Paleo Granola Recipe

Jump to Recipe

This post may contain affiliate links. Read our disclosure policy.

Here’s a nutty, crunchy, paleo granola recipe baked in coconut oil and sweetened with dates. Serve this sugar-free recipe as a snack or for breakfast as cereal.

One thing I always crave when warm weather hits is granola.  This might seem strange since granola seems like a fall snack.  Don’t worry…I crave it in the fall, too.

The thing is, homemade granola is one of the snacks I always take with us on summer vacation. And since we vacation in Michigan, it feels like fall because of the ice-cold cool lake breeze.

paleo granola on a baking sheet with a spoon

Grain Free Granola

Since we’ve been trying to limit grains for the past couple of years, I’ve found that when I eat my favorite granola recipe, I end up with a stomach ache. I guess there’s just a little too much wheat going on in that recipe that my stomach is not used to.

My granola-loving mind had to come up with a paleo version that had the similar crunch and texture of my much-loved homemade cereal. I wanted it full of nuts. I wanted it lightly sweetened, but sweetened naturally.

Here’s what you’ll love about this granola:

  • ready in 35 minutes
  • quick breakfast solution
  • grain free
  • gluten free
  • no sugar added
  • crunchy for a snack!

Is paleo granola good for you?

This recipe is a great way to start the day because it is full of protein and healthy fats. It keeps me feeling satiated until lunchtime. These same things also make it great for an afternoon or evening snack.

This is high in calories though, so watch your serving size if you are counting calories.

almonds, coconut, sunflower seeds and pepitas in a bowl

Ingredients in Paleo Granola:

This healthy trail mix is versatile, but here is what we love in ours:

  • Pepitas. A very cool name for pumpkin seeds. It’s so much more fun to say, right?!
  • Sunflower seeds. These should be seeds NOT in the shells.
  • Unsweetened shredded coconut. Be sure to grab unsweetened or your granola will have added sugar.
  • Sliced almonds. Or slivered…whichever you choose.
  • Pecans. Unsalted.
  • Chopped dates. Make sure you buy pitted dates to make your life easier.
  • Coconut Oil. This is the only oil we’ve tried so I can’t speak to any other oils.
  • Vanilla and cinnamon. For flavoring. You can add more or less if you’d like.

A note on the salt. We buy all unsalted nuts and seeds. That way we can control the amount of salt in the recipe.

unmixed paleo granola

I don’t like dates. What else can I sweeten this with?

I’m not gonna lie. I don’t love dates. Matt can eat them by the handful from the bag, but you won’t find me doing that.  I do love them chopped up, sweetening my much-loved energy bars and granola, though.

If you’re looking for something different to sweeten the granola, try raisins, cranberries, pure maple syrup or honey.

healthy granola in a large bowl

How to Make Paleo Granola

This grain free, gluten-free, sugar-free snack comes together quickly by mixing the ingredients together in a large bowl, coating it with melted coconut oil, cinnamon and vanilla. Stir well and spread it on a parchment paper lined baking sheet.

Bake for 20 minutes. Stir, then bake an additional 5 minutes. Allow the granola to cool completely, then store it in an airtight container.

paleo granola with milk in a bowl

How to Serve Granola

My favorite way to eat this healthy granola recipe is to serve it with some cashew milk (our favorite milk alternative) and savor that cereal-like crunchiness. It’s a great paleo cereal substitute.

You can also use this as a topping for your favorite ice cream, yogurt, fruit cup or smoothie bowl.

granola in a black serving bowl
granola in a black serving bowl

Paleo Granola Recipe

4.87 from 15 votes
Here’s a nutty, crunchy, paleo granola recipe baked in coconut oil and sweetened with dates. Serve this sugar-free recipe as a snack or for breakfast.
Servings 14
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 25 minutes
Total Time 35 minutes

Email Me This Recipe!
Enter your email and get the recipe sent to your inbox! Plus you’ll get new recipes from us every week.

Ingredients
 

  • 1 cup raw pepitas (pumpkin seeds)
  • 1 cup raw sunflower seeds (unsalted, not in shells)
  • 1 cup shredded coconut (unsweetened)
  • 1 cup sliced almonds (unsalted)
  • 2 cups chopped pecans (unsalted)
  • 20 pitted dates (chopped finely)
  • 1/3 cup coconut oil
  • 2 teaspoons cinnamon
  • 3 teaspoons vanilla
  • dash of salt* (optional)

Instructions
 

  • Preheat the oven to 325 degrees.
  • Mix all of the dry ingredients together in a large bowl.
  • Melt the coconut oil and pour it in a small bowl. Add the cinnamon, vanilla and salt (if none of the nuts are salted, I recommend a dash of salt). Stir well.
  • Pour the oil mixture over the dry mixture and stir to combine and evenly coat.
  • Spread the granola on a baking sheet* and bake for 20 minutes. Stir, then bake an additional 5 minutes.
  • Allow the granola to cool completely, then store it in an airtight container.
  • This recipe makes about 7 cups of granola.

