Swap out your sugary store bought breakfast cereal for a healthy homemade granola. A low-sugar granola can be hard to find but these 5 healthy granola recipes are easy-to-make and are made with only simple ingredients. Cinnamon apple, maple pecan and peanut butter flavored granola are delicious to snack on. The vanilla and chocolate make for a delectable bowl of cereal.
Tap on the link below to quickly jump to your favorite homemade granola recipe.
Vanilla Granola Recipe
Chocolate Granola Recipe
Cinnamon Apple Granola Recipe
Maple Pecan Granola Recipe
Peanut Butter Granola Recipe
Homemade Granola Without Sugar
Eggs. Bacon. Toast.
When it comes to breakfast there are so many choices of things to eat. Pancakes, muffins with fresh milled flour, sausage, farm fresh eggs, homemade bread or a glass of coffee are just a few of the many options. But somewhere along the way, society has chosen convenience and decided a bowl of cereal from the grocery store is an acceptable breakfast.
I’m certainly guilty of purchasing a box of cocoa cereal, feeling good about the purchase just because the package was labeled organic.
But there isn’t anything nourishing about a box of cereal. Rather it is a sugary dessert with little to no nutrition labeled as a “great way to start the day”.
Today we try to start our day with a quality protein, that usually being farm fresh eggs or sausage, cooked in a healthy fat, paired alongside organic fruit, raw milk, a fermented food and some form of a healthy carbohydrate such as bread made with fresh milled flour or homemade granola.
Granola makes a wonderful substitute for commercially processed cereal. It is quick and easy to make plus it is completely customizable. Nuts, dried fruit, chocolate, spices and extracts are just the start of ingredients used to make granola at home. The recipes below are made with no highly processed sugar and can be adjusted to suit your needs and tastes. The cinnamon apple granola is one of our favorites but be sure to try them all, they are yummy and nourishing for breakfast or as a portable snack.
How to Make Your Own Cereal?
There are a variety of ways to make cereal at home. Search online for “homemade cereal” and you will discover many tasty recipes. Our favorite way to make cereal at home is by transforming a bowl of oats and a few other common ingredients into a healthy homemade granola. Come breakfast time, we can top our yogurt with the granola or toss a serving into a bowl with a splash or milk.
What is an Alternative for Refined Sugar?
There are many refined sugar alternatives to choose from. Some are natural and some, not so much. On our homestead we prefer to use natural, low glycemic sweeteners. Some of our favorite choices are agave nectar, fructose, dried dates, 100% juice concentrate or fresh fruit. Even though raw honey is not a low glycemic sweetener, we do use it occasionally for its numerous health benefits.
Is Homemade Granola Good for You?
Yes! Made with real food ingredients, preferably organic and no little to no sugar, these healthy granola recipes are very good for you.
How Long Does Homemade Granola Last?
If sealed in an airtight container, homemade granola can last for a couple of weeks.
Why You’ll Love These Homemade Granola Recipes
- All of these whole grain granola recipes are made with rolled oats. Oats are high in soluble fiber and magnesium, are a great source of minerals and vitamins, are gluten-free and can help support a healthy gut.
- Homemade granola is a very healthy alternative to store bought cereal which is full of sugar, synthetic ingredients and sometimes even glyphosate.
- Made with only natural sweeteners
- Wholesome ingredients
- Quick and convenient to make
5 Best Sugar Free Granola Recipes
Crunchy, flavorful and created with only wholesome ingredients. What more can you ask for in a homemade granola recipe? These 5 sugar free granola recipes make for a delicious snack or a filling breakfast. Baked up a batch of your favorite flavor today!
How to Make Homemade Granola Without Sugar
Vanilla Granola
This delicious blend of organic oats, vanilla and agave nectar is anything but vanilla! Pack up a bag for an afternoon snack or pour into a bowl with milk and top with fresh fruit or sliced almonds.
Makes: About a quart
Ingredients
4 cups rolled oats
1/3 cup agave nectar
1 tbsp oil
Pinch of salt
1 tablespoon vanilla extract
1 egg white, lightly beaten until foamy
Optional add-ins: dried blueberries, strawberries or cranberries, sliced almonds, ground flaxseed, fresh fruit
Directions
Preheat oven to 300° F. In a saucepan over medium low heat add agave, oil, salt and vanilla. Warm until combined and just beginning to simmer. Remove from heat.
Place the oats into a bowl. Pour warm agave mixture over oats. Add beaten egg white. Stir until oats are throughly coated.
Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Spread oats out on baking sheet in a single later. Bake for 45 minutes, turning oats over every 15 minutes until granola is lightly browned.
Cool granola on a wire rack. Enjoy crunchy granola as is or place one serving into a bowl and add milk. Store leftovers in an airtight container. The homemade cereal should last several weeks, though it seems to disappear well before that.
