Delicious & Healthy Air Fryer Granola: A No-Oil, Vegan, Gluten-Free Recipe

Can you make granola in an air fryer? Absolutely! Discover how to effortlessly create mouth-watering, crunchy, and chunky granola right in your air fryer with this incredible air fryer granola no oil recipe. It’s not just easy; it’s also vegan, gluten-free, and packed with wholesome ingredients. Forget store-bought varieties loaded with sugar and unhealthy oils – this homemade granola is a game-changer for healthy eating. Learn all the tips and tricks to achieve perfectly crispy clusters every time. And for those without an air fryer, don’t worry, we’ll also guide you through making this healthy granola in your oven!

Embrace a whole-food, plant-based lifestyle with this truly healthy granola that contains no added sugar, no added oil, and no refined grains. It’s the perfect breakfast or snack for anyone looking to nourish their body without compromise.

Sweetness Without the Sugar: The Secret to No-Added-Sugar Granola

Have you ever considered making granola without relying on maple syrup, honey, or other processed sugars? If not, now is the time to try! This innovative recipe uses ripe bananas as a natural sweetener and binder, ensuring your granola dries beautifully without any lingering stickiness often found in sugar-laden versions.

The magic behind our perfectly clumped granola lies in a delightful blend of unsweetened applesauce, creamy almond butter, and mashed ripe banana. These ingredients provide all the necessary liquid to bind the oat mixture into those coveted chunky clusters. For those mindful of their calorie intake or aiming for weight loss, we’ll also delve into strategies for incorporating this energy-dense, yet incredibly nutritious, treat into your diet responsibly.

While oatmeal offers a comforting breakfast, sometimes you crave something with a satisfying crunch and richer texture. Granola provides an excellent alternative, diversifying your breakfast menu while still delivering the incredible health benefits of oats. This particular recipe for air fryer granola also makes a fantastic, healthy snack for children, and older kids might even enjoy preparing it themselves!

Benefits of Making Air Fryer Granola (No Oil)

Key Ingredients for Your Homemade Granola

Ready to gather your ingredients? Here’s what you’ll need to create this amazing air fryer granola:

• Dry Oatmeal: Opt for rolled oats (old-fashioned) or quick oats. Both work wonderfully for texture and cooking time.
• Unsweetened Applesauce: You can use store-bought unsweetened applesauce or make your own for an even fresher taste.
• Ripe Mashed Banana: Essential for natural sweetness and as a binding agent that helps create those desirable granola clumps.
• Creamy Almond Butter: Choose a natural almond butter with no added sugar or oil. This contributes to the rich flavor and helps bind the ingredients together.
• Chopped Walnuts: Adds a delightful crunch and healthy omega-3 fatty acids.
• Unsweetened Coconut Flakes: Provides tropical flavor and additional texture without the added sugars often found in sweetened varieties.
• Chopped Pecans: Another source of healthy fats and a buttery crunch.
• Pumpkin Pie Spice: Infuses the granola with warm, inviting autumn flavors, reminiscent of apple pie.
• Dried or Freeze-Dried Apples: Be sure to select varieties with no added sugar or oil. These add a chewy or crisp apple flavor, complementing the pumpkin spice.

It’s crucial to carefully check the labels of dried apple products, as many contain hidden added sugars or oils. Look for brands where the only ingredient listed is “apples.” Excellent options include Trader Joe’s crunch dried honey crisp apples or Bare apple chips, which famously contain only apples. Freeze-dried apples are also a great choice, often lower in calories than their dried counterparts and readily available in most grocery stores, even larger retailers like Walmart.

Alternatively, you can prepare homemade dehydrated cinnamon apples and chop them before incorporating them into the granola mixture. For those requiring a gluten-free option, ensure you use certified gluten-free oats. Brands like Bob’s Red Mill old-fashioned rolled oats are produced in dedicated gluten-free facilities, providing peace of mind.

Choosing the Right Oats for Your Granola

When it comes to homemade granola, the type of oats you choose can significantly impact the final texture and cooking time. I typically recommend using old-fashioned rolled oats or quick oats in granola recipes. These varieties are ideal because they cook relatively quickly and offer excellent versatility for various dishes. Rolled oats are made by lightly steaming and then flattening oat groats into different thicknesses, ranging from instant oats to extra thick varieties.

