Something pretty remarkable happened. I stepped in my kitchen and baked something without flour… without milk or eggs or butter… and without sugar.
I was wide-eyed. I was nervous. This sort of thing is way out of my sugar/butter/flour comfort zone.
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.
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.
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. It comes in a jar. It’s opaque and solid at room temperature. It’s high in fat but better for your body than butter or oil. It’s got acids that your body loves. Kinda rad. Oh! Bonus!! It tastes like sexy sexy coconut. I loooove this stuff.
I also used macadamia and cashew nut butter and honey as a binder. 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. Still delicious. To be sure.
This granola is super lovely. It has a richness from coconut oil and the macadamia nut butter feels so indulgent. It’s lightly sweetened and… completely satisfying. I served my granola over vanilla yogurt. Yes. Dairy. I’m just a rebel like that.
Gluten-Dairy-Cane Sugar-Free Homemade Granola
makes about 9 cups of granola
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. Line two baking sheets with parchment paper, or spray lightly with cooking spray and set aside. In a large bowl, toss together oats, nuts and salt (leave out the raisins, we’ll toss these in after baking). In a medium bowl, gently whisk together the melted coconut oil (or evoo), nut butter and honey. Pour the oil mixture over the oats and nuts and stir well. Make sure that every bit of oats and nuts is covered in some of the oil mixture. Spread the granola mixture onto the two baking sheets from edge to edge. Bake for 15 minutes and carefully remove the pans from the oven to toss and stir the oats. This will ensure that the mixture cooks and browns evenly. Bake for another 10 minutes. Remove and stir. Repeat until mixture has cooked a total of 30 minutes and the oats are dark and golden. Allow to cool completely before tossing in golden raisins and storing in an airtight container.
Dawn Swanson
This is definitely on the list to be made, and soon!! Yummy!!
the blissful baker
homemade granola is the best! your version sounds sooo yummy!
i might go make a batch right this very minute :)
Jessica @ bake me away!
I have a jar of coconut oil, but for some reason it turned to liquid in the summer (the kitchen was hot) and has stayed that way ever since. Weird? Either way, I need to get on the oatmeal-making boat.
Renu
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.
joythebaker
i bet your oil is just fine. it turns to liquid at temperatures above 76 degrees. Mine liquifies and then turns back to solid on occasion.
Maria
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!
Jessica
What about sunflower seed butter? Lots of stores seem to be carrying it now.
Hayley
I use soy nut butter in my daughters granola. I get it in the organic aisle of my store.
Mindi
mmm…. i could eat this for breakfast lunch dinner and dessert!
Shirese
Looks tasty but I am a calorie counter and this looks calorie laden. :(
peachkins
There’s lots of coconut oil around here…
EatLiveRun
Looks great, Joy! I’m a huge coconut oil (and coconut BUTTER) fan myself. Chocolate coconut butter on toast is ridiculous.
Ellen
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.
Heather (Heather's Dish)
i almost thought this was a trick at first, but holy WOW this sounds good!
Verelle
This sounds like something I could eat every morning! I could eat cookies every morning too, but this would probably be the more responsible option.
Nicolette
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!
Cathy B. @ Bright Bakes
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
jayarebee
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!
Kristin
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!