Coconut Pecan Granola (Gluten Free, Refined Sugar Free + Vegan)
This Coconut Pecan Granola is a flavorful, crunchy, and just lightly sweetened with maple syrup. This gluten-free, refined sugar-free, and vegan granola is perfect for stirring into your yogurt, serving with milk or eating on its own as a snack.
*2018 Update* Oh man, you guys…this post is making me feel OLD because it was first published on June 24th, 2012. That’s almost SIX years ago, meaning I was a little bebe who had just finished my first year of college. It’s one of the first granola recipes I ever posted on this little website of mine (now there’s, um…more than a few). It still holds up as a winner, though I did make a couple little changes to the recipe to make it simpler – nothing to take away from it’s delicious flavor, though!
As I usually do, I’m leaving the text below the same as when I originally posted it, and just updating the photos. Nostalgia doesn’t let me delete my old words, even though they sometimes make me cringe. I hope you enjoy the new photos for this old recipe! Sending you lots of love and deliciousness!
As I’m sitting here writing this, I’m eating handfuls of this granola. Yes, I know, it’s two hours before dinner and I’m going to get full. Guess what? I don’t even care. This granola is so good and so addictive, that I just can’t stop eating it!
I’m a granola fiend, and I’ve always loved it, but once I started making my own, there was no going back to the almost-stale, too-sweet, practically-a-candy-bar granola that you find in most grocery stores. Yeah, you can find “homemade”-style granola at lots of breakfast restaurants and cafes, but a 1/2 pound bag goes for $10 a pop! Who needs to spend that much money on granola, when you can make it yourself, personalized just how you like it, for so much cheaper?
I don’t! I much prefer to spend my money on fun things like new food photography props, artisan chocolate, and high heels (because what more does a food blogging girl need?).
Back to granola, this recipe is extremely versatile. Not a pecan person? Sub almonds or walnuts. Don’t like sunflower seeds? Use more pumpkin seeds. You could even add some dried cherries, dried cranberries, or raisins after it cooks, I wanted to keep mine dried fruit-free. Feel free to throw in some if you want though!
Also, the lack of refined sweeteners leaves out that sickly sweet, candy-like taste that some “granolas” have. Now, in my opinion, granola is a healthier food, so why do you want it packed with bad-for-you oils and refined sugars? You don’t, is the answer. This recipe, while not low-calorie, is full of healthy fats and can satisfy your sweet tooth without leaving your teeth numb from sugar.
I hope you like this granola as much as much as I do, and be sure to try and resist scarfing it all down yourself before you can share with your friends and family (sorry Lori!). Hope you enjoy :)
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PrintCoconut Pecan Granola
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 45 minutes
- Total Time: 55 minutes
- Yield: 24 servings 1x
- Category: Breakfast, Snack
- Cuisine: American
Description
This Coconut Pecan Granola is a flavorful, crunchy, and just lightly sweetened with maple syrup. This gluten-free and refined sugar-free granola is perfect for stirring into your yogurt or serving with milk, or eating on its own as a snack.
Ingredients
- 2½ cups gluten-free rolled oats
- 1½ cup unsweetened coconut flakes
- 1 cup pecans, roughly chopped
- ⅓ cup pumpkin seeds
- ¼ cup raw sunflower seeds
- 1½ teaspoons cinnamon
- ½ teaspoon nutmeg
- ½ teaspoon kosher salt
- ⅓ cup coconut oil, melted
- ½ cup maple syrup
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 300ºF. Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicone baking liner.
- In a large bowl, combine oats, coconut flakes, pecans, pumpkin seeds, and sunflower seeds. In a smaller bowl or liquid measuring up, mix together remaining ingredients and stir until fully incorporated. Pour wet ingredients into dry ingredients and stir together until the dry ingredients are completely coated.
- Pour mixture onto prepared pan and spread into an even layer. Bake for 45-55 minutes, rotating the pan halfway through to ensure even cooking. Remove from oven and allow to cool entirely (I like to press mine down a bit right when it gets out of the oven so I get chunky granola, depends on your preference).
- When it’s fully cooled, transfer to an airtight container to store for up to a month, if it lasts that long! Will last even longer in the refrigerator or freezer.
Nutrition
- Calories: 153
- Sugar: 4
- Sodium: 51
- Fat: 11
- Saturated Fat: 6
- Carbohydrates: 12
- Fiber: 2
- Protein: 2
Keywords: coconut, pecan, granola, snack, oatmeal, gluten-free, vegan
Had to keep one of these oldies for you guys to laugh at, and for me to remind myself of just how much I’ve grown over these past 6 years (!!!).
Beautiful granolas… :D
Looks awesome, Rach! Adding this to my recipe box now. Great pics too!
For those who love nuts, this recipe of yours will surely entice them! Not only are nuts delicious but they are also good for our health. This serves as a snack alternative especially for children so that they do have to rely on junk food all the time.
Mmm… love homemade granola! And totally agree, I used to buy the barenaked granola like crazy, and it really adds up! Your looks awesome :) Love the coconut flakes, those are my favorite add ins!
Cannot have grains. Can I just leave the oats out or should I sub with something else. Looks soo good. Thanks
Hi Patricia, I’d recommend going to one of my grain-free granola recipes instead since those are formulated without the oats. You can find them here: https://bakerita.com/?s=grain+free+granola
This granola looks irresistible! Perfect anytime snack! :)
Thanks so much, Laura! :) It certainly is.
I just made it and it was delicious. Maybe next time I will use allspice instead of nutmeg. Thanks for a yummy recipe. I can’t stop eating.
★★★★★
So thrilled you’re enjoying it! Allspice sounds like it would be great.
This is the most delicious granola I have ever had in my entire life! I’ve made it a million times.
★★★★★
So glad you love it, Anne!
What can I use instead of coconut oil
To lower fat/cholesterol? I love this granola but need to lower fat. Thanks
★★★★★
You could try replacing with some mashed banana or applesauce, but I wouldn’t replace the oil completely or it won’t get as crispy!