Grain Free Granola

I’m going to leave the title simple. We’ve been teasing our granola recipe for enough time that we’re racked with guilt on having held out this long.  We just really wanted to get the site relaunch taken care of before publishing it, in order for it to be the kick-off of our new kid-friendly approach.

The good news is, since we’ve been sitting on this recipe for a while it gave us a chance to try it a few times before sharing it with you – and hopefully the result is the absolute best grain-free and refined sugar-free granola you’ve ever tasted.  If nothing else, we hope it’s good enough for your kids to dig into a big bowl as cereal with hemp, coconut or almond milk running down their chin.

Grain-Free Granola
dairy-free, wheat-free, peanut-free, soy-free, fish-free, shellfish-free, egg-free (contains tree nuts)

Ingredients

  • 1 1/2 C sliced almonds
  • 1 1/2 C unsweetened coconut flakes
  • 1 C walnuts, finely chopped or pureed
  • 1 C macadamia nuts, finely chopped or pureed
  • 1 C dried cranberries
  • 1/2 C fresh dates, diced
  • 1/2 C coconut oil, melted
  • 1/3 C honey
  • 2 tsp cinnamon

Instructions & How Kids Can Help

  1. ♥ Combine almonds, coconut flakes, nuts and fruit in a bowl
  2. ♥ Whisk together oil, honey and cinnamon
  3. ♥ Pour oil-honey mixture over nuts and fruit and mix, let little hands mix well
  4. ♥ Spread onto a single layer on lightly oiled baking sheet
  5. Bake for one hour at 275 degrees, stirring every 15 minutes to prevent burning

Note: All steps which include the heart symbol ( ♥) are steps your children can do with you!

A small note: You can interchange ingredients as you’d like, but keep in mind the more sugar you add, the more likely it is that it will burn! ALWAYS check in on this recipe and pull it out early if it starts to get too brown!

This recipe makes a hefty batch that you can store in your pantry for quite a while.  It is wonderful to eat loose by the handful or as part of a trail mix; but our boys love it by the bowl full with a handful of berries.  Once you’ve made a batch, feel free to play with the nuts to include your own favorites – just make sure to always keep sliced almonds and coconut flakes as the base.  Our kids particularly love the cranberry and dates combination but we’ve used raisin and chopped apricots with good luck too.

About Stacy

Stacy Toth has written 311 post in this blog.

Stacy is the matriarch of the Paleo Parents family. After beginning a paleo diet and founding PaleoParents.com in 2010, she lost 135 pounds and found health and happiness for the whole family. The following three years have been a progressive journey with a mission to educate people about nourishing their bodies by eating real foods. Stacy can be found on all forms of social media as @PaleoParents as well as the top-rated The Paleo View Podcast and her two cookbooks, Eat Like a Dinosaur and Beyond Bacon.

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  • Robyn

    This looks delicious! I’ve been eating primally for over a year now, but have been slower to move my kids over. We’ve eliminated cereals entirely, but since my oldest doesn’t eat eggs, that has narrowed our breakfast choices. I’m going to whip up a batch of this granola (yum!) and see if he’ll chow down mixed with some strawberries (his favorite). Thank you!

    • http://PaleoParents.com Stacy & Matt

      Robyn, we hope your family loves it as much as ours – it offers a nice break from eggs and the kids LOVE being able to feel like they’re having a bowl of cereal :)

  • http://delightfultastebuds.com Jos

    I’m curious but most dried cranberries are sweetened with sugar. Where did you get yours?

    • http://PaleoParents.com Stacy & Matt

      These are, in fact, sugar sweetened in this case. Amazon does have options, though, like:

      Eden’s Organic (apple sweetened)

      Ocean Spray (elderberry sweetened)

      I can definitely vouch for the unavailability of unsweetened cranberries. I’ve tried to find them as well, but even the bulk cranberries in the grocer seem to be sugar sweetened. We’ve compared grams of sugar and found that the amount consumed in a batch like this would be negligible in a single serving.

    • Jeanne

      wilderness family naturals offers freeze-dried cranberries without added sweetener…they’re delicious.

      • http://PaleoParents.com Stacy & Matt

        Jeanne, thanks!  Do you know if there are any online co-ops for them at wholesale prices?

