Easy Homemade Gluten Free Granola {Vegan Option}
Granola is one of the most versatile recipes you can make at home and there are so many delicious ways to use it. In our house we go through this granola like nobody’s business. We’re always trying new fun add-ins and this has become one of those recipes we make every week without fail.
As a kid we never had granola in my house because most of my family was allergic to nuts. Most granolas at the grocery store contained nuts either in the mix or as a possible cross contaminant. Making it at home not only saves you money but gives you the ability to customize it based on your dietary restrictions and personal preferences.
Whether you’re vegan, dairy-free, or nut free you can make this granola any way you want. Get creative with the add-ins and let us know what you did to make this granola recipe your own, we LOVE hearing from you!
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How To Customize It
The great thing about making granola at home is you can use whatever you have on hand. There are so many ways to customize this recipe so have some fun with it. Get the kids involved and let them pick the add-ins each week. Chocolate, dried fruit, nuts, extracts the possibilities are endless with this recipe so go nuts!
- Almond Substitute – You can use any kind of nuts here really, or no nuts if you’re allergic to them.
- Canola Oil Substitute – If you prefer a healthier oil you can use coconut oil instead.
- Honey Substitute – To make this recipe vegan you can use Agave nectar or maple syrup in place of the honey, both are delicious.
- Additional Add-ins – Coconut flakes, dark chocolate, banana chips, pecans, spices, lemon extract, and dried cherries are just a few options. Get creative and let us know in the comments what delicious combination you come up with!
How To Use Your Homemade Granola
- Breakfast – Add some milk to a bowl of granola or top your yogurt with some of your homemade granola for a quick and easy breakfast.
- Muffins/quick breads – Add granola to the top of your muffins or quick breads before you bake them to give them a nice crunch and added flavor. Try it on top of our blueberry muffin recipe, trust me it’s a game changer!
- Trail Mix – Bring the taste of home on your next hike, add your granola to your favorite trail mix blend to elevate this on the go snack.
- Top your Salads – Skip the croutons and add some extra flavor to your greens. Granola adds the perfect texture to any sweet or savory salad.
Homemade Granola Ingredients
- Gluten free rolled oats
- Brown sugar
- Honey (use agave or maple syrup for a vegan option)
- Canola or coconut oil
- Salt
- Cinnamon or other spices
- Vanilla extract
- Additional add-ins like nuts or dried fruit
Tips For The Best Results
When to add dried fruits and chocolate – If you want to add some dark chocolate morsels or dried fruit do so after the granola has completely cooled to avoid melted chocolate and burnt fruit.
How to get that signature crunch – You don’t want your granola to be so crunchy it cracks your teeth but you also don’t want it too chewy. Make sure your oven is set to 300 degrees and don’t bake it for longer than 20 minutes or less than 15 minutes. After removing the pan from the oven make sure you let it cool completely before breaking it up.
How do I store it? – Store your granola at room temperature in a sealed bag or container for up to two weeks.
Easy Homemade Gluten Free Granola
Equipment
- 1 Mixing Bowl
- 1 cookie sheet
- Baking Parchment Paper or Silpat pan liner
- Measuring Spoons
- Measuring Cups
Ingredients
- 2 cups Gluten Free Rolled Oats
- 1/4 cup Brown Sugar
- 1/4 cup Canola Oil (substitute with coconut oil)
- 1/4 cup Honey (substitute with agave nectar or maple syrup for vegan option)
- 1/4 teaspoon Salt
- 1 teaspoon Cinnamon
- 1-2 cups Add-ins (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 300°F and prepare baking sheet with parchnment baking paper or Silpat pan liner.
- In a large bowl combine all ingredients and mix thouroughly making sure all the oats are coated. (If you are using dried fruit or chocolate do not mix them in until after the granola has baked and cooled completely)
- Spread the granola onto prepared baking sheet evenly and place onto the center oven rack. Bake for 15-20 minutes stirring halfway through and rotating the baking sheet. The granola should start to turn golden brown.
- Remove the baking sheet and allow to cool completely before braking up the granola.