Date Sweetened Paleo Granola
Naturally sweetened granola made with medjool dates, nuts, seeds, and coconut. Low-temperature baking preserves nutrients while creating clusters. No refined sugar, grains, or processed ingredients. Cinnamon and vanilla provide warm spice notes. Stores well for grab-and-go breakfasts or snacking.
Ingredients
- ¾ cup sliced almonds, sliced
- ¾ cup walnut or pecan halves, pieces or choppedalmonds1:1paleovegan
additional crunch
- ¼ cup pepitas, pumpkin seeds
- ¼ cup sunflower seed kernels, kernels
- ⅛ cup chia seeds, seeds
- 6 whole medjool dates, pitted and chopped
- 2 tbsp cashew butter, or other nut butter
- ¼ tsp salt, salt
- ½ cup water, warm
- 2 tsp ground cinnamon, cinnamon
- 2 tsp vanilla extract, extract
- 1 tbsp coconut oil, melted
- ½ cup unsweetened shredded coconut, coconut
Instructions
- 1
Pulse nuts and seeds in food processor 3-5 times until roughly chopped, avoiding over-processing.
- 2
Add warm water, dates, salt, cashew butter, cinnamon, and vanilla to the processor.
- 3
Blend until mostly creamy, scraping sides as needed; small date chunks are acceptable.
- 4
Preheat oven to 300 degrees.
- 5
Combine nuts and seeds mixture with date sauce and melted coconut oil in a large bowl.
- 6
Stir until nuts and seeds are evenly coated.
- 7
Spread mixture in an even layer on a parchment-lined baking sheet.
- 8
Bake for 10 minutes.
- 9
Remove from oven and stir in shredded coconut until evenly distributed.
- 10
Bake for 10 minutes.
- 11
Remove and stir gently, moving granola from edges to center.
- 12
Bake for 10 more minutes.
- 13
Remove and cool undisturbed for at least 20 minutes to allow crisping.
Tips
Use unsalted nuts and seeds for saltiness control.
If dates are hard or dry, soak in warm water a few minutes before blending.
Do not stir granola while cooling to maximize crunchiness.
Good to Know
Airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 weeks.
Prepare date sauce up to 3 days ahead; refrigerate covered. Toast nuts, seeds, and coconut separately and combine just before serving to maintain crispness.
Serve with yogurt, milk, or dairy-free alternative. Top with fresh fruit or berries.
Common Mistakes
Do not skip the cooling period or stir during cooling to avoid soft, dense granola.
Do not over-process nuts initially or final texture will be too fine and powdery.
Do not spread mixture too thick on baking sheet or centers will remain undercooked.