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    Home » Recipes » Breakfast

    Grain-Free, Nut-Free Granola

    Published: Aug 16, 2013 · Modified: May 20, 2020 by Lauren · This post may contain affiliate links · 20 Comments

    Jump to Recipe  ↓

    I love cold cereal and granola.

    red11

    When I was a kid, I used to eat a bowl (or two) after dinner every night! Some of my favorites were Raisin Bran, Cheerios, Rice Krispies, and Just Right. I could often be found siphoning out the raisins and dates from any box that contained them, and I always added extra raisins to the cereals that didn't. :-]

    red55

    My biggest hurdles with granola are typically the amount of sugar, fat, and carbs that they contain. If I consume any more than a sprinkle on top of some yogurt, I often become fatigued from sugar overload. With this granola, I wanted to employ something that contained a bit more protein, that wasn't a grain, and that was unique, so I called upon the almighty lentil.

    Print Recipe
    5 from 3 votes

    Grain-Free, Nut-Free Granola

    Prep Time10 mins
    Cook Time1 hr
    Total Time1 hr 10 mins
    Servings: 4 servings
    Calories: 282kcal
    Author: Lauren Goslin

    Ingredients

    • ¾ c. red lentils
    • ¼ c. pumpkin seeds
    • 2 T. sesame seeds
    • 3 T. maple syrup
    • 4 t. oil such as olive, coconut, or walnut
    • 1 t. vanilla
    • ½ t. cinnamon
    • ¼ t. + 1/8 t. sea salt

    Instructions

    • Preheat the oven to 300 degrees.
    • Add the lentils into a saucepan and cover them with water.
    • Bring the mix to a boil, reduce the heat to a simmer, and let the lentils cook for five minutes.
    • Drain the lentils and let them cool a bit.
    • In a bowl, mix the lentils with the remaining ingredients.
    • Pour the mix onto a parchment paper-lined cookie sheet, and let them bake for 50-60 minutes (stir the mix once or twice during that time).
    • Cool and enjoy!

    Notes

    Nutrition facts are based on using olive oil. Weight Watchers points (new system): 6

    Nutrition

    Serving: 1 | Sodium: 181mg | Sugar: 9.9g | Fiber: 12g | Calories: 282kcal | Polyunsaturated Fat: 9.5g | Saturated Fat: 1.8g | Fat: 11.3g | Protein: 12.2g | Carbohydrates: 34.6g

    Adapted from this recipe

    red999

    I really enjoyed the texture and flavor of the red lentils as a cereal. I typically eat them in Dahl or soup, so it was a refreshing change to try them in something sweet. While I added pumpkin seeds and sesame seeds to mine, you could add whatever seeds or nuts you like. You could also mix in some dried fruit for extra texture and sweetness.

    red44

    The crunch from the lentils reminds me a bit of Grape Nuts, only better, and if you really want to enjoy it Oatmeal-with-a-Fork style, throw some raisins in that bad boy! 😀

    What food did you eat a lot of as a kid?

    On the nights I wasn't eating cereal, I was enjoying a tub of buttered popcorn. 😀

    Shared with: Healthy Vegan Friday, Fat Tuesday

     

     

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    Filed Under: Breakfast, Favorites

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Pongodhall

      September 26, 2018 at 5:02 am

      Oh this one...this one is the bees knees!
      Since I've been on a determined search for granola rather than a bowl of sugar I am shocked how little there is on offer.
      This one is your best one ...definitely.

      Reply
    2. Sammi

      May 06, 2015 at 2:25 pm

      I heart lentils! lol Can I be honest??? I try to not have granola in the house. Why you ask? My lack of self-control around it! So embarrassing to admit that!! However, this looks like something I would love and still be able to maintain some portion control 🙂 I can't wait to make it! Your recipes are always the best, Lauren!

      Reply
      • Lauren

        May 07, 2015 at 10:27 am

        Lol, I know what you mean Sammi, I'm the same way with granola! 🙂

        Reply
    3. Peggy

      January 16, 2014 at 5:57 pm

      I love, love, love granola, but haven't had it since I cut out most grains. This may just be the answer to my craving.

      Reply
      • Lauren

        January 17, 2014 at 8:47 am

        Me too Peggy! This is a great option, especially if you were ever a fan of Grape Nuts, as it's got a nice crunch to it! 🙂

        Reply
    4. Sharon

      January 15, 2014 at 9:41 pm

      What! Lentil granola? How is it I missed this 🙂 Awesome idea. Can't wait to try it!

      Reply
      • Lauren

        January 16, 2014 at 7:55 am

        Haha, thanks Sharon! 🙂

        Reply
    5. Honey

      August 16, 2013 at 8:30 pm

      Wow, lentils in granola, I've never seen that idea before!

      Reply
    6. Susan

      August 16, 2013 at 2:16 pm

      This granola sounds very intriguing. It would make a great breakfast with a bowl of Greek yogurt (for me, the non-vegan), and perhaps some blueberries.

      The only foods I remember really liking as a child were the raisins and semi-sweet chocolate my mother kept for herself. I managed to sneak those things for years, apparently without her figuring it out - amazing since she kept such a tight watch on everything we did. Can't deal with raisins much anymore because they are so full of sugar, but chocolate is an important part of my diet now.

      Reply
    7. Jane

      August 16, 2013 at 12:22 pm

      Um, I was right. My daughter really wanted to try it, but, several hours later, there isn't much here! It tastes great sprinkled over steel cut oats, by itself, with fruit.....I did cook it a bit longer, but it did get nice and crunchy.....even went to the grocery to buy more red lentils so I can make more tomorrow (afraid to make it tonight for fear I will eat it all again)

      Reply
    8. Jane

      August 16, 2013 at 9:16 am

      I just made this. Didn't have coconut oil, so used the same amount of.....unsweetened applesauce. Oh my, this is ADDICTIVE. LOVE IT, thank you soooo much. Using red lentils (one of my favorite foods) is absolute brilliance!!! THANK YOU

      Reply
      • Lauren

        August 16, 2013 at 9:22 am

        Haha! Thank you for trying it Jane! I'm so happy you enjoyed it! 🙂

        Reply
    9. Sheelagh

      August 16, 2013 at 9:05 am

      Lentils in granola!? Brilliant! I can't wait to try this!

      Reply
    10. Amanda

      August 16, 2013 at 8:23 am

      Now this I have to try! I would never have thought to try lentils in granola!

      Reply
    11. Davida @The Healthy Maven

      August 16, 2013 at 7:05 am

      love the idea of making granola with lentils! You come up with some of the most creative recipes 🙂 Have a great weekend!

      Reply
      • Lauren

        August 16, 2013 at 8:07 am

        Thanks girl! I hope you have a lovely weekend as well! 🙂

        Reply
    12. Vicky

      August 16, 2013 at 7:03 am

      Hi

      I love this recipe and it's very similar to one I made with brown lentils Brown lentils have a lovely nutty taste, you may like to try them sometime when you make this again! I don't know why the recipe didn't hit my blog - I think it's still in drafts!!

      Reply
    13. Gabby @ the veggie nook

      August 16, 2013 at 6:10 am

      You and I had the exact same cereal habits as a kid as well as the same favourites! Oh Just Right, how I miss you! This looks like a great replacement, must try red lentils in granola!

      Reply
      • Lauren

        August 16, 2013 at 8:06 am

        Lol! I didn't think anyone else had been a fan of Just Right, so that is seriously cracking me up right now! 😀

        Reply
        • Audrey

          October 05, 2013 at 6:03 pm

          I used to love Just Right, too!

          Reply

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