It’s important to note that rolled oats are considered whole grains, as they retain all three essential parts of the grain: the bran, endosperm, and germ. In fact, most oats you purchase will qualify as whole grains. An exception would be specialized products like oat bran, which specifically isolates the bran component and does not contain the germ or endosperm.

Here are some other types of oats, all of which are considered whole grains, along with their characteristics:

1. Scottish Oats: These oats are stone-ground and cut into varying sizes rather than being rolled. While they can create a creamier result in porridges, their cooking time is generally longer than rolled oats.
2. Steel-Cut Oats: Also known as Irish oats, steel-cut oats are not rolled. Instead, the oat groats are simply cut into two or three pieces. When cooked, steel-cut oats have a pleasant, chewy texture, somewhat resembling barley. They require a longer cooking time and more moisture than rolled oats.
3. Whole Oat Groats: These are the whole, unbroken oat kernels, completely unprocessed (not cut or rolled). As such, they demand the longest cooking time of all oat varieties.

You can reduce the cooking time for Scottish, steel-cut, or whole oat groats by soaking them in water overnight in the refrigerator. However, even with soaking, these oat types will still take significantly longer to cook than rolled oats. The thinner rolled oats are often referred to as “instant” or “quick” oats for good reason – their thinner structure allows them to cook much faster, making them ideal for quick granola recipes.

For granola, steel-cut oats often remain too hard and chewy, as they require a prolonged cooking period with ample moisture to soften properly. If you are determined to use steel-cut oats for granola, consider quick-cooking steel-cut oats. These are specifically processed by being cut into tiny pieces before packaging, which helps them cook faster and integrate better into granola.

Essential Equipment for Air Fryer Granola

The necessary kitchen equipment for this recipe will depend on your chosen cooking method. If you plan to air fry your granola, you will naturally need an air fryer or an air fryer oven. Additionally, parchment paper is essential for lining the air fryer tray or basket, which prevents sticking and makes cleanup a breeze.

This recipe is adaptable to various air fryer models, whether you own an Actifry, Philips Air Fryer, Instant Vortex, Instant Omni, or another brand. Keep in mind that cooking times may need slight adjustments based on your specific appliance’s wattage and size. If your air fryer has a smaller capacity, you might need to cook the granola in multiple batches to ensure even cooking and optimal crispiness.

For those opting to oven bake their granola, you’ll require parchment paper and a large metal baking tray. A dark baking sheet was used for this recipe, which can sometimes result in faster browning.

How to Make Air Fryer Granola (No Oil): Step-by-Step Guide

Next, combine the dry ingredients. In a large mixing bowl, stir together the rolled oats, chopped walnuts, chopped pecans, unsweetened coconut flakes, and pumpkin pie spice. Ensure all dry ingredients are evenly distributed. The dried apple chips will be added later.

Air Fryer Granola Cook Time and Temperature Guide

For crispy air fryer granola, the total cooking time is 15 minutes at 350 degrees Fahrenheit (175°C). If you prefer to oven bake your granola, preheat your oven to 325 degrees Fahrenheit (163°C) and bake for a total of 25-30 minutes.

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To air fry your granola, begin by lining two air fryer trays with parchment paper. You may need to trim the parchment paper to fit your trays perfectly. Even if your air fryer has a non-stick coating, parchment paper helps prevent sticking and makes cleanup significantly easier.

Distribute approximately one-quarter of the granola mixture onto each tray. For my air fryer, I typically need to cook the entire batch in two separate rounds. If your air fryer is smaller, you might need to divide it into even more batches to avoid overcrowding, which can lead to uneven cooking and less crispiness.

Once distributed, firmly pat the granola mixture down into a tight, even layer using the back of a spoon or slightly wet hands. Don’t worry if the granola seems quite sticky at this stage – this is precisely how you create those fantastic, chunky granola clusters!

Alternatively, if you’re using a conventional oven, follow these steps:

1. Preheat your oven to 325°F (163°C). Line a large, dark metal baking tray with parchment paper. This prevents sticking and helps with even browning.
2. Spread the prepared granola mixture evenly onto the lined baking tray. Press it down into a tight, uniform layer using wet hands or the back of a spoon. This technique encourages the formation of large, satisfying granola chunks.
3. Bake the granola in the top third of your preheated oven for 20 minutes.
4. After 20 minutes, remove the tray from the oven. Using a metal spatula, carefully flip the granola and break it into larger chunks. This ensures that all sides get crispy.
5. Return the flipped granola to the hot oven for an additional 5-10 minutes, or until it reaches your desired level of crispness and golden-brown color.
6. Once baked, remove the granola from the oven and allow it to cool completely on the counter. After it has fully cooled, gently mix in the dried apples.

