Homemade Berry Granola

Why We Love This Recipe

• Nut free: This berry granola is naturally nut free, making it a great option for those with peanut or tree nut allergies. Sunflower seeds provide that nutty crunch, and coconut flakes add rich flavor so you don't feel like anything is missing!
• Quick and easy: With only 8 ingredients and a 15 minute prep time, this berry granola is super simple and nearly fool-proof.
• Fruity flavor: Lots of granolas are packed with nuts and hearty flavors (which we love), but this one is loaded with dried berries and coconut, making it a bit lighter. It's the perfect summery treat on its own, on a smoothie bowl, or atop some yogurt or chia pudding. It's also great with milk or just on its own as a snack!
• Gluten free and vegan: This berry granola is naturally dairy and gluten free, as long as you use certified GF oats.

Ingredients

Here's what you'll need to make this berry granola:

Ingredient Notes

• Oats: Be sure to use old fashioned whole rolled oats and not instant or quick cooking oats. Rolled oats will provide the best texture and flavor. For those with celiac or a severe gluten allergy, be sure to use certified gluten free oats.
• Coconut flakes: You can use either sweetened or unsweetened coconut flakes, depending on how sweet you want the granola to be.
• Dried berries: The choice of dried berries is fully up to you! We recommend using dried or freeze dried blueberries, cranberries, or cherries but feel free to change it up. Freeze dried berries will make for a lighter, crunchier granola, while dried berries will make for a chewier option.
• Maple syrup is our sweetener of choice, but you could also try agave or honey (non-vegan). Be sure not to skip on the sweetener, as it's key to getting a crunchy, crispy granola with lots of big clumps.
• Coconut oil: You can also substitute with olive oil or another neutral oil of choice, but the coconut pairs well with the shredded coconut and berries.
• Sunflower seeds: Feel free to substitute with pepitas, hemp seeds or another seed of choice. Alternatively, swap in chopped nuts, like pecans, almonds or cashews. Peanuts would also be a good choice for a pb&j inspired berry granola!

Instructions

(1) Preheat oven to 300˚F / 150˚C. In a large bowl, stir together oats and sunflower seeds.

(2) In a smaller bowl, whisk together coconut oil, maple syrup, vanilla, and salt.

(3) Pour the wet mixture over the dry and stir well to coat.

(4) Line a large, rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper and spread the granola mixture into an even layer. Bake for 15 minutes, then add coconut and stir. Return to oven for another 15-20 minutes (for a total baking time of 35 minutes), stirring once more halfway through the second baking period.

(5) Remove from the oven and immediately stir in dried fruit. Let it cool completely on the baking sheet before serving, and break into small pieces or clusters.

Tips and FAQs

• Baking: One of the keys to perfectly golden berry granola is stirring while baking to ensure even baking and a crisp throughout. We stir this berry granola every 10 minutes and check it after 30 minutes to see if it needs more time (most likely will take around 35 minutes).
• Low heat is best for granola: Don't be tempted to crank up the heat for a faster bake time. Granola burns really easily, so it's better to cook for longer at a lower temperature!
• Storage: One of the best things about this berry granola is that it stores well for up to a few weeks in an air-tight container. (Note: the longer you store it, the more stale the berries will be.) We love making this on Sunday to have throughout the week for a quick breakfast or snack. If you're anything like us, don't be surprised if it doesn't make it a few hours past baking (trust us, it's that good).
• Smooth it out in the pan: Make sure to spread the granola evenly across the baking pan. This will ensure even cooking and that golden crisp throughout.
• Clusters: To achieve big granola clusters, use a long spoon or spatula to clump together the granola right when it comes out of the oven. As it cools, the sugar will solidify, creating crunchy clusters.
• Freezing: You can freeze this granola for up to 2-3 months for long term storage.
• Change up the flavor by adding in spices like cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, etc.
• Celiac: If you have celiac disease or are extremely gluten sensitive, make sure to use certified gluten free oats. You can never go wrong with Bob's Red Mill.
• DIY gift: This nut free granola makes for a great gift for a host/hostess! Simply package it in a pretty glass jar, seal, and tie a ribbon/tag around the top.

More Granola Recipes

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