Gluten-Dairy-Cane Sugar-Free Homemade Granola

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Something pretty remarkable happened. ย I stepped in my kitchen and baked something without flour… without milk or eggs or butter… and without sugar.

I was wide-eyed. ย I was nervous. ย This sort of thing is way out of my sugar/butter/flour comfort zone.

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It turns out… I might have a new comfort zone.

… A new, delicious comfort zone free of all of the fats and flours I know and love.

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I started this giant batch of everything-free granola with gluten-free oatmeal.

While oatmeal in itself is gluten-free (or at least extremely low in gluten)… actual, safe gluten-free oatmeal is made of gluten-free processing equipment.

It’s hardcore.

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Since I’m going all out, I used Coconut Oil instead regular old olive oil.

My friend Tracy got me absolutely obsessed with coconut oil. ย It comes in a jar. ย It’s opaque and solid at room temperature. ย It’s high in fat but better for your body than butter or oil. ย It’s got acids that your body loves. ย Kinda rad. ย Oh! ย Bonus!! ย It tastes like sexy sexy coconut. ย I loooove this stuff.

I also used macadamia and cashew nut butter and honey as a binder. ย Crazy stupid delicious.

If you’re not feeling fancy, however… feel free to use extra-virgin olive oil and almond or peanut butter as a binder. ย Still delicious. ย To be sure.

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This granola is super lovely. ย It has a richness from coconut oil and the macadamia nut butter feels so indulgent. ย It’s lightly sweetened and… completely satisfying. ย I served my granola over vanilla yogurt. ย Yes. ย Dairy. ย I’m just a rebel like that.

Gluten-Dairy-Cane Sugar-Free Homemade Granola

makes about 9 cups of granola

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6 cups gluten-free oats (old fashioned or quick cooking)

1 cup raw almonds

1 cup raw pumpkin seeds

1/2 cup raw sunflower seeds

3/4 teaspoon salt

3/4 cup coconut oil, melted to a liquid (or substitute extra virgin olive oil)

3/4 cup macadamia nut butter (or substitute natural peanut butter)

1/4 cup plus 2 tablespoons honey (or substitute maple syrup)

3/4 cup golden raisins (or any dried fruit you like, optional)

Place two racks in the middle and upper third of the oven and preheat to 350 degrees F. ย Line two baking sheets with parchment paper, or spray lightly with cooking spray and set aside. ย In a large bowl, toss together oats, nuts and salt (leave out the raisins, we’ll toss these in after baking). ย In a medium bowl, gently whisk together the melted coconut oil (or evoo), nut butter and honey. ย Pour the oil mixture over the oats and nuts and stir well. ย Make sure that every bit of oats and nuts is covered in some of the oil mixture. ย Spread the granola mixture onto the two baking sheets from edge to edge. ย Bake for 15 minutes and carefully remove the pans from the oven to toss and stir the oats. ย This will ensure that the mixture cooks and browns evenly. ย Bake for another 10 minutes. ย Remove and stir. ย Repeat until mixture has cooked a total of 30 minutes and the oats are dark and golden. ย Allow to cool completely before tossing in golden raisins and storing in an airtight container.

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163 Responses

  1. I’m just making this now and it smells AH-MAZING! I’m sooo excited…. although I may throw in some chocolate…because everything is about balance ;)

  2. Hi! I just made this tonight and I’m in love! I was getting super-bummed that all of the GF granola recipes I uncovered online still had dairy and TONS of sugar in them (some people apparently think 1/4 cup of sugar is low-sugar…I laugh).

    Anyway….AMAZING recipe, lady! I used tahini butter (an expensive alternative, but it was all I had lying around without having to whip up my own) which was RAD and added 1/4 cup quinoa and 2 Tbsp toasted flax seed. Wow and more wow. This will be on my permanent rotation :-)
    Thanks!

    -Kristin

  3. THANK YOU for your amazingly delicious and addictive granola recipe. I’ve been making batches and sharing with friends and family. And, of course, my husband and I have been eating our fair share. Yum!

    Here’s a question I hope you can answer:
    How do I turn this recipe into granola BARS?

  4. You could definitely see your skills within the paintings you write. The world hopes for more passionate writers such as you who aren’t afraid to mention how they believe. At all times go after your heart.

  5. This was scrumptious! Tasted decadent with almond butter and cashews, I also threw in some shredded coconut and ground flaxseed. Such a good granola recipe!

