Granola is a sweet, salty, and crunchy snack that you can have on the go, in yogurt, on top of ice cream, or simply with milk. The best thing about granola is that it is so healthy and can be made from scratch in 20 minutes! Many store bought granolas are way too packed with sugars and unhealthy fats. I went on a hunt to make my own recipe after my kids were seemed turned off by one thing or another in other recipes I tried. Other recipes had too many ingredients and sometimes simpler is better when trying to feed picky eaters. This version ticks all the boxes. It is nut-free, very easy to make, and, most importantly, kid-approved!
My kids don’t care much for nuts, only peanut butter and my husband has to avoid them for dietary reasons. Around here we strive for a diet packed with clean foods that are high in fiber. This granola packs 10g of dietary fiber in a serving. So if you are struggling to hit your daily intake of fiber (22 grams for women and 35 grams for men), this will kick off your morning with a great head start!
This granola is sweetened with shredded coconut and chewy raisins. The crunch comes in from the maple syrup and coconut oil that crisps it up. This granola recipe is simple but very delicious!
How to Make This Simple Nut Free Granola
I encourage you all to make this simple recipe with your kids. It is so easy to make and involves dumping lots of fun ingredients into a giant bowl and stirring them up. In my house getting messy in the kitchen is a family tradition.
Bonus – they can pick on the ingredients along the way!
Let’s start by measuring out 4 cups of rolled oats. I use plain rolled organic oats, for this recipe. The quick oats just don’t have the right texture once baked.
Next combine the brown sugar, maple syrup, coconut oil, vanilla, cinnamon, and salt in a small sauce pan. Place over low heat and keep your eye on the mixture. Make sure to stir well until the sugar starts to devolve.
This step should smell wonderful! MMMMMM
Once your sweet liquid comes to a soft boil, remove it from the heat and pour over the oats, stirring it all together to combine. I find a silicone spatula is really useful for this step.
Once the granola is coated, I like to add half a cup of organic flaked unsweetened coconut and raisins, this is my family’s favorite combo.
Spread your mixture evenly on a baking sheet covered with parchment paper, a silicone mat, or foil
I like to press the mixture flat down on the pan, this makes crispy clusters once baked.
Bake at 325, for 20 minutes …. Stir your granola halfway thru baking.
Allow to cool completely and enjoy!
Best Way to Enjoy This Simplest Nut Free Granola Recipe?
- Our favorite way is mixed with organic plain full fat yogurt
- An amazing topping for a smoothie bowl
- Sprinkled on top of ice-cream
- Simply enjoyed over cold milk
- Just plain! My kid’s favorite on the go treat
What Are Some Simple Variations ?
I love to offer simple variations on recipes. I encourage you to play around with a recipe once you master a recipe and cooking technique. If your family is enjoying the original recipe chances are they will love the variations too. This also a simple way to get some more easy recipes under your belt.
- Add dried cranberries or apricots
- Try dried apples and a half tsp of pumpkin pie spice
- Bake in a square 8 x 8 nonstick baking pan, let fully cool, and cut into granola bars
- Substitute honey instead of maple syrup for an even crunchier version.
- Try adding a full tsp of salt instead of the half tsp for a sweet and salty treat.
Simple Nut Free Granola
Course: Breakfast, SnackCuisine: American, Vegan, Gluten FreeDifficulty: Easy28
1/4 Cup10
minutes20
minutes300
kcalThis Easy Granola is a sweet, chewy, crunchy treat packed with oats, raisins and coconut that will quickly become a family favorite.
Ingredients
4 cups old fashioned rolled oats
1/4 cup brown sugar
1/2 cup honey
1/2 cup coconut oil or canola oil
1/2 t. cinnamon
1 t. kosher salt
1/2 t. vanilla extract
3/4 cup dried fruit of choice, raisins, dried cranberries etc.
1/2 cup unsweetened shedded coconut
Directions
- Preheat oven 325 degrees
- Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or foil and spray with cooking spray to prevent sticking.
- In a large bowl, add your rolled oats.
- In a small saucepan, whisk together salt, brown sugar, honey, coconut oil, cinnamon and vanilla.
Bring to a boil over medium-low heat, stirring, frequently. Once the honey mixture boils, remove from heat. - Pour honey mixture over the oats and stir until the oats are completely coated. Add your dried fruit and coconut and stir and combine.
- Spread mixture out evenly onto prepared baking sheet. I like to use a wooden spoon to gently press together clumps of the oats to get those great crunchy cluster at the end.
- Bake for 15-20 minutes staring half way thru.
- Remove from the oven. let cool completely before storing in air tight container.