  • Anonymous

    Looks tasty…after work activity just planned. We will see how it goess. 

    • http://PaleoParents.com Stacy & Matt

      Hope it works for you, we can’t keep it in the house!

      • Anonymous

        Just made it! Delicious….I don’t think it will last long…

        • http://PaleoParents.com Stacy & Matt

          Doesn’t last long for us either. I have to keep it on a high shelf.

  • Heidi A.

    I just made this, and my 5-year-old son loves it!! My house smells so good right now. Loving your site!

    • http://PaleoParents.com Stacy & Matt

      We just completed our weekly batch too. Glad you’re enjoying our work!

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  • Mariannakeeth

    I made this for my husband in anticipation of our first gallon of raw goat milk, oh my gosh, We went through it in a few days and I’m making more, this is amazingly good. 

    • http://PaleoParents.com Stacy & Matt

      Awesome! Thanks so much for letting us know – it’s one of our favorites too!

  • Brianelam

    This recipe is amazing.  Only problem is…..I can’t stop eating it.

    • http://PaleoParents.com Stacy & Matt

      We are with you on that one!

      • Brianelam

        Dried prunes work well in this also.

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  • Monifah

    So yummy!! I thought that it would never crisp up as it still didn’t feel crunchy when finished baking but being out the oven for 10 min turned the ‘slurry’ in beautiful, crispy, crunchy, fingerlicking best granola E*V*E*R!!!! Wow this is good, I almost went through my whole batch of freshmade almond milk in one day because of it, and have been munching on it all day long. Kids started out eating the ‘batter’ mixture already, which also tasted fantastic. Am making some hemp milk now for breakfast tomorrow, can’t wait! Thanks so much for this recipe, my expectations of the book are through the roof now ;o)

    • Monifah

      Btw, what is that cute bowl on the pic? That pic caught my kids eyes immediately, they probably expected a similar bowl to show up here..

    • http://PaleoParents.com Stacy & Matt

      Wow! I hope we can live up to your expectations now!

  • paleograndma

    I’ve made this granola at least 6 or 7 times, and I have to hide it from the family.  Seriously, this is outstanding.  I add the fruit (cherries instead of cranberries) the last 15 min., as my oven is too hot.  This is sooooo good!

    • http://PaleoParents.com Stacy & Matt

      Thanks a lot! We’re pretty proud of this one. We can’t keep it in the house either!

  • http://www.facebook.com/people/Kenny-Husser/100000176767907 Kenny Husser

    where did that bowl come from? I really want one!

    • http://PaleoParents.com Stacy & Matt

      I linked it in a comment below. At this point I’ve linked it so many times, Jo!e ought to send me free stuff as a reward!

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  • sara k

    What an adorable site! I just made this granola and truly hope I can stay away from it until the kids get home from school! Great recipe

    • http://PaleoParents.com Stacy & Matt

      Thanks! Really, I just avoid it altogether because once you start eating it, you can’t stop!

  • lw

    You mentioned that it will keep for a while. I live alone so it’s only me that will be eating this. How long is a while?

    • http://PaleoParents.com Stacy & Matt

      I’ve had some in the pantry for a month with no ill effects. It’ll likely last even longer than that. You could definitely freeze any excess as well. Hope That helps!

  • Rebecca Klooz

    I made this for the second time in 2 weeks because it’s that delicious—THANK YOU! This morning I actually made it into cerealand poured almond milk over it. It was just as good. I haven’t had cereal is MONTHS, so what a fun treat and change.

    • http://PaleoParents.com Stacy & Matt

      That’s awesome! I’m glad you’ve enjoyed it so much.

  • Tom R

    Mine came out very well done at 45 minutes at 275, stirring every 15 minutes.  30 minutes would have been plenty. Surely there’s not that big of a difference in ovens.  Thoughts about my poor results?

    • http://PaleoParents.com Stacy & Matt

      Well, we like ours browned, not blackened and 60 minutes gave us that. Extra sugar (honey and also dried fruit) may cause burning a little early. But if you feel it’s done at 30, pull it out! There’s no reason to keep it in except to crisp it.

