Nut-free granola is delicious all on its own and also pairs well with yogurt and fruit. In this post, I share with you my favorite nut-free granola recipe that you are sure to love.
Anghus, my toddler, does not do well with nuts in his diet. Even as a baby during our breastfeeding journey, I had to limit the amount of nuts I ate or he would get a little patch of eczema on his leg.
As he has gotten older, the dry patch will show up around his month if he has nuts a couple of days in a row.
His body does not tolerate them well, no matter how they are prepared. Though he does handle them better now than he did. He can eat nuts a few times a week without any issue. But if he eats them daily, the dry patch will show up.
Nuts offer healthy fat, a nice amount of carbs, and a bit of protein. They are a perfectly health snack if they are tolerated. So honestly, it is a little upsetting to have to limit his intake, but I am hopeful that as he gets older his system will be able to handle them without any issue.
Are there alternatives?
You bet there are ways to make granola that is nut-free!!
After a bit of trial, I have learned that seeds work just fine for my kiddo. Seeds are also a great source of nutrients. So now I buy him sunflower seed butter to eat with his apple sticks or on a slice of sourdough.
A few months ago, I started making homemade yogurt in the Instant Pot(recipe coming soon), and that made me want granola. Since I knew if I had a bowl of yogurt and granola, my little sidekick would want some too. That meant that nut-filled granola was out.
Thankfully, seeds work just as well for making granola!!
Nut-free granola is as tasty as one with all the nuts. It still bakes up to a nice crunch. It tastes great with yogurt and fruit! Anghus like to eat it on its own…heck, so do I!
What you need to make Nut-Free Granola
- 1 cup raw sunflower seeds
- 1/4 cup raw pumpkin seeds
- 1/4 cup coconut flakes
- 1/4 cup raisins
- 1/4 ground flax seed
- 2 tbsp chia seeds
- 2 tbsp maple syrup
- 2 tbsp coconut oil
- 1 tsp vanilla
How to make Crunchy Nut-free Granola
Preheat oven to 325 degrees.
Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
In a large bowl, mix together all ingredients. Be sure to stir well, you want to have the liquids evenly distributed over all the dry ingredients.
Pour the mixture onto the lined baking sheet.
Push the mixture out until it is about 1″ thick. Packing in the sides to get an even thickness.
Bake for 30-35 minutes until it is the granola is golden brown.
Allow to cool completely before breaking into pieces.
Store in an airtight container.
Tips for making crunchy granola
When forming your granola be sure to pack it into a fairly tight “loaf”. This will help to make some nice chunks in your cooled granola.
Be sure to check on the granola often once it has baked for 30 minutes. It can go from not done to burned in a snap.
The granola will still be a bit soft after baking, but as it cools it will harden up and become a lovely crunchy snack!!
Crunchy Nut-Free Granola
Ingredients
- 1 cup raw sunflower seeds
- 1/4 cup raw pumpkin seeds
- 1/4 cup coconut flakes
- 1/4 cup raisins
- 1/4 ground flax seed
- 2 tbsp chia seeds
- 2 tbsp maple syrup
- 2 tbsp coconut oil
- 1 tsp vanilla
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 325 degrees.
- Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- In a large bowl, mix together all ingredients. Be sure to stir well, you want to have the liquids evenly distributed over all the dry ingredients.
- Transfer the mixture onto the lined baking sheet.
- Push the mixture out until it is about 1" thick. Packing in the sides to get an even thickness.
- Bake for 30-35 minutes until it is the granola is golden brown.
- Allow to cool completely before breaking into pieces.
- Store in an airtight container.
Notes
When forming your granola be sure to pack it into a fairly tight "loaf". This will help to make some nice chunks in your cooled granola.
Be sure to check on the granola often once it has baked for 30 minutes. It can go from not done to burned in a snap.
The granola will still be a bit soft after baking, but as it cools it will harden up and become a lovely crunchy snack!!
Even if you do not need to avoid nuts, this granola offers a nice change. It is a way to add some different nutrients to your diet.
Let me know if the comments below how you enjoy this granola and your favorite way to enjoy it!
