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Fast & easy 3-ingredient oil-free peanut butter granola! It is vegan, gluten-free, & can be made with any smooth nut or seed butter.
Make Oil-Free Granola with Three Ingredients
Granola made with three ingredients? And no oil, either?
It is crunchy, crispy, and loaded with clusters, too.
Yes, indeed! It is my 3-ingredient peanut butter granola.
Recipe Benefits
- Made with 3 ingredients
- Fast & easy
- Oil-free
- Vegan (egg-free, dairy-free)
- Gluten-free
- High protein (5 grams protein per 1/4 cup)
- High fiber (3 grams fiber per 1/4 cup)
- Can be made with any smooth nut or seed butter (e.g., cashew, almond, sunflower seed)
- Variable (change the flavors, add extra ingredients, such as dried fruit, nuts, seeds, coconut)
Ingredients
The exact amounts of each ingredient are indicated in the recipe card at the end of the post.
- rolled oats (certified gluten-free, as needed)
- smooth peanut butter (or any smooth nut or seed butter)
- maple syrup (see recipe note for options)
I like to add salt, too, even if the peanut butter is salted. Because…I like salt :). Also, I like how salt enhances the sweet and toasty flavors of the granola. However, it is always adjustable/ optional according to your needs and tastes.
Instruction for Making 3-Ingredient Oil-free Peanut Butter Granola
Note that the complete directions are also in the recipe card below.
Step One: Preheat the Oven and Prepare Baking Sheet
Preheat the oven to 300F (150C). Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper.
Step Two: Combine the Wet Ingredients
Note: Bring your peanut butter to room temperature (or heat slightly, in the microwave) if you keep it stored in the refrigerator. Whisking rock-hard peanut butter is a wee bit difficult.
In a medium bowl, whisk the peanut butter, maple syrup, and (optional) salt until blended and smooth.
Step Three: Add the Oats
Add the oats to the peanut butter mixture. Stir to combine, making sure that all of the oats are well-coated.
Step Four: Spread on the Baking Sheet
Spread in an even layer on the prepared baking sheet. Try to keep the edges from being too thinly spread; the edges bake faster due to their proximity to the pan’s edges, so keep them even.
Step Five: Bake
Bake the granola in the preheated oven for 32 to 38 minutes, stirring once halfway through the baking time. I prefer baking granola at a lower heat for a longer time to make sure it gets completely dried and golden brown, with less risk of overbaking or burning.
Remove the pan from the oven, place on a cooling rack, and then tamp down the warm granola with a spatula. Press hard! This simple step leads to lots of clusters!
Step Six: Cool
Cool completely, without stirring, and then break into clusters, big or small.
How to Serve the Granola
Enjoy the granola as a breakfast cereal (add your favorite nondairy milk), savor by the handful as an anytime snack, or sprinkle it on top of desserts, fruit, or yogurt (an extra drizzle of peanut butter on top is a very good thing).
FAQ
What is the Best Way to Store 3-Ingredient Peanut Butter Granola?
In the refrigerator. The refrigerator will keep the granola crispy as well as prevent it from going stale. Store the granola in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to one month or in the freezer for up to 6 months.
What Can I Use in Place of Maple Syrup?
An equal amount of agave nectar or brown rice syrup can be used in place of the maple syrup. If you are not strictly vegan, you can also use honey.
Can I Use Regular (Not Natural) Creamy Peanut Butter?
Yes! Use an equal amount of traditional, creamy peanut butter if you prefer.
What Can I Use in Place of Peanut Butter?
Use any smooth natural nut or seed butter. For example, almond butter, cashew butter, or sunflower seed butter (here is my DIY Sunflower Seed Butter recipe and DIY Almond Butter recipe).
How Do I Vary the Granola Flavors?
- Nuts & Seeds: Add 1/4 to 1/2 cup of chopped nuts and seeds to the granola before baking.
