Here's a quick and easy how-to for grainless granola recipe with authentic apple cinnamon flavor--perfect for protein cereal, healthy snacking, and topping desserts! Originally published September 2018. Last updated October 2022. This shop has been compensated by Collective Bias, Inc. and The Coca-Cola Company. All opinions are mine alone. #MyHonestTea #CollectiveBias
So...what is Grain-Free Granola?
Grain free granola is simply granola without oats or any other kind of grain you might be used to seeing in it. My homemade apple cinnamon flavored granola is a mixture of three kinds of nuts, seeds, spices, and a few other simple ingredients. It's also organic and easy to take on the go! Since September is National Organic Month, I'm pairing this grain-free granola with my favorite flavor of Honest® Tea, Honey Green Tea.
What You'll Need for this Recipe
This low carb granola recipe uses simple, wholesome ingredients and doesn't include refined sugar but, while baking, it actually smells like a pie is the oven! Here's what to add to your Kroger grocery list.
- Almonds
- Apple Chips
- Cashews
- Cinnamon
- Maple Syrup
- Nutmeg
- Olive Oil
- Pecans
- Pepitas (Pumpkin Seeds) or Easy Roasted Squash Seeds
- Sea Salt
- Vanilla Extract
And don't forget the Honest Tea! It's just a tad sweet so there's no clashing on my palate when I pair the two together. It's also organic and fair trade, which is perfect for National Organic Month. You can pick up all the ingredients to make this apple cinnamon granola recipe and your favorite Honest Tea flavors at Kroger. In addition to the honey green tea flavor, I enjoy the pomegranate blue flavored herbal tea.
Tips & Tools for Making Homemade Granola
- Grab a mixing bowl and spoon, as well as a sheet pan to bake granola on. And I recommend preparing it with a non-stick oil spray.
- How to make homemade granola? Even though this is technically a keto granola recipe, the steps are the same: mix, spread, bake.
- How long does it take to make granola at home? This is a quick recipe you can make in under 30 minutes. The granola only take 20 minutes to bake!
- How do I store granola? Store it in an airtight container and it will keep for weeks of snacking, easy breakfasts, and even dessert topping. Though I doubt it will last that long.
Granola for PCOS
This recipe uses organic ingredients, which is ideal for PCOS management as agricultural pesticides can contain endocrine disrupting ingredients that are transferred to our produce. Honest Tea and this granola are just two easy ways I incorporate organic goodness into my lifestyle. And I incorporate lots of hormone loving ingredients to make a granola that's good for PCOS.
- Cinnamon can help regulate menstrual cycles, reduce insulin resistance, and improve the body's ability to regulate blood sugar.
- Extra virgin olive oil is PCOS friendly and rich in antioxidants.
- Nuts provide both protein, fiber, and healthy fat, which help keep blood sugar balanced and keep things moving effectively through the digestion system.
- Pepitas, or pumpkin seeds, contain fiber and lignans, which are known to reduce hair loss and cholesterol and provide magnesium and essential fatty acids. This is a great seed cycling recipe for PCOS.
Try this granola as a hormone healthy snack idea or check out other ways to add it to your routine below!
How to Eat Grainless Granola
I especially enjoy grain-free granola for breakfast. Pair with warm almond milk for a high protein cereal or top Greek yogurt with it. It's a healthy high protein snack by itself as a kind of trail mix but you can also pair it with fresh fruit. You can also top smoothies or smoothie bowls with granola.
Sharing is caring so be sure to pin this granola recipe without grains for later and follow me over on Pinterest. Thanks for reading!
High Protein Apple Cinnamon Granola Recipe
📖 Recipe
Apple Cinnamon Grain-Free Granola
Ingredients
- 2 cups pecan halves
- 1 ½ cup cashews
- 1 cup sliced almonds
- 1 cup pepitas (pumpkin seeds)
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
- ½ teaspoon nutmeg
- ⅓ teaspoon sea salt
- ⅓ cup maple syrup plus one tablespoon
- 3 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 ½ cups apple chips
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 340 degrees. Add pecans, cashews, almonds, pepitas, cinnamon, nutmeg, and sea salt to a large bowl and mix together well.
