Gluten Free Granola Recipe

That is the grasp recipe for selfmade gluten free granola that you have been searching for! Endlessly customizable, with the proper crispy granola clusters everybody loves.

It is made with loads of good olive oil, uncooked nuts and seeds, coconut chips, maple syrup and authorized gluten free oats—or with many potential substitutions to go well with any weight loss plan!

Milk pouring from glass jar into gluten free granola in small green bowl with spoons and pink bowl

Why I really like this recipe

The perfect granola is all the time crisp whenever you chunk into it, will be served alone, as a topping for yogurt, and even as cereal with milk. If you happen to’re fortunate sufficient to odor it baking, you will always remember it.

There is a cause artisan-style granolas are offered at nearly each farmer’s market. It is as stunning and scrumptious as a heat loaf of homebaked bread!

There are actually fairly a number of packaged gluten free granolas that you may purchase. However they’re ridiculously costly for a small bag—and I wager they’ve one or two components you simply don’t love!

It is time you had a grasp gluten free granola recipe that you may make with the whole lot you like, and nothing you do not. With my suggestions and tips, and substitution recommendations, that is that recipe.

I really feel like I may offer you 1,000,000 the reason why it is best to ditch store-bought granola and make it your self, like:

There is not any excessive fructose corn syrup, extreme sugar, or preservatives
It is extra inexpensive than store-bought granola
It is really easy to make: simply combine, unfold, bake, cool, and eat!
You should use up leftover pantry components — swap out and in as wanted
It is a wholesome snack that satisfies your cravings for crunch
Your kitchen goes to odor so superb
It is naturally gluten free, dairy free, and vegan — and you’ll skip the nuts!

Does granola have gluten?

Earlier than we go any farther, let’s reply the query that is on everybody’s thoughts: Is granola gluten free? Do it’s important to store for particular components to make sure these crunchy, caramelized morsels of goodness are protected for celiacs?

I am pleased to say that the majority granola is of course gluten free — so long as you supply your components fastidiously, particularly the oats.

Why is a few granola not gluten free?

Some granola is made with oats which are contaminated with gluten within the rising and/or manufacturing course of. Different granola is just not gluten free as a result of it’s made with wheat flour, wheat starch, or one other contaminated or gluten-containing ingredient, making the granola not gluten free.

Oats are a controversial ingredient within the gluten free world. I speak about all whether or not oats are gluten free in one other submit, however what I am going to say right here is that this: I am snug utilizing gluten free oats when cooking for my household. It is okay should you aren’t, and you’ll all the time strive utilizing an alternative to oats.

overhead image of ingredients to make gluten free granola in small round glass bowls with names of ingredients in black bold type

components

Recipe components

Almonds – Granola ought to all the time be crunchy. So I normally make it with entire uncooked almonds that I chop roughly. Uncooked nuts which are strong like almonds bake slowly within the oven with all the opposite granola components. They get coated with sugar, and are available out crisp, however by no means onerous. Softer uncooked nuts, like walnuts, pecans, or cashews can be utilized rather than almonds. Watch them fastidiously within the oven, although, as they burn reasonably simply.
Uncooked seeds – My favourite seeds for this gf granola recipe are pumpkin seeds, hemp seeds, and chia seeds. However the fantastic thing about this recipe is that you need to use no matter seeds you want greatest. Love sesame seeds? Throw them in! Need extra omega-3s in your weight loss plan? Add flax seeds!
Coconut chips – This recipe requires coconut chips, not shredded coconut. Coconut chips are extensive, flat crunchy coconut flakes that will make a believer out of even essentially the most devoted coconut hater.
Quaint rolled oats – Conventional gluten free granola is made with licensed gluten free oats. I purchase Purity Protocol gluten free oats made by Bob’s Crimson Mill (simply remember to get the one labeled gluten free!).
Salt – Lots of people underestimate how highly effective salt will be. Sure, it may possibly break meals should you add an excessive amount of, however when utilized in small quantities as an enhancer, it is form of like a secret weapon. Add lower than a teaspoon to this recipe, and it balances the sweetness in essentially the most excellent of how.
Sugar – Sugars achieve this rather more on this gluten free granola recipe than sweeten the oats, nuts, seeds, and coconut! The three forms of sugars (brown sugar, maple syrup, and Lyle’s Golden syrup or honey) assist coat the whole lot in a skinny, crackly, browned layer. And with out sugar, there aren’t any crunchy granola clusters.
Additional virgin olive oil – You should use almost any oil to make this recipe, however I like further virgin olive oil greatest. It’s flavorful in a complementary approach.
Dried fruit – The sky is the restrict in the case of dried fruit — you may make it candy, bitter, or tart, all based mostly on the fruit you employ. If you happen to use raisins, cranberries, and different small fruits, don’t be concerned about chopping them up. Nonetheless, you will need to cube bigger dried fruit like apricots or dates.

