This low carb granola has irresistible crunchy clusters. It is packed with nuts and seeds and high in protein. If you have a cereal craving, try this delicious keto granola recipe for breakfast! You can prep a big batch in only 10 minutes.
Table of contents
We've all heard about just how bad breakfast cereals and granolas are for you. They are high in carbs and full of sugar, no matter how wonderful the health claims on their cartons may sound.
A bowl of Kellogg's and Co will spike your insulin levels, give you a brief energy boost and dump you shortly after, leaving you hungry again for a mid-morning snack. Not a great way to start the day!
A keto granola recipe
Which brings us to the question - is granola a low carb food?
The answer is simple. Absolutely! If you make your own.
This keto granola recipe takes only 10 minutes to prepare. It is jam-packed with flavor and low carb, grain-free, sugar free, gluten-free goodness.
There's not a single grain in sight 🙂
Instead on loading up on carbs for breakfast, you'll be feasting on nutrient-dense nuts, seeds and coconut chips. The recipe is not only low in carbs, but also high in fiber due to a generous portion of flax. Even better, it's also high in protein thanks to a scoop of unflavoured whey protein powder.
Friends, this low carb granola will SUPERCHARGE you.
Ingredients
Here are the ingredients I used:
- Nuts: almonds, walnuts, pecans
- Seeds: Pumpkin seeds, sunflower seeds, flax meal
- Coconut flakes
- Whey protein powder
- Almond butter
- Freeze dried raspberries
- Sweetener - this can be erythritol, monk fruit sweetener, allulose or Swerve
- Vanilla extract
How to make low carb granola
(This section contains step by step instructions and photos that show how to make this recipe. Find the recipe card with ingredient amounts and nutritional information at the bottom of the post.)
1.) Get all your ingredients ready. Then pulse the nuts in a food processor (or blend with a stick blender in a bowl) until you are left with smaller and larger pieces. After that, do the same the pumpkin and sunflower seeds.
2.) Whisk your nuts and seeds, unsweetened coconut chips (I used pre-toasted chips), flaxseed, protein powder, smooth almond butter and some water in a large mixing bowl with a spatula.
3.) See how nice and moist the mixture looks? Now it's time to up the flavor. Stir in granulated sweetener, vanilla extract and freeze dried raspberries.
4.) Pour the low carb granola mix onto a parchment paper lined baking sheet and press it down into an even layer.
5.) This is how your uber healthy granola looks after you've baked it for 30 minutes!
6.) See how firm it has become? Crunchy granola clusters coming up!!
7.) Once the granola has cooled down, break it into larger and smaller clusters, however you like it most. Then add another 2 tbsp of freeze dried raspberries for a burst of colour. There you go - you've got yourself a healthy, grain free breakfast "cereal"!
Recipe notes
Grain free granola is filling! That's why I've kept the portion sizes fairly small (a heaped ⅓ cup or 50g). Trust me - it's nutrient-dense and wholesome and will keep you going until lunch.
Always check and adjust your sweetener. If you're just starting out on low carb, you may want to add a bit more. Once your taste buds adjust, a little sweetness goes a long way.
When you bake the freeze dried raspberries they lose their vibrant colour, but not their taste. I like the berry burst within the clusters, but wanted to add a few extra ones afterwards because you eat with your eyes, too 🙂
Check your low carb granola after about 20 minutes of baking! You don't want the edges to burn, which can happen if they're too thinly spread. Turn the baking tray around if necessary (ovens are always hotter at the back) or even remove the outer edges of the granola.
If you feel that the granola at the centre of the baking tray is not browned enough after 30 minutes, place it back into the oven and bake it a bit longer.
How to store sugar free granola
Once it's cooled, fill the granola into an airtight container or mason jar. It will keep for a few weeks (although it probably will be munched up much sooner than that).
Recipe variations and tips
Change the flavor: If you can't get hold of freeze dried raspberries (or strawberries), you can leave them out. If you do, I recommend you add a tbsp of cinnamon and a dash of nutmeg or cardamom for extra flavour and an autumn/winter vibe.
Or how about adding sugar free chocolate chips instead? You could get Lily's chocolate chips or use my recipe for homemade keto chocolate chips.
Change the fat: Some low carb granola recipes use coconut oil as a fat. I have chosen the almond butter instead, because I feel it adds so much more flavour. But, if you dot have almond butter, you could replace it with coconut oil. Use less though as it is a purer fat. 4 tbsp should be plenty.
It's also possible to replace the almond butter with peanut butter or any other nut or seed butter!
Use different nuts and seeds: As long as the ratio of wet and dry ingredients stays the same, feel free to change up the nuts and seed to your preferences.
Change the "glue": Ground chia seeds works in place of the flaxseed. I do recommend to use one or the other, because they are the "glue" that helps form the clusters.
Another way to create crispy granola is to use egg white instead of the flax seed.s Depending on the size of the eggs, you'll need 1 to 2.