- In a smaller bowl or large measuring cup, whisk together maple syrup, olive oil, and vanilla extract until uniform. Pour over dry mixture and stir until well coated.
- Spread mixture out onto a baking sheet and bake for about 15-18 minutes (mixture will no longer be glossy). While the granola bakes, crush apple chips into smaller, bite-sized pieces.
- Remove pan from oven and let cool to handle (mixture will become crisp as it cools) before mixing in apple chips.
- Store granola in a ziploc bag or an airtight, sealed container.
Notes
Nutrition
Krys says
This apple cinnamon granola is so good, I eat it in a bowl with milk (like cereal). I add a little extra maple to make sticky clusters, yummm. Perfectly crunchy like granola should be! Can't wait to make it again. I am going to double the batch next time.
Robin says
Because I'm over a certain age I try to ensure every single meal I eat is protein-packed. With that said, I knew I would adore this granola and I was right.
Marta says
I'm really bad about not eating breakfast, so my husband made this grain-freee apple cinnamon granola for me. I've been eating it every day for the past 3 days and it's a great, tasty option for those who don't like the hassle of making a full breakfast.
Kate says
I was glad to have all my favorite autumn flavours in one bowl. I really loved my granola and will be making several batches to carry to work. This recipe is definitely a keeper.
Abby says
I made this recipe as written with homemade dried apples and really enjoyed it. We're not a grain-free family, and I was concerned we wouldn't like it because it's so chock full of nuts. But while it's definitely filling and you don't need more than a handful at a time, it's very satisfying, crunchy, and lightly sweet (you definitely have to have the apples in there). The spice and syrup coating is well-balanced. I might make another batch to share with the teachers at school.
Jazz says
Thanks for your feedback, Abby! I'm so glad you enjoyed this recipe.
Sandy Gold says
Do you use raw nuts for the granola?
Jazz says
Hi, Sandy! You can use either raw or previously roasted nuts depending on your preference. I like using roasted ones.
Darlene says
Would this be a healthy snack for someone,doing,weight watchers and if so, how much is appropriate. Trying to help my daughter who is doing weight watchers with snacks that are healthy and point,appropriate
Jazz says
Hi, Darlene. I don’t know the Weight Watchers point value of this recipe but your daughter likely has access to a a calculation tool into which she can input the recipe ingredients. Hopefully, this is helpful!
Linda Trover says
This sounds so good. Going to make a batch for our camping trip next month. Pumpkin sounds good too. Hubby loves pumpkin pie.
Jazz says
Let me know how it turns out for you, Linda! This would make a great camping snack.
Mila Clarke Buckley says
Grain-free granola is genius! I'm always trying to lower my carb intake!
Jazz says
Same! This is a great option for that. Thanks for stopping by, Mila!
Immaculate says
What a unique take on granola, so full of nutrients and looks delicious!
Jazz says
Thank you! It is definitely full of nutrients and it tastes so good.
Maria Muting says
What a great idea for a healthy snack!
Jazz says
Thanks, Maria! It is perfect for healthy snacking.
Charla @ That Girl Cooks Healthy says
This is so me!! Love that it's super healthy and grain free.
leah says
This looks so yummy and I never would have thought to use Honest Tea!
Jazz says
Thanks, Leah! I didn't actually use the Honest Tea in the recipe, though. I paired them for a delicious on-the-go snack. 🙂
Carole says
I did not see anywhere that it says to use honest tea in the recipe.
Jazz says
Hi, Carol! The Honest Tea isn’t part of the recipe but pairs very well with the granola. 🙂
jenna | the urben life says
Yum! I love homemade granola, love that you used pepitas 🙂
Jen says
This sounds so addicting! I would love to pile this on some yogurt. I love that it is grain free and I love the addition of the apple chips.
Jazz says
Yes! The apple chips are where the apple flavor comes in--SO good.