Homemade Vegan Granola Recipe—Sweet, Nutty, and Irresistible!

Granola is not only delicious, it’s great for your health! It’s a rich source of vitamins, minerals, protein, fiber, and scores of antioxidants. It’s also a go-to for breakfasts, toppings, snacks, and even trail runs. And when you rock sprouted grains, it’s better yet!

---

One of the most important things about a granola recipe is its ingredients, right? I mean it doesn’t matter how great something tastes if it’s not good for you, or at least that’s my take. Well one the healthiest granolas I’ve ever seen was made by a dude who harvested everything from scratch—dehydrated the fruit, cracked the nuts, and put it all together from his homestead.

Clearly most of us aren’t in a position to do that, but we can still set the bar pretty high. Like using organic sprouted buckwheat and oats, which are packed with nutrients, and organic fruit, seeds, nuts, and spice.

But one of the best things about granola, I think, is its versatility. You can pack it up and take it anywhere, anytime. To the gym, the beach, on a run, a hike. It’s even an epic smoothie topping. So whether you enjoy it with a splash of coconut milk, sprinkled over your favorite smoothie bowl, or eaten straight from the jar, this granola is a gut-healthy, heart-healthy, wildly delicious treat!

All organic, vegan, and gluten-free.

Homemade Vegan Granola Recipe

One of the best things about this granola recipe is its powerhouse ingredients. Not only is it packed with vitamins, minerals, fiber, and boatloads of antioxidants, it rocks beta glucans and lignans—two incredible compounds that can significantly boost your health. Lignans, found in many of the nuts and seeds, are polyphenolic compounds linked to a reduced disease risk.

And beta glucan, a world-class fiber found primarily in oats, is another standout nutrient. It’s known for supporting immune health, gut function, heart health, and even aiding in weight loss. In fact with each bite of this granola, you’re not only enjoying a satisfying treat, you’re also fueling your body with some of the dopest nutrients.

Here’s what you’ll need (full recipe below):

Equipment

• Baking pan.
• Cutting board.
• Crockery.
• Flatware and cutlery.
• Parchment paper.
• Paper towels.
• Kitchen towel.
• Food storage container.

This granola recipe is better for weight loss than most granolas, and not just because it’s fiber-rich. The sprouted grains are lower on the glycemic index and don’t ramp blood sugar the way unsprouted grains do. They’re also more nutrient-dense, bioavailable, and lower in calories.

Ingredients

• 2 cups oats.
• 2 cups buckwheat grouts.
• 1/2 cup vegetable oil. (coconut, avocado)
• 1/2 cup maple syrup.
• 1 cup mixed nuts.
• 1 cup mixed seeds.
• 3/4 cup coconut.
• 3/4 cup dried fruit.
• 11/4 tsp pink salt.
• 1/2 tsp stevia.
• 1 tbsp pumpkin pie spice.
• 1/2 tsp vanilla extract.

Clearly goodies like chocolate chips and cacao nibs that melt under heat should be added when cooled. You can also add fruit flavors to granola with organic powders for more nutrients and targeted tastes!

Instructions

• Preheat oven to 325 and line a large baking sheet with parchment paper or use cast iron.
• Mix all the dry ingredients except the fruit, nuts, and coconut in a large bowl and toss.
• Combine the wet ingredients in a separate bowl and stir.
• Toss the wet and dry ingredients until everything’s damp, keeping the coconut, fruit, and nuts set aside.
• Spread the mixture evenly on the pan and bake about 15 minutes till lightly toasted.
• Stir in the nuts and coconut and bake another 10 minutes, tossing and clumping occasionally.
• Add the dried fruit at the end when the granola’s still warm but almost cool.
• Let it cool completely for many hours then store in a tightly sealed container. It should keep for several weeks, even longer in the fridge, or you can freeze it.
• Additions like carob chips and cacao nibs that melt under heat should be added when cooled.

Basic Granola Breakfast Bowl

• Mix or top the granola with your favorite dried fruit (raisins, dates, coconut, etc).
• Add your favorite fresh fruits (berries!).
• Toss in your favorite nuts and seeds.
• Add a smidgen of stevia if you want it sweeter.
• Pour in some organic maple syrup and/or blackstrap molasses for a treat.
• Spice it up with cinnamon, nutmeg, pumpkin pie spice, ginger, cloves, etc.
• Add organic plant milk at the end.

Tips and Final Thoughts

The sprouted grains in this recipe are high in fiber, antioxidants, enzymes, vitamins, minerals, and amino acids. There are huge increases in vitamin C, beta carotene, and other micronutrients in sprouted vs unsprouted grains. Studies show that sprouted grains also have less starch and are easier to digest.

The healthiest nuts and seeds to add to granola are raw, organic, and sprouted. Sprouting not only increases antioxidants and fiber, it reduces ‘antinutrients’ that can curb absorption. Sprouting also boosts protein and prebiotics, and the highest protein seeds with all nine essential amino acids are quinoa, chia, and hemp.

Adding lots of organic dried fruit to granola adds tons of nutrients. Dried fruit rocks vitamins, minerals, phenols, antioxidants, and both kinds of fiber (soluble and insoluble). One report notes that “Dried fruits contain more fiber and more of the antioxidants called phenols than fresh fruit, per ounce.” Though they’re also a bit higher on the glycemic index.

Fresh fruit is a no-brainer on granola, and especially blackberries, blueberries, strawberries, and raspberries. Bananas rock, too, but don’t combine them with berries if you want the most nutrients. Studies show that bananas and berries aren’t the best mix when it comes to food combining for upped nutrients. To learn more about blueberries go here.

This granola also rocks on pancakes, smoothie bowls, and more.

The topics covered on the Plate of Grass website and blog have not been evaluated by the FDA and are not intended to prevent or cure any disease. This article and its content is presented ‘as is’ for informational purposes only.