Red Lentil Granola (gluten-free, nut-free, grain-free)

Sweet, crunchy, protein-packed red lentil granola with coconut and cranberries is allergy-friendly and has 11 grams of protein per serving! It is nut-free and grain-free. Serve it just like you would any other granola. This post was originally published on mar 13, 2015.

Make this red lentil granola for the added crunchy protein. No nuts, no grains! A simple granola with simple flavors.

If you’ve never had lentil granola before, you might be feeling a little bit hesitant, let me put your mind at ease. This granola is crispy crunchy with nutty flavor, it mixes delightfully with the dried fruit and spices for a lightly-sweet, crunchy snack that’s high in protein!

Lentil granola is a delicious, grain-free alternative to conventional granola. It’s delicious on its own as a snack or served over non-dairy yogurt or with non-dairy milk.

Split Red lentils that cook quickly work best for granola. Red lentils are basically split brown lentils that have also been skinned (dehusked). We cook the lentils until they are aldente, then toss with maple and bake until crisp. They get crunch and light and delicious!

Why You’ll Love Lentil Granola

• grain free granola with a lovely, sweet flavor
• 11 grams of protein and 15 grams of fiber per serving
• versatile! Use whatever dried fruit and whatever nuts or seeds you have on hand to add texture and flavor.
• naturally gluten-free, nut-free, soy-free, and palm oil-free

Ingredients and Substitutions

• red lentils – Quick-cooking red lentils are ideal for making this granola.
• water – To boil the lentils.
• sugar – For sweetness. Use the full 1.5 tablespoons for sweeter or reduce to 1 tablespoon for less sweet. Or omit for sweetness from just the maple syrup.
• cinnamon and vanilla extract – Adds such a nice flavor and masks the lentil taste in the granola.
• maple syrup – For sweetness and for adding the granola texture. Use syrup made with jaggery or sugar as a substitute
• oil – Helps the lentils crisp in the oven. You can use the full 3 teaspoons or reduce to 2 teaspoons.
• baking powder – Helps the lentils get more crisp in the oven.
• shredded coconut – Adds texture and flavor. Use sweetened or unsweetened, or omit for coconut-free.
• dried cranberries – Adds texture and flavor! You can use raisins instead or other chopped dried fruit, like dates or dried apricots or dried blueberries
• seeds – For more protein and crunch! Hemp seeds, sesame seeds, sunflower seeds, and/or pumpkin seeds all work well in this red lentil granola recipe.

How to Make Lentil Granola

In a pan, add water and bring to a boil at medium heat. Add the lentils, mix and cook. The water will come to a boil and might start to foam and boil over. Stir the foam to settle or scoop the foam out. If it is still boiling too rapidly, reduce heat to medium low. Stir once or twice in between to ensure the lentils cook evenly. At about the 7 minute mark, the lentils should be just about done. Take off heat as soon as the lentils start fraying and feel tender in the middle. Check a few lentils to be sure. Or cook another minute.

Drain excess water using a strainer, and rinse lightly with cold water and then let sit and drain for 5 minutes.

Pre-heat the oven to 320° F (160º C). Transfer the lentils to a parchment-lined baking sheet. Add 1 tablespoon of the sugar and a pinch of salt, and mix in. (Use less sugar if you like your granola less sweet). Spread the lentils into a thin layer, then bake for 20 minutes.

In a small bowl, mix the maple syrup, cinnamon, vanilla, baking powder and 2 teaspoons of the oil. Add another 1/2 tablespoon sugar, if desired.

Remove the baking pan from the oven, and mix the maple mixture into the lentils and move them around. Add another teaspoon oil, if desired. If they are too clumpy, break the clumps and spread.

Reduce oven temp to 305° F (150° C) after 10 minutes. Move the lentils a bit, and bake 15 minutes or longer. Check if the lentils are crisping evenly, and bake longer until most are crisp. If they are browning too much reduce temp to 295 or 290 deg F.

Add coconut and seeds, and mix in and bake for 5 minutes. Switch off the oven. Let the lentils sit in the oven for another 10 minutes, then remove. They should be crisp, light, and crunchy. Add dried fruit and mix.

Cool completely before storing. Serve as you would serve other granola. Goes well with non-dairy yogurt, non-dairy milk or an as-is snack.

What to Serve with Red Lentil Granola

Red lentil granola makes a delicious snack on its own, or you can serve it like you would grain-based granola, with non-dairy yogurt or with milk.