No whey protein: You can use a dairy-free protein powder or leave it out altogether.
How to serve
We like to eat our granola with unsweetened almond milk or other dairy free milk such as coconut milk or hazelnut milk. It is also delicious with natural Greek yogurt and berries.
You can even use your keto granola as a topping for low carb crumbles. And if you add fiber syrup to the mix, you could also make delicious low carb granola bars with this recipe!
I have calculated one serving size as ⅓ cup or 50 grams. Net carbs are 3.7g per serving. This does not include the milk, yogurt or berries.
More keto cereal recipes
- Sugar Free Peanut Butter Granola
- Apple Cinnamon Granola Bars
- Creamy Keto Low Carb Porridge
- Keto Cinnamon Crunch Cereal Recipe
- Easy, Creamy Keto Overnight Oats
- Easy Low Carb Keto Granola Bars
Tried this recipe? Give it a star rating below!
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Low Carb Granola
from Sugar Free LondonerNote: The servings slider only changes the first amount in each line and not any subsequent amounts. Please make your own calculations where necessary. ***As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
Ingredients
- 1 cup / 150g whole almonds
- 1 cup / 100g walnut halves
- 1 cup / 100g pecans
- ½ cup / 65g pumpkin seeds
- ½ cup / 65g sunflower seeds
- ⅓ cup / 40g flaxseed milled
- ⅓ cup / 30g whey protein powder unflavoured
- 1 ½ cup / 90g coconut flakes/chips unsweetened
- ⅓ cup / 80 g smooth almond butter
- ⅓ cup / 80 ml water
- 4 tbsp freeze dried raspberries
- 2 tbsp granulated sweetener
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 150 Celsius / 300 Fahrenheit
- Pulse the almonds, walnuts and pecans in a food processor until you have a mixture of smaller and larger pieces.
- Repeat the same with the pumpkin and sunflower seeds.
- Empty the nuts and seeds into a bowl. Add the rest of the ingredients (only reserve 2 tbsp of the raspberries for later) and mix with a spatula. The mixture should be sticky. If it's still dry, add another tbsp of water.
- Press firmly onto a baking sheet lined with parchment paper until you have a flat surface.
- Bake for 25-30 minutes until browned. Turn the baking sheet after 20 minutes.
- Remove from the oven and let cool. Then break into small pieces, mix the remaining 2 tbsp of freeze dried raspberries and store in an airtight container.
Video
Notes
Nutrition
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Charlotte Jakobsen says
Soooo good. I use whey protein powder cocoa flavor for a little extra taste. Bake half of it in my airfryer 100 celsius for 30-35 min and then the same with the other half. Stir every 10 min. No burned edges and nice and crisp.
Anjie says
When putting it in the air fryer, what do you put all the ingredients on? My air fryer only has a rack.
Katrin Nürnberger says
I would use parchment paper.
Jenny says
Hi..can I leave out the whey protein powder ?!...
Katrin Nürnberger says
Yes, it is not essential for the recipe.
Sue says
Hi katrin …. How does the granola bake at only 300•
Katrin Nürnberger says
Hi Sue, you asked the same question on my peanut butter granola recipe. The lower temperature allows the granola to completely crisp up without burning.
Fran says
This is a fabulous recipe! I have made it time and again. Everyone loves it and I’ve shared the recipe with at least four friends who are not low carb/keto or on any restrictions. It fills you up and tastes heavenly. Thanks for sharing it Katrin!
LAURIE says
Why do granola recipes have coconut in them? I will try your recipe without the coconut, until I know the benefit. I love that it's sugar free!
Katrin Nürnberger says
You can definitely make the recipe without the coconut if you don't like it. Just replace it with something else you prefer. Personally, I enjoy the taste and texture of coconut - and it's very nutritious.
Robin says
Are the nuts and seeds in the recipe RAW?
Thank you so much,
Robin
Katrin Nürnberger says
Yes, they roast in the oven while you bake.
Ruth Collins says
I make this over and over and I love it. I add a little Stevia and sometimes add maple essence for variation.
It's easy and delicious
Katrin Nürnberger says
So glad you're liking the granola Ruth! Thanks for your comment.
Tracy Branch says
Can't wait to try it. Sounds great
Robin R Snyder says
You mention adding fiber syrup to create a granola bar. What is this ingredient? Perhaps you have a recipe for the bars with this specific ingredient?
Katrin Nürnberger says
Sukrin has a fibre syrup that I have used. You can get it on Amazon. It is sticky and works just like golden syrup.
david mor says
delicious
Maria Jacob says
I am very new to keto diet, this looks amazing and delicious! Gonna make it next weekend.
If I make this, how long will this stay, as in what will be the expiry ?
Katrin Nürnberger says
It keeps for weeks, just like a normal granola would. Just make sure you store it in an airtight container.