  • Lisa Dembouski

    I’ve made this twice now and both times The Husband has been elated; it’s worked beautifully no matter what nuts/fruit I had laying around (so long as I kept to the almond/coconut base and  kept the oil/honey ratios as you direct).  THANKS!

    • http://PaleoParents.com Stacy & Matt

      Glad you are enjoying it!

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  • Ulla

    I made a batch of this last night. Instead of the cranberries, I used dried cherries, which are more readily available where I live. I managed to slightly over bake the granola, but even though it leaves a tiny little bitter aftertaste, my husband could have finished the whole batch straight off the baking pan! I wonder If I should reduce the oven temperature, or the time not to burn the next batch? Also, could Goji berries be used in this, as well? I’m not sure how they react to baking. Anyway, even slightly burned, I thought this recipe was awesome! My older son liked it well enough, my younger son refused to eat it because of the bitter aftertaste. I’m hoping he’ll like the next batch, because I’m definitely making one soon! Just hope I’ll manage not to burn it ;)

    • Becca

      It only takes 45 minutes to bake for me, so maybe just watching it more closely and cutting down the time may be all you need to do. I could eat it all straight from the pan in one sitting because it’s that good! :)

      • http://PaleoParents.com Stacy & Matt

        Glad you enjoyed it!

    • http://PaleoParents.com Stacy & Matt

      The secret is that the more sugar content, the quicker it would burn. If the cranberries are replaced by cherries or raisins or anything like that, it’s more likely that it will burn. I’m going to edit this post and include this information!

  • Seatolax

    I made this for the first time this weekend. I have never made grain free granola before. The end result was yummy but very oily — is it possible that I used too much virgin coconut oil or is the end result supposed to be oily vs dry? Thanks

    • http://PaleoParents.com Stacy & Matt

      Hmm… I would say it’s not supposed to be oily, but not exactly dry either. It ought to be sort of like how dry something deep fried is after you let it drain. If you feel yours turned out too oily, there is no problem reducing the oil slightly next time.

      • Seatolax

        I reduced the coconut oil to about 2 teaspoons on round 2 and also added pumpkin seeds and no macadamia nuts and it’s perfect now, not oily. Thanks! Great recipe!!

        • http://PaleoParents.com Stacy & Matt

          That’s great! Glad you worked it out!

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  • Karie

    Thank you for this! Being new to Paleo, I have been getting together ingredients and ideas to do JUST THIS! Now that I have the directions and a sample recipe to try, I’m all set!

    • http://PaleoParents.com Stacy & Matt

      Great, you’re welcome! Hope you enjoy :)

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  • GRC

    Made this today with raisins. WOW, it is to die for! I don’t think it will last very long!

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  • Sarah Petteys

    Hi there! Making this granola right now and already looks/smells delicious.  I love your site as a brand new mom (my 3 week old baby girl is napping in her carrier as I write this) and am getting back into Paleo which I love as a lifestyle and health choice.  Keep up the great work!

    • http://PaleoParents.com Stacy & Matt

      Thanks! We will!

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  • Brookerosolino

    Just made this! OBSESSED. Thanks for a great recipe :)

  • Aehayes421

    Looking forward to making this recipe.

  • Laura Marlatt

    6 months into eating paleo and I couldn’t stand another minute without cereal!  Just pulled this out of the oven and it is delicious!  I am not a fan of coconut, so I was nervous but it is so good!  Even my picky five year old loves it.  Made it with dried cherries and didn’t have mac nuts so I added pumpkin seeds.  Thanks!!

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  • Jami AuBuchon

    This is seriously addicting! I don’t want to share with anyone! Thanks for giving us a cereal alternative!

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  • alicia

    Made this last night and it is awesome, even with a couple of modifications. I didn’t have enough dates or cranberries on hand so I added a finely chopped granny smith apple. Also, a little short on cinnamon so added a little pumpkin pie spice. Thanks for the recipe, I will being making it over and over.

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  • http://www.facebook.com/katie.english.10 Katie English

    I really am keen to try this – but am not a fan of cinnamon at all. Any ideas for something else in its place?

    • http://PaleoParents.com Stacy & Matt

      I think you should use whatever spice you do like or none at all! Experiment!