- Add Dried Fruit: If you like, add some chopped dried fruit after the granola is baked and cooled.
- Add Dried Coconut: Add unsweetened flaked or shredded coconut along with the oats (before baking). Add up to 1/2 cup coconut.
- Add Spices and Other Flavorings: Use any combination of spices to create unique flavor blends. Or add vanilla extract, almond extract, or finely grated citrus zest.
Happy baking!
More Healthy, Delicious Granolas to Try
- 5-Minute Microwave Mug Granola {healthy, easy, vegan, GF}
- Easy Oil-Free Vegan Granola (GF)
- How to Make Low-Calorie Granola {vegan, GF, 72 calories}
- Banana Bread Protein Granola (vegan, GF)
- Oil-Free Buckwheat Granola {vegan, GF, oat-free}
- Grain-Free Banana Granola {oil-free, no added sugar}
- Grain-Free Red Lentil Granola {vegan}
3-Ingredient Oil-Free Peanut Butter Granola (GF)
Fast & easy 3-ingredient oil-free peanut butter granola! It is vegan, gluten-free, & can be made with any smooth nut or seed butter.
Ingredients
- 6 tablespoons (96 g) room temperature peanut butter (see notes for tips)
- 1/4 cup (60 mL) maple syrup
- 2 cups (200 g) rolled oats (certified GF, as needed)
- Optional: 1/8 teaspoon salt
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 300F (150F). Line a rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper.
- In a medium bowl, whisk the peanut butter, maple syrup, and optional salt until blended and smooth.
- Add the oats to the bowl. Stir until the oats are completely coated.
- Spoon and spread the granola in an even layer onto the prepared pan. Be careful not to spread too thin at the edges.
- Bake in the preheated oven for 32 to 38 minutes, stirring halfway through baking time, until light golden brown and completely dry to the touch. Transfer to a cooling rack.
- Using a pancake turner or large spoon, firmly press down the granola (this will help form clumps). Cool completley without stirring.
- Break the cooled granola into pieces.
Notes
Storage: Store the granola in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to one month or in the freezer for up to 6 months.
Maple Syrup Alternatives: An equal amount of agave nectar or brown rice syrup can be used in place of the maple syrup. If you are not strictly vegan, you can also use honey.
Peanut Butter Tip: If peanut butter is cold (from refrigerator), warm it for several seconds in the microwave until it is runny.
Peanut Butter Alternatives: An equal amount of any other smooth nut or seed butter can be used in place of the peanut butter. Conventional creamy peanut butter can also be used,
FLAVOR VARIATION IDEAS:
- Nuts & Seeds: Add 1/4 to 1/2 cups of chopped nuts and seeds to the granola before baking.
- Add Dried Fruit: If you like, add some chopped dried fruit after the granola is baked and cooled.
- Add Dried Coconut: Add unsweetened flaked or shredded coconut along with the oats (before baking). Add up to 1/2 cup coconut.
- Add Spices and other Flavorings: Use any combination of spices to create unique flavor blends. Or add vanilla extract, almond extract, or finely grated citrus zest.
Nutrition Information
Yield 8 Serving Size 1Amount Per Serving Calories 174Total Fat 7gSaturated Fat 1gTrans Fat 0gUnsaturated Fat 5gCholesterol 0mgSodium 60mgCarbohydrates 23gFiber 3gSugar 7gProtein 5g
The nutritional information is provided as a courtesy and is an estimate only. This information comes from online calculators. Although powerhungry.com attempts to provide accurate nutritional information, these figures are only estimates. Varying factors such as product types or brands and optional ingredients can change the nutritional information in any given recipe.
Janice
Saturday 16th of September 2023
Hi Camilla, could PB2 to replace the peanut butter and thank you.
Camilla
Monday 18th of September 2023
I think that could work, Janice. Mix up the equivalent amount of PB2 + water to replace the peanut butter. I would love to know if it works, that's a great way to up the protein!