How you can make gluten free granola

Combine the components

Place the oats, almonds, seeds, coconut, salt, and brown sugar in a big bowl, and blend totally.
Add the oil, maple syrup, and honey or Lyle’s Golden Syrup, and blend till the whole lot is moistened by the moist components.
The one ingredient not but added must be the dried fruit. We’ll add that after baking, as a result of if we bake it, the fruit will get onerous.

Large round metal mixing bowl with brown oats, sugar and chopped almonds, white coconut chips, and green pumpkin seeds

same mixing bowl with those same ingredients mixed with large metal mixing spoon

Bake, stir, combine, and break up

Switch the combination to a half sheet pan, lined with parchment, and unfold into an excellent layer.
Bake at 300°F for 10 minutes, then stir. Bake twice extra for 10 minutes every, stirring after every time.
Let the granola cool for a couple of minutes, stir within the dried fruit, and unfold it out evenly once more.
Let the combination sit, undisturbed, till utterly cool so the sugars develop into strong once more. Break it into chunks and clusters, and luxuriate in!

Raw granola mixture from bowl now on large rectangular metal half sheet pan lined with paper

partially baked mixture on same pan with spoon having scraped away some of mixture leaving behind melted brown liquid on white paper underneath

My Professional Tip

Recipe Suggestions

Though making selfmade granola could be very easy, I’ve nonetheless bought some suggestions that can guarantee your granola comes out higher than ever.

Use parchment paper to line your pan

If you happen to’ve ever labored with melted sugars, you understand that issues get sticky in a rush. That is nice for the completed product as that is what provides this selfmade granola its satisfying crunch, however it’s not so nice when it comes time to scrub up.

Because of this, it is crucial that you just line your baking sheet with parchment paper earlier than pouring the granola onto it. Whenever you’re accomplished, simply throw away the paper — voilà!

Do not skip steps whenever you’re making granola

You may be tempted to bake the granola for 20 or half-hour at a time, reasonably than in 10 minute intervals. Resist the temptation!

Ask me how I do know that skipping the intervals results in granola that is almost burned on the underside and pale and lifeless on high…

If you happen to do not cease the baking and stir the granola totally, the sugars soften to the underside. You need to redistribute all that taste to each stunning, scrumptious cluster.

All the time bake low and sluggish

Selfmade granola is greatest made in a low, low (300°F) oven in 10 minute intervals, stirring in between, till it’s golden brown and caramelized. That approach, it’s going to by no means, ever burn.

Your granola is completed baking whenever you say it’s! I wish to let mine bake till it turns into actually aromatic, which indicators that the nuts, seeds, oats, and coconut have browned.

After baking, let it cool (for clusters!)

Your granola is completed baking, and you’ve got combined in your selection of dried fruit. It is able to eat, proper?

Not simply but! You need to let the granola cool utterly proper there within the pan. The sugars solidify and the granola clumps in essentially the most beautiful approach.

As soon as it is cool to the contact, you will break it up into irregular clumps. That is the step that separates okay granola from the most effective gluten free granola!

Overhead image of brown clusters of oats, nuts, seeds, and coconut chips on nonstick metal half sheet pan

substitutions

Ingredient substitutions

Oat-free

If you happen to’re avoiding oats for any cause, there are literally methods to discover a substitute for oats in gluten free baking. Right here, you’d doubtless use overwhelmed rice rather than oats, because it holds its form very nicely. If you will discover buckwheat flakes, you possibly can strive changing the oats with that too.

Oats could also be gluten free when sourced correctly, however they’re a grain. If you happen to’d wish to make grain-free granola recipe, you’ll love our recipe for Paleo granola, which is fully grain-free.

Coconut-free

Coconut chips are so good, particularly toasted. If you happen to’re lifeless set in opposition to coconut, simply change them with extra uncooked nuts and seeds, no matter variety you want.

