The Ultimate Pickleball Fuel: Crunchy Grain-Free Granola
Grains get a bad rap. So, we went on the hunt for a grain-free granola recipe, gave it a shot, and—spoiler alert—loved it. Plus, we had a bunch of leftover nuts and seeds after making the Life-Changing Bread, so this recipe was a no-brainer.
You’ll notice a theme here: the recipes we feature are ridiculously easy to make...and this one is no exception.
I started with an online recipe but subbed in whatever nuts I had on hand. The original directions called for 20 minutes of baking, so I did that, pulled it out, let it cool, and dug in. The result was light, crispy, sweet and salty clusters. Yum!
It wasn’t until after I finished that I realized the recipe actually called for an extra 7–8 minutes of baking. If you want more of a crunch, go for it. But honestly--my batch turned out just right!
What You’ll Need for Crunchy Perfection
Here’s what goes into this yummy (and versatile) snack:
INGREDIENTS
2 C sliced almonds
1 ½ C pecans, roughly chopped
1 C walnuts, roughly chopped
1/4 C sunflower seeds
3 tbsp chia seeds
1 tbsp flaxseed meal
1 ½ tsp ground cinnamon
2 tbsp cane sugar
¼ tsp sea salt
3 tbsp coconut oil
⅓ C maple syrup
WHAT TO DO
• Mix the dry ingredients together.
• Melt and combine the coconut oil and maple syrup over low heat.
• Pour liquid into dry ingredients and mix well.
• Spread over a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
• Use a spatula or back of a spoon to flatten.
• Bake at 325 degrees for 20 minutes.
The Secret to Perfect Granola Clusters
Pro Tips:
Spread the mixture evenly onto the lined baking sheet. Press it down firmly—this helps create those chunky clusters!
Bake for 20 minutes, then check for crispiness. If you want more crunch, leave it in for another 7–8 minutes.
Let it cool completely before breaking it into chunks.
Storage:
Store in an airtight container at room temperature. Mine stayed crispy for four days before it disappeared :)
How to Enjoy It:
On-the-go: Snack on it straight from the bag between games for an energy boost.
For breakfast: Sprinkle over Greek yogurt, oatmeal, or smoothie bowls.
