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Grain-Free Lemon Basil Granola | Chris Cooks

April 23, 2023

Something that surprised me when Julia cut out grains was how much "crunch" we lost. That texture experience took a big back seat and I missed it. Of course there are a lot of options being made now, but 8 years ago we had no croutons, no cereal, no crackers. I was desperate for that texture again.

Grain-Free Lemon Basil Granola  |  Chris Cooks

This granola came out of that period of transition, and I first made it for a salad topping. In truth, that's still what we use it for most but I also put it on top of my yogurt with berries, or on top of roasted carrots, in a small bowl with milk, or just by the handful as a snack.

Grain-Free Lemon Basil Granola | Chris Cooks

This granola is sweet & salty, free from grain, gluten, dairy, eggs, and soy. Definitely not nut free but could be made so with the use of seeds and oats if grain isn't a problem for you. It comes together in about 10 minutes and stores for months at room temperature - definitely worth the time investment to make it.

Grain-Free Lemon Basil Granola | Chris Cooks

Grain-Free Lemon Basil Granola

Recipe by Chris Marcum
0.0 from 0 votes
Course: Snack, ToppingCuisine: AmericanDifficulty: Easy
Servings

6

Prep time

0

minutes
Cooking time

0

minutes
Calorieskcal

free from grain, gluten, dairy, soy, egg; this grain-free granola is sweet & salty and the perfect snack or topping for salads, desserts etc..

Ingredients

  • 2 cups mixed seeds and nuts pecans, walnuts, peanuts, sunflower seeds, pumpkin seeds, pine nuts, almonds, cashews, pistachios etc etc

  • 1/4 cup hemp seed

  • 1/4 cup unsweetened coconut flakes

  • 1/2 tsp fennel seed

  • 2 tsp lemon zest

  • 1/2 tsp dried basil

  • 1/4 cup dried, unsweetened cherries

  • 1/2 tsp semi-coarse sea salt

  • 2 Tbsp honey

Directions

  • Preheat oven to 350.
  • Put an oven-safe nonstick pan over medium heat on the stove and toast the mixed nuts/seeds, hemp seed and coconut until fragrant. Add the fennel seed, lemon zest, basil, salt and dried cherries, toss and continue to toast another 30-45 seconds. Add the honey, toss to coat and place in the oven for 10 minutes.
  • Remove from the oven and lay the granola in a thin layer on a baking sheet lined with parchment or foil to cool. Break apart and store in an airtight container.
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