This low carb granola is an easy and delicious sugar-free breakfast option. Packed with healthy fats, protein, and plenty of crunchy goodness, it’s sure to satisfy that craving for cereal.
This low carb peanut butter granola was one of the first recipes I created for All Day I Dream About Food, almost 10 years ago now. I daresay it’s one of the first keto cereal recipes ever. There were so few of us writing recipes back then!
It’s certainly a recipe that has withstood the test of time, as it remains one of my most popular.
Even in my own house! My whole family loves this grain-free and sugar-free cereal recipe, and I make it at least once a month. It never lasts longer than a few days.
Believe me, keto breakfast never looked, or tasted, so good!
Grain-Free Granola Love
I’ve been making homemade granola since I was a young teen. My mother did a number of Outward Bound courses after her divorce, including a mountaineering course in the Canadian Rockies and a dog-sledding course somewhere in the Yukon. All very important in her quest to become a confident, self-assured single woman in her forties.
But all her kids really cared about is that she brought home a spectacular granola recipe that we ate on an almost daily basis. It was hearty, filling, and absolutely delicious.
And completely jam-packed with sugar, carbs, and grains.
So when I embarked on a low carb diet, I thought I was saying goodbye to granola forever.
But the more I played around with my low carb ingredients, the more I realized that crunchy granola didn’t have to be made with oats. Chopped nuts, flaked coconut, and healthy seeds could mimic that same texture in a much more keto-friendly way.
How To Make Low Carb Granola
It’s astonishingly easy to make your own low carb granola. Here are my best tips for getting it right.
Mixed nuts and seeds
If you think granola can only be made with oats, think again! Chopped nuts and seeds are perfect for making that crunchy breakfast treat. The combination you use doesn’t matter much, although I do recommend using a mix for better texture. I like a combination of almonds, pecans, and sunflower or pumpkin seeds.
Shredded coconut or almond flour
Adding in something with a finer texture, such as shredded coconut or almond flour, helps bind the granola together a little more. You can also use flax seed meal or ground hemp seeds.
Stir in some nut butter
This is an egg-free recipe so stirring in a thick nut butter helps to hold the other ingredients together and create clusters. You don’t have to use peanut butter, as any nut butter will do.
Consider your sweetener
It’s important to understand that different keto sweeteners will give you different results. If you want a crunchy texture, you need to use Swerve or another erythritol based sweetener. Allulose, BochaSweet or xylitol will make your granola much softer. If that’s okay by you, then go for it!
For a better understanding of how all the various sugar alternatives work in baking and cooking, check out my Ultimate Guide to Keto Sweeteners.
Can you skip the protein powder?
You can skip it but I recommend it for both flavor and a boost of nutrition. You have plenty of options, since you can really use any protein powder here. I have noticed, however, that collagen protein makes the end result a little less crispy and more chewy.
How to make it crunchy
Aside from the ingredients I specified above, the other important trick to getting crunchy low carb granola is how firmly you press it down. You will notice in the instructions that I have you press it down firmly before and during baking. This helps it clump and stick together, and bake crisp against the hot pan.
You also need to let it cool completely after baking. Keto baked goods always continue to firm up and crisp up as they cool.
Can you make this dairy-free?
You bet! Switch out the butter for any non-dairy oil and away you go.
How do you serve low carb granola?
The same way you serve conventional granola! I like mine with heavy cream but it’s great with non dairy milk too.
And sometimes we just like grabbing a handful of dry granola to snack on.
How long does low carb granola last?
The best part about a recipe like this one is that it’s good for several weeks. It has no eggs or anything that spoils quickly and it’s baked until it’s very dry. So it’s fine on your counter in a covered container for up to two weeks or possibly longer.
That is assuming, of course, that your household doesn’t devour it in a few short days like mine does!
More delicious keto cereal recipes
- Keto Cinnamon Crunch Cereal
- Very Berry Keto Granola
- Nut Free Keto Chocolate Cereal
- Keto Granola Clusters
- Keto Oatmeal
- Keto Paleo Granola
Low Carb Peanut Butter Granola
Ingredients
- 1 ½ cups almonds
- 1 ½ cups pecans
- 1 cup shredded coconut or almond flour
- ¼ cup sunflower seeds
- ⅓ cup granulated Swerve Sweetener
- ⅓ cup vanilla whey protein powder (or egg white protein powder)
- ⅓ cup peanut butter
- ¼ cup butter (use coconut oil for dairy-free)
- ¼ cup water
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 300F and line a large rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper.
- In a food processor, process the almonds and pecans until they resemble coarse crumbs with some larger pieces. Transfer to a large bowl and stir in theshredded coconut, sunflower seeds, sweetener, and vanilla protein powder.
