Gluten free diets have become increasingly popular in recent years, with more and more people choosing to avoid gluten for health or personal reasons. But for those who love granola, the prospect of giving it up can seem daunting. The good news is that there are plenty of tasty gluten free granola options available!
What is granola?
Granola is a cereal made from rolled oats that are toasted until crispy and golden brown. Traditional granola recipes call for oats to be combined with sweeteners like honey or maple syrup, nuts, seeds, dried fruit, and spices like cinnamon. The ingredients are tossed together and baked until toasted and crunchy.
Store-bought granola often contains wheat or barley to help bind and cluster the oats together. But it’s easy to make gluten free versions at home by using certified gluten free oats and other gluten free ingredients.
Are regular oats gluten free?
Oats themselves do not naturally contain gluten. However, most mainstream oat products on the market today have been contaminated with gluten because they are processed in facilities that also handle wheat, rye, and barley.
Many experts consider oats to be safe for most people with gluten intolerance, as long as they are labeled “gluten free.” This means the oats were grown and processed in facilities free from gluten contamination.
Be sure to look for oats specifically labeled “gluten free” if you need to avoid gluten. Oats that don’t have this label should be assumed to contain traces of gluten.
What makes granola gluten free?
To make gluten free granola, you need to start with certified gluten free oats. From there, choose additional ingredients that are naturally gluten free:
- Nuts: almonds, walnuts, pecans, etc.
- Seeds: pumpkin, sunflower, chia, etc.
- Dried fruit: raisins, cranberries, apricots, etc.
- Sweeteners: maple syrup, brown rice syrup, honey, etc.
- Spices: cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, etc.
- Oils: olive oil, coconut oil, avocado oil, etc.
Avoid grains like wheat, rye, and barley, as well as malt extracts and flavorings. Be sure to read labels carefully and look for “gluten free” labeling.
Gluten free oat brands
There are a number of brands that offer gluten free certified oats:
| Brand | Products |
|---|---|
| GFCO (Gluten Free Certification Organization) | Certified gluten free oats and oat products |
| Bob’s Red Mill | Gluten free rolled oats and steel cut oats |
| Gifts of Nature | Gluten free oats and granolas |
| Better Oats | Gluten free steel cut oats |
| Oat Dream | Gluten free oatmeals and granolas |
| Nature’s Path | Gluten free oatmeals, granolas, and bars |
Be sure to verify that any oat brand you choose is certified gluten free before purchasing.
Gluten free granola recipes
Making your own homemade granola is easy with gluten free oats and your favorite mix-ins. Here are a few tasty gluten free granola recipes to try:
Simple Homemade Granola
Ingredients:
- 4 cups certified gluten free rolled oats
- 1/2 cup chopped nuts (almonds, walnuts, pecans)
- 1/2 cup shredded coconut
- 1/2 cup dried fruit (raisins, cranberries, etc.)
- 1/3 cup maple syrup or honey
- 1/4 cup coconut oil or olive oil
- 1 tsp cinnamon
- 1/2 tsp salt
Instructions:
- Preheat oven to 300°F and line a large rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper.
- In a large bowl, mix oats, nuts, coconut, and dried fruit.
- In a small saucepan over medium heat, melt maple syrup/honey and coconut oil. Stir in cinnamon and salt.
- Pour wet mixture over dry ingredients and stir to fully coat.
- Spread granola in an even layer on the prepared baking sheet.
- Bake for 30-35 minutes, stirring every 10 minutes, until golden brown.
- Let cool completely before storing in an airtight container.
Chunky Maple-Almond Granola
Ingredients:
- 3 cups gluten free rolled oats
- 1 cup slivered almonds
- 1/2 cup maple syrup
- 1/4 cup coconut oil
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1/2 tsp cinnamon
- 1/4 tsp nutmeg
- 1/8 tsp salt
- 1/2 cup raisins or dried cranberries
Instructions:
- Preheat oven to 325°F. Line a rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper.
- In a large bowl, mix oats and almonds. Set aside.
- In a small saucepan, combine maple syrup, coconut oil, vanilla, cinnamon, nutmeg and salt. Heat over medium-low, stirring frequently, until melted and blended.
- Pour maple syrup mixture over the oats and nuts. Stir to coat evenly.
- Spread granola in an even layer on the prepared baking sheet.
- Bake for 20 minutes, stirring every 6-7 minutes, until golden brown.
- Remove from oven, stir in dried fruit, and let cool completely before storing.
Tropical Coconut Granola
Ingredients:
- 3 cups gluten free rolled oats
- 1 cup unsweetened coconut flakes
- 1/2 cup cashew pieces
- 1/2 cup honey or maple syrup
- 1/4 cup coconut oil
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1/2 cup dried mango or pineapple chunks
Instructions:
- Preheat oven to 300°F. Line a rimmed baking sheet with parchment.
- In a large bowl, mix oats, coconut flakes, and cashews.
- In a small saucepan over medium heat, stir together honey, coconut oil and vanilla until blended.
- Pour honey mixture over oat mixture and stir to coat evenly.
- Spread granola onto prepared baking sheet.
- Bake for 25-30 minutes, stirring every 8-10 minutes, until light golden brown.
- Stir in dried mango/pineapple after removing from oven. Let cool completely before storing.
Gluten free store-bought granola
If you don’t have time to make homemade granola, there are plenty of store-bought brands that offer gluten free options:
| Brand | Products |
|---|---|
| Kind | Maple Quinoa Granola, Peanut Butter Dark Chocolate Granola |
| Bear Naked | Honey Almond Granola |
| Nature’s Path | Coconut Cashew Granola, Pumpkin Flax Granola |
| EnviroKidz | Berry Cherry Cheerios, Amazon Frosted Flakes |
| Julian Bakery | Coconut Cluster Granola, Berry Greek Yogurt Granola |
| Purely Elizabeth | Ancient Grain Granola, Coconut Cashew Granola |
| Kashi | Heart to Heart Honey Toasted cereal |
Remember to double check that any brand is clearly labeled “gluten free” or “certified gluten free” before purchasing.
Storing and serving gluten free granola
Store prepared gluten free granola in an airtight container at room temperature for 2-3 weeks. For maximum freshness and crunchiness, store granola in the refrigerator for up to 2 months.
Gluten free granola makes a tasty cereal when served with milk or non-dairy milk like almond or coconut milk. Try sprinkling it on top of yogurt or baking it into gluten free muffins and bars.
For added nutrition, mix some fresh fruit like bananas or berries into your morning bowl of granola cereal.
The bottom line
Thanks to dedicated gluten free brands and quality ingredients, it’s easy to find and make tasty gluten free granola. By choosing certified gluten free oats and using naturally gluten free mix-ins, you can enjoy crunchy, nutritious granola on a gluten free diet.
Look for established gluten free brands of oats and granola products when shopping. Or get creative in your own kitchen by baking homemade granola with your favorite gluten free ingredients and flavors.
With so many gluten free options for both homemade and store-bought granola, there’s no reason you can’t enjoy this classic cereal on a gluten free diet.