Cinnamon Oat Plant Based Granola Recipe (Oil Free)

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You’ll adore this basic vegan granola recipe for its simplicity and its wholesome ingredients. This is the best no oil plant based granola recipe. It’s made with old-fashioned oats, spices, a touch of molasses or maple syrup, and the special ingredient – sweet potatoes. Make your own granola and enjoy it as a cereal, in smoothie bowls, or as a crunchy snack. 

Start your day off right with this delicious cinnamon oat plant-based granola. It’s oil-free, low-sugar, vegan, and gluten-free. This easy granola recipe has a satisfyingly sweet crunch making it the perfect snack made with simple ingredients. 

Before I lost 125 pounds I would start my days with Pop-Tarts, toasted and buttered. Now that I have lost weight, eat a vegan diet, and care about the ingredients I ingest, I created this great recipe for crunchy granola using whole foods. It’s so much better for you than store-bought granola and a lot less expensive!

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Reader Review –  Cinnamon Oat Plant Based Granola Recipe (Oil Free)

This granola is my new favorite! I can’t believe it’s made with sweet potatoes! – Sonia

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Ingredients in this plant based granola

This oil-free granola requires only 4 main ingredients, but the great thing is the add-ins are endless. You can find the full recipe card, including ingredient quantities, full step-by-step instructions, and nutritional information below. 

• Sweet Potatoes: They are the stars of the show! You can microwave them, but roasting them brings out even more natural sweetness. Here’s how long to bake a sweet potato at 450 degrees.

• Oats: Be sure to use old-fashioned oats or rolled oats for the best texture. Make sure they are certified gluten-free oats if necessary.

• Spices: I used pumpkin pie spice and ground cinnamon for a warm flavor. Pumpkin pie spice incorporates several different spices, but if you don’t have it on hand or would like additional spices, here’s a list that would be delicious – nutmeg, ginger, allspice, cardamom, cloves, and while not a spice, vanilla extract adds a sweet, aromatic flavor to granola.

• Liquid Sweetener: You can use molasses, agave syrup, date syrup, brown rice syrup, or pure maple syrup. I love the deep, distinct flavor of molasses, not to mention the iron, calcium, magnesium, and potassium that it adds to this healthy granola. You could even use this flavorful Copycat Starbucks Gingerbread Syrup made with molasses instead.

Optional add-ins: You can enjoy this basic granola recipe or you can personalize this homemade granola recipe and add in your favorites like:

• Seeds: Seeds are a great way to boost protein and nutrition. You could use pumpkin seeds, sunflower seeds, chia seeds, hemp seeds, sesame seeds, or flax seeds in your granola mixture.

• Nuts: I used chopped pecans, but you could use your favorite nut, including cashew nuts, sliced almonds, hazelnuts, or chopped walnuts, and add in healthy fats.

• Dried Fruit: It will add a little sweetness and chewiness to this healthy granola recipe. I added dried cherries, but you can add raisins, craisins, chopped dried dates, dried pineapple, dried blueberries, chopped dried figs, or coconut flakes.

You could even add dark chocolate chips for a chocolate granola. The beauty of homemade granola is your imagination is your only limitation.

Instructions for making this Cinnamon Oat Plant Based Granola Recipe

This homemade vegan granola recipe is easy to make follow these step-by-step directions.

Step 1 – Preheat oven & gather ingredients

Preheat oven to 250F and cover a sheet pan with parchment paper.

Step 2 – Mix ingredients

In a large mixing bowl, mix the cooked sweet potatoes and liquid sweetener. Next, add the dry ingredients- spices, oats, and optional add-ins- to the wet ingredients.  Mix and stir until the mixture is well combined and forms clumps.  You can add a pinch of salt if desired.

Pro Tip: I suggest using your hands to incorporate the ingredients.

Step 3 – Bake

Spread the granola clusters in an even layer on the lined baking sheet and place in the oven. Bake for 2 hours or until golden brown, stirring halfway through the cooking time. 

Step 4 – Serve and Enjoy

Allow the granola to cool completely. Store in an airtight container like a mason jar at room temperature for one to two weeks. You can freeze it for meal prep and longer storage. Enjoy it as you would cereal with non-dairy milk and fresh fruit or dairy-free yogurt or in this Bionico Recipe. You can use it in a smoothie bowl for added crunch or enjoy it as a great snack option. 

For more info regarding food safety, click here. 

Recipe

If you like this recipe, please leave a 5-star rating and tell me how it went in the comments below. I love hearing from you!

FAQ’s

How many carbs in granola?

The carbohydrate content of granola can vary depending on the specific ingredients used and the serving size. However, on average, a 1/2 cup (about 60 grams) serving of granola typically contains around 40 to 50 grams of carbohydrates. 

This carbohydrate content primarily comes from sources like oats, nuts, seeds, dried fruits, and added sweeteners like honey or maple syrup.

It’s essential to check the nutrition label or recipe for the granola you’re consuming to get an accurate idea of its carbohydrate content, especially if you’re monitoring your carbohydrate intake for dietary reasons such as managing blood sugar levels or following a low-carb diet.

Additionally, be mindful of portion sizes when enjoying granola, as it can be easy to consume larger servings than intended, leading to a higher intake of carbohydrates and calories.

This plant based granola recipe has 8 – 1/2 cup servings, 176 calories, 5 protein, 35 carbs, 2 fat, 4.5 fiber. These statistics are based on the basic ingredients, add-ins will change the nutritional values.

Is granola vegan?

Not necessarily. Granola can be vegan if it’s made with vegan ingredients, but it depends on the specific ingredients used in the recipe. Traditional granola typically consists of rolled oats, nuts, seeds, dried fruits, sweeteners like honey or maple syrup, and flavorings. 

If the granola has honey, milk chocolate chips, egg whites, or any animal-derived ingredients then it is not vegan. Many grocery stores offer granola that isn’t vegan, so be sure to look at the ingredients list or just make this easy vegan granola recipe and enjoy.

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​Disclaimer: Please note that I am not a medical professional. The information provided on this blog is based on my personal experiences and research as a vegan recipe enthusiast. While I strive to provide accurate and up-to-date information, it is important to consult with a qualified healthcare professional or a registered dietitian before making any significant changes to your diet, especially if you have any underlying health conditions or concerns. The recipes and tips shared on this blog are meant for general informational purposes and should not be considered a substitute for professional medical advice. Always prioritize your health and well-being by seeking personalized guidance from a qualified healthcare provider.