  6. MMMMM! Your pictures make me want to eat my computer screen ;D I love the idea of using coconut oil to make granola! Was just at Trader Joe’s this morning and noticed they have started selling their own brand for I think $6.99 a jar, probably not the BEST coco oil but definitely going to grab some this weekend and try this recipe out, thanks Joy!

  7. Made this granola for breakfast. It was not sweet at all. It actually tastes quite salty. I wound up reducing the heat because things were browning too fast and unevenly. If I made this again I would up the amount of honey to at least a half cup and reduce the baking temperature to 350.

  8. Just made this…it was delicious as I was mixing it, but then I thought it was a good idea to eat dinner on the back deck while it cooked…..burnt to a crisp! So bummed!

  9. Just made this, and I love love love love love love love love love love it!!! The raw granola itself is very good too ;)
    I will definitely be making this again some time

  10. Hi!
    This is the second time I will be making this and wanted to thank you so much!!! The people around me went NUTZ for this–it is that good :)
    Thank you Joy, i now eat healthier breakfasts! yum

  11. This looks wonderful Joy = )

    Thank you for stepping out of your comfort zone and creating things like this. I know you don’t do it for me, but I appreciate it.

    In my heart of hearts I am like you: butter, white wheat flour and cane sugar all the way. But my body is rebelling against that and so I have to go gluten, dairy and high sugar free (among others).

    Now I am excited about making this next weekend! So thank you again.

  12. Joy, I’m going to have to scratch the last one – it would have been yummy had I put it in on a lower temp and possibly for less time; I’m thinking because I used ground seeds and nuts – they cook faster – huge DUH! Anyway, I still love your recipes. I should just stick to them – my kids can pick the big stuff out!

  13. Hi Joy,

    I’ve been coming to your website for months now! I love it! You are an inspiration. Just made the granola, with ground Almonds, Sunflower seeds and flax seeds (my kids are really picky). They helped me make it and are so excited about the outcome! Thank you!

  14. Cereal where I live is CRAZY expensive, especially the healthier and yummier you get (not that I don’t think cocoa puffs are yummy…), so you’ve really saved my husband and me this past month since I made this! I’m making our second batch today and am so excited. My little sister told me that when she makes granola, she presses it all into the pan in one chunk and browns it at an even lower temperature without stirring, and then it’s chunkier because she can break it apart herself. The clumps are the best part so I might try that method too :)
    Thank you!

  15. Joy,
    I made this granola last night and I am in heaven. It was easy to make and so delicious. I am planning on making a batch for Christmas gifts. Thanks so much.
    From a sugar free, gluten free, diary free girl,
    Kathryn

  16. mmm mmm! This is just my thing, I’ll be on my way to making it in just a couple days :D

    make that, tomorrow. yeeaah :)

  17. wow, so i just decided i might try to give up gluten and see how my body feels about it, which was extra sad because i had only recently discovered your site and i thought, ‘now, if i’m not eating gluten, i won’t have a reason to visit that awesome blog.’
    but here i am anyway, and looky look, gluten free. thanks joy!

  18. holy yum, batman! i love that this is super low in natural sugars. i made a few tweaks with what I had on hand with great results. omitted the sunflower seeds & raisins and replaced with unsweetened flaked coconut. opted for natural peanut butter too. i also forgot to stir at one interval and some parts got a smidge burnt, but i kinda really like that super toasty nut flavor. so much so, that i might accidentally burn it on purpose when i make it again! thanks joy!

  19. I love your blog but I was diagnosed with celiac disease a couple of months ago. So for the last 2 month it kind of breaks my heart to come look at all the deliciousness that I can’t have. Thank you for this gluten-free recipe. Please consider making a weekly or bi-weekly gluten-free recipe. That would be so awesome.

    1. Cheer up — there’s alot more recipes and sites to find really great gluten free products and food these days than when I began in 2003! And you can really learn how to adapt your favorite recipes with gluten free products. It’s not that difficult. This recipe looks wonderful — can’t wait to try it!

    2. Kristen
      Go check out glutenfreegirl.com – her blog is very helpful for living a gluten-free life…
      This granola looks really good!

  20. I just made this and it’s SO darn good. Used olive oil because I couldn’t find coconut oil, walnuts instead of almonds and added dried cranberries with the sultana’s at the end. My mornings just got a whole lot brighter – Thanks Joy.

  21. I loooove homemade granola! I’ve never even thought to use cashew butter or coconut oil! I use toasted coconut in mine, so the coconut oil would be right up my alley!

