Oil-free Healthy Granola (2024)

If you can’t resist granola but want to eat healthier, try this recipe. Lower in sugar and with no oil, this Healthy Granola combines all the benefits of oats with the irresistible flavors of homemade granola. Whether it’s for breakfast or as a snack, everyone will love it. Vegan, gluten-free, dairy-free, low calorie and diet friendly!

As a kid, I was a picky eater. I was incredibly picky at mealtimes, especially for breakfast. I still hear my mum’s voice when, every single day before school, she’d reproach me for leaving home without food in my stomach. Well, if it is now my favorite meal, up until 14 I couldn’t digest anything in the morning. Or I should rather say, almost anything because there was an exception. Around the age of 9, my mum got a new granola brand that was soon to become an obsession. It used to come with crunchy hazelnuts and lots of big chunks of dark chocolate. Being a huge fan of dark chocolate, I got hooked. I'd fill my bowl with granola, carefully stealing all the chocolate, and enjoy it with a pour of milk. Of course chocolate milk 😉.

Long story made short, granola has my heart. I can’t and will never be able to resist. But sadly the ones you buy are often loaded with fats and sugars. And if you really want better quality, it’s gonna cost you an arm and a leg. It was after spending almost 10 € on tasteless cereals that I finally decided to make my own at home. Refined sugar-free, oil-free and wholesome, this healthy oatmeal granola tastes like the original. Believe me, it’s so good that you won’t buy it ever again!

Why you will love this healthy oatmeal granola?

• It’s healthy, oil-free and lower in sugar. This recipe packs all the benefits of oats and nuts in an oil-free granola that is high in fibers, minerals and vitamins. As we are going to use maple syrup, this breakfast cereal is also free from refined sugar and has a low glycemic impact in your blood sugar level.
• This oatmeal granola recipe is suitable for many diets and allergies. It is naturally gluten-free (if you use gluten-free oats), dairy-free, vegan and can also be adapted to fit the needs of low carb diets.
• It is lower in calories and great for weight loss. As this is a healthy granola without oil, my version comes with a lower calorie and fat content in comparison to the regular. That’s because oil is the food with most calories, and we won't use it here.
• My recipe is quick and simple. Mix all ingredients together, line over a baking sheet and put in the oven until it’s golden baked. Making healthy oat granola at home has never been that easy!
• This oil-free oatmeal granola is incredibly versatile. Whether with chocolate chips, nuts or raisins, the ways how you can customize your oat cereal are endless. As endless as the occasions to serve it: breakfast, snack, dessert or pre-workout…It’s always a good time to have granola!
• My oil-free granola is addictive! Subtly sweet, crunchy and with plenty of dark chocolate chips, this oat cereal is so delicious that you’ll never guess it is also good for you!

Ingredients in oatmeal granola

A simple oat granola recipe with no oil, that’s what this recipe is all about. You’ll only need a handful of basic ingredients plus some additional mix-ins to elevate the breakfasts experience. To ensure all doubts are covered, I have included an ingredient list with all details, tips and replacements. Keep on reading and oil-free granola won’t have secrets anymore!

• Rolled oats. There are many types of oats in the market, but rolled oats are the best option if you want to get the best taste and texture. In comparison to quick cooking oats which tend to get soft, old-fashioned rolled oats maintain their shape and ensure your granola comes out crunchy. In case of allergies or intolerances, double check on the package that your oatmeal is free from gluten.
• Maple syrup. The secret for oil-free granola is to replace granulated sweeteners with maple syrup (or honey). Besides being healthier and unrefined, maple syrup helps your it caramelize while it is baking. If desired, you can replace it with honey, agave syrup or date syrup.
• Vanilla extract. The vanilla adds a touch of sweetness and makes your oat cereal irresistible.
• Sea salt. Irreplaceable ingredient, a pinch of salt enhances all delicious flavors and helps balance the sweetness level of the cereal.

Additional mix-ins: pick and choose your favorite!

• Mix of nuts. For more crunchiness and taste, enrich your granola with a handful of your favorite nuts. My recommendations are pieces of hazelnuts, sliced almonds, chunks of walnuts, pecans, cashews or a mix of all.
• Selection of seeds. Stir in pumpkin seeds, sunflower seeds or flaxseeds and you'll whip up the best healthy granola ever: crunchy, tasty, and with all the nutritional benefits of seeds.
• Chocolate chips. Stir in a generous amount of chocolate chips and it will feel like eating dessert for breakfast! I like extra dark chocolate but you are free to choose the ones you prefer. Dark or extra dark, white or milk chocolate, any option is going to work!
• Dried fruit. If you are looking for more sweetness, include in your oatmeal granola some dried fruits such as raisins, dried cranberries, desiccated apple, or candied orange. But be careful here, you should only add the fruit after baking the oats or it will burn!
• Other extras. Feel free to experiment with any other extra goodies you like such as laminated coconut, cocoa nibs, coffee beans and even pieces of protein bar!
• Spices. Enrich all flavors by mixing in some extra spices such as ground cinnamon or a hint of caramel extract.

