Dont Skip Steps When Youre Making Granola
You might be tempted to bake the granola for 20 or 30 minutes at a time, rather than in 10 minute intervals. Resist the temptation!
Ask me how I know that skipping the intervals leads to granola thats nearly burned on the underside and pale and lifeless on top
If you dont stop the baking and stir the granola fully, the sugars melt to the bottom. You want to redistribute all that flavor to every beautiful, delicious cluster.
Why Isnt My Gf Granola Crunchy
It depends on the stage of the cooking process:
- Straight of out the oven the sugar needs to time to cool and re-solidify
- After cooling down you may have used high-moisture ingredients lower the heat and cook a bit longer
- After a few days moisture from your home is affecting the granola dry it out again on low heat for 10 to 20 minutes and store in an air tight container
How To Make Granola Clusters
In order to make granola clusters when you make granola at home, you have to use the right binders, and bake the granola in one pressed down layer.
A lot of granola cluster recipes call for egg whites, but this recipe uses no eggs which makes it vegan friendly.
My top tips for making granola clusters:
- Before baking, line your baking sheet with parchment paper and firmly press the granola mixture into an even layer.
- Bake the granola at a low temperature so that it has a chance to crisp up and dry out without burning.
- Do not stir the granola while its baking! Leaving it in a single, pressed layer will help the ingredients stick together.
- Let the granola cool all the way before breaking it into clusters. Keep in mind that it will continue to crisp up as it cools aka dont fret if the middle of your granola seems a little soft when you pull it out of the oven. If its dry to the touch and golden brown its done!
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Is This Gf Granola Good For You
This homemade granola is pretty darn healthy. Its made with natural sweeteners and healthy fats from the almond butter, nuts, and seeds. Its filling, full of fiber, and healthier than store bought granola which can be over sweetened and made with processed vegetable oils.
If you want to check out all the nutrition facts for this recipes scroll down to the recipe card to find a more detailed nutrition information.
Making Your Granola Special
Now that you know what the components of a good granola are, lets get fancy with what to mix with it! This is a totally optional step and you dont have to add anything if you dont want. Honestly, I like to keep my granola simple so that it matches with whatever Im eating. But, here are some ideas to get you started.
Nuts and Seeds
Pepitas, sunflower seeds, almonds, pecans, walnuts. Obviously use what you can safely eat.
Chocolate Chips
Add these after baking and the granola is cooled!
Dried Fruit
Dehydrated blueberries, apricots, figs, cranberries, cherries, or raisins. Again, add after baking. Make sure that you find dried fruit that is sun-dried and unsulfured if possible sulfur is not only a big allergen but it also unnaturally colors the fruit and extends the shelf life.
Flax Seeds
Ground Flax seeds can be added after baking and the granola is cooled. This adds a lot of healthy omegas and fats to the granola. Just make sure you store your granola in the fridge if you add flax seeds as they can spoil at room temperature.
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The Best Grain Free Granola
The Best Grain Free Granola is sweetened with a drizzle of pure maple syrup, and is full of crisp, crunchy, healthy fats, and nutrition. Enjoy with milk, sprinkled over yogurt, or by the healthy handful!
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Miiiight have found my new favorite recipe of all time The actual best, mind-meltingly-delicious, make-this-NOW, grain free granola. I am obsessed!!!
I pinky promise to not talk about gestational diabetes from now until the baby arrives, but with this pregnancy complication has come a whole new appreciation for nutrient dense, power foods. Whole foods that are packed with protein, vitamins, minerals and more importantly, serve a purpose other then tasting good, like nuts and seeds.
We all know that a handful of nuts a day is beneficial for overall heart health, but pecans and almonds especially, which are included in this grain free granola, also help reduce inflammation in the body aid in weight loss and can help lower and/or stabilize blood sugar levels. That said, GIVE ME ALL THE NUTS.
Ahem.
So what does grain free mean, exactly? It means this granola recipe doesnt call for oats, which most classic granola recipes do. I love gluten-free oats as much as the next gal, but theyre high in carbs which I need to be smart about right now. Trust me, this granola is better without them.
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Go Raw Sprouted Granola Coco Crunch
Ingredients: Organic sprouted buckwheat groats, organic dates, organic sprouted sunflower seeds, organic sprouted sesame seeds, organic coconut, organic hemp seeds, organic cacao, organic vanilla extract, sea salt.
Go Raw’s Coco Crunch Sprouted Granola is high in sugar compared to our other picks, but it’s sweetened with dates, which are low-glycemic and safe for diabetics because they don’t spike blood sugar as much as cane sugar does, a Nutrition Journal study found. Plus, there’s plenty of fiber in this pick to help stabilize blood sugar and keep cravings at bay.
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Storing Gluten Free Granola
One of the best things about making a big batch of granola is how long it lasts! If you can keep your hands off of it anyway.
- To Store: Your gluten free granola will keep for 1 to 2 weeks, if placed in an airtight container in a cool, dry spot.