  22. Ohmygoodness. No way. My best friend and I have been trying to cut back on all THREE of these things! Just specifically in the last two weeks, too… What an extremely timely post AND an extremely timely recipe since it’s ALways time for a lil granola in almondmilk. Mmm…

  23. At first, I couldn’t believe it – No butter? No shortening? No full-fat milk? Who’s site has this become? But, you’ve opened my eyes, Joy. This granola looks great, and I bet it would be amazing on top of a little bowl of yogurt. Or anything, really. Thanks for sharing!

  24. I will have to try this! My little girl loves granola – actually, she loves oats. She will get a can of oatmeal & just eat the dry oats. Ugh! I don’t know why she likes dry, bland oats, but whatever! At least it’s healthy. Also, I made matcha pound cake the other day (using the recipe you posted), and it turned out great! Really pretty & tasty! thanks!

  25. Oooh – I’m gluten free ….I used to make homemade granola but have never used the coconut oil – great idea! My daughter and I can’t tolerate oats, but I bet I could sub quinoa flakes and have it work!

  26. Do you think it would be possible to substitute agave nectar for the honey? I’ve used it successfully in banana muffins.

  27. Wow. I am not normally a granola person, but this looks so tempting I am going to have to get in the kitchen and try some.

    I adore coconut oil – I wonder how this recipe would taste with pistachio nut butter or even cocoa butter as well. Thanks!!

  28. Just had to comment on the coconut oil. Buy organic extra virgin. The brand I use is Nutiva. It really is even more healthy for us than EVOO. Can be found at most all health food stores. It does not taste funny at all. We really love it. Even great in pie crusts.

  29. Looks amazing… kind of grossed out by the coconut oil… but will try… better then butter so it has to be good for ya! Granola and yogurt are just one of those pairs that you have to do! Glad you went crazy with the dairy… you can’t turn hard core vegan on us… Please no!!!!

  30. I often experiment with making my own granola as my mum used to make her own in the 70s/80s but this one really interests me, particularly with the coconut oil which I’ve been researching lately for health benefits – thanks for this post Joy :)

  31. I can’t wait to try this one Joy! I’ve been waiting for a recipe worthy of my g-f oats! I may even have to include this with some of my Christmas gifts this year :)

  32. I can’t wait to make this for my son! He has Celiac and loves my granola but it makes him sick!! Now I can make some just for him!

  33. Yes! Where did you get that spoon?! Its super cute! This recipe looks ah-mazzing! Especially if it has giant california raison! yumm.. :)

  34. This looks really tasty! I googled “gluten-free oats” and it looks like you can find them here: https://www.glutenfreeoats.com/shopsite_sc/index.html and the site says that their oats are safe for folks with celiac disease. Yay!
    I bought some unrefined coconut oil to bake with a while back, and it gave the things I made a sort of nasty-coconutty-in-a-bad-way flavor. Do you think the problem was maybe that it was unrefined? Should I go for refined next time? Any advice, please! Thankyou!

  35. OMG! I guess that the coconut oil would give it a great flavor!!, need to find it!!! I looooooooove coconut in all it’s kinds….!
    thanks for the delicious idea!

    XOX

  36. This is my kind of granola! I love coconut oil, I have no idea why I didn’t think of using it for my granola before. Guess that’s why I read your blog, thanks!

  37. Maybe you told it and I missed it but what’s the story with the beautiful piece of wood you have been using to set stuff on like the coconut oil? It’s a nice touch. LOVE coconut oil too!

    1. p.s I use coconut butter for everything from toast, to cookies to stirfry to rubbing it on my skin after a shower… yeah I am weird, but seriously, you will try it too!! NOTHING LIKE IT!!
      MMMMM

  38. Sounds yummy if not a little too healthy. I made your Ginger Persimmon bread the other day and it was amazing! I have a bunch of persimmons and don’t know what else to do with them so more loaves are on the way.
    Thanks!

  39. This looks delicious and good, gluten-free breakfast recipies are hard to find. I’m going to have to make a batch ASAP!

  40. One of my best friends has Celiacs and she said that she can’t eat oats because unless its grown in a field where wheat is not grown it will most likely always be contaminated. And I guess oats are always grown next to fields of wheat! I could be wrong but that is what she has told me! So this recipe may not be completely gluten free.

  41. just in case you were wondering ..

