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    Home » Recipes » Breakfast

    Easy Peanut Butter Granola (Oil-Free!)

    Apr 5, 2018 by Kaitlin

    This easy (oil-free) Peanut Butter Granola recipe is naturally sweetened with no refined sugar. It's a delicious protein-rich breakfast, snack, or healthy dessert. Plus it's just 6 ingredients and 30 minutes to make! (Vegan, gluten-free.)

    Oil-free peanut butter granola in a glass bowl and scattered around on a tray

    This vegan + oil-free Peanut Butter Granola is so quick and easy to prepare.

    It is only 6 ingredients, naturally sweetened, and takes about 10 minutes of preparation time.

    Plus it includes lots of plant-based protein and fiber.

    Most granola recipes call for quite a bit of oil, but I found the natural oils in the peanut butter works great. Simply lining a baking sheet with parchment paper will keep the peanut butter mixture from sticking.

    Maple syrup, oats, almond flour, cinnamon, and vanilla ingredients on a wooden table

    Ingredients for Oil-Free Granola

    For this recipe you will toss together then bake in the oven:

    • Old-fashioned rolled oats: Be sure to use gluten-free old-fashioned oats if needed. I purchase organic when possible.
    • Peanut butter: I use creamy and natural. You could also try substituting the peanut butter with other nut butter or seed butter. (I have not tested this however.)
    • Almond flour: Most often I use Bob's Red Mill super-fine almond flour. Either blanched or un-blanched will work depending on what's available or what you have on hand. The almond flour gives the granola an extra-rich and buttery texture - so tasty!
    • Pure maple syrup: This works great as a natural sweetener. Plus it adds delicious maple flavor to the granola.
    • Vanilla extract: I also like to include a half teaspoon almond extract with the vanilla, but that's totally optional if you don't have it on hand.
    • Ground cinnamon: I use Ceylon cinnamon.
    • Salt: Just a dash of fine grain salt helps to enhance the flavors. But you can omit this if desired.
    Preparing oil free granola in a small saucepan with spatula

    Customizing

    Sweetness: I pour in one-third cup maple syrup for the sweet flavor, and also because it helps create crunchy granola clusters. But feel free to decrease if desired for a less-sweet granola.

    Add-ins: After baking in the oven, you can also stir in raisins, cranberries, dried cherries or other dried fruit, vegan chocolate chips, coconut flakes, pumpkin seeds, sunflower seeds, or nuts like pecans, almonds, or walnuts.

    Spices: Swap in your own favorite spices to this granola mixture. I use cinnamon, but you could also try pumpkin pie spice for a seasonal variation.

    Want another variation? Check out this Nut and Seed Granola!

    Baked granola on a sheet pan with spatula

    Serving

    This homemade granola is so versatile in ways you can enjoy it! A few ideas include:

    • For breakfast with almond milk (or other plant-based milk)
    • Quick, energizing snacks
    • Stirred into your favorite vegan yogurt
    • In kids' lunch boxes
    • As a healthy dessert
    • On top of dairy-free ice cream

    Storing

    Store leftovers in an airtight container or mason jar. You can either keep it at room temperature or in the fridge. We find it keeps well for about one week. (Any storage time longer than that I'm not sure.)

    Texture note: The granola will be soft when it comes out of the oven. But then it gradually hardens as it cools. Be sure to let it cool completely before storing.

    Oil free peanut granola spilling out of a glass jar

    For more inspiration, also browse all vegan breakfast recipes or oil-free recipes.

    Oil-free peanut butter granola in a glass bowl and scattered around on a tray

    Easy Peanut Butter Granola (Oil-Free!)

    An oil-free granola recipe that's rich + buttery but made with healthy ingredients! Just 6 ingredients and 30 minutes to make.
    5 from 5 votes
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe Comment
    Prep Time: 10 minutes
    Cook Time: 20 minutes
    Total Time: 30 minutes
    Author: Kaitlin - The Garden Grazer
    Course: Breakfast, Dessert, Snack
    Cuisine: Gluten-Free Option, Oil-Free, Vegan
    Servings: 5 (1 cup servings)

    Ingredients

    • 2 cups old-fashioned rolled oats (gluten-free if desired)
    • 1/2 cup almond flour
    • 1/3 cup creamy peanut butter (I use natural)
    • 1/3 cup pure maple syrup
    • 1 tsp. pure vanilla extract
    • 1/2 tsp. ground cinnamon (I use Ceylon)
    • 1/2 tsp. almond extract (optional, or less)
    • 1/8 tsp. salt

    Optional add-ins after baking:

    • Vegan chocolate chips, dried fruit, nuts, seeds, coconut flakes, etc.