Storing Your Homemade Air Fryer Granola

To keep your homemade granola fresh and crunchy, store it in an airtight container, such as a mason jar, on your countertop or in the pantry. It typically remains fresh for up to a week, though in most households, it’s often enjoyed long before that timeframe.

A crucial tip for successful storage is to ensure that your granola has baked or air fried to be completely dry. Any residual moisture from the bananas or applesauce can lead to mold formation if left at room temperature for several days, which is definitely not what you want! For truly crispy homemade granola that lasts, always make sure it’s thoroughly dried out before storing. This prevents sogginess and maintains that delightful crunch.

Air Fryer Granola No Oil Recipe (Vegan, Gluten Free)

By Summer Yule

Creative Ways to Customize Your Homemade Granola

Remember, ingredients like maple syrup, honey, brown rice syrup, brown sugar, molasses, and agave syrup are all classified as added sugars. If your goal is to maintain an added sugar-free granola, I highly recommend avoiding these additions.

Similarly, there’s no need for added oils such as olive oil, coconut oil, avocado oil, or butter in this recipe. The healthy fats naturally present in the nuts, coconut flakes, and almond butter provide ample richness and moisture, making additional oils unnecessary. These whole food-sourced fats are far more beneficial than isolated oils.

If you adjust the ratio of “sticky” binding ingredients sufficiently, you could even press the mixture into a mold to create delicious air fryer granola bars! Otherwise, this recipe produces a satisfyingly chunky granola perfect for enjoying as a cereal or a wholesome trail mix.

Once your granola is air fried or baked and has cooled, a whole new world of additions opens up. These ingredients are best added after cooking to preserve their texture, freshness, or delicate nature:

• Milk: A classic pairing for a delicious breakfast cereal.
• Homemade Yogurt or Store-Bought: Use plain Greek yogurt for an extra boost of protein, transforming your granola into a balanced and filling meal.
• Fresh Chopped Apples or Pears: Adds crispness and juicy sweetness.
• Berries: Fresh strawberries, blueberries, raspberries, or blackberries introduce vibrant flavor and antioxidants.
• Dark Chocolate Chips: For a touch of indulgence and rich flavor, choose a high-quality dark chocolate.
• Cacao Nibs: Offer an intense chocolate flavor and satisfying crunch with minimal sweetness.
• Other Dried Fruits or Freeze-Dried Fruits: Broaden your fruit selection with dried cherries, cranberries, raisins, dates, figs, freeze-dried strawberries, blueberries, or banana chips for varied textures and sweetness.

Frequently Asked Questions About Granola

Does a weight loss granola recipe exist?

While granola is typically packed with nutritious ingredients, it is inherently a high-calorie food due to its dense composition of oats, nuts, and seeds. To make granola more weight loss-friendly, focus on portion control and strategic additions. You can try incorporating more low-calorie, high-volume ingredients such as freeze-dried fruit or unsweetened puffed cereal to extend your serving size. Crucially, pairing your granola with fresh fruit and lean protein sources, like plain Greek yogurt, can transform it into a more filling and balanced meal, helping you feel satisfied on fewer calories overall.

Explore More Granola & Oat Recipes

Are you looking to expand your recipe repertoire with more granola creations or dishes that creatively incorporate granola? Don’t miss these delightful ideas:

• High Calorie Granola for Healthy Weight Gain: Perfect for those with higher energy needs, this recipe offers a delicious way to boost calorie intake with wholesome ingredients.
• Instant Pot Cauliflower Soup with Garam Masala Granola: A unique savory application, where granola adds a fantastic crunch and aromatic spice to a creamy soup.
• Elevate Your Fruit & Yogurt Bowls: Instead of just plain coconut, try sprinkling some of this amazing air fryer granola on these Fruits That Start with B Bowls for an added layer of texture and flavor.

The versatility of air fryer granola is truly endless! Beyond these suggestions, you could use it to top vibrant smoothie bowls, mix it into your morning cooked oatmeal for an exciting textural contrast, or simply enjoy it by the handful as a satisfying snack. This tasty and wholesome addition truly opens up a world of culinary possibilities for any meal.