My favorite maple almond gluten free granola recipe, made with plenty of good olive oil, raw almonds, pumpkin and hemp seeds, coconut, maple syrup and oats. Make it your own, with your favorite nuts and seeds!
Since this is maple almond granola, we begin with whole raw almonds and chop them roughly. I am not fond of almond slivers. They seem like toothpicks to me or something, so I only use them for decoration. Seeds are next. I used to hunt down these raw sprouted pumpkin seeds for this recipe, but they were too expensive and hard to find.
Any sort of seeds will do. I’m able to find raw pumpkin seeds and raw hemp seeds at my local Trader Joe’s, so I just go with it.
This recipe calls for coconut chips, not shredded coconut. Coconut chips are wide, flat crunchy coconut flakes that will make a believer out of even the most dedicated coconut hater. These coconut chips are so nice, especially toasted. If you’re dead set against coconut, then replace with more raw nuts and seeds, whatever kind you like.
Lyle’s golden syrup is a much more neutral syrup than honey, and is similar in consistency. It can easily be replaced with honey or agave nectar. Pure maple syrup is a must, if you’re going to make maple almond granola. Finally, I used to hunt down pure almond oil for this recipe, and it is truly delightful. But I finally decided that it’s simply too expensive—not to mention that it spoils rather quickly. And olive oil works beautifully.
Homemade granola is best made in a low, low (300°F) oven in 10 minute intervals, stirring in between, until it’s golden brown and caramelized. That way, it will never ever burn. Toss in some dried fruit after it’s done baking, and then (here’s the secret) let it cool right there in the pan. The sugars solidify and the granola clumps in the most lovely way. Then break it up, and store it in glass containers so it stays crisp.
HELLO! I’m Nicole! I make gluten-free food enjoyable & affordable. If they can make it with gluten, we can make it without. That’s a promise!
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Oh man! This just looks too good to be true!
Please can you tell me the name of the gluten free oats you use. Can’t find them in NZ. Love your recipes..
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I made these parfaits today and they are heavenly! The flavor combinations are fantastic! I didn’t have acces to Lyle’s so I used amber agave and it worked great. I couldn’t find toasted almond oil but regular almond oil worked as well. The best thing abut this is my husband won’t touch coconut so I don’t have to worry about anyone stealing my delicious granola. Great recipe, thanks!!
Hi, Laura,
My husband doesn’t like coconut, either, but he likes this granola. The coconut chips are a different breed entirely. Don’t worry. I won’t tell him if you don’t. Who needs him to dip into your stash? I’m so glad you enjoyed it! Thanks for telling me. I love a happy ending. :) Oh, and I’ll be posting a recipe for granola muffins soon, using this granola. Stay tuned.
xoxo Nicole
OH man, does that look like heaven!! My sainted mom used to make homemade granola much like that back in the 70s.. She was a lady before her time! Looks luscious and I plan to use your recipe soon! Thanks!
Hi, Kim,
I do miss the 70s. That could be why I love granola. :) Hope you enjoy it!
xoxo Nicole
I do love a good granola that doesn’t cost the same as a mortgage. I enjoy it with a little yogurt and now I am compelled to buy a couple of wecks. I like this recipe. Gonna make some exactly. No subs or changes. I like it. Coconut and all.
It’s no fun to have to choose between granola and paying the mortgage. I’m with you on that. Besides, I can’t tell if Early Bird is GF or not anyway. So I guess that means no. It isn’t. The Wecks are totally reasonably priced. They may be the Cadillac of canning jars, but they’re still around $2 a pop. Not bad at all.
You should totally make the granola for Tim for Valentine’s Day. It’s very romantic.
xoxo Nicole
This is funny because I had a sudden craving for chewy granola bars last night, so I finally gave in and paid $5.99 for Udi’s gluten free granola. As I was making my chewy bars, I was thinking boy, I need to learn how to make my own granola. And voilà, there is your recipe. Thank you Nicole :)
Hi, Ashley,
I’m so glad that we have the option to buy things like premade gluten-free granola. But I don’t generally do it because of the price! Glad the recipe was good timing for you.
I also have a recipe here on the blog for Granola Bars that you might like to check out, too.
xoxo Nicole