Grain-Free Vanilla Almond Butter Granola Recipe

This grain-free vanilla almond butter granola is sweet, crunchy, and filling, featuring a mix of creamy almond butter, nuts, seeds, and a low-glycemic sweetener. The combination creates a delicious, chunky granola perfect for topping yogurt, enjoying as a cereal, or taking on-the-go.

It's gluten-free, grain-free, and low-glycemic, making it a delicious keto or low-carb alternative to traditional granola. 

a grain-free granola recipe

I'm a big fan of Purely Elizabeth's vanilla almond butter grain-free granola but you'd be surprised at how easy it is to make your own!

One batch of this almond butter granola will keep in your pantry for a couple of weeks at least, and is much more affordable than purchasing grain-free granola from the grocery store. 

Granola typically involves old-fashioned oats or quick oats, but this grain-free granola recipe is a treat anyone can enjoy.

I've made grain-free granola before (check out my Grain-Free Pumpkin Granola!), but I wanted to make a copycat version of Purely Elizabeth's almond butter vanilla flavor because it's my favorite store-bought variety. 

This healthier granola tastes like a treat. It is full of protein, healthy fats, and absolutely no refined sugar.

Although it doesn't contain oats, the texture is still crunchy and satisfying. It's a blend of basic ingredients like almond butter, coconut oil, date syrup, nuts, and seeds, and it won't take long to make.

Whether you're eyeing this vanilla almond butter granola recipe as a potential breakfast topping, healthy snack, or dessert option, it's sure to hold its own against its oat-based counterpart.

why this recipe works

Making your own grain-free granola means you have full control over the ingredients and can customize it to your liking. 

This vanilla almond butter granola recipe couldn't be more easy to prepare. Just gather some nuts and seeds and a few pantry staples, pulse it a few times in a food processor, then crumble it onto a baking sheet and let the oven do the rest.  

It's a perfect option for those following a gluten-free or grain-free diet, as well as anyone looking to reduce their sugar intake.

The almond butter adds a rich flavor, and the date syrup provides a natural sweetness without any refined sugar.

If you're following a more strict keto diet, you're welcome to use sugar-free maple syrup in place of the date syrup. You can also swap out the almond butter for any other nut or seed butter of your choice.

This healthy granola recipe is versatile and can be easily adapted to fit your dietary needs and preferences.

My vanilla almond butter granola is:

• A simple recipe made with ingredients that are grain-free, gluten-free, and low-carb-friendly. 
• Packed with healthy fats and no refined sugar, making it a healthier option compared to store-bought brands. 
• A delicious combination of sweet, savory, and crunchy, making it a satisfying snack or breakfast option. 
• Versatile and customizable, allowing you to experiment with different nuts, seeds, and sweeteners.

ingredients for easy almond butter granola

• All-natural almond butter. Make sure to use a clean almond butter, one without any added sugars or oils. 
• Coconut oil. This helps bind the granola and makes the granola clusters nice and crispy.
• Vanilla extract. This adds a warm, sweet flavor to the granola.
• Date syrup. A natural sweetener made from dates, this is a healthier alternative to refined sugar. 
• Nuts. I used a mix of raw almonds, pecans, and cashews.
• Seeds. This granola uses a mix of sunflower seeds, pepitas (pumpkin seeds), and chia seeds.
• Fine sea salt. A sprinkle of salt helps bring out all the natural flavors in this granola.

a healthy almond butter granola recipe

Making homemade granola isn't as hard as you think!

Here's a step-by-step guide to making this vanilla almond butter grain-free granola but be sure to check out the printable recipe card at the bottom of the page for all of the details. 

Before you begin: Preheat the oven to 300°F and lining a large baking sheet with parchment paper. 

Next, add the almond butter and coconut oil to a microwave-safe bowl. Heat for 15-20 seconds in the microwave, just long enough to melt the oil. Whisk the almond butter and melted coconut oil well, then stir in the vanilla and sweetener. 

Tip: To check the mixture's consistency, squeeze together a handful of the granola. If it can crumble easily out of your hand and some pieces clump together, it's perfect! If it seems too dry, add another teaspoon of coconut oil and date syrup. 

Transfer the pan to the oven and bake at 300°F for 18 minutes. Remove and toss the mixture, then return it to the oven for another 3-5 minutes or until golden brown. 

When done baking, remove from the oven and lightly sprinkle the granola with sea salt. Let the granola cool for at least 10 minutes, then gently toss. Once cooled, transfer it to an airtight container to store.

tips for the best granola

• When pulsing together the nuts and seeds, just a few pulses will do. You want the mixture to have a rough chop texture. Processing too much will result in more of a sandy consistency. If you don't have a food processor, simply rough-chop all of the nuts and seeds on a cutting board, then mix them up in a large mixing bowl. 

• Squeezing the mixture onto the baking sheet and letting it fall out of your hands in clumps is the best way to get the grain-free granola to clump together as it bakes. It will break up slightly, but the best consistency will be a mix of small and large clumps. 

substitutions and additions

Almond butter: You're welcome to use any nut or seed butter of choice. Just make sure it's an all-natural, unsweetened version. Some great options include cashew butter, peanut butter, or sunflower seed butter.

Date syrup: For a lower-carb option, swap the 6 tablespoons of date syrup for 5 tablespoons of sugar-free maple syrup. It's a zero-sugar, plant-based alternative that tastes just as good. Plus, the sweet maple flavor creates a variation of this recipe: maple almond butter granola. Pure maple syrup or honey are also good substitutes, but will boost the overall sugar content. 

Nuts & seeds: Feel free to mix and match your favorite nuts and seeds. Some great options include walnuts, hazelnuts, sesame seeds, or hemp seeds.

Dried fruit or chocolate: You can mix in your favorite dried fruit of choice! Low-glycemic options include no-sugar added dried fruits, like blueberries, cranberries, and apricots. For an extra sweet spin, add in sugar-free chocolate chips or chopped dark chocolate chunks. 

storage directions

Store your almond vanilla granola in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 weeks. 

ways to enjoy this vanilla almond butter granola

Keep it simple and enjoy this vanilla almond butter granola recipe with a bowl of almond milk or in this Low-Carb Cottage Cheese with Fruit. It would also taste delicious in my Keto Chocolate Chia Mousse or as a topping for this Mixed Berry Smoothie Bowl or all sorts of yogurt bowls.

Don't forget salad! My Fall Kale Salad with Pumpkin Maple Vinaigrette and my Summer Grilled Peach and Burrata Salad pair well with the warm, toasty flavors of this granola.

you might also love

• Comforting and healthy, Warm Chia Pudding is the perfect breakfast or dessert for cold weather. This version uses eggs to make it thicker and richer, almost like a custard. The vanilla and cinnamon flavors make it so delicious you'll want to eat it all the time! 

• This Keto Pumpkin Spice Creamer is your new favorite low-carb coffee creamer. Just mix almond milk, heavy cream, pumpkin purée, powdered monk fruit sweetener, and some warm spices for a tasty pumpkin spice flavor perfect for anyone on a low-carb diet.

• Yes, keto cereal is possible, and this Grain-Free Pumpkin Granola recipe proves it. Enjoy it with yogurt, on salads for a tasty crunch, or simply as a convenient snack. Get creative and incorporate this delicious keto option into your meals!