Sugar alternate options

I don’t suppose you need to use sugar alternate options to make granola. I doubt they’d caramelize within the oven and create clusters the identical approach because the sugars for which my recipe calls.

And everyone is aware of the clusters are the most effective a part of granola.

This stated, I do have concepts for how one can substitute the varied sugars within the recipe.

Lyle’s Golden Syrup substitute

Lyle’s golden syrup is a way more impartial syrup than honey, and is comparable in consistency. You possibly can change Lyle’s with honey or agave nectar.

You could possibly even use gentle or darkish corn syrup as a substitute, however most individuals favor to keep away from these sugars (regardless that they’re not the identical as excessive fructose corn syrup, I promise!).

Pure maple syrup substitute

Pure maple syrup is good, because it has that wealthy, deep taste everybody loves. It’s additionally skinny sufficient to simply coat all of the tasty morsels.

Maple syrup is pricey, although. You possibly can change it, too, with agave nectar, which must be less expensive.

Mild brown sugar substitute

If you happen to’d favor to make refined-sugar-free granola, strive utilizing coconut palm sugar. Coconut palm sugar has comparable depth of taste to the molasses in brown sugar.

It’s a rough, granulated sugar, so grind it in a blender a bit first, or it received’t dissolve utterly within the oven.

Changing olive oil

You should use a impartial oil that’s liquid at room temperature, like grapeseed oil and even canola or vegetable oil. It’s also possible to use unrefined coconut oil, which is strong at cool room temperature, should you soften it first.

In case your oil isn’t correctly liquefied whenever you add it to the opposite components, it’s going to clump. You’ll have oily elements, and elements which are dry.

Nut-free

If you happen to’d wish to make gluten free nut-free granola, strive changing the almonds with extra seeds (sunflower seeds are a good selection). You’ll need some extra bulk, so additionally strive including extra coconut chips.

Seed-free

You don’t have to make use of seeds, and you’ll change them, by weight, with extra oats or nuts.

Overhead image of granola in rimmed baking sheet with wooden mixing spoon and individual wooden spoons on black surface

FAQs

Can I exploit fast oats as a substitute of rolled oats for this selfmade granola recipe?

Sure, you need to use fast oats on this recipe. Simply understand that the feel will probably be barely completely different. I feel the old school gluten free rolled oats supply extra chunk and crispiness.

Why is not my granola clumping into clusters?

In case your selfmade granola is not sticking collectively after you’ve got baked, did you enable sufficient time or warmth for the sugars to soften? Double-check your oven temperature — you need it low, however not too low. And remember to bake in a number of batches, stirring in between, so the gooey sugar will get throughout every ingredient. If the baking sheet is simply too giant, the granola could also be unfold too far aside. Lastly, the clusters type when the baked granola is left to sit down, undisturbed, on the baking sheet to chill so do not skip that step.

Why is not my gf granola crunchy?

It relies on the stage of the cooking course of:
Straight of out the oven — the sugar must time to chill and re-solidify
After cooling down — you might have used high-moisture components; decrease the warmth and cook dinner a bit longer
After a number of days — moisture from your property is affecting the granola; dry it out once more on low warmth for 10 to twenty minutes and retailer in an air tight container

Can I exploit this recipe to make granola bars?

No, this granola will not maintain collectively correctly should you bake it into bars. You want a separate recipe, like our recipe for gluten free granola bars, with added components and completely different strategies to make a correct, scrumptious chewy granola bar.

Close up of brown clusters of oats, seeds, coconut chips, and dark pieces of dried fruit in white bowl with metal spoon

Make forward/leftovers

Storage directions

As with something you’ve baked till crisp (and also you’d wish to maintain that approach), retailer leftover granola in a glass container with a tight-fitting lid.

Do not use a plastic container or any sort of bowl with no lid — they’re going to enable your granola to soak up moisture and lose crispness.

As long as you retain your granola in an hermetic glass container, you possibly can retailer it in your kitchen countertop for as much as two weeks (although I extremely doubt a batch and even two will final almost that lengthy!)

Do you have to make extra granola than you possibly can end in a few weeks, you possibly can retailer the surplus within the freezer. Put it in a heavy-duty, freezer-safe bag with all of the air pushed out, and it’ll last as long as three months on ice.