Breakfast is really important, so if you don't have much time, you can make a big batch of granola once or twice a month. You just need to mix it with your favorite plant milk and you have your breakfast ready in just 1 minute! You can also add other ingredients like fresh fruits or some nut butter.
It's also a perfect snack and I always bring granola with me when I travel, just in case I can't find anything to eat. This recipe is also oil-free, so is even lighter and lower in fat and you won't even notice, I promise!
Granola is usually made with nuts, seeds, rolled oats, dried fruits and honey, but maple and agave syrup taste amazing, are super healthy and cruelty-free! I've always added extra virgin olive oil or coconut oil, but it's not necessary at all.
To make the granola you just need to mix all the ingredients in a big bowl. I prefer to heat the wet ingredients in a saucepan because it's easy to mix them with the dry ingredients if they're hot, but if you don't use coconut oil, you can remove this step.
Then you have to spread the granola onto a baking tray, bake it for 25 minutes and that's all! I usually stir the granola once or twice while baking to get a crumbly granola, but this is not necessary, it's totally up to you.
Cashew milk is my favorite plant milk, but almond milk also tastes really awesome. However, I prefer to drink oat milk because is delicious and lighter than nut milks. You can find the recipe in our 10 Easy Vegan Recipes FREE eCookbook. Homemade plant milks taste better and they're usually more affordable.
If you don't like Goji berries or you can't find them, don't worry, feel free to use other dried fruits, nuts or seeds, this recipe is super easy to make and always works. Don't forget to tag a picture #simpleveganblog on Instagram (or on any other social network) or leave a comment if you make this oil free granola!
Oil Free Granola
Ingredients
- 2 cups rolled oats
- 1 cup chopped almonds
- 1 cup chopped dates
- ½ cup Goji berries
- ½ cup sunflower seeds
- 1 tablespoon ground cinnamon
- ½ cup water
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract, optional
- ⅔ cup maple syrup
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 320ºF or 160ºC.
- Mix the dry ingredients in a big bowl (rolled oats, chopped almonds, chopped dates, Goji berries, sunflower seeds and ground cinnamon).
- In a saucepan, heat the wet ingredients (water, vanilla extract and maple syrup) for about 2 minutes. Pour over the dry ingredients and mix well.
- Spread the granola onto a baking tray and bake for 25 minutes or until golden brown, stirring every 10 minutes to get a more crumbly granola.
- Remove from the oven and allow the granola to cool completely. Store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 weeks.
Brie says
I love this recipe and so do my kids. Instead of goji berries we use cranberries and sometimes instead of sunflower seeds we just add extra almonds. We use a food processor to make the fruits and nuts smaller for my daughter who’s not yet 2. My son, who’s 4, loves the smell of the cinnamon while it bakes. They both eat bites while I try to put it away. I have found that it can sometimes seem soft and if I think it might have too much moisture I just turn the heat off and leave the pan in the over for an extra 15-20 minutes, then take it out to cool. Turns out great every time. Thank you for such a versatile recipe! ❤️
Iosune says
Hi Brie! You're so welcome 🙂 I'm so glad you and your kids like it!
Janice Wagner says
I love the taste of this granola. I also followed the recipe, but as someone else had mentioned, it was chewy. Not sure what would have caused this as you had stated your does not come out this way..maybe heating the maple syrup had something to do with it..how much less would you suggest using next time and would you reduce the water as well? Thank you!
Iosune says
Hi Janice! Oil-free granola is not as crunchy as regular granola, but mine wasn't chewy, so I'm not sure... Try to omit the water or add less syrup. Hope it helps!
Beth Craig says
This granola sounds delicious, can I use imitation maple syrup instead of real maple syrup?
Iosune says
Hi Beth! I've never tried imitation maple syrup, but I think it should work... Have a nice day!
Yuki says
Can I reduce the Maple syrup to 1/4 cup？
Iosune says
Hi Yuki! I think it should work. Add some water if needed 🙂
Miriam says
Can you tell how much granola do we get with this recipe in cups or grams?
Iosune says
Hi Miriam! About 5 to 6 cups 🙂
Mrs Lynne littlejohn says
Tried thosvat my sister in laws and I'm now making it myself.
Wish me luck ✋
Iosune says
Hi there! Hope you like it!
Carol says
I made this oil free granola, doubling the cinnamon! It is delicious, but chewy instead of crunchy. I baked it as the recipe instructed. Should I have baked it longer,or is it because there's no oil in it?
Iosune says
Hi Carol! Maybe you should bake it longer or add less syrup. It's not as crunchy as regular granola, but it's not chewy at all. Have a nice day!
Granola Getter says
Can steel cut oats be used?
Iosune says
Hi! I've never made granole usin steel cut oats, but you could try... 🙂
Trish says
Love this! How did the dried fruit turn out after baking? I've seen a lot of recipes adding in the fruit at the end after baking.
Iosune says
Hi Trish! Thanks 🙂 It turn out great, but you can add them at the end if you want 😀
Melodie says
Hi, I'm wondering if I could reduce the amount of sweetener and still have good results. I'm thinking of using 1/3 to 1/2 cup of agave instead of the 2/3 cup of maple syrup. Do you think that would work? I've never made granola before!
Iosune says
Hi Melodie! Of course you can! But maybe you should add more water instead 😉
Margaret Barlow says
Yes, that works very well, I put half maple syrup and half agave syrup, I used a little less syrup than the recipe. Taste it before it goes in the oven and adjust to suit. Next time I will add the dried fruit later as they got a little overdone...overall, it was delicious!
Iosune says
Hi Margaret! Thanks a lot 🙂 I'm so glad you enjoyed it!
jan says
i am not a very big fan of dates. can i omit that or substitute ?
Anna says
the dates are just an add-in, I'm pretty sure you can use any nuts, seeds or fruits you want in it, and as much as you'd like in the granola. i think she was just suggesting some that she thinks go well with it, but you can use literally whatever you want. I'm not sure if she mentioned this, but only put in the dried fruit in the last 5 or so minutes of baking so they won't burn
Iosune says
Thanks a lot Anna! <3 <3 <3
Iosune says
Hi Jan! I'm so sorry, but I didn't see your comment 🙁 Yes, you can use another dried fruit instead or even remove this ingredient and add more syrup. Have a nice day!
Natalie @ Feasting on Fruit says
I got so excited when I saw those 3 words together! I love granola, and I love oil-free baking <3 This looks incredible, I have a feeling this stuff would disappear pretty fast in my house 🙂
Iosune says
Hi Natalie! I hope you like it!!! 😀