- To Freeze: This granola can also be frozen for up to 3 months. Place it in a resealable freezer bag, and push out any excess air before placing in the freezer.
This Homemade Gluten Free Granola Recipe Is:
- Ridiculously Easy to Make. Can you stir a few things together in a bowl, and then spread them onto a baking sheet? GOOD. You can make granola.
- Good for You. 100% whole grain goodness, plus healthy fats. This recipe is also refined-sugar free.
- Easy to Adapt to Any Diet. As written, this granola recipe is gluten free and dairy-free. Ive also included notes to make it vegan. Need nut free granola? Just leave out the nuts, and add more seeds or other mix-ins of choice.
- OUTRAGEOUSLY DELICIOUS. Either plan to share it with everyone in the house or hide the container for yourselfI actually had to hide it from myself to get the batch to last more than a few days.
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After The Granola Is Done Baking Let It Cool
Your granola is done baking, and youve mixed in your choice of dried fruit. Its ready to eat, right?
Not just yet! You want to let the granola cool right there in the pan. The sugars solidify and the granola clumps in the most lovely way.
Once its cool to the touch, youll break it up into irregular clumps. This is the step that separates okay granola from the best gluten free granola!
Bakery On Main Extreme Fruit & Nut Granola
Ingredients : Multigrain & bean crisps , cane sugar, mixed nuts , canola oil, sunflower seeds, invert cane sugar, raisins , flax seeds, sesame seeds, sweetened dried cranberries , natural flavors, sea salt.
While this list is decked out in healthy fruit and nuts, we don’t like that the recipe sneaks in five different types of sugar. Another sketchy observation: Bakery on Main’s 11-ounce bag and the 22-ounce bag of the Extreme Nut & Fruit Granola contain different ingredient lists. However, one particular ingredient that shines above the rest is Brazil nuts because you don’t often see these added into a granola mix. Brazil nuts are loaded with selenium, which plays a vital role in metabolic functions, the immune system, and even reproductive healthjust two of them puts you over your daily need.
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Bear Naked Dark Chocolate Hazelnut Granola
Ingredients: Whole grain oats*, cane sugar*, hazelnut butter*, expeller pressed sunflower oil*, whole oat flour*, hazelnuts*, semisweet chocolate* , sunflower seeds*, honey*, pumpkin seeds*, chocolate*, sea salt, rosemary extract* for freshness.
Is your sweet tooth hankering for a Nutella on toast breakfast? Skip the nutrition-void combo and opt for Bear Naked’s dark chocolate hazelnut granola. It’s packed with healthy-fat-filled hazelnut butter, sunflower seeds, and pumpkin seeds and will nix your chocolate craving right in the bud!
Healthy Gluten Free Granola
This gluten free granola recipe is easy to make and requires a few ingredients you probably already have in your pantry. Its perfect with yogurt, in a smoothie bowl, or just as a snack!
Ive been on a yogurt and granola kick lately. I may have made one too many batches of my banana bread granola, so I figured it was time for a new granola recipe.
I feel like I make these statements a lot, but I think this might be the best gluten free granola Ive ever had. Its far better than any store bought granola Ive had and it happens to be vegan, refined sugar free, and has the best flavor. And did I mention how deliciously CRISPY it gets?! Ugh, drooling.
Serve it up with some yogurt and my homemade chia jam or use it as a topper for my sweet potato smoothie and youre in for a treat.
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Best Tools For Healthy Chunky Granola Recipe
Here are my favorite tools to use for this homemade chunky granola recipe. Click the links below to explore.
- Oxo Mixing Bowls: my go-to mixing bowls. Ive been using them for ages, and love the grippy bottoms and handles.
- Baking Sheet: Ive probably used these baking sheets over 1,000 times at this point, and they always get the job done.
- Unbleached Parchment Paper: a great brand of parchment paper!
- Coconut Sugar: one of my favorite sweeteners to use. It adds the perfect flavor to this healthy chunky granola recipe.
- Ground Flaxseed: the flax helps hold together the chunky granola cluster mixture & adds healthy nutrients!
Are you ready for the best healthy chunky granola recipe ever? I thought so! You grab the gluten free rolled oats and Ill grab everything else. Lets make this! In case I dont say it enough, thank you. Thank you for stopping by and sharing in these kitchen adventures with me. Is there anything better? Til the next one
Sending you all my love and maybe even a dove, xo Demeter
Did you make this healthy chunky granola recipe? Take a pic & share it on with the hashtag #beamingbaker& tag . Id love to see it!
How To Make The Best Granola:
- If you cant eat gluten, be sure to buy gluten-free rolled oats .
- Use a large rimmed baking sheet like this , which is a serious workhorse in my kitchen . If you dont own one this size, use 2 smaller pans.
- Use a rubber spatula to press the granola into an even layer, helping it to cook evenly and form small clusters.
- I like to store this granola in half-gallon Ball jars. If you’re gifting the granola, these quart-sized glass containers make for pretty gifts.
