Healthy Strawberry Granola [Vegan, Gluten Free]

This healthy strawberry granola is vegan, gluten free, and nutritious! It's made with a simple homemade strawberry jam that gives the granola a pretty pink color, and a sweet strawberry flavor.

One of my favorite things about granola is how customizable it is! I've made a few variations of homemade granola, from Coffee Crumble Granola to Peppermint Bark Granola. And now with warmer weather approaching, it's the perfect time to make strawberry granola!

The key ingredient here is, of course, the strawberries. You don't need fancy freeze-dried strawberries for this, because we're making homemade strawberry jam! It's super easy, and can be made with frozen strawberries (it saves money and lasts much longer).

But for the majority of this recipe, you can kind of add or swap whatever you want! The oats are essential of course, but you can change up the nuts, add in different kinds of seeds, throw in some chocolate, etc. The possibilities are endless!

This recipe is vegan, gluten free, and nutritious. It's crispy, clustery, and has so many uses! I like to use this as a yogurt topping, or just eat it with milk like cereal. 🙂

If you don't have time to read or make this now, be sure to click here to save the recipe on Pinterest!📌that way, you can always come back to it🥰

ingredients in healthy strawberry granola

• rolled oats: the base of any granola recipe! These add the crispy texture, and they're super nutritious with fiber and vitamins.
• almonds: almonds also add a crunchy texture as well as healthy fats and protein. You can use any kind of nuts you want in place, or a mix of multiple.
• puffed rice or puffed quinoa: again, a texture thing. Quinoa will have more fiber but it just depends on your preferences and what you have at home. I personally didn't have either so I used a crushed up rice cake--not the best option but it still works!
• chia and flax seeds: I love seeds for their protein, fiber, and healthy fats. You can use one or the other, neither, or any other types of seeds.
• maple syrup: not only does it act as a sweetener, it also helps bind the ingredients together! It also adds a nice flavor 🙂 Honey works as an alternative if you don't need this to be vegan.
• oil: this is very important for crispy granola! Any neutral-tasting oil works; my go-to's are light-tasting olive oil or avocado oil but regular vegetable oil works too.
• frozen strawberries: these are a cheaper and sustainable option for strawberries, since they don't go bad for a long time. And once you cook them, it doesn't make a difference! These add the strawberry flavor of course, but it also acts as a binder.
• lemon juice: just a bit to cook with the strawberries for an extra depth of flavor.

how to make strawberry granola

1. In a small pot, add the strawberries, lemon juice, and 2 tbsp of maple syrup. Bring to a simmer and let it cook for 15-20 minutes, until it significantly reduces and forms a paste/thick jam. You can mash it if you don't want any strawberry chunks, or leave it in. Mix constantly so that the bottom doesn't burn. Set aside.
2. Preheat oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and set aside.
3. In a medium/large bowl, combine the oats, almonds, puffed rice and salt, and mix. Then add in the wet ingredients: vanilla, maple syrup, oil, and your homemade strawberry jam. Mix until fully combined, then add in the chia and flax seeds. Mix everything until evenly distributed.
4. Transfer to the prepared pan and spread out evenly. Bake for about 25 minutes until golden and crispy. Let it cool for at least 20 minutes before breaking into clumps (otherwise they will not stick together). Enjoy!

tip: make sure you add the seeds after everything is combined, or else they won't be evenly dispersed!

frequently asked questions

what types of nuts are good for granola?

This recipe uses almonds, but there are tons of other choices! Cashews, pecans, and even hazelnuts could work here. If you can't eat nuts, you can replace with more oats, coconut flakes, or more puffed rice.

can I make this recipe with other fruits instead?

Yes, of course! Although it does have to be a fruit that naturally reduces under heat. Most berries should be fine, but if the jam is thin, you can add some cornstarch to thicken it.

do I have to put seeds in homemade granola?

Nope, totally optional! Seeds are just there to add a bit of texture and healthy benefits like protein, fiber, and omega-3's. You can also add more varieties of seeds, such as hemp or pumpkin seeds, if you'd like.

>>> click here to save the recipe on Pinterest so you can always come back to it!

I really hope you like this recipe! If you decide to make it, be sure to post a picture/story and tag me @nutritiousdelights on Instagram–I’d love to see!💕

Also, don’t forget to leave a comment if you make this so everyone knows how it goes 🙂 You can also feel free to leave a comment if you have any questions about the recipe!🥰

More recipes you might love:

Coffee Crumble Granola [Healthy, Vegan, Gluten Free]

Crispy Honey Nut Granola

Healthy Vegan Strawberry Crisp