Sarah says
Is there a way to leave the raspberries out (lower the net carbs?) Would the other ingredients need to be modified in any way?
Katrin Nürnberger says
Of course, you can just leave out the raspberries. The recipe will work just as well without. It's the flax that's essential - it holds together the clusters.
Sue says
Hi Katrin..would chocolate whey protein powder work in this granola? I’ve made it before per recipe and my son LOVED it. He said it was the best granola he’d ever had
Katrin Nürnberger says
Yes, that would be an interesting twist! And add cacao nibs or even sugar free chocolate chips for a naughty version!
Rach says
Could I use collagen powder instead of the Isopure. Would it still stick together?
Katrin Nürnberger says
I have not tried it, but my feeling is that it is more gel-like and might not help with crispiness.
Manth says
I used collagen powder in mine and the mixture came together ok. In my opinion, it was still nice and crunchy too. I hope this helps.
Thank you Katrin for this amazing recipe!
Katrin Nürnberger says
Thanks for sharing this!
Ross Campbell says
I just made this, but it came out soft and chewy (and damp on the bottom!), not crunchy like a good granola should be 🙁
What did I do wrong?
Katrin Nürnberger says
This means you need to bake it longer. You want all the liquid to evaporate so it becomes crunchy. The outer sides normally crisp up first. Remove them and continue baking until all of it is crispy.
Stella Pampoulides says
My partner puts it in the oven and this makes it crispy
Pamela says
What if I leave out the pumpkin seeds? Does that change the nutritional value any? I just don’t like them.
Katrin Nürnberger says
Of course you could leave them out.
Sue says
Hi Katrin...can I use chopped dried apricots in place of raspberries in the granola?
I’ve liked every single recipe of yours that I’ve tried. Thanks!
Katrin Nürnberger says
Yes, of course! This will increase the fructose content and therefore the carbs, but it would taste lovely. Or mix in goji berries (although I would do this afterwards as they brown quickly. My sugar free dried cranberries would also taste good with it!
NancyB says
I made this a couple summers ago with cinnamon and nutmeg and took it camping. It was the perfect trail snack for hiking, or even just hanging around the campsite. Thanks for the delicious recipe!
Liz says
This is amazing low carb granola. Didn't think it would work so well, so only made half the recipe. However. It turned out perfectly, and is nicer than any carb based granola I've ever tasted. I'm a type 1 diabetic so delighted to find this recipe. In fact any of Katrins recipes I've tried have been super!
Brittany says
Just made this and had to resist eating it all warm out of the oven! Made a few substitutions (chocolate whey protein, peanut butter, added hazelnuts, no seeds). Super delicious and so excited to have this in the mornings!
Jane says
I’m going to make it today, Dec 16, 2020. I’m
assuming that all the nuts used are salt free or
does it matter?
Thank you
Katrin Nürnberger says
Yes, that's correct! All nuts are salt free.
Jenny Randle says
Hi I made this at the weekend and it is delicious. Can you tell me how many net carbs in a 50g portion please?
Katrin Nürnberger says
It's 3.7g net carbs.
Stacey says
Hi.. I don’t have any almond butter.. what can I use as a substitute ?
Katrin Nürnberger says
You could use peanut butter 🙂
Martha Donnamaria says
On step #6 you say: Turn the baking sheet after 20 minutes. Does that mean rotate it in the oven or flip it upside down? Thanks
Katrin Nürnberger says
I mean rotate so it's back to front. My oven is always hotter at the back so things brown quicker there.
Debs says
I haven’t got whey powder can I use anything else please? Thank you
Katrin Nürnberger says
Hi Debs, it is not essential for the recipe and you can leave it out completely.
Debs says
I have just made this granola, it’s delicious
Elnora Amstead says
What can you use if you don’t have whey protein powder?
Katrin Nürnberger says
You can just leave it out 🙂
Rochelle says
Absolutely love this granola,so easy to make my 10yr old daughter likes to help chop up the nuts! My husband is on a keto diet so I make this for him (if it lasts long enough I’m lucky to get some) I love your recipes Katrin,I’ve made loads of yummy things...Thankyou x
Kinga says
Soo good! Left the whey protein and raspberries out, replaced it with cinnamon and it turned out fantastic!
Katrin Nürnberger says
Sounds delicious!
Lou says
I toasted the nuts & seeds before hand. I used vanilla protein powder with ground cinnamon and maple and vanilla extract. Folded in dried cranberries. YUMMY
Monika says
Hello, can I skip protein powder in this recipe? Thank you
Katrin Nürnberger says
Hi Monika, you can just leave it out. The flax is the most important - it helps with sticking the whole lot together and making it crisp. But make sure you're using a little less water 🙂
Gisselle says
Dear Katrin,
I just made the recipe, it's just fantastic! I
can't wait for breakfast tomorrow 😉
Thanks for sharing this granola recipe.
Gisselle