    Coeliac disease, or celiac disease, is a disease often associated with ingestion of wheat, or more specifically a group of proteins labelled prolamines, or more commonly, gluten. Oats lack many of the prolamines found in wheat; however, oats do contain avenin.[9] Avenin is a prolamine that is toxic to the intestinal mucosa of avenin-sensitive individuals and can trigger a reaction in these coeliacs.[10] (wikipedia)

    You shouldn’t eat oats if you are coeliac. Just sayin’.

  42. I wish, i wish .. it looks delicious, but oats aren’t gluten-free, any more than rye is gluten-free .. they are low-gluten yes, wheat-free yes, but not gluten-free *sad coeliac*

  43. This isn’t actually sugar-free at all! It has over a cup of honey in it. What do you guys think is in honey? It’s cane-sugar free, maybe, but you’ve made it sound like it’s a diabetic dream

  44. Sending this on to my sister who is always sad that she has to miss out on certain foods. Love coconut oil, will have to add it to my kitchen pantry!

  45. How did you know I’m gluten, dairy, AND sugar free, and wanting to make granola this v-e-r-y day??? ..weirdness. Think I’ll add some of those big flakey coconut shavings to make it look super fancy. Thx Joy – luv ur stuff

  46. I must make this – I simply adore granola!Thanks for including the subs for us vegans. I love the fact that I can pretty much veganize all your recipes – if it hasn’t already been done for me. Thankyou Joy, yet again:)

  47. I looooove homemade granola, just made a batch two days ago, and was thinking I needed to get a new recipe—and here it is!! Thanks Joy! Can’t wait to try it out.

  48. that looks delicious :) I’ll definitely be trying this soon, though I may use the peanut butter instead just because peanut butter represents all that is holy and good in life :) thanks for another great recipe!

  49. I, too, am addicted to coconut oil!! While I do bake with it, my best favorite thing to do is use it as a moisturizer. That’s right, I put it all over me, and its makes me smell like a macaroon. Talk about sexy. Just sayin’.

  50. You know what else coconut oil is good for? Washing your face. Actually another of your favorite items is good too – raw honey. I really mean that. Read this website/book. It will change you skin’s life for the better: nomoredirtylooks.com

      1. My insecure self is hoping that “not” was supposed to be a “now”.

        On a side note, but not really side because it is actually related to your post, I made the granola and am now totally obsessed with that. I will likely eat it for every meal until it is gone. Is that sad?

  51. Oh this looks so yummy!

    About the coconut oil, my roommate and I are totally obsessed too. Because it does EVERYTHING. I bake with it (it’s awesome in cookies and waffles and pancakes, especially), I put on my skin, it’s awesome for conditioning hair, it’s a makeup remover… It’s just so awesome. I even give a little to my cat every day (don’t worry, I checked and it’s okay!) and she loves it. Her fur is softer too. Okay, I’ll stop now.

  52. I don’t even add the fat, but oodles of dried fruit – blueberries, cherries, and apricots – and toasted almonds. I eat it by the handful! So easy to make and so yummy to eat!

  53. Oh yummy! Joy, I’m looking so forward to coming to England next month because then I’ll be able to buy measuring cups that all you other countries ;) use and then I’ll be able to bake all your recipes I crave but can’t try.

  54. Yum! Usually I would be turned off by the title, but I trust you :) I love baking with coconut oil! A big thanks to Carrie at deliciouslyorganic.net for introducing me that ingredient, along with whole wheat pastry flour :)

  55. I just wanted to say how much I appreciate your variety of recipes. I am neither gluten-intolerent nor vegan, but I know people who are both. It’s so nice of you to accommodate to both.
    Thank you! And, as always, I love your recipes and quirky commentaries.

  56. I recently bought a box of Kashi Go Lean Crunch in an effort to find an edible and reasonably healthy cereal alternative for breakfast. Unfortunately the box I bought is SO crunchy (really puts the “capital C” in “Crunch”) that it’s downright unpleasant to eat. Maybe I should start making granola on my own from your recipe; nuts + oats + coconut oil seems pretty healthy, right (plus it looks way tasty)?
    Also: what else would you use coconut oil for? It doesn’t seem like that type of thing that’d be a fair substitute for, say, olive oil, right?

  57. you are amazing! i found out earlier this year i have celiac disease and reallllly miss granola. can’t wait to give this a try!

  58. Delicious! I love this recipe :) I’ve been slowing book-marking a large collection of granola recipes over the past month, as I’m filling empty glass jars with granola to go in my holiday gift baskets this year :) Since my boss has gluten intolerance, I’ve now found the granola recipe for her!

