The Best Homemade Nut-Free Granola Recipe

Name: The Best Homemade Nut-Free Granola
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 35 min
Total time: 45 min
Ingredients: 3 cups old-fashioned rolled oats (265 grams) (use certified gluten-free oats for gluten-free granola); 1 apple (cored, peeled, and chopped); 1/3 cup sunflower seeds ((45 grams)); 1 cup unsweetened coconut shreds/flakes ((20 grams)); 1 cup jumbo raisins (177 grams) (or Turkish dried apricots, large ones cut in half); 1 tablespoon cinnamon powder; A generous pinch of salt; 1/2 cup coconut oil melted (90 grams) (Use avocado oil if allergic to coconut.); 1 cup maple syrup ((300 grams) Use only 1/3 cups if you prefer your granola less sweet.); 1/2 cup unsweetened sunflower seed butter (125 grams) (You can use almond butter if you have no nut allergies.)

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This homemade nut-free granola is a family favorite and has it all. It's chewy and crunchy, contains dried fruit and only healthy ingredients, and is super easy to make.

In only 10 minutes, it's oven-ready. Plus, I'll show you how to make crunchy clusters.

Homemade granola stored in a glass jar with jumbo raisins.

Nothing is better than having this crunchy, nut-free granola handy for breakfast or as a snack. And besides adding it to your favorite milk or yogurt, there are so many ways to enjoy it.

Use it as a sweet crunch to this Plantain Breakfast or Healthy Chia pudding. Try it on top of these Nice Cream Recipes or Peanut Butter Avocado Mousse. It goes with almost anything and is much better than store-bought granola!

Try also my toasted and Crunchy Steel-Cut Oats Granola for a more nutty bite.

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Why You'll Love This Recipe
Ingredients & Notes
How To Make A Crunchy Nut-Free Granola
Top Tips
Variations & Substitutions
How To Make Granola Clusters
Recipe FAQs
More Oats Recipes You Might Like
📖 Recipe

Why You'll Love This Recipe

Nut-Free Recipe: This easy recipe is gluten-free, vegan-friendly, and nut-free for those with food allergies.
Naturally Sweetened: It's only sweetened with maple syrup.
Easy Customizable: The recipe is basic enough to add some of your pantry mix-ins to change it up.
Great Texture: You'll love the perfect combination of crunch and chewiness, and you can turn it into granola clusters.

Ingredients & Notes

See the recipe card for full information on ingredients and quantities.

So, let's look at the ingredients to make this healthy nut-free granola recipe.

Ingredients to make a nut-free granola recipe at home displayed on a table.

Old-fashioned Rolled Oats: Always use certified gluten-free oats to omit gluten.
Apple: This fresh fruit adds natural sweetness, and the soft texture nicely contrasts with the crunchy oats.
Sunflower Seeds: They add fiber, proteins, healthy fats, and a sweet, buttery flavor.
Large Coconut Flakes: They add a delicious crispy texture and naturally sweet flavor. If allergic to coconut, substitute with pumpkin seeds.
Jumbo Raisins: They're naturally sweet and add a lovely chewiness. Make sure to get jumbo raisins instead of regular raisins. They won't burn in the oven.
Cinnamon Powder: Adds a warm and sweet-spicy flavor.
Sea Salt: A pinch or two is enough to contrast the natural sweetness of this crunchy, nut-free granola recipe.
Melted Coconut Oil: It helps bind the oats and make them crunchy. Use avocado oil if allergic to coconut.
Maple Syrup: This liquid sweetener helps create a super crunchy granola. You can modify the amount but don't omit it altogether.
Unsweetened Sunflower Seed Butter: It adds a delicate taste of creamy roasted sunflower seeds and doesn't overpower the other flavors like nut butter.

Check out these Baked Stuffed Apples or these Gluten-Free Baked Cinnamon Doughnuts for inspiration to use up your bag of oats.

How To Make A Crunchy Nut-Free Granola

See the full recipe with measurements in the recipe card.

Steps showing how to make crunchy, nut-free granola.

Step One (Picture 1 above): Add all dry ingredients and chopped apples to a large mixing bowl. Stir until everything is well combined.

Step Two (Picture 2 above) - Stir in the coconut oil, maple syrup, and sunflower butter with a wooden spoon. Combine until all dry ingredients are well coated with the wet ingredients.

Step Three (Picture 3 above) - Transfer the mixture onto a large lined baking sheet and spread it evenly.

Step Four (Picture 4 above) - Bake until golden brown. Allow it to cool at room temperature.

Top Tips

Combine Well: Coat all dry ingredients equally with the wet ingredients to ensure the oat mixture doesn't burn before the granola batch can bake properly.
Spread Stirred Granola Evenly Onto Lined Baking Sheet: This ensures even cooking and crunchiness.
Stir Halfway Through: Stir halfway through baking time to help it brown evenly, that is, if you don't want large clusters (see below for granola cluster).
Don't Overbake: Don't go longer than 30 or 35 minutes until it's beautifully golden on top, even if the oats still feel somewhat soft. They will crisp up and brown more as they cool.
Completely Cool Granola: Let the granola cool at room temperature to make it crunchy.
Like It Extra Crunchy? Store in an airtight container in the fridge. It preserves the granola's crunchiness. When ready to serve, use a spoon to break it into smaller pieces.
Use Large Raisins: They swell in the oven but, once cooled, become deliciously chewy in texture—no need to soak them first.

Variations & Substitutions

Alternative Seeds: Try other nutritious seeds like pumpkin or sesame seeds.
Raisin Alternative: Chopped dried apricots, dried cranberries, or chopped dates are great options.
Cinnamon Powder Alternative: Pumpkin pie spice, like in my Energy Balls Made With Oats, is a great alternative and can add extra flavor.
No Nut Allergy: You can swap the seed butter with creamy almond butter. But, even if you have no nut allergies, I still recommend unsweetened seed butter for its super creamy texture and non-overpowering taste.

How To Make Granola Clusters

This homemade nut-free granola recipe can quickly turn into high-energy snacks when making larger clusters that you can eat straight out of hand, like these amazing Healthy Gluten-Free Oatmeal Raisin Cookies.

Here are a few things I do to get it that way.

Avoid Space: Don't give the oats any space on the baking sheet.
Make It A Thin Compact Layer: Press the sticky oat mixture down with a spoon into a thin, compact, and even layer. If some parts on the baking sheet are unusually thicker than others, the oats won't brown simultaneously, leaving some oats softer than others.
Don't Stir: Bake the granola without stirring until beautifully golden on top. 30 to 35 minutes is all you need, turning the pan around halfway through.
Let It Cool: Always let it completely cool without touching it. The granola further crisps up out of the oven, and it will help the ingredients stick together.
Try Quick Oats: Although I always use rolled oats, quick oats lend themselves well to making those large granola clusters.
Break It Up: Once cooled, you can break up the layer of granola into smaller clumps.

Recipe FAQs

How long does this homemade granola last?

You can keep it in the fridge for up to one week using fresh apples. If you bake this nut-free granola recipe without fresh apples, you can store it for up to one week in an airtight container in a cool, dry place or up to one month in the fridge.

How do you store granola so it stays crunchy?

The best way to keep this delicious granola extra crunchy is to store it in an airtight container in the fridge. Then, when ready to serve, use a spoon to break it into smaller pieces.