If you love granola but want to skip the added sugar, this recipe is for you! This no-sugar granola is naturally sweetened with spices, coconut, and a touch of vanilla, giving you all the crunch and flavor without the hidden carbs. It’s heart-healthy, diabetes-friendly, and so versatile—you’ll find yourself reaching for it at every meal.

Cooking time: 30 minutes

Ingredients (serves 6)

• 120 g / ½ cup mashed ripe banana*
• 15 g / 2 tbsp ground flax seeds or chia seeds
• 25 g / 2 tbsp almond butter (or other nut / seed butter; one of my favorites in Costco is “Nutzo”)
• 170 g / 2 cups rolled oats (gluten-free certified if required)
• 50 g / ½ cup chopped almonds or other nuts / seeds
• 50 g / ½ cup chopped pecans or other nuts / seeds
• 1 tsp vanilla paste
• ¼ tsp fine sea salt
• ¼ tsp baking soda

Optional Flavor Bursts

1. Masala Chai Spice Flavor: 50 g / 1¾ oz stem ginger (3 balls), diced finely, ¼ tsp cardamom, 1 tsp cinnamon
2. Pumpkin Pie Flavor: 1/2 cup finely diced dried apricots, 1 tsp ground Allspice, 1/2 tsp ground cloves, 1 tsp cinnamon
3. Arabian Princess Flavor: 2 tbsp dried crushed rose petals, 1 pinch of saffron
4. Tropical Paradise Flavor: 1/4 cup finely diced, dried pineapple, 2 tbsp shredded unsweetened coconut
5. Mexican Hot Chocolate: 1/4 tsp chili powder, 1 tbsp unsweetened cocoa powder, 1 tsp cinnamon, 1 tbsp maple syrup,

Instructions

1. Preheat the oven to 300° F and line a large baking tray with a piece of parchment paper.
2. In a large bowl, mix mashed up banana, ground flax and almond butter. Stir well until well combined and set aside for 10 minutes for flax to bind everything together.
3. Mix in the rest of the ingredients. Add in a recommended flavor burst for an added kick
4. Spread the granola mixture on the prepared baking tray and bake for about 40 minutes. Rotate the tray and flip the granola pieces after about 20 minutes – use a spatula and be gentle if you don’t want break big clusters up.
5. Allow the granola to cool down (it will crisp up) before using. Store in an airtight container. Use within a week.

💡 Tips for Using Granola

• Breakfast Bowl: Sprinkle over Greek yogurt with fresh berries.
• Smoothie Topper: Add a crunchy finish to your morning smoothie.
• Trail Snack: Mix with nuts and unsweetened dried fruit for an on-the-go energy boost.
• Salad Crunch: Use instead of croutons on a green salad.
• Dessert Upgrade: Sprinkle over baked apples or pears for a cozy, wholesome treat.

Nutrition Facts per serving (1/4 cup)

Calories: 110  |   Total fat: 6g   |   Sat fat: 0g   |   Sodium: 98 mg   |   Total Carbohvdrate: 16g   |   Sugars: 3 g   |   Dietary Fiber: 4g   |   Protein: 7g