Delicious Dairy-Free Granola Recipe for a Healthier You
As a nutritionist and food blogger, my goal is to make healthy eating taste delicious. And there’s nothing I love more than a good homemade granola recipe. This granola recipe is perfect for people who are looking to eat more healthily while still enjoying an indulgent breakfast or snack. Made with natural, gluten-free, and dairy-free ingredients, this granola is the perfect addition to your morning yogurt or smoothie bowl.
But there’s more to this recipe than just healthy ingredients. This granola is also incredibly easy to make and customizable to suit your individual tastes. Whether you like your granola extra crunchy, loaded with nuts, or with a hint of sweetness from crystallized ginger, the basic recipe can be adjusted to fit your preferences.
So, if you’re looking for a healthy and delicious way to start your day or just need a satisfying snack, look no further than this homemade granola recipe. It’s simple, versatile, and – most importantly – delicious!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
This granola recipe is not your average store-bought mix. It’s homemade, free of dairy and gluten, and packed with wholesome ingredients you control. Whether you’re dairy-free, vegan or gluten-free or just want a healthy snack, this recipe is perfect for any meal. Trust me; you’ll love it.
First of all, this granola is incredibly versatile. You can enjoy it as a snack, a topping for yogurt or smoothie bowls or pair it with your favorite milk as a cereal. It works as an on-the-go breakfast or a post-workout snack that will keep you satisfied for hours due to the fiber-rich ingredients.
Moreover, this recipe is made with natural sweeteners like maple syrup and honey instead of sugar or artificial sweeteners. So, there’s no need to worry about sudden blood sugar spikes or crashes. You will get your sweet craving satisfied without sacrificing your health.
Additionally, this homemade granola lets you customize your ingredient list according to your cravings and needs. You can add nuts like almonds and pecans, seeds like sesame and flaxseed, or even crystallized ginger for a zesty kick. Plus, if you have specific dietary restrictions or allergies, this recipe caters to those needs too.
Finally, making granola at home is much more cost-effective than buying store-bought ones every week. You’ll have control over the ingredients’ quality and freshness that will lead to better digestibility and taste.
In conclusion, this dairy-free and gluten-free granola will undoubtedly become your new go-to breakfast or snack option. It’s customizable, versatile, nutritious, and easy to make at home! I promise you that this homemade granola recipe will wow not only your taste buds but also your health!
Ingredient List
Here are the ingredients you will need to make this homemade granola recipe:
- Cups Rolled Oats – 2 cups certified gluten-free, old fashioned oats
- Raw Pecans – 1 cup raw pecans
- Raw Almonds – 1 1/2 cups raw almonds
- Raw Cashews – 1 cup raw cashews
- Seeds – 1/4 cup flax seeds, 1/4 cup sesame seeds, and 1/2 cup sunflower seeds
- Quinoa – 1/3 cup uncooked quinoa
- Spices and Flavorings – 1/2 teaspoon ground ginger, 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon, a pinch of flaked sea salt, and 1/4 cup crystallized ginger (finely chopped)
- Wet Ingredients – 1/2 cup unsweetened applesauce, 1/3 cup liquid honey or maple syrup, and 1/4 cup coconut oil (melted)
- Optional Mix-ins – 1/2 cup coconut flakes or dried fruit of your choice
All of these ingredients are either gluten-free or can be found in their gluten-free version. This recipe is also dairy-free and vegan-friendly.
The Recipe How-To
Ingredients list before you begin
Here is a recap of the ingredients you’ll need:
- 2 cups of rolled oats certified gluten-free (if needed)
- ½ cup of raw cashews
- 1 cup of pecan pieces
- 1 cup of unsweetened coconut flakes
- 1 cup of organic quinoa
- 1/3 cup of maple syrup or liquid honey
- 1/3 cup of unsweetened applesauce
- 1 tablespoon of vanilla extract
- 2 teaspoons of ground cinnamon
- 1 teaspoon of ground ginger
- A pinch of flaked sea salt
- ½ cup of coconut oil melted
Instructions
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Preheat your oven to 170°C (350°F) and line a large baking sheet with parchment paper.
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In a large bowl, mix together the oats, cashews, pecans, coconut flakes, and quinoa.
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In another medium-sized mixing bowl, whisk together the maple syrup or liquid honey, the applesauce, vanilla extract, cinnamon powder, ginger powder, sea salt flakes and melted coconut oil.
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Pour this mixture over the dry ingredients and mix until everything is evenly coated.
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Spread this mixture onto the prepared baking sheet in an even layer.
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Bake for about thirty-five to forty-five minutes or until it turns golden brown in color, stirring occasionally every fifteen minutes until done.
