All you need is 5 minutes of prep and 5 ingredients to make this delicious Oil-free Cinnamon Granola recipe. Making homemade granola is a much healthier, tastier option than store bought granolas and cereals. This granola is perfect for on-the-go snacking or eaten as cereal in a delicious bowl of almond milk.
5 INGREDIENT OIL-FREE CINNAMON GRANOLA
5 ingredients and 5 minutes prep is all you need to bake this absolutely, delicious homemade granola. No need for the 15 ingredient granola recipe today, I’m making this real easy for ya. Seriously, you can add 5 different nuts and some dried fruit if you wish, but it’s just not necessary for it to be delicious. It’s shocking how yummy this granola is with such few ingredients. Only negative, is it’s gone in minutes in my household.
You don’t need to spend a ridiculous amount for a small bag at the store for granola that contains too much sugar, too much oil and too many preservatives. I’ve never found one brand that didn’t have some oil or preservatives in it. Making it homemade ensures it is fresh, healthy and so much yummier!
It makes the perfect healthy cereal, when served with homemade almond milk! Seriously, cereal at the store tends to be full of sugar, oil or preservatives. This bowl is pure delicious, wholesome goodness and so fresh.
INGREDIENTS NEEDED
- Old-fashioned rolled oats
- Pecans or nuts or seeds of choice
- Roasted almond butter or sunbutter for nut-free
- Pure maple syrup
- Ground cinnamon
HOW DO YOU MAKE OIL-FREE GRANOLA?
Step 1: Preheat an oven to 325°F and line a sheet pan with parchment paper.
Step 2: To a large bowl, combine the dry ingredients, add the wet and mix until a sticky batter forms.
Step 3: Pour the granola over the prepared pan and spread out evenly, about a 1/2 inch thick layer.
Step 4: Bake at 325°F for 15 minutes on the bottom rack. Remove the pan, stir the granola around so that the bottom can cook evenly. Place back in the oven and cook another 10-12 minutes until very golden brown.
Step 5: Cool 10 minutes to allow the granola to crisp up.
MORE OIL FREE VEGAN GRANOLA RECIPES
- Apple Pie Granola
- Oil-free Double Chocolate Molasses Granola
- Chocolate Cinnamon Granola
- Peanut Butter Granola
If you make this recipe, be sure to leave feedback below and share your pic on Instagram or Facebook and tag me @thevegan8 #thevegan8!
Oil-Free 5 Ingredient Cinnamon Granola
Ingredients
- 2 cups (200g) old fashioned rolled oats I use Bob's Red Mill gluten-free
- 1 cup chopped pecans or nuts/seeds of choice (pecans are best because they lend a very buttery flavor)
- 1 tablespoon ground cinnamon
- 1/4 cup (64g) creamy almond butter
- 1/2 cup (160g) pure maple syrup
- 1/4 scant teaspoon fine sea salt
- I use this scale.
NOTE
- If you or your child can't tolerate nuts, than this recipe can easily be made nut-free & kid-friendly by using sunflower kernels instead of pecans and sunbutter instead of almond butter.
Instructions
- Preheat an oven to 325 degrees and line a sheet pan with parchment paper. Place middle oven rack on the bottom rack.
- Add oats, pecans, cinnamon and salt to a large bowl and stir well.
- Add almond butter and syrup to a cup or small bowl and stir well. Pour over the dry ingredients and stir until very well mixed and sticky.
- Pour over the prepared pan and spread out evenly, about a 1/2 inch thick.
- Bake for 15 minutes on the bottom rack. Remove the pan, stir the granola around so that the bottom can cook evenly. Place back in the oven and cook another 10-12 minutes until very golden brown.
- Cool on the pan for 10 minutes and it will crisp up a lot. Store in a ziplock bag or plastic container. It will stay fresh for up to one week, if it even lasts that long!
Notes
Nutrition
Delicious! Made it with agave instead of maple since I had it and it’s great. Can’t stop snacking!
Have made your granola so many times since we went plant based in January 2015. I did up the oats to 3 cups so it is a bit drier but still so yummy. Then we don’t feel bad eating an extra handful :). I just started making my own soy yogurt and your granola mixed with the yogurt and fruit is my fav breakfast at the moment.
This is so delicious and (bonus) simple! I’ve made it several times now. Add flax seed and dried cranberries but not because it needs anything else. Have to resist eating it like cookie dough before it goes in the oven!
I made this last week and now I am making a double batch. I did reduce the amount of maple syrup. It is delicious! !
So happy to hear it was such a hit, thank you so much for the feedback Sherry, love hearing it!
A New family favorite! We loved this quick and delicious granola. We made the nut free version and it was perfect!