Chocolate Granola Recipe
Homemade granola with chocolate chips adds a lightly sweet treat to your day. This crunchy granola is packed full of chocolatey goodness. Enjoy this chocolate granola recipe any time of the day.
Makes: One quart
Ingredients
4 cups rolled oats
1/3 cup agave nectar or honey
1/3 cup cocoa powder
1/4 cup oil
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract
1 teaspoon coffee extract (1/4 teaspoon espresso powder can be substituted)
1/3 cup chocolate chips
Directions
Preheat oven to 300° F. In a small saucepan heat agave or your chosen sweetener, cocoa powder, oil, salt and vanilla until completely combined. Remove pan from heat.
Add oats into a medium size bowl and drizzle warmed sweetener mixture over oats. Stir until oats are throughly coated.
On a parchment lined baking sheet, spread out granola. Bake for 45 minutes, being sure to turn oats over every 15 minutes.
Remove baking sheet from oven and place on a cooling rack. While the granola is still warm, sprinkle the chocolate chips on top. Cool completely. Mix together before serving.
Cinnamon Apple Granola
Warm spices, dried apples, golden brown oats and plenty of sweet apple flavor come together in this homemade granola recipe without sugar. Lightly sweetened with dried fruit, apple juice and no artificial sweeteners. Take a bag to go or pour these granola clusters into a bowl for a healthy breakfast.
Makes: A more than a quart
Ingredients
4 cups rolled oats
12 dried dates, pitted and chopped
1/2 cup apple juice or apple juice concentrate
1/3 cup applesauce
1 1/2 tablespoons oil
2 teaspoons cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon nutmeg
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 cup dried apples, coarsely chopped
Directions
Heat oven to 300° F. Add chopped dates and apple juice to a saucepan. Bring to a boil then remove pan from heat. Cover with a lid and allow dates to soak for 30 minutes.
Add warmed date mixture, applesauce, oil, cinnamon, nutmeg and salt to a blender. Puree until smooth.
Place rolled oats into a bowl. Pour sauce over top and mix thoroughly. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Spread out cinnamon granola onto a baking sheet in a single layer. Bake for 45 minutes, turning oats over every 15 minutes until granola is golden brown.
Remove from oven. Once cooled, stir in dried apple pieces. Serve granola right away, add milk to create a delicious cinnamon apple cereal or store in an airtight container for breakfast tomorrow.
Maple Pecan Granola
Crunchy, lightly sweetened and packed full of maple-ly goodness this maple pecan granola makes a perfect on-the-go snack, breakfast cereal or seasonal gift.
Makes: A little over a quart
Ingredients
4 cups rolled oats
1/2 cup chopped pecans
1/3 cup agave nectar or honey
1 tbsp oil
Pinch of salt
1 1/2 tsp maple extract
1 egg white, lightly beaten
Directions
Preheat oven to 300° F. In a saucepan over medium low heat add agave, oil, salt and maple extract. Bring to a gentle simmer and remove from heat.
Inside a medium size bowl add oats and chopped pecans. Pour agave mixture over top. Add in beaten egg white. Stir until oats and nuts are thoroughly coated.
On a baking sheet lined with parchment paper, spread oat mixture into a single layer. Bake for 45 minutes, turning the oats over ever 15 minutes, until granola is crunchy and golden brown.
Cool on a wire rack. Serve granola as is or pour one serving into a bowl and add milk. Store leftovers in an airtight container. Alternatively, you can fill a mason jar up with the granola, label and tie a beautiful ribbon around the outside to give away as a gift.
Peanut Butter Granola
This homemade granola with peanut butter is nutty, salty and with just a touch of sweetness. Made with rolled oats, real peanut butter, vanilla and your favorite liquid sweetener. Top your favorite ice cream or yogurt with this homemade peanut butter granola.
Ingredients
4 cups rolled oats
1/3 cup agave nectar or honey
1/2 cup peanut butter
Pinch of salt
1 tsp vanilla extract
1 egg white, lightly beaten until foamy
Directions
Heat oven to 300° F. Add agave, peanut butter, salt and vanilla to a saucepan over medium low heat. Gently warm until agave and peanut butter have melded together. Remove pot from heat and set aside.
Grab a bowl and add the oats. Pour agave and peanut butter mixture over the top of the oats. Add in beaten egg white. Stir until oats are coated.
Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Spread oats out on baking sheet in a single layer. Bake for 50 minutes, turning oats over every 15 minutes until granola is golden brown.
Cool on a wire rack. Serve and enjoy! Leftovers can be stored away in a sealed container.
More Sugar Free Recipes
Banana Bread Recipe Without Sugar
Date Sweetened Peanut Butter Ice Cream
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