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Once done, take it out from the oven and let it cool down in the tray to make it crispier.
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As soon as it cools completely, break it into chunks and store in an airtight container at room temperature for around two weeks.
Enjoy your homemade vegan granola!
Substitutions and Variations
If you’re looking to mix up this homemade granola recipe, there are plenty of substitutions and variations you can try out. Here are some of my favorite suggestions:
– Nuts and seeds: Swap out the almonds and pecans for your favorite nuts or seeds. Walnuts, hazelnuts, pumpkin seeds or chia seeds would be great choices.
– Sweeteners: Instead of using maple syrup and honey, you could use agave nectar, coconut nectar or brown rice syrup. Just keep in mind that these might alter the taste slightly.
– Spices: Feel free to play around with the spices used in this recipe. Add a pinch of nutmeg or cardamom for some extra warmth and depth.
– Gluten-free: Although this recipe is already gluten-free, if you want to switch it up even more be sure to use certified gluten-free oats.
– Nut-free: If you have a nut allergy, omit the almonds and pecans and replace them with more seeds or raisins.
– Dairy-free: The beauty of this recipe is that it’s already dairy-free! Feel free to use this homemade vegan and gluten-free granola as a topping for yogurt or enjoy it on its own as a snack.
– Grain-free: If you’re following a grain-free diet, swap out the oats for extra nuts or seeds. You could also add in some shredded coconut or coconut flakes for added texture.
Enjoy trying out these variations and finding new ways to enjoy this wholesome homemade granola.
Serving and Pairing
My granola recipe is incredibly versatile and can be enjoyed in a variety of ways. One obvious way to enjoy it is as a breakfast cereal, served with your milk of choice, be it dairy milk or a plant-based alternative like almond or soy milk.
If you’re looking for a snack, you can enjoy this granola recipe as is or by adding it to your favorite yogurt. The granola’s healthy, chewy texture and nutty flavor are the perfect complement to smooth, creamy yogurt.
For those who prefer something more indulgent, you can certainly add some chocolate chips or peanut butter to the recipe and create your own homemade chocolate or peanut butter granola. Serve it for dessert with a scoop of ice cream, knowing that you’re still enjoying something healthy and nutritious.
The recipe also produces granola bars, which make a great portable snack for those on-the-go moments. You can pack them in your bag and take them with you for a hike, bike ride or park day.
Another pairing I recommend is adding this granola to your morning smoothie bowl for an extra crunch. The possibilities are endless with this delicious and healthy homemade vegan granola.
With its nutty flavor and hearty texture, this gluten-free and dairy-free granola recipe can truly spruce up any mealtime. By experimenting with different combinations of ingredients and pairings, you’ll never run out of ideas to make the perfect dish that suits your varying tastes and preferences.
Make-Ahead, Storing and Reheating
After making a delicious batch of homemade granola, you’ll want to know how to store and reheat it just right. Luckily, this dairy-free recipe is quite forgiving in this department! You can make it up to a week in advance and try different ways of storing it based on your needs.
If you like a chewy consistency, keep the granola in an airtight container on the counter or in a pantry away from direct sunlight. For a crispier finish, store the mixture in the fridge instead. This will also help to preserve its nutritional value and prevent any spoilage.
If you plan on making several batches of granola at once or want to have a supply for those busy mornings when you don’t have time to prepare breakfast from scratch, consider storing individual portions of granola in small bags or containers that are both air-tight and freezer-safe. You can grab them as needed for quick snacks or breakfasts on the go.
To reheat the granola, preheat your oven or toaster oven to 350 degrees F, then spread out the desired amount of granola onto a baking sheet or parchment paper. Bake for about 5 minutes until heated through and crispy again. Avoid using a microwave as it may make the granola soggy or rubbery in texture.
With this handy guide for making, storing and reheating your homemade dairy-free granola, you’re all set with delicious and healthy options for breakfasts, snacks, or even dessert at any time of day!
Tips for Perfect Results
As a nutritionist and food blogger, I understand the importance of getting the perfect texture and flavor when making homemade granola. Therefore, I want to share some helpful tips to ensure your granola comes out delicious and crispy every time.
Tip 1: Mix It Well
When mixing ingredients, be sure to stir thoroughly until you can see that every flake is completely covered in liquid ingredients. This will help create clusters of granola that stick together and get crispy while baking.
Tip 2: Use a Large Bowl
Make sure to select a large mixing bowl so you can have enough space to mix all the ingredients without spilling them. It’ll also allow air to circulate more freely as you blend your ingredients together.