    Instructions

    • Preheat oven to 325°F (162°C).
    • In a medium saucepan over medium-low heat, add peanut butter and maple syrup.
    • Heat for about 4-5 minutes, stirring occasionally.
    • When melted and combined, remove from heat. Add vanilla, almond extract (if using), cinnamon, and salt. Stir.
    • Add oats and almond flour. Stir well to thoroughly combine.
    • Place parchment paper (or Silpat) on a baking sheet. Add oat mixture and slightly spread out. (It doesn’t have to be completely spread out – keeping some together will create clusters.)
    • Bake for 10 minutes, stir, then bake for 10 more minutes. Remove and let cool.*

    Notes

    *Texture: The granola will be soft when it comes out of the oven, but it gradually hardens as it cools.
    Storing: After it completely cools (about 25-30 minutes), store in a sealed container at room temperature or in the refrigerator. We enjoy ours within 5-7 days.
    Serving: Enjoy it with milk for breakfast, as an energizing snack, healthy dessert, or on top of ice cream or yogurt.
    Yield: Recipe makes about 5 cups granola.

    Nutrition Per Serving (Estimate)

    Nutrition Facts
    Easy Peanut Butter Granola (Oil-Free!)
    Amount per Serving
    Calories
    351
    % Daily Value*
    Fat
     
    16
    g
    25
    %
    Saturated Fat
     
    2
    g
    13
    %
    Polyunsaturated Fat
     
    3
    g
    Monounsaturated Fat
     
    5
    g
    Potassium
     
    265
    mg
    8
    %
    Carbohydrates
     
    43
    g
    14
    %
    Fiber
     
    5
    g
    21
    %
    Sugar
     
    16
    g
    18
    %
    Protein
     
    11
    g
    22
    %
    Vitamin A
     
    1
    IU
    0
    %
    Vitamin C
     
    0.01
    mg
    0
    %
    Calcium
     
    74
    mg
    7
    %
    Iron
     
    2
    mg
    11
    %
    * Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.
    Did you make this recipe?Leave a star rating or comment below!

    If you are enjoying this vegan oil-free peanut butter granola recipe, also check out:

    • Tofu Scramble with Spinach & Tomato
    • Vegan Gluten-Free Waffles
    • Vanilla Almond Overnight Oats
    • Creamy Banana Matcha Smoothie
    • Chunky Monkey Protein Smoothie

    Follow The Garden Grazer on Instagram, Pinterest, or Facebook for more updates and inspiration.

    More Vegan Breakfast Recipes

    • Strawberry Baked Oatmeal
    • Southwest Tofu Burrito
    • Chocolate Cherry Almond Smoothie
    • Chunky Monkey Overnight Oats

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

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      Recipe Rating:




    1. Maria

      September 01, 2022 at 12:03 pm

      5 stars
      This was fantastic and SO easy to make! I added the optional almond extract which was super tasty.

      Reply
      • Kaitlin

        September 01, 2022 at 12:40 pm

        Great to hear, Maria!

        Reply
    2. Julie

      March 03, 2019 at 5:49 am

      I have a peanut allergy, wondering if sun butter would work well in this recipe. Do you know of anyone substituting with other butters and how it turned out? It sounds amazing!

      Reply
      • Kaitlin McGinn

        March 03, 2019 at 8:08 am

        Hi Julie! I haven't personally tried other nut butters with this yet, but I'm guessing sun butter (or almond, cashew, or a blend of any of these) would work well. Would love to hear if you give it a try!

        Reply
    3. Alison

      September 13, 2018 at 2:09 am

      I don't have natural peanut butter. Will Skippy work, or do I need to adjust the other amounts?

      Reply
      • Kaitlin | The Garden Grazer

        September 17, 2018 at 6:05 pm

        I haven't tested this with Skippy but I'm guessing it would work very well. (I think it has some sweetener in it, so you could slightly decrease the maple syrup and add more as needed but it should be fine either way).

        Reply
    4. CK

      May 18, 2018 at 11:52 am

      This was an amazing granola and so easy too. My granddaughter loved helping and gobbled up a bowl full when it was done. Thank you.

      Reply
      • Kaitlin | The Garden Grazer

        May 29, 2018 at 4:11 pm

        I love hearing about your grandmother/granddaughter time in the kitchen - how sweet. Glad she enjoyed. Thanks for the comment!

        Reply

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    Hi, I'm Kaitlin!
    I share vegan recipes that are easy & healthy. (Mostly whole food plant-based, oil-free, & gluten-free.) About Me →

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