Dietary adaptations

Do you follow a specific diet? Whether gluten-free or low carb, in the next lines I am going to tell you how to change this recipe to match your dietary preference and needs.

• Gluten-free. Although they are naturally gluten-free, I recommend reading the ingredient list in the package to ensure that your oats are free from gluten. The reason is that most products in the market are contaminated with gluten and should therefore be avoided.
• Dairy-free. There is nothing to change here, if not the ways how you serve your oil-free granola. Instead of Greek yogurt or cow milk, prefer options like soy yogurt, unsweetened almond milk or oat milk.
• Vegan. This recipe is completely vegan, provided that you use maple syrup and not honey. No need for butter, eggs or any ingredient which comes from animal sources.
• Low carb and keto. Making low carb granola without oil is embarrassingly easy! All you should do is replacing the oats with soy flakes while using sugar-free maple syrup as a sweetener. Besides being keto-friendly, the addition of soy flakes will make your healthy granola high in protein.
• High protein. As we already mentioned, you can make high protein granola by replacing part of (or all) the oats with soy flakes. You will usually find this product in the diet food section of big grocery stores with a wide assortment of products.
• Low calorie and sugar-free. If you are on a diet or don’t eat sugar, replace the maple syrup with sugar-free alternatives such as sugar-free syrup or fiber syrup. I normally get my sugar-free maple syrup online from a store that specializes in high protein and diet foods.

How to make healthy granola with no oil

Here is how to make healthy oatmeal granola in 3 easy steps!

• Step 1. In a large mixing bowl, combine the rolled oats with any other additional ingredients such as chopped nuts and seeds. Give it a quick stir, then pour in maple syrup, vanilla extract and a final pinch of salt. Mix the oil-free granola until everything is well combined and all the oats are coated.
• Step 2. Evenly spread the oat mixture on the lined baking sheet. Bake in hot oven for about 20-25 minutes, stirring halfway through to prevent burning and ensure even toasting. Once it is golden brown, remove from the oven and let cool for at least 1 hour before serving.
• Step 3. Once it has cooled, mix in any other ingredient such as raisins, cranberries or chocolate chips.

Storage directions

Here is how to store this healthy granola to best preserve texture and taste.

1. Let cool:Before storing, make sure you let the oil-free granola cool completely at room temperature. This helps preserve a crunchy texture and delicious taste.
2. Place in an airtight food container:Once cool, place the oats into a sealable food container or glass jar with lid. Be sure to tightly close the container, this way your cereal won’t absorb humidity and moisture.
3. Store in a cool, dry place:Keep the container in a cool and dry place, such as you pantry and consume within a week.

Serving ideas

• Yogurt bowl. Enjoy this homemade oatmeal granola with a bowl of your favorite yogurt such as Greek yogurt or soy yogurt for a healthy breakfast that is high in protein and taste. Don’t forget to include some fresh fruit for a touch of freshness and additional benefits.
• Milk of choice. Add to a bowl and pour your favorite milk all over it for a quick and easy healthy breakfast. From kids to adults, everyone will love it!
• Fresh fruit. Instead of sugary bars, bring with you a serving of oil-free oat granola to have with fresh fruit when you are at school or at work.
• Trailer mix. Place it in a zipper bag alongside some cashews, walnuts and almonds for a quick snack that will keep you satisfied until the next meal.
• On its own. Indulge guilt-free and enjoy your low calorie granola on its own, as it is. Relax, grab a spoon, and have a well-deserved treat whenever you are craving something sweet.

Tips for the best healthy granola

• Use old-fashioned rolled oats. If you have read up until here, you may probably already know that rolled oats give the best healthy granola both in terms of taste and texture. Stay away from quick oats, they will ruin the cereal.
• Do not forget the salt! It is just a pinch, but it makes a significant difference in terms of taste and flavors. Trust me, its absence won’t go unnoticed that easily!
• Customize the cereal to your likings. Elevate the experience with additional mix-ins such as chocolate chips, walnuts, hazelnuts, pumpkin seeds or a mix of those. Don’t be afraid of giving vent to your creativity!
• Add extras only after baking. If you are including additional ingredients such as dried fruit or chocolate chips, add them only once the granola is ready. Never bake raisins and similar, otherwise they will burn!
• Stir halfway through baking time. Keep an eye on your oil-free granola while it is in the oven and make sure to give it a good stir after about 10 minutes. This ensures that it will cook though, in an hom*ogeneous way, without burning.
• Let cool before serving. Resist the temptation and try to wait at least one hour before eating your oat cereal. Homemade granola tastes better after it has cooled down completely, especially if you have included extra mix-ins such as nuts or chocolate chips.

More healthy cereal and bars

• Peanut butter chocolate chip granola bars
• Clean eating strawberry oatmeal bars
• Low carb keto cereal
• 3 ingredient no bake granola
• Stovetop granola
• Healthy sheet pan pancakes
• Protein flapjacks

More Breakfast