This Peanut Butter Granola Recipe: Healthy, Plant-based Happiness in a Bowl
Skip the overly sweet store bought granolas and find happiness in a bowl with this granola recipe, that's healthy! Our homemade, gluten-free, and plant-based granola is simple to make.
Delicious and nourishing morning breakfasts, (or afternoon snacks!) that are filled with wholesome pantry ingredients are a dime a dozen. But this peanut butter granola recipe is not just healthy, it’s just one of those special recipes that you’ll come back to time and time again – plus it’s gluten-free and plant-based.
Pro tip: Take it on your next hike or camping trip.
Want more top picks? Sign up for the newsletter for more well-researched, non-toxic living guidance and smart wellness advice.
Vegan Granola: Healthy Ingredient Spotlight
Peanut Butter
The star of this peanut butter granola recipe is, of course, delicious and creamy peanut butter.
Filled with B vitamins, copper, manganese, vitamin E, and protein, peanut butter (and peanuts) are a delicious way to reap essential nutrients. When it comes to jars of the salty sweet stuff, however, not all peanut butter is created equally.
Most commercial peanut butter jars are filled with additional ingredients that turn this healthy snack into more of a health bomb. Hydrogenated or partially hydrogenated refined oils, added sugars, and excessive amounts of sodium are just a few of the ingredients that can be lurking in a jar of PB.
Choose organic peanut butter that contains one simple ingredient: peanuts. If you prefer a salted peanut butter, look for one that uses sea salt. Some of my favorite organic and minimally processed peanut butter brands include MaraNatha, Whole Foods Market 365 brand, and Santa Cruz Organic.
Oats, Quinoa, and Amaranth
These incredible whole grains form the backbone of our granola recipe. They’re naturally gluten-free (ensure certified GF oats if needed) and pack a serious punch of fiber, plant-based protein, and essential B vitamins. This combination provides sustained energy and contributes to the satisfying texture of your quinoa granola bars (should you choose to press them into bars!).
Maple Syrup
Our natural sweetener of choice! Unlike refined sugars, pure maple syrup offers a rich flavor and contains some minerals. Not only that, it’s lower on the glycemic index. It’s the perfect complement to the nutty peanut butter.
Coconut Oil
A healthy fat that helps bind the granola and contributes to its golden brown crispiness. Choose virgin, unrefined coconut oil for the most benefits and flavor.
Cinnamon, Sea Salt, and Peanuts
These additions enhance the flavor, adding warmth, depth, and an extra layer of delicious crunch. On top of which, cinnamon adds some nutritional benefits and may even help manage blood sugar levels, lower bad cholesterol, and has antimicrobial properties! Not too shabby.
How to Customize Your Peanut Butter Granola + Tips
Tips for the Perfect Crunch & Beyond
Getting that ideal granola recipe crunchy texture is simple with a few tricks:
Clumping is key
Don’t skip the step where you use your hands to press the mixture into clumps on the baking sheet. These clumps will bake up into satisfyingly crunchy bites.
Cool Completely
Patience is a virtue here! Letting the granola cool entirely on the baking sheet is crucial for it to set and become truly crispy.
This Granola Recipe Is Healthy AND Highly Adaptable!
Nut Allergies?
Easily swap peanut butter with almond or cashew butter, and peanuts with other nuts or seeds.
Extra Goodies
Once cooled, stir in a handful of organic chocolate chips, raw flaked coconut, or chopped dried fruits like raisins, dates, or figs for added flavor and chew.
This homemade granola is fantastic with fresh berries, your favorite plant-based milk (almond or cashew milk are great!), creamy coconut yogurt, or as a topping for smoothies.
Or, simply enjoy it by the handful for a quick, satisfying, and utterly delicious snack!
Ingredients
Peanut Butter Granola Recipe
Preparation
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Grease a large cookie sheet with coconut oil and set aside.
- Heat a small sauce pot on the stove over medium heat and combine peanut butter, maple syrup, coconut oil, and vanilla extract. Melt mixture together until smooth and creamy. Remove from heat and set aside.
- In a large bowl combine cinnamon, sea salt, oats, amaranth, quinoa, and peanuts. Pour in creamy peanut butter mixture and stir until well combined.
- Spread granola mixture on prepared cookie sheet. Use your hands to ball up pieces of granola into clumps, if you want a crunchier texture.
- Bake in oven for 30-40 minutes, or until granola is lightly browned, stirring the granola once gently half way through.
- Remove from oven and let sit until completely cooled – at least another 25-30 minutes.
- Once cooled, break granola apart and devour.
- Leftover granola will keep in an airtight container for five days.
