One of the more popular articles on this site outlines the dangers of granola even if organic and low sugar. Granola or muesli made with rolled oats or other grains is not only very indigestible but potentially harming your long term gut health. Over time, frequent consumption may contribute to the development of autoimmune disease like allergies or worse.
Newsflash for those who eat traditionally. Even homemade granola made with soaked or sprouted oats is not a very digestible choice at all which initially can come as a shock to granola lovers who thought it was a healthfood.Â
Homemade Nutola (Paleo Granola)
I don’t like to point out problems without also providing a solution if possible. For you granola fans out there, here is a grain free granola recipe from Kim Schuette, founder of BioDynamic Wellness that should satisfy that hankering for a bowl of granola without compromising your digestive function. It uses soaked nuts and seeds instead of grains. Sprouted nuts and seeds can be used as well or a mixture. This article compares the benefits of sprouting vs soaking.
It is the perfect granola substitute for Paleos or those following a gut healing protocol like the GAPS Diet, Autoimmune Paleo or SCD.
Paleo Grain Free Granola Recipe (Nutola)
Tasty grain free granola, also called nutola, for improved digestibility and nutrient absorption. Perfect for Paleos or those on a gut healing protocol.
Ingredients
- 3 cups raw soaked almonds
- 3 cups raw soaked walnuts
- 3 cups soaked cashews
- 1 cup sprouted pumpkin seeds
- 1/4-1/2 cup coconut oil
- 1/4 cup raw honey optional
- 2 cups raisins or chopped dates
- 1 cup shredded coconut
- 1 Tbl vanilla extract
- 1 Tbl ground cinnamon
- 1.5 tsp sea salt
Instructions
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Chop soaked nuts. Tip: it is easier to chop different types of nuts if they are not mixed together.
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Mix nuts and sprouted pumpkin seeds together in a bowl.
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Combine coconut oil, honey, vanilla, cinnamon and sea salt in saucepan over low heat until fully mixed. Be sure to keep this mixture under 118 F else the beneficial compounds in the raw honey will be destroyed. Pour over nuts and mix well.
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Add raisins and shredded coconut. Store your grain free granola in an airtight container. Best if refrigerated.
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Serve grain free granola with raw milk or cream and add some berries if desired.
Recipe Notes
Substitute chopped dates for raisins or use half raisins, half dates as desired.
Sarah, The Healthy Home Economist
I’ve been wanting a recipe like this……….thank you.
One problem for us… my son is allergic to coconut. What can we substitute?
Maybe palm shortening or cocobutter? It’s possible to find food grade CB on ebay but it is not cheap 🙂
Is that 1 tablespoon of vanilla and in what format, essence, extract or seeds scraped from the pod?
Don’t get me wrong … I love my oatmeal. Just not as granola as it is not cooked thoroughly enough to be digestible. Toasting briefly in the oven is not a sufficient final step for cooking grains. Soaked and thoroughly cooked oatmeal on the stovetop is fine.
Thanks for this recipe! I will try it and add some sprouted grains such as buckwheat and/or buckwheat. I have found a sprouted “granola” at our local whole foods store and I really like it, plus is doesn’t sit in my stomach like a brick like regular granola does.
We love no-oat granola!
@Rebecca, Yes, I am most definitely on Pinterest and all my recipes get pinned if you want to see them all together on one board: http://pinterest.com/HealthyHomeEcon/
You will find this nutola much more filling than granola too. When a food is indigestible you just eat it and eat it, feel full and then are hungry again a short time later.
I made something similar to this the month that I did the paleo diet.
I used coconut milk (made it myself) and no honey….basically just crushed nuts.
YUM. A great break from the omelettes I was eating every. single. day.
Yum i want to make this!!!