Notes

*If any of the nuts or seeds you buy are salted, you will not want to add additional salt. Add salt to taste if the ingredients are unsalted.
The calories shown are based on the recipe making 7 cups of granola, with 1 serving being ½ cup. Since different brands of ingredients have different nutritional information, the calories shown are just an estimate. **We are not dietitians and recommend you seek a nutritionist for exact nutritional information.**

Nutrition

Calories: 423kcal | Carbohydrates: 36g | Protein: 8g | Fat: 31g | Saturated Fat: 9g | Sodium: 19mg | Potassium: 495mg | Fiber: 7g | Sugar: 27g | Vitamin A: 65IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 73mg | Iron: 2mg
Course Breakfast
Cuisine American
Calories 423
Keyword healthy, whole30
About JulieJulie Clark

About Julie Clark

I'm Julie Clark, CEO and recipe developer of Tastes of Lizzy T. With my B.A. in Education and over 30 years of cooking and baking, I want to teach YOU the best of our family recipes.

Get 5 Classic Recipes with a Deliciously Secret Twist

You might also like

Join the Discussion

Subscribe
Notify of

34 Comments
Most Voted
Newest Oldest
Inline Feedbacks
View all comments

Gemma
1 year ago

I’ve just made this granola and it’s delicious! I’m doing whole30 and really needed something different for breakfast. Thank you so much for the recipe!

Heather
4 years ago

5 stars
I have made this four times in as many months.
It is spectacular every time!
I’ve gotten my mother in law addicted to it. 😋
I’m gifting it to my coworkers for Christmas, subbing dried cranberries (or adding in addition) to dates to have green (pepitas) and red for holiday look!
Thank you for sharing!

Rochelle
5 years ago

5 stars
We love this recipe. Thanks for sharing!

Jessica C. Taylor
6 years ago

Love it. It looks so different hope taste will be good.
Thanks for sharing.

Brigitte
7 years ago

Hi, I can’t wait to try this!
Just out of curiousity, how many servings can you make out of this recipe, roughly?

Cristina
7 years ago

I made this yummy granola this morning! I added some honey to the coconut oil, and a few less dates, and it is delish! The perfect complement to my berry yogurt parfait! ????

Stephanie
7 years ago

This looks awesome! Is there something else I could use to sweeten it up instead of dates??

Annie
7 years ago

This is delicious. And very moorish! Not sure it’s even going to make it to breakfast time in this house!!
Thanks for the recipe.

Erin
7 years ago

How long will the granola last in an air tight container?

Bre
8 years ago

5 stars
I made this granola this morning, only I changed a few things (because I detest dates lol). I had some homemade dehydrated apples, so I chopped those and used some along with some craisins. I also added chia seeds, and a few tablespoons of pure organic maple syrup to the melted coconut oil. It turned out so delicious!! I am ALL for cereal that doesn’t get soggy, on top of being uber good for you! Thanks for the recipe! =D

Kevin Lowndes
8 years ago

Dear Julie,
We ate various types of Musli that you can buy off the shelf but they were not satisfying. A friend sent us yours and it cost a bit to buy the goods but what a difference from the musli you buy. Nutritious, naturally sweetened with the fruits and easy to make and there’s plenty of ingredients left to make some more.
Thanks Kevin

Ceramic Cookware
8 years ago

Dear Julie, Thank you for your excellent article on ‘Paleo granola recipe’. Keep the great writing skill up. Your recipes are so good.Thanks again!

Claire
8 years ago

how long does this stay fresh?

Laurel
8 years ago

i just made this granola and when i went back into my kitchen at the 20 minute mark, smoke was coming out of my oven vent and the granola was burning! i used the temperature suggested, should i adjust something? it isn’t inedible, but had i not caught it i would have wasted the entire batch! it seems like a fantastic recipe otherwise!

Sarah @Whole and Heavenly Oven
8 years ago

This granola totally looks like the greatest energy boost ever! I love all the different nuts and seeds you packed into it and dates totally make my world go round. 😉 I’d love a handful or 10 of this right about now! Pinned!