    PS–I used your cranberry-pecan-apple everything bread as inspiration to create “healthi-fied” reduced fat n’ sugar bread. It was wonderful! While my recipe is more for the homestead (not exactly a “company” food without the fat and sugar!), I’m actually going to be baking your delicious version (DEFINITELY a company food) for our local food co-op’s holiday open house. Thanks for sharing such a splendid seasonal bread :)

  59. Honey is sugar. It is healthier sugar in that it contains vitamins and minerals and there is some evidence that eating local honey could be protective again allergies, but it’s still sugar and has similar effects upon the body (and insulin) as white sugar. In fact, if fructose is the real culprit in North America’s obesity problem (hurrah, high-fructose corn syrup), honey has more of it than white sugar.

    I think that honey is delicious. I also think that labeling something as “sugar free” when it contains honey is a bit misleading.

  60. I have been waiting for a super yummy-healthy granola recipe!!! and I trust this one! I’ll have to try it soon. :)

  61. Honestly Joy, if this were anyone else, I’d have to be like “shut up weirdo, give me my butter, give me my sugar, give me my dignity.” BUT because I have so much faith in everything that comes out your kitchen I’d be totally down to give this a whirl…it actually looks quite delish.

  62. I love that you make things that are very different… I mean… you don’t always make the same basic thing. Sometimes you make cake, sometimes you make candy, sometimes you step way out of the box and make this. It’s awesome.

  63. I am a celiac and only found out about a year and a half ago. One of the things I miss most is my morning granola!! It’s so hard to find good things to eat for breakfast that aren’t full of corn and barley flakes (bleck)! So excited to make this! Made your persimmon bread yesterday (gluten-free).. If I were I guy or swung that way, I would totally propose.. Thanks for your amazing recipes.

  64. Looks beautiful and I bet it tastes so good. I’ll be making this too.
    I think I’ll have to check coconut oil out as well.

  65. That sounds super yummy, Joy! And it’s one of those things, like soup, where making it at home gives you a totally different product to anything store-bought (usually one much lower in sneaky salts and sugars too).

    As for the nut butters, do you buy them or make your own? If you do make your own, is that easy? I tend to get a bag or two of macadamias each year from an Aunt who lives near a farm, and I’ve considered trying to make a nut butter, but I’ve never been game.

  66. Coconut oil. I really should buy it by the boatload. I go through it like molasses. And all that time, they told us it was fattening. Pshaw!!!

    Love your recipe! Granola is such a comfort food – it’s good plain, mixed with cereal, sprinkled over ice cream, it’s just yum.

  67. Thank you, thank you, thank you! It’s as if you’re reading my mind. I’ve recently gone on a vegan, sugar free, gluten free diet and it’s as if my oven is mocking me. I’ve tried baking a few times, but when you substitute everything it comes out a little weird. I’ll have to try this as soon as I have some free time! :)

    1. Hi Jessica. Coconut Oil is normally in liquid state, but tends to solidify if the weather is even a little bit chilly. Either way, it wouldn’t affect it in any way :) We tend to use coconut oil quite a lot in Indian cooking.

  68. OK….here’s my dilemma…serious nut allergy, so no nuts (except pistachios) and no nut butters…cocnut oil is OK.

    How can I modify this recipe??
    Is it possible?

    Thanks!

  69. i also love coconut oil. i use it for everything from baking to frying pancakes to scrambling eggs and roasting vegetables! it is very stable at high heat (unlike olive oil) which makes it great for cooking and is super healthy if you get the unrefined variety.

    thanks so much for the gluten free recipe! i’ll be trying this one.

  70. This granola looks so tasty! It would be perfect to give away during the holidays with some dried cranberries and cinnamon. Thanks for spreadin’ the gluten-free granola love!

  71. Sure wish I had read this an hour ago! I (really truly) just pulled a big ole pan of granola outta the oven a bit ago…a regular occurence at my house, and I love trying new kinds. This one will definitely get a day of it’s own. I LOVE the coconut oil/exotic nut butter combo idea. Or what about a coconut oil and PB&Co.s “Dark Chocolate Dreams” PB…..wait…….I’m trying that. Like soon. Like maybe tomorrow!
    Thanks for the inspiration…as always…
    cathy b. @ brightbakes

  72. Oh my gosh, I’m new to your site but I am in LOVE! This is the first recipe I want to try. It looks amazing. And everything-free! I’m so excited to have found you!

  73. Joy, you read my mind! I have been trying out different granola recipes this whole quarter at school trying to find the perfect one and I am excited to taste yours!

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