Oil-Free Coconut Chia Granola – coconuty, crunchy, sweet, salty, easy, healthy. The perfect breakfast or snack! Especially good paired up with dairy-free yogurt and fresh fruit.
Do you crave salty snacks? What about sweet? Well, if you like crunchy, I’ve got a treat for you that covers both. This Oil-Free Coconut Chia Granola is a super easy, salty sweet, crunchy snack, that would also make the perfect breakfast. Here, I layered it up with dairy-free strawberry yogurt and fresh cut strawberries. I’ve been eating it for breakfast AND snacks for a week…it’s so good!
Chia seeds are considered a superfood and they seem to be a pretty trendy ingredient right now, but I think they are here to stay (or at least they should). Chia seeds are a complete protein, contain lots of fiber, omega-3 fatty acids, antioxidants, minerals (great source of calcium!), and vitamins. Basically, you need to add these little gems to your diet.
I have been buying coconut chia granola in packaged form from the grocery store for quite awhile. The one I buy is fairly clean as far as packaged goods go, but it does contain oil (as almost packaged granolas do) and too much sugar.
It finally dawned on me a few weeks ago, that I could easily make this delicious chia granola at home. Why I have not thought of this earlier is a mystery since I make plenty of homemade granola (Chocolate Chai Spice Granola, Blueberry Almond Homemade Granola) and granola bars (Tahini Dark Chocolate Vegan Granola Bars, Peanut Butter Granola Squares). And not only could I do it cheaper, but I could do it healthier! My version of Coconut Chia Granola is completely oil-free, gluten free and vegan. And, although it does contain sweeteners, there is only 1/2 cup in almost 5 cups of granola.
Of course, you don’t have to layer it with yogurt…it’s just as good with a splash of milk (I prefer rice milk with cereal or granola, but whatever you like would obviously work)…or even eaten straight out of the container. I am going to bet this chia granola would be awesome mixed with some mini chocolate chips too, but I have yet to try that.
If you want to get some crunchy clusters of granola, try not to mix the granola as it cooks and then treat it very gently until it cools completely. This Oil-Free Coconut Chia Granola will last up to a week in an air-tight container in your pantry.
Oil-Free Coconut Chia Granola
Ok, now it’s your turn to make this salty sweet treat. Get your crunch on! And then come back and let me know how you liked it! Leave me a comment here or find me on Facebook, Twitter or Instagram (show me the pic of your remake!) – tag me @veggie_inspired and #veggieinspired so I don’t miss it!
- 2 1/2 cup certified gluten free rolled oats
- 1 1/2 cups crisp brown rice cereal
- 1/2 cup shredded unsweetened coconut (or coconut flakes)
- 3 tbsp chia seeds
- 1/4 cup brown rice syrup
- 1/4 cup coconut sugar
- 1/4 cup coconut butter (sometimes called coconut manna...NOT oil!)
- 1 tsp pure vanilla extract
- 1/2 - 3/4 tsp sea salt (depending on your love of salty)
- 2-3 tbsp water to thin (if necessary)
- Preheat the oven to 325 degrees F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and set aside.
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the oats, crispy brown rice cereal, shredded coconut and chia seeds. Set aside.
- In a small pot over medium-low heat on the stove, combine the brown rice syrup, coconut sugar, coconut butter, vanilla extract, and salt. Stir until melted and smooth. Add a couple tablespoons of water, if necessary, to thin. You want it to be pouring consistency, but still fairly thick.
- Pour the sugar mixture over the oats mixture and stir to combine well. Make sure everything is thoroughly coated.
- Pour the mixture onto the prepared baking sheet and bake for 25-35 minutes until brown and crispy. It will continue to get crispier as it cools.
- Let cool on on the baking sheet on a wire rack until completely cool. Store leftovers in an airtight container in the pantry.
To get crunchy clusters of granola, do not stir the mixture as it cooks. Keep an eye on it, though, to make sure it doesn't burn. Handle it very gently until it cools completely.
More Delicious Breakfast Recipes to Love:
Chocolate Covered Strawberry Smoothie Bowl
Oh my gosh, this looks so good!
Thanks, Becky! Let me know if you try it!
