Healthy Protein Packed Granola (Oil-Free)

Want delicious granola without the extra sugar and unnecessary ingredients you will find in most store-bought brands? Look no further! Our Protein Packed Granola is oil free, naturally sweetened, nutrient dense, and loaded with plant-based protein. 

When I first decided to dabble in a predominantly plant-based way of eating to keep my heart healthy, I knew that I wanted to cut back on oils. Surprisingly, it turned out to be less scary than I thought when it came to cooking, but when I found myself perusing the supermarket shelves for my favorite oatmeal topping, my options were limited to granolas with added oil and sugar. So, I left the store and decided to make my own homemade granola with wholesome ingredients I enjoy and feel good about. 

For me, granola is a topping game changer! It is delightfully crunchy and the perfect topping for my favorite yogurt, bowl of oatmeal or alone with unsweetened almond milk, topped with berries and a sprinkle of chocolate chips. Want to level up our delicious Chocolate Peanut Butter Smoothie Bowl or Maple Quinoa Breakfast Porridge? Then, this homemade granola is an absolute must try! It is perfectly crisp, hearty, nutrient dense and jam packed with protein and healthy fats, without adding a single drop of oil. 

Okay, now I am getting hungry!

The best part, our healthy protein packed granola is quite simple to make. Just combine all of the dry ingredients in a large mixing bowl (saving the cinnamon for last), drizzle on the wet ingredients, and mix it all together. Sprinkle with cinnamon and stir until everything is incorporated. Throw it in the oven for 40 minutes, stirring every 10 minutes or so to get that perfectly even crunch throughout. Oh, I can smell it already! Yum!   

Healthy Protein Packed Granola Ingredients & Simple Swaps

Here is what’s in this recipe and a few simple swaps to make this homemade granola just right for you too:

• Chopped nuts and seeds – For healthy fats, protein and that extra crunch. We love a combination of almonds, walnuts, sprouted sunflower and pumpkin seeds, but any variety will work in this recipe. Chopped pecans are a delightful addition during the fall and winter months. If you plan to swap, try to use any variation equal to 1 cup. 
• Uncooked white quinoa – It’s perfectly toasted, adding a delicious nutty flavor and crispy crunchy texture to this granola. Not to mention, it is packed with protein and feel-good nutrients. Need to swap, try uncooked millet or more old fashioned oats in place of quinoa.
• Almond butter – This creamy indulgence rounds out all of the flavors and adds another layer of healthy fats and protein. 
• Maple syrup and unsweetened applesauce – To add a light natural sweetness. Not into applesauce, swap it out for more maple syrup (or olive oil, if oil-free is not your thing…yet!)
• Vanilla and cinnamon – For a subtle warm depth of flavor.
• Shredded coconut, chocolate chips, and dried fruit – Once your granola has cooled, try these optional add-ins to take your homemade granola to another level of delicious goodness!  I love the tartness of dried cherries or cranberries combined with the sweetness of chocolate chips in this recipe, but do whatever speaks to your heart.

Decide to switch things up? Let us know how it turns out in the comments below. We love getting creative in the kitchen!

Tips for the BEST Homemade Granola

•  Don’t over bake your granola. Removing granola from the oven and giving it a quick stir every 10 minutes will keep it from burning and give it that light golden color on top. Granola will continue to crisp up as it cools. 
• Let homemade granola cool completely. Wait until your granola has cooled completely prior to mixing in optional add-ins, such as chocolate chips or dried cherries. This way, your dried fruit will be soft and chewy and your chocolate chips will not be a melty mess.

Once the granola has cooled completely, store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 weeks. Enjoy our yummy granola on its own, with a splash of almond milk, added to your yogurt parfait, or my personal favorite, on top of a warm bowl of oatmeal with berries, sliced banana and an extra drizzle of maple syrup!

More Delicious Breakfast Recipes 

If you love our Healthy Protein Packed Granola as much as we do, then try one of these delicious plant-based breakfast recipes next:

• Maple Quinoa Breakfast Porridge
• Chocolate Peanut Butter Smoothie Bowl
• Best Blueberry Smoothie

5 from 1 reviews

Healthy Protein Packed Granola (Oil-Free)

September 29, 2023

Servings: 12

Prep: 15 min

Cook: 40 min

Total: 55 min

Print This

This healthy Protein Packed Granola is delicious, oil-free, incredibly versatile, naturally sweetened with pure maple syrup and unsweetened applesauce, and loaded with protein, making it the ultimate breakfast solution!

By: Katie Moszer

Ingredients

• 3 cups old fashioned oats
• ¼ cup sunflower seeds
• ¼ cup pepitas (pumpkin seeds)
• ½ cup chopped almonds or walnuts (or a mix of both)
• ¼ cup uncooked white quinoa
• ¼ cup almond butter
• ½ cup pure maple syrup
• ⅓ cup unsweetened applesauce
• ½ tsp vanilla extract
• ½ tsp cinnamon
• Optional additions once granola has cooled:
• ⅓ cup unsweetend shredded coconut
• ⅓ cup dried fruit
• ⅓ cup chocolate chips

Directions

• Step 1 Preheat oven to 300°F and line baking sheet with parchment paper.
• Step 2 In a large bowl, stir together rolled oats, sunflower seeds, pepitas, chopped almonds (or walnuts if using), and uncooked quinoa.
• Step 3 In a small bowl, whisk together pure maple syrup, unsweetened applesauce, almond butter, and vanilla extract.
• Step 4 Pour wet ingredients over oat mixture and stir together until well coated. Add cinnamon and mix until incorporated.
• Step 5 Spread granola evenly onto the baking sheet.
• Step 6 Bake granola in a preheated oven for 40 minutes, stirring every 10 minutes to cook evenly. Oats will be a toasty golden color with the perfect crispy texture. They should no longer be wet once done.
• Step 7 Remove from the oven and allow to cool on the baking sheet, adding in shredded coconut or chocolate chips, if desired, once granola has cooled completely.
• Step 8 Store Protein Packed Granola in an air-tight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 weeks. If it lasts that long.