Homemade Vegan Granola

There are endless ways to enjoy Homemade Vegan Granola. Serve it with plant-based milk or yogurt for a nourishing breakfast or snack. Sprinkle it over smoothie bowls, oatmeal, or fresh fruit for added crunch and flavor. Pack it in a resealable bag for a convenient on-the-go snack during hikes or busy days.

Creating Homemade Vegan Granola is a rewarding and enjoyable experience that allows you to create unique and tailor-made flavors. You’ll need a few basic ingredients and a bit of creativity. 

It is good to know that plain oats are Weight Watchers-friendly food, and this Homemade Vegan Granola has only 5 WW points! 

Why You Should Try This Homemade Vegan Granola

• Health and nutrition. By preparing granola at home, you have complete control over the ingredients, ensuring that you can opt for healthier alternatives and control the sugar and fat content. You can choose nutrient-dense ingredients like whole grains, nuts, seeds, and dried fruits, ensuring a healthy and balanced snack. 
• Customizable flavors. Homemade Granola allows you to experiment with various combinations of ingredients and flavors. 

You can use high-quality ingredients and customize the level of sweetness to suit your taste buds. Additionally, you can experiment with different sweeteners, such as coconut sugar or agave syrup, to enhance the overall taste of your granola.

• Cost-effective. Pre-packaged granola can be expensive, but creating your own can be a budget-friendly alternative. By buying ingredients in bulk and using what you already have in your pantry, you can save money in the long run. By using reusable containers and buying ingredients in bulk, you can minimize plastic waste and contribute to a more environmentally friendly lifestyle!

Homemade Vegan Granola Recipe Overview

Prep time: 10 min

Cooking time: 30 min

Total time: 40 min

Serves: 12

Ingredients 

• 4 cups rolled oats
• 2 tbsp raw walnut halves, roughly chopped 
• 2 tbsp raw pumpkin seeds
• 2 tbsp raw sunflower seeds  
• 1/4 tsp grated nutmeg 
• 1/2 tsp ground cloves 
• 1/2 tsp cinnamon
• 2 tbsp coconut oil, melted
• 1/4 cup maple syrup, sugar-free 
• 1 tbsp vanilla extract
• 1/3 cup raisins 
• 4 prunes, pitted and chopped 

How to Make Homemade Vegan Granola (step by step) 

1. Begin by preheating your oven to 350 degrees F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicone baking mat.
2. In a large bowl, combine the oats, walnuts, seeds, nutmeg, cloves, and cinnamon. Stir in the melted coconut oil, maple syrup, and vanilla. Stir to combine well.
3. Spread the mixture onto the prepared baking sheet in an even layer. Transfer to the oven and bake for 30 minutes, stirring halfway through, until golden brown.
4. Remove from the oven. Stir in the raisins and prunes. Cool completely before storing and serving.

Nutrition facts:

Serving: 74g | Calories: 297kcal | Carbohydrates: 46.1g | Protein: 10g | Fat: 8.5g | Saturated Fat: 2.9g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 3g | Monounsaturated Fat: 1.9g | Sodium: 6mg | Potassium: 333mg | Fiber: 6.1g | Sugar: 6.6g | Vitamin A: 60IU | Calcium: 45mg | Iron: 2.9mg

Homemade Vegan Granola Variations/Substitutions

• Tropical paradise. Add dried pineapple, coconut flakes, and macadamia nuts for a taste of the tropics.
• Chocolate lover’s delight. Mix in dark chocolate chips, cocoa powder, and chopped hazelnuts for a rich, indulgent granola.
• Apple cinnamon crunch. Incorporate dried apples, chopped almonds, and a generous amount of cinnamon for a comforting flavor just like your grandma used to make.
• Maple pecan bliss. Use maple syrup as your sweetener, add pecans and dried pears, and sprinkle some nutmeg for a delightful fall-inspired granola.
• Nuts and seeds. Most granola recipes call for a combination of nuts and seeds. Make sure to choose raw varieties without any added animal-based and sugar coatings. What are the best nuts to eat on Weight Watchers? For instance, 24 almonds have 5 SmartPoints, 8 Brazil nuts have 9 SmartPoints, 18 cashews have 5 SmartPoints, 15 pecan halves have 6 SmartPoints), and 12 macadamia nuts have 7 SmartPoints. 
• Dried fruits. Use your favorite dried fruits such as cranberries, cherries, apricots, or chopped dates to add natural sweetness and chewiness to the granola. Make sure they are unsweetened and without any added animal-based ingredients. WW currently assigns zero points to fresh fruit. When a fruit contains added sugar, or when there’s less water content, as with dried fruit, the SmartPoints values will count! 

Tips and Tricks for Making Homemade Vegan Granola

Choose your base ingredients. Always start with rolled oats as the main component of your granola. You can also add ingredients like nuts (almonds, walnuts, pecans), seeds (chia seeds, flaxseeds, pumpkin seeds), and dried fruits (raisins, cranberries, apricots) to add flavor and texture.

Sweeteners. Instead of using unhealthy sugar, opt for natural sweeteners like maple syrup, agave nectar, or coconut nectar. These sweeteners will add a touch of sweetness to your granola without compromising its healthy vegan status.

Binding agent. To help bind your granola together, use vegan-friendly ingredients such as melted coconut oil or nut butter like peanut butter or cashew butter. These ingredients will also add richness and flavor to your granola.

Baking temperature and time. Preheat your oven to around 350 degrees F and spread your granola mixture evenly on a baking sheet to promote even cooking. Keep a close eye on it during the last few minutes to prevent burning.

Add dried fruits later. If you want to include dried fruits in your granola, it’s best to add them after baking. This prevents the fruits from becoming too hard or chewy during the baking process.

Storage. Store your homemade vegan granola in an airtight container at room temperature. It should stay fresh for a few weeks. If you live in a humid climate, you might want to store it in the refrigerator to maintain its crispness.

Related Recipes:

• Pumpkin spice granola
• Peanut butter chocolate rice krispie granola treats
• Delightful and Healthy Baked Oatmeal Cups