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  • mollye

    Hello, I just made this granola for the first time and it is delicious!!! Also made the house smell so good. Just curious, what is a serving size because as I’ve read in other comments, I think I could eat the whole batch in one sitting! I am also loving your website. My personal trainer gave me the link for the granola and I’ve been checking out the rest of your site–very cool. My husband and I have been Paleo for about 3 months now. We also have 3 boys, a six year-old and 23 month-old twins. I’ve been telling my husband that I would like to get the kids eating more Paleo, but they don’t always like what I cook, so when I came across your site, I was very excited to try your kid-friendly recipes. I was telling my husband the title of your first book and that I think I would like to buy it and my six year-old said, “You’re not turning me into an herbivore!!!” He wasn’t interested in listening when I tried to explain that I am not planning to try to turn him into an herbivore. Anyway, I think I’ll still buy the book and hopefully, the six year-old will come around! Keep up the great work!

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  • penelope

    When you say fresh dates, do you mean the ones that are still yellow in color – not the dried ones? Can we use dried pitted dates instead? the fresh ones are not available here this time of year.

    • http://PaleoParents.com Stacy & Matt

      we mean fresh medjool dates, you can find them online (the link in our sidebar to food on Amazon shows the ones we use). If you use dried dates, they will over-sugar-caramelize and get too hard/chewy when you cook them.

      • penelope

        I guess those ARE the ‘dried dates’ I was referring to – when I said fresh dates, I meant dates still on the branches and are still yellow in color, like you see on the cover of the United with Earth medjool dates. Thanks for clarifying! I’m going to make this recipe tonight!

      • Kamela

        I’ve made this several times with dried dates, but the nice soft ones with the seeds still in that you can get at Trader Joe’s. I chop them up fairly fine and it comes out great.

        Also brought this recipe to a big party I go to every year and it disappeared in no time at all, with several people asking for the recipe. Thanks for this – it’s a great one!

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  • Heather

    Omg best granola ever! I replaced dates with raisins and once cooled threw in some seriously dark chocolate chips!:) i will be making this over and over again as its also a hit with my kids! Thank you:)

  • ELAINE

    TOO SUGARY SWEET AND HEAVY

  • ELAINE

    REMEMBER HONEY IS A SIMPLE SUGAR AND DEFEATING THE PURPOSE

  • ELAINE

    EVERYONE SHOULD FAST AT LEAST ONCE PER WEEK. ITS GOOD FOR YOU

  • ELAINE

    Honey is a simple sugar and should be avoided at all costs

    • http://PaleoParents.com Stacy & Matt

      Elaine, if you don’t like a recipe, don’t make or eat it. We don’t welcome unconstructive negative comments, so I’ve deleted the 3 other comments you made. Please find a recipe and site you do agree with and hang out there, it will help ease stress for you.

  • http://www.facebook.com/cristykclark Cristy Clark

    What is the nutritional content of this recipe please? I have made several times and it is amazing, and find myself eating as a snack at times, but wanted to guage the caloric intake.

    Thank you

    • http://PaleoParents.com Stacy & Matt

      We’re family food bloggers, not nutritionists, so we don’t provide nutritional information. But you could input the ingredients into fitday.com or something similar and portion it out to determine what your intake is. Nuts are dense but also high in nutrients, this is not the kind of thing to eat alone in a day or two! :)

      • http://www.facebook.com/cristykclark Cristy Clark

        Thank you

  • http://twitter.com/stacymakescents Stacy

    I left out the dates and raisins….and even then, this stuff is AWESOME!!!!

  • pleagiaeast

    I have made two batches now, with the advice of my daughter who put me onto this site. First batch was too oily, so I cut that down, and next time (3rd) I will cut the honey down a bit, too. I can hardly make it last a week, and I am the only one eating it! One hint. I add the fruit AFTER it came out of the oven, and I did have to cut the baking time down, and the temp down a bit. Definitely this is a recipe with lots of flexibility. Sunflower seeds and pumpkin seeds, sliced almonds, sliced coconut flakes, broken cashews, walnuts, coconut oil and honey, cinnamon, chopped dried apricots – ambrosia! I may try hazelnuts sometime, too. It helped to melt and mix the honey and coconut oil before trying to add the dry ingredients.

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