Can you make granola without oats? Absolutely YES. Indeed, what happens when you ran out of oats but you still want granola? You prepare my delicious vegan homemade gluten free granola recipe. Crunchy, yummy, tastes like chocolate!
It's for EVERYONE who wants to vary and stop eating the same breakfast every single day (like me! I love oats, but it's important to vary.)
Recipe ingredients
I remember that, when I developed this recipe, I was simply bored with my classic oats granola. Don't get me wrong: I LOVE IT. But I wanted to create something different.
I had some almonds to use up. I ground them. Added some other stuff. Et voilà. It's 100% possible to make an oat-free granola recipe (which also happens to be vegan). So, let's see the ingredients.
1. Almonds
This is our "base". You can either grind (roughly) your almonds or use store-bought almond meal. I've tested both. I noticed store-bought almond meal absorbed more and became a bit too wet, so I recommend grinding your own almonds.
2. Nut butter
I've tested this granola with pecan butter, almond butter and peanut butter. I loved them all!
I find this recipe is perfect to use up some nut butter you're not consuming (like in my case: my almond butter was too thick and I couldn't spread it. It was amazing in this recipe though.)
3. Aquafaba (from unsalted chickpeas)
Key ingredient. Aquafaba is not something I use that often, but it's necessary because it kinda acts like a "binder". If you're not vegan, use egg white.
4. Maple syrup
Maple syrup, agave...use whatever you prefer to sweeten this homemade gluten free granola. If you're not vegan, you can also use honey.
Best granola mix-ins
In this case, I've added cocoa nibs and chocolate chips, for a chocolatey option but still healthy (cocoa nibs contain benefits!). You can add them at the beginning or after the granola cooled down.
Possibilities are endless, you can add:
- Seeds (any kind!), add these at the beginning.
- Whole unsalted nuts, like hazelnuts, pecans, cashew... add these at the beginning too. They're going to be toasted in the oven.
- Dried fruit (dates, apricots, apples, banana, cranberries, blueberries...), add these at the end to prevent burning.
- Coconut, add it at the beginning, to toast it with the granola.
You choose!
How to make granola without oats
Making this granola is extremely simple and you'll only need ONE bowl.
- First pre-heat the oven at 150° C - 302° F
- Combine all the ingredients (except the mix-ins) into a bowl and stir with a fork/spoon. My advice: also "work" them with your hands, like you're making crumble.
- Add cocoa nibs and chocolate chips. Stir.
- Spread the mixture (crumbles) on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper, then bake for about 35 minutes. Stir every 10 minutes or so. Baking time depends on how moist the granola is.
- Let cool down so it sets and become crunchy, and enjoy.
Want big granola chunks? Do not crumble. Instead spread the mixture into a single layer, on your baking tray, then bake. Let it cool and break it into chunks!
What can I use instead of oats in granola?
As I mentioned above, I developed this grain free granola recipe to create something different than the usual granola with oats.
If you have a favorite recipe, feel free to experiment and use almond meal/grounds instead of oats. But remember they're not the same thing (duh).
Oats are mainly carbs. Almonds are mainly fats. You you will probably have to adjust the other ingredients too (especially the amount of fat).
What can I eat this granola with?
I love my granola when dunked in milk. OR with some good yogurt (lately I've been enjoying goat yogurt!).
TIP (not for those who only like crunchy granola): I take photos during the day so I usually put my granola into a jar of yogurt, mix, refrigerate until the morning after. The yogurt "soaks" the granola and its flavors. I love it!
Another tip: I usually plan to make this when I know I will eat chickpeas for lunch/dinner. I only use the aquafaba (from unsalted chickpeas) I need, then rinse my chickpeas very well and cook immediately that day.
Storing oat-free granola
I usually put my granola into an airtight container (when it's cooled down). This granola was good even after 4 days!
Do you have other questions?
It's not easy to answer all the questions you may have, so PLEASE leave a comment below and I'm glad to reply! Thank you.
If you make this recipe, please be sure to give it a rating and leave a comment! It would make me so happy! 🙂
Remember: if you try one of my recipes, tag me on Instagram or DM me the photos!
Don’t forget to pin and share this easy and delicious recipe!
Homemade Gluten Free Granola Without Oats
Ingredients
- 1.5 cups Almond meal - 150 gr
- ⅓ cup Nut butter - 70 gr
- 4 tablespoons Aquafaba (unwhipped - from unsalted chickpeas)
- 1 tablespoon Maple syrup
- Cocoa nibs - to your taste
- Chocolate chips (vegan) - to your taste
- A pinch of salt
- Cinnamon - to your taste
Instructions
- Pre-heat the oven at 150° C (302° F)
- In a bowl, combine your almond meal, with nut butter (I've tried both pecan's and almond's), 4 tablespoons of aquafaba (liquid from cooked unsalted chickpeas) and maple syrup.
- Stir using your hands, like when you make crumble.
- Add cocoa nibs, chocolate chips, a pinch of salt and a pinch of cinnamon (I actually love strong flavors so I put a lot more than a pinch).
- Now, spread the mixture (crumbles) on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper and bake for about 35 minutes. To prevent burning, remember to stir every once in a while. Time depends on how moist the granola was.
- Let it cool down and enjoy with milk or yogurt.
- TIP: I take photos during the day so I usually put my granola into a jar of yogurt, mix, refrigerate until the morning after. I love it!!!!
Notes
Looking for another grain free recipe? Try these gluten free pancakes!
© Healthy Little Cravings – Roberta Dall’Alba.
I own all content and photos’ copyright.
Before using my photos and recipes, please email me.
If you would like to republish a recipe, please link back to this post and re-write the instructions in your own words.
Janet says
I was looking for a gluten and grain free granola recipe! Made this and I'm definitely not disappointed: I LOVED IT
Roberta says
Hi Janet! Thanks for making it:) I am super happy you loved it