Homemade Granola Recipe without Nuts (Nut-Free)

I love having this homemade nut-free granola prepped and ready to go in bulk. It’s the best granola recipe without nuts, as it’s the perfect combination of lightly sweet and crunchy. This granola recipe is made with maple syrup (not honey), so it’s also vegan-friendly.

Other ingredients include oats, fruit, seeds, and dark chocolate chips. Once you’ve made this homemade granola, you can use it as a topping for yogurt or enjoy it as cereal with milk. 

Why you’ll love this recipe

Healthier because it is homemade – I love making this nut-free granola because it’s easy, and you can control everything that’s going into it. So, it’s healthier than storebought as it doesn’t have additives.

Customizable – Use my healthy DIY granola as a recipe base, and add or swap items that you prefer. For example, you can use dried cranberries or raisins instead of a dried fruit mix.

Yummy – This nut-free granola recipe is a tasty mix of seeds, fruit, oats, and maple syrup with a sweet but not overly sweet taste.

Vegan – Since this nut-free recipe includes maple syrup instead of honey, it’s a great alternative to storebought granola for vegans. Just be sure to use dairy-free chocolate chips or leave them out completely.

Crunchy – Once this granola comes out of the oven and cools, it has a delightfully crunchy consistency.

Good amount of protein – Even without nuts, this granola has a good amount of protein from the sunflower seeds. 

Need inspiration for some more breakfast recipe ideas? Try my ; Simple Blueberry Oatmeal Bars, Banana Blueberry Muffins and Simple Fluffy American Pancakes

Ingredients

Oats – This ingredient is the base for this nut free granola. I wouldn’t recommend skipping it, as it adds fiber to the mix, keeping you full for longer. This recipe is best with old fashioned rolled oats. Certified gluten-free oats will also work.

Maple Syrup – Syrup adds a delicious sweetness to homemade granola (no nuts). If you prefer, you can use agave syrup or honey instead.

Chocolate Chips – Adding chocolate chips to homemade granola without nuts increases the sweetness even more. I prefer using dark chocolate, as it’s not overly sweet. However, you can use milk chocolate chips, butterscotch, white chocolate, or even M&Ms instead.

See the recipe card for full information on ingredients and quantities.

Variations/ Adaptations

Here are a few ideas to make this nut-free granola meet your taste preferences! If you need a gluten-free granola recipe (no nuts), use gluten-free oats and chocolate chips. While this is a no-nut granola, you can add nuts if you want. Cashews, peanuts, almonds, and macadamia nuts are all great additions to this granola.

If you prefer a bit of tanginess, you can even include some citrus zest from oranges, lemons, or limes. Increase the protein in this granola without nuts by adding more or other seeds, like pumpkin seeds. Instead of vegetable oil, you can also use melted coconut oil in this recipe. It will change the flavour slightly.

If you have leftover oats, consider making one of these yummy recipes; Baked Oats with Chocolate Chips, Reese’s Pieces Peanut Butter Baked Oats or Nutella Blended Baked Oats

How to make nut free granola

Preheat the oven to 356°F (180°C)

1. Add the oats and sunflower seeds to a baking tray (Image 1).
2. Mix in the vegetable oil, maple syrup and cinnamon while spreading the oat mix around the tray to evenly distribute. Add a generous pinch of salt to make the flavours sing (Image 2).

3. Place in the oven for 10 minutes, before stirring and ensuring the browning of oats is even. Gently press down the stirred granola with the back of a spoon so that it sticks together (Image 3).

4. Pop back in the oven for a further 5 to 10 minutes while checking to see the oat mix is browning slightly throughout (Image 1).

5. Remove from the oven and allow to cool for 30 minutes before adding the dried fruit mix, cranberries and chocolate chips (Image 5).

6. Mix together to ensure the dried fruit and chocolate chips are fully incorporated (Image 6).

Satisfy those pasta cravings and try my; The Easiest Marmite Pasta, Simple Spaghetti al Limone and Roasted Brussels Sprout Pasta

Need inspiration for some more delicious main dish recipe? Try my ; Southwest Ground Turkey and Rice Skillet, Ground Turkey Pasta and Creamy Tarragon Chicken

How to serve nut free granola

You can use this nut-free granola the same way you use regular granola. Enjoy it by the handful as a filling snack, pour it into bowls and eat it like cereal, use it as a topping for yoghurt or ice cream, or take it with you for a hiking snack.

Storage Instructions

Part of learning how to make granola is understanding proper storage to extend its shelf life. Let the nut-free granola cool completely. Then, pour or spoon granola into an airtight container. Be sure to keep the granola in a cool, dark spot, and it should be good for up to one month.

Can you freeze this granola?
Yes, you can also freeze this granola! After putting it into an airtight baggie or container, store it in the freezer for up to three months.

Satisfy any chocolate cravings with these other breakfast recipes; Chocolate Swirl Custard Toast, Chocolate Chip Microwave Cookies and Kinder Bueno Chocolate Mug Cake

FAQs

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Nut Free Granola Recipe

by Mimi Harrison

Print

5 from 1 vote

Cook Time: 20 minutes mins

Total Time: 20 minutes mins

£0.32

Breakfast

British

Servings: 10

Cook ModePrevent your screen from going dark

MetricUS Standard

This nut-free granola is so easy to make! It includes maple syrup, oats, fruit, and seeds, so it's flavorful (and vegan!). Enjoy it on yogurt or as cereal.

Ingredients

• ▢ 300 g oats (£0.90/3)=(£0.30)
• ▢ 75 g sunflower seeds (£0.80/2)=(£0.40)
• ▢ 100 g dried fruit mix (£1.25/2)=£0.62)
• ▢ 50 g dark chocolate chips (£0.69)
• ▢ 75 g dried cranberries (£0.65)

Cupboard Essentials

• ▢ 4 tbsp maple syrup (£2.15/4)=(£0.54)
• ▢ 3 tbsp vegetable oil
• ▢ 2 tsp of cinnamon

Method

I don’t like my granola too sweet, so I used 4 tbsp maple syrup over 10 portions. If you like it sweeter, you can add more maple syrup – just be careful it doesn’t burn in the oven, maybe reduce the heat for the last 5 mins slightly.

Preheat oven to 356°F (180°C)

• Add the oats and sunflower seeds to a baking tray. Mix in the vegetable oil, maple syrup and cinnamon while spreading the oat mix around the tray to evenly distribute. Add a generous pinch of salt to make the flavours sing.
• Place in the oven for 10 minutes, before stirring and ensuring the browning of oats is even. Gently press down the stirred granola with the back of a spoon so that it sticks together
• Pop back in the oven for a further 5 to 10 minutes while checking to see the oat mix is browning slightly throughout.
• Remove from the oven and allow to cool for 30 minutes before adding the dried fruit mix, cranberries and chocolate chips.

Notes

• For a drier, crispier nut-free granola, bake it longer but monitor closely to prevent burning due to the maple syrup.
• Distribute the granola evenly on the tray to ensure even cooking.
• Rotate the baking sheet halfway through baking to counteract oven hot spots and achieve even crispiness.

Nutrition

Servings: 10 servings

Fat: 11g

Calories: 331kcal

Carbohydrates: 51g

Protein: 6g