowl with some plant-based milk (I love almond milk or oat milk), fresh or frozen fruit, and a drizzle of almond butter. It’s incredible as a topping for plain yogurt, a smoothie bowl, but also as a great snack to eat on its own. Just grab a handful from the jar and eat!

Notes and tips

Substitutions

• Use pure maple syrup instead of date syrup: If you can’t easily find date syrup, you can use the same amount of maple syrup instead.
• Mashed banana instead of applesauce: You can use a mashed banana for a sweeter taste. But just a warning: the banana flavor will be pretty intense, so if you aren’t a big banana fan, stick to applesauce.

Customize

I love this oil-free granola recipe because you can pretty much customize it to your liking.

• Nuts ideas: Cashew nuts, hazelnuts, pistachio, macadamia nuts, peanuts, pecans, coconut flakes.
• Dry fruit ideas: Apricot, Medjool dates, prunes, berries, figs, apple, peach.
• Seeds: Pumpkin seeds, sesame seeds. For an extra boost in nutrients and protein, try adding a tablespoon of ground flaxseed, chia seeds, or hemp seeds.

How to store oil-free granola

Once your healthy homemade granola is completely cooled down at room temperature, you can store it in an airtight container for up to 2-3 weeks. I love using these Weck mason jars! They keep my granola crispy and crunchy for weeks, and I can easily see when it’s time to bake a new batch.

Why I love this healthy oil-free granola

• Crispy, toasty, and crunchy
• Easy to make
• Naturally sweet
• Made with wholesome ingredients
• Vegan, can be made gluten-free, dairy-free
• Delicious
• Addictive!

Other healthy breakfast recipes you’ll love

• The Best Healthy Breakfast Cookies
• 6 Healthy Overnight Oats
• Strawberry Overnight Oats
• Yogurt Parfaits With Mixed Berries

 And if you are looking for more healthy breakfast recipes, check out these 25 Healthy Breakfast Meal Prep Ideas for busy mornings.

If you try this healthy granola recipe, please leave a comment and a rating and let me know how much you liked it!

 

Did you make this recipe? Tag @gatheringdreams on Instagram. I want to see it!

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