Looks absolutely delicious Jenn! I make so much homemade granola and have so many recipes on my blog for them, I think they are SO MUCH better than storebought and I love that you added coconut butter to it. I use coconut butter a ton in my recipes but I don’t think I’ve ever tried it in granola, definitely need to. Looks so delicious!
Thank you, Brandi! Yes, so much better than store bought! I make it all the time too, but rarely write down a recipe. I usually just throw a bunch of stuff together. But, when it turns out this good, I have to do it again WITH a recipe! 🙂
Yum! Using coconut butter sounds like an amazing idea! I love that you combined the granola with yogurt, my favorite way to eat it 🙂
It’s so good with the tangy sweet yogurt! I need to start making my own!
I just love homemade granola! I make it at home but have yet to post about it. This one looks SO yum!!
Sometimes, the things we make the most are the things we forget to post, right? (LOL, that rhymed!) Thanks, Girl!
This looks so delicious, Jenn! I love chia seeds! I have them almost every morning. And your pictures are gorgeous!! 🙂
Thank you, Sina!! 🙂 Chia seeds rock!
Chia granola sounds really really good!! I should make my breakfast fancier I think 😉
HaHa! It’s not all that fancy. Very few ingredients in this one. But so good! Thanks, Hauke!
I’ve never tried a sweet and salty granola, but this sounds really good! I love the ingredients, what a power breakfast!
Thanks, Gin!! I don’t love very many salty things, but this is a great balance between the two. So yummy!
This granola looks so delicious and is so full of nutrition. I love that you used coconut butter in there. It’s such a lovely ingredient.
Thanks, Mel!! Yes, coconut butter rocks! And it gives such a better flavor than oil!
I’m making this for breakfast in the morning. Yum!
WooHoo!! I made another batch, so I’ll be having it for breakfast too! 🙂
Looks so good. I’m pretty much down for anything with coconut. And my kids would LOVE this. Not sure how long it would last in our house!
Thanks, Natalie! It didn’t last long here either! On our second batch now! 🙂
i make granola every week or so..and this sounds like a great one to try.
Thanks, Dixya! It’s so easy and keeps well. A great homemade treat to have on hand!
I’ve used chia for jam and recently for vegan ‘caviar’, but I could happily tuck into your Chia granola any time of the day, its more dessert than brekkie.
Vegan caviar – what? Genius! And, yes, this would totally work as dessert too! 🙂 Thanks!
I like all the ingredients you have used to make the granola. Love your pictures too.
Thank you so much, Mina!
I usually just put chia seeds in a smoothie – nice to see something else I can do with them!
Thanks, Cathy! They are great for making homemade jam too! And I hear they make awesome pudding, but I have yet to try that! So versatile!
Salty, sweet, crunchy, and with my favorite little seed! 5 cups will definitely not last a week with me around, especially with rice crisps too, I love those in granola. Homemade is so much tastier and healthier, but I love getting flavor ideas from the store-bought stuff. Like coconut chia, I would not have thought of that. And so smart to use coconut butter instead of oil too!
Thanks, Natalie! It didn’t last a week here either, but based on granolas I’ve made in the past, it will definitely keep that long if need be. 🙂 Coconut butter gives such a better taste than coconut oil – in my opinion anyway.
Your pictures are absolutely gorgeous, Jenn! You make the granola and that parfait come to life. It sounds delicious. I know what you mean about store bought granola. Most of the packaged stuff is too sweet, has too much oil, and it’s really hard. This looks much better.
Thank you so much, Linda!! Sometimes I trick myself into thinking store bought is easier. But, in reality, it’s not any easier when you have to get into your car, walk through the entire store, stand in line at the check out, etc. It really is quicker just to throw everything in the bowl and let it bake for a bit. 🙂 AND, it’s healthier and more delicious!
This looks like some good granola perfection!!! Yay for chia seeds!! I’ve only ever added them a few times to granola recipes, I feel like they get LOST in all the other big crunchy goodies! Hahaha!
I did have some that fell to the bottom of the jar. I think I just didn’t mix well enough though. The wet ingredients are very sticky, so most of them did stick to the oats really well!