So awesome! I’m so glad to hear you loved it, thank you so much!
Made this last night with the sub of peanut butter and regular syrup (without high fructose corn syrup!), tastes amazing!! Will definitely be trying different combos with this recipe 🙂 Also made it in a very short time! A recipe for the books for sure.
Wonderful to hear Alex! Yes, that is what I use and have noted, pure maple syrup in the recipe. I never use the fake syrup, it is terrible! So glad you loved it, thank you!
One of my goals this year is to make my own granola and I’m going to start by using your recipe, Brandi. I love how simple this is and it’s full of good, natural ingredients. I’d throw in some dark chocolate too, just cause I’m a total chocoholic 😉
Oh, yes, one can never have too much chocolate Nancy! 🙂
I made your lovely granola & loved it too, so did my husband Peter! He loves it! x
I just saw this Sophie! That is wonderful, thank you so much!
This is the healthiest granola recipe I’ve ever seen. I’m gonna try this for sure. I have to tell you that every time I come to your blog I’m just blown away by your photos. I just can’t get over how fab they are. Celeste 🙂
Awww thank you Celeste!! Big smile!! 🙂
Just made this granola recipe…i made mine with pecan butter because that is what i had at home….still turned out delicious…
Oh, I agree Elilta, pecan butter would be even better! I just used almond butter for the recipe because it’s easier and cheaper for people and works well in granola. I’m all over it next time with the pecan butter though 😉 So glad you enjoyed it!
This was fantastic! Very easy to make & delicious. I have 3 picky eaters & they loved it! I took a baggie of it with me to a ball game & didn’t even get any bc it was passed around & devoured! Thank you so much for this recipe Brandi!
I’m so happy to hear that Katy! Thank you so much for the wonderful feedback! 🙂
This looks great! Is there anything you can sub for the pure maple syrup if you are eating it on the Daniel Fast?
Hi there! Sure, you could use agave, coconut nectar or even honey and it should work fine. Honey isn’t technically “vegan”, but I do have a couple of readers who made it with honey and it worked, it will just make it slightly stickier. Let me know how it turns out 🙂
I’m on such a granola kick right now and this is perfect! Your photos are also super beautiful – love the clean background (something that I need to work on hah). Do you shoot everything in your kitchen?
Oh, thank you so much Shikha! I appreciate that! Well, I shoot wherever I can get the best light depending on the weather…some in my kitchen, but mainly in my living room because I have huge windows and the light shines through the best. I set up a table right next to my window and use different props for backgrounds. On really bright days I shoot on my kitchen table for different looks or on my island…the top photo is shot on my black granite island.
I love home made granola and this one looks so easy. happy new year:)
Happy New Year to you too Pavithra 🙂
These are quite costly over here. Thank you for sharing this recipe. I shall try it soon! Warmest, danny
Yes, I know Danny….granola is so incredibly expensive. It’s so much cheaper and tastier to make it ourselves 🙂
Hi Brandi –
I just made this and can’t stop eating it right (warm, YUM!). So simple, and it rocks!
Thanks!
Thank you so much for the feedback Alicia! I’m so happy to hear that….it’s a little addicting isn’t it?! 🙂
Simple, yet delectable. This look deeeelicious!
YUM! I love every single ingredient in this granola and I love how simple it is! Love it!
Thanks Melanie…doesn’t get any simpler!
Quick , Easy and Delicious. ..I subbed the almond butter for peanut butter and added a lil honey with the maple syrup loved it!!! I will keep making this!!! Thanks Brandi
Thank you so much Suki! I’m so glad you loved it and the peanut butter sub worked perfectly…thanks so much for leaving feedback 🙂
I love how quick and simple this is, I actually prefer my granola with only a few ingredients. I have never made with cinnamon, I have to try this. I always use olive oil but using nut butter is a great idea, it should help it clump too!
Yes, the almond butter gives it awesome flavor. This one mildly clumps, but if you want more clumpy, increase to half cup if almond butter. Also, this other granola recipe is AMAZINGLY delish and clumps big time…butter-licious granola. https://thevegan8.com/2013/02/20/butter-licious-granola/
LOVE THIS! I love my go-to granola recipe tons but this would be fabulous to throw together in a pinch. I have everything on hand to make this–I wish I hadn’t just made a huge batch of granola a few weeks ago! Another one of your recipes bookmarked! Hope you had a great holiday season Brandi!
Oh, yes it works great for a quick, delicious, healthy granola! I actually like it better than one of my other granola recipes with 10+ ingredients, haha! 🙂 Thanks Erika!
This looks so good! I make my own granola and I am definitely going to try this recipe.
Please let me know when you do Cindy! 🙂