- In a microwave safe bowl, melt the peanut butter and butter together. Pour the melted peanut butter mixture over the nut mixture and stir well, tossing lightly. Stir in the water - at this point, the mixture should begin to clump toether.
- Spread the mixture out evenly on the prepared baking sheet and press it down firmly with your hands. Bake 30 minutes, stirring halfway through and re-pressing it down. Remove and let cool competely.
- Break up any large clumps with your hands.
Video
Jolene says
Finally made this today and it is yummy! I added some Hershey’s Special Dark Chocolate Chips, which gives it extra yumminess (because seriously chocolate and pb, right!?!?). I had to *force* myself to eat what couldn’t fit in my largest tupperware. I should have stayed in the kitchen while I secretly snacked because I ended up sharing this with my 5 year old (and she can chow down!!). Thank you, Carolyn, and keep up the great work!
Kairi says
I love Bob’s Red Mill products!
CynthiaR says
This has nothing to do with the contest, but I’m printing this recipe and making it for the third time…my husband, Mr Picky Englishman, loves it! We live in Malaysia and it’s been a struggle to get ingredients–but at last we have a pretty full complement and I’m headed to California for a visit tomorrow (and bringing back loads of Swerve at long last).
Hubby doesn’t like eating low carb, misses all his favourites, and it’s really hard to do here in rice-and-noodle land…BUT his blood sugar is under control at long last (TypeII, still on meds at the moment) and so will live with it.
And this is one of his favourites, thank you SO very much for it!
Carolyn says
Oh, Malaysia, I bet that is tough to get the ingredients!
rebecca says
Hi, I have been a lurker on your site for a few months now after searching for low carb recipe substitutes. I have PCOS and thyroid problems, and am a true sugar addict in every sense of the word. Obviously this is not a good combo…BUT you are one of the people online that have helped me tremendously with managing my health issues and food. Bob’s Mill products are an integral part of my food and sugar management, too. Right now in my cupboard I currently have the coconut flour, almond flour, xanthan gum, flax seed meal, and wheat gluten. I just bought more coconut flour two days ago (and it was sold out in the first 3 stores I went to!) so to say I utilize Bob’s Mill products is an understatement. I would love a gift card because Bob’s Mill products can be a little expensive for my family, so every little bit helps…but either way, thank you for your site, sincerely. I appreciate all the effort you put into what you do!
Anne A says
I use a LOT of their products, but I think my favorite is the Golden Flaxseed Meal.
Susan McIntyre says
I follow All Day I Dream About Food on pinterest
Susan McIntyre says
I like All Day I Dream About Food on fb
Susan McIntyre says
I like Bob’s Red Mill on fb
Susan McIntyre says
I like the golden milled flaxseed from BRM and many other products they carry!
Laura says
My favorite Bob’s Red Mill product is Organic Golden Flax Seed Meal.
I already like you on facebook and also liked Bobs Redmill on Facebook too.
I love your website and recipes!
jessica rasmussen says
I like Bob’s red mill on facebook
Alejandra says
I want free stuff! 😀
jessica rasmussen says
I like you on pinterest 🙂
jessica rasmussen says
I like you on facebook
jessica rasmussen says
I Love there 10 grain cereal!!!
Brooke Robinson says
Love the almond flour!!! This recipe looks Devine. Can’t wait to try it! And kudos to your mom 🙂
Tari Bramlett says
Thanks for the recipe! I love Bob’s red Mill products! It is a lot more expensive to live a life of ‘clean’ eating, wheat & gluten free, when it comes to the groceries, but it has been so rewarding! The past 6 1/2 months I have improved my joint pain and inflammation by 80%, my mental alertness has tripled and I have lost FIFTY pounds ! Good luck to us all!!
Jeanette says
I really like the Golden Flax.. it makes such a difference in my baked goods
Heather from Canada says
This was incredible! I added a healthy splash of cinnamon to mine, plus some leftover dried cranberries (recipe also from this site). I like it better than the old granola with grain and sugar! Will definitely keep this stocked in my pantry from now on; will help with days when I’m tired and not sure what I feel like eating. I also swapped out the peanut butter for almond butter since I don’t eat peanuts. Thanks!!
Carolyn says
Sounds like some great substitutions/additions, Heather!
Heather from Canada says
Yes, so yummy I found myself standing over the pan and shoving it in my face every time I walked through the kitchen! Not something I do very often. So thanks!! I’ve been wanting something snacky so desperately!
Amanda says
These are YUM. I used my own homemade peanut butter, which also has flaxseed oil. I can’t get enough flax in my life!
http://messnkitchn.blogspot.com/2013/03/honey-flax-peanut-butter-vegan-gluten.html