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If Youre Looking For A Breakfast Option That Is Gluten Free Dairy Free And Low Fodmap Look No Further Than My Delicious Grain Free Granola You Can Easily Make This Ahead Of Time And Enjoy It All Week Its So Easy To The Same Breakfast Every Single Day And This Is Just The Change I Needed
I must admit a few years ago I was most definitely not a breakfast person. I would skip breakfast every single morning and not eat until lunchtime Im pretty sure this just made me incredibly unproductive throughout the day even though you feel like you saved yourself extra time. So, first things first, if you are like my former self and shy away from brekkie, change your ways breakfast is grrrr-eat !
Anyway, these days I am all over breakfast like a hawk . Obviously ensuring that breakfast is gluten free and low FODMAP isnt the easiest thing in the world, but I dont find it too difficult and neither will you. However, because I cant tolerate any oats and dried fruit doesnt agree with me , I dont often get to enjoy my favourite breakfast choice, granola! Thats why I decided to create my very own gluten free and grain free granola, plus its also a dairy free and low FODMAP.
I am a massive fan of pecan nuts and walnuts, I could literally eat them all day. Im also a massive fan of pumpkin seeds I used to have a delicious flapjack when I was younger that had pumpkin seeds in it ever since then Ive wanted to incorporate them more into my recipes. There is such a combination of flavours within this grain free granola, its very far removed from your standard cornflakes and milk . Of course, it isnt just its nutritional qualities that makes this grain free granola a good wake up call, the flavour combinations definitely will get you going too!
Here Are A Few Things To Help You Make And Enjoy Our Best Gluten
NUTS ON A ROLL
An assortment of nuts really raises the flavour profile of this crunchy granola, and as you can see, I like to include lots. Walnuts, pecans, almonds, and cashews always make the cut, but I also like adding sunflower and pumpkin seeds too. Feel free to experiment and add other ingredients like pistachios, peanuts, sesame seeds, flax and even hemp. They all work well in this recipe.
Gluten-free rolled oats are the order of the day for this recipe. Using them is an extra-nice consideration in case you have someone with gluten intolerance in your midst. Look for gluten-free oats in the specialty baking section of your grocery or bulk food store.
GLAZED OVER
Using maple syrup as part of the glaze for this recipe adds yet another layer of deliciousness, but if you dont have any, feel free to substitute with brown sugar. You can also reduce the quantity of syrup or sugar if its too sweet for your taste. Dont skip the addition of the vanilla extract or the salt when you warm up this glaze both add a wonderful flavour to the finished cereal.
FRUIT LOVE
Cranberries and raisins have become standard when I make this recipe, but you can also add currants, cherries, dried blueberries and even chopped dried apricots. Just remember to add the dried fruit after the granola has come out of the oven so that it doesnt become hard or taste burnt.
BIG LOVE
GOOD MORNING!
Looking to really amp up the healthy? Try it with our HEALTHY FRUIT SALAD its a perfect pairing!
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How To Make The Best Gluten Free Granola
One thing I love about making the best gluten free granola is that it is quick and super easy to make. It takes about 10 minutes to prep and yields a big enough batch to eat granola for weeks.
First, you will need to mix the dry ingredients together .
Make sure to season salt to taste. The amount of salt that you need will depend on the type of salt that you use. For example, when using finer salt, make sure to use less than what the recipe calls for. When using coarser salt, use the same amount as what the recipe states. If anything, you can always add more later if youd like.
Then, in a saucepan heat the olive oil, maple syrup, and sugar. Move until the sugar is well blended. Mix in the sauce with the dry ingredients and *important* blend it thoroughly. Once well blended, spread the granola in a baking sheet with parchment paper. When the oven is ready, slide the baking sheet in the oven. Halfway through , stir and break through the granola. Bake for 35-40 minutes or until the crunchy granola is dry and lightly golden.
The secret to making crunchy granola boils down to making sure your oven is set to the right temperature. Temperature plays a key role in this tasty granola recipe because the right temperature will make the granola dry and golden .
The Trick To Super Chunky Granola Clusters
The trick to making my super chunky clusters in this homemade chunky granola cluster recipe? Baking all the granola in one large sheet. With, like, a split right between the middle of that sheet .
I tested trial after trial, made adjustment after adjustment, until I could bake this healthy chunky granola in one layerwithout any soft, chewy texture in the center. You seriously get crispy clusters all the way through.
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Gluten Free And Nut Free Granola Tips
To get the best results from baking your granola, aka those delicious clusters of granola that I seek out, here are the steps you need to make that happen.
First, make sure you bake your granola on parchment paper or a non-stick slip mat. You want to make sure that you can easily remove your granola from the pan and not have to break it up
Next, you want to press the granola together in the pan and flatten it while baking. After I flip my granola, I make sure to press it back into a smooth shape.
Finally, and this is most important, let your granola cool completely before touching it! You want the sugar crystals to re-crystalize so that you can break it apart into those delicious chunks.