Tip 3: Don’t Overcrowd Your Pan
When baking the granola, leave enough space on your baking sheet for air to circulate around every morsel of your mixture; make sure not to layer it with other batches or dishes. You want to give each piece of granola enough breathing room to get crispy evenly.
Tip 4: Avoid Stirring Too Much While Baking
It’s tempting to stir granola while it’s baking, but be patient: avoid stirring too much or too frequently once it’s in the oven. If you do, your granola won’t be able to clump up properly and will result in unevenly cooked pieces.
Tip 5: Let It Cool Before Serving
Before diving into your freshly baked batch of granola, give it time to cool off entirely (it should take approximately 20-30 minutes) – this will help it hold together better and maintain its crispness for longer.
Following these tips will ensure that you enjoy a perfectly baked batch of homemade granola every time. Enjoy!
FAQ
Before we get to wrapping up our dairy-free granola recipe, I thought it would be helpful to answer some frequently asked questions that you might have. These will help clarify some of the common doubts that could come up when trying out a homemade granola recipe. So, let’s dive into some of the FAQs and find out some solutions for your concerns!
How to make granola without milk?
Let’s start by gathering some oats, almonds, and sugar in a spacious bowl. Give it a quick mix before adding in some oil, honey, vanilla, cinnamon, and salt in another bowl. Whisk them until they are uniformly combined, then pour the wet mixture over the dry mixture. Stir it up until they’re entwined. To make sure the granola is evenly baked, spread them out into a single layer on your prepared baking sheet.
Do you need to add milk to granola?
When you’re in a hurry but still want to start your day with something delicious and wholesome, granola is a lifesaver. It’s easy to keep a bag of this tasty breakfast staple in your pantry, ready to be combined with your favorite type of milk for a quick and satisfying meal. Simply pour the granola into a bowl, add milk, and enjoy!
How do you make granola clusters stick together?
When making granola, it’s important to stir it during the first half of baking to ensure that it toasts evenly. However, once you reach the halfway point, it’s best to resist the temptation to stir. By allowing the sugars to caramelize and the ingredients to stick together, you’ll be rewarded with those delectable clusters that everyone loves.
Why is my granola not crunchy?
When preparing granola, it is important to avoid high temperatures as they may lead to the burning of ingredients such as nuts, oats, and seeds, leaving them uncrispy. Instead, a slow cooking process at a low temperature is recommended. It is also crucial to regularly stir the mixture to ensure even exposure to heat, and allow it to cool down afterwards to achieve optimal crispiness.
Bottom Line
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In conclusion, my homemade granola dairy-free recipe is a delicious and healthy alternative to store-bought granolas. By using gluten-free and dairy-free ingredients, you can enjoy this crunchy snack with confidence. With a variety of substitutions and variations, you can customize it to your liking.
By making this recipe at home, you know exactly what goes into it, and you can avoid the added sugars and preservatives found in many store-bought options. Plus, it’s a cost-effective way to fuel your body with wholesome ingredients.
I hope that you give this recipe a try and enjoy it as much as I do. Remember to store it properly and take advantage of the make-ahead option to save time during busy mornings. You can also experiment with using it as a topping for yogurt or even incorporating it into homemade granola bars.
Thank you for taking the time to read through my recipe article. I hope that I have provided enough detailed instructions, tips, and recommendations for you to confidently make this granola recipe in your kitchen. Happy baking!
My Granola - Dairy Free Recipe
Ingredients
- 350 g rice bran, flaked
- 150 g millet, flaked
- 150 g quinoa, flaked
- 120 g sunflower seeds
- 100 g sesame seeds
- 50 g flax seeds
- 175 g applesauce
- 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
- 1 teaspoon ground ginger
- 120 g brown rice syrup
- 4 tablespoons liquid honey
- 100 g light brown sugar
- 250 g natural almonds, whole
- 1 teaspoon flaked sea salt
- 2 tablespoons sunflower oil
- 200 g dried pears
- 100 g crystallized ginger
Instructions
- Mix everything except the pears and ginger together in a huge bowl (this makes a vast quantity). I use a couple of large flat wooden spoons, but spatulas or slotted spoons work just as well - it's a really sticky mixture if you do it by hand --.
- Spread the mixture in a large roasting pan - it will be about 2 cm deep.
- Bake, uncovered, at 170C, checking and turning after 20 minutes, then every 10 minutes after that until it is golden brown and fragrant. You want it just golden brown as it will darken a bit more as it cools.
- Remove it from the oven and allow to cool.
- Chop the fruit, especially the ginger, finely and mix through the granola.
- Store in an airtight container.