My Favorite Gluten Free Granola Recipe
For me, there are few aromas that are as enticing or welcoming as homemade granola baking in the oven—toasted oats and nuts, cinnamon, vanilla, almond and a hint of coconut… irresistible. This healthy, fiber-rich recipe is packed with wholesome ingredients and is lightly sweetened with honey (or you can use maple syrup or a mix of both). It comes together easily and makes a batch that’s big enough to last weeks. Be sure to let the granola cool completely before adding the dried fruit (you can use any dried fruits you like, although I’m partial to cherries and currants). Enjoy the granola with milk or yogurt for a healthy breakfast or snack, or sprinkle it over roasted fruit or frozen yogurt for a delicious and nutritious dessert!
Ingredients
Dry ingredients
- 5 cups old fashioned rolled oats
- ½ cup flax seed meal (ground flaxseeds)
- 1-2 tablespoons chia seeds (optional)
- 1 cup unsweetened shredded coconut
- ½ cup unsweetened coconut flakes (optional)
- ½ cup raw pumpkin seeds
- ½ cup raw almonds, walnuts or pecans, coarsely chopped
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1 ½ teaspoons salt
Wet ingredients
- ⅓ cup virgin (unrefined) coconut oil
- ½ cup raw honey and/or maple syrup (I usually do a mix of both)
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- ¼ teaspoon almond extract
- ½ cup boiling water
To finish
- ½-1 cup dried fruit such as cranberries, cherries, currants, raisins and/or chopped apricots
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 300° F.
- In a large bowl, mix together the oats, flax seed meal, chia seeds (if using), shredded coconut, coconut flakes (if using), pumpkin seeds, nuts, cinnamon and salt.
- In a small bowl, combine the coconut oil, honey and/or maple syrup, vanilla extract, almond extract and boiling water. Whisk until smooth.
- Pour the wet ingredients over the dry ingredients and stir until evenly coated. Spread the mixture onto a large rimmed baking sheet, and press it into an even, compact layer.
- Bake 30 minutes, then stir gently. Bake 15 to 20 minutes longer, or until the granola is toasted and golden (at this point your kitchen should smell amazing!). Cool completely, then sprinkle the dried fruit over top.
Notes
Do Ahead: The granola can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 weeks.
Tips:
- If you can’t eat gluten, be sure to buy gluten-free rolled oats (regular oats are processed in wheat facilities and can contain traces of gluten).
- Use a large rimmed baking sheet like this (also called a half sheet pan), which is a serious workhorse in my kitchen (I have five!). If you don’t own one this size, use 2 smaller pans.
- Use a rubber spatula to press the granola into an even layer, helping it to cook evenly and form small clusters.
- I like to store this granola in half-gallon Ball jars. If you're gifting the granola, these quart-sized glass containers make for pretty gifts.
- If you're all about the cluster, try these gluten-free granola clusters!