Vegan Caveman High Protein Gluten + Grain Free 35-Minute Granola
Difficulty: 2/5 (5 being hardest)
Spice Level: 1/3 (3 being spiciest)
Prep & Cook Time: 35 minutes
Servings: 12 (1/2 cup)
The Challenge: Grain + Gluten Free Granola
Granola is an awesome morning treat, but it is often actually fairly unhealthy. Check some granola at a store and look at the amount of carbs, sugars, and processed ingredients. Further, a lot of granola includes honey, which is not vegan!
So, for my vegan caveman diet ... I wanted a high-protein option that was flavorful, delicious, and used natural ingredients. There's no refined sugar, no grains, no gluten, and no animal products. Damn homie! That's right.
Honey is typically used to to add that stickiness. I tested this recipe the first time with maple syrup. Yet, it was not sticky enough. I needed something that had a solid flavor but wouldn't overbear as well as provide that stickiness I was looking for from honey. Molasses ... too strong. Most other syrups are processed or refined. Date syrup is the perfect fit. Dates are an amazingly naturally sweet treat, and the syrup is incredibe.
Additionally, the other challenge was making granola gluten and grain free. While I do eat grains, oat-based or even quinoa based granolas are all over the internet. To make a sticky, delicious, and granola-y (oh yes that's a word) granola without using a single grain...would be the ULTIMATE challenge.
Challenge accepted.
Challenge completed.
Let's dig into this easy-to-make 35-minute granola!
Ingredients:
Dry Ingredients
- 2 cups unsweetened coconut flakes
- 1/2 cup hazelnut
- 1/2 cup brazil nuts
- 1/2 cup walnuts
- 1/2 cup almonds
- 1 cup shelled raw pumpkin seeds (pepitas)
- 1/4 cup chia seeds
- 2 tbl of flax seeds
- 1/2 cup raw sunflower seeds
- 3/4 teaspoon pink sea salt
- pinch or two ground cinnamon
Wet Ingredients
- 1 tbl of date syrup
- 4 tbl of maple syrup
- 2 tablespoons safflower oil
Other
- Blueberries or fruit to mix in
- Dairy-free milk, if you desire
Equipment You'll Need:
Food Processor . Small Mixing Bowl . Oven Pan . Silpat or Parchment Paper . Medium Mixing Bowl . Mixing Spoon
Before You Cook:
- Turn on oven to 315F
- Line oven pan with parchment paper or silpat
1. Start by adding coconut flakes to your medium mixing bowl. You want big thick flakes
2. Next, Place all nuts in a food processor (or high speed blender) - hazelnuts, brazil nuts, walnuts, and almonds. Pulse 8-10 times. Nuts should be small chunks...not too fine.
3. Add nuts to coconut flakes as well as the rest of the dry ingredients. Mix well.
4. In a small mixing bowl, mix together the wet ingredients. Pour the wet over the top of the granola. Mix well to get a nice coat over the entire mixture.
5. Spread the mixture evenly across silpat or parchment-lined baking sheet. Place into oven at 315F for 25 minutes.
6. Use a spatula to break off pieces of the granola. Place into a bowl and add berries, fruit, or dairy-free milk...or plain works too!
7. Eat + enjoy.
