Homemade Lemon Blueberry Cashew Granola: Your Go-To Oil-Free & Vegan Breakfast

Experience the bright, zesty flavors of Spring with this incredible lemon blueberry cashew granola. Crafted without any added oils, using creamy cashew butter for binding, and naturally sweetened with pure maple syrup, it’s a vibrant, crunchy delight bursting with dried blueberries and fresh lemon zest.

For many of us, granola isn’t just a breakfast item; it’s a way of life. It’s the ultimate crunchy topping that transforms any morning meal into a delightful experience. While store-bought options offer convenience, there’s an unparalleled joy and satisfaction that comes from making your own granola right in your kitchen. Imagine the aroma filling your home – that’s something a pre-packaged bag simply can’t deliver. And when you craft it yourself, you gain complete control over every ingredient, ensuring it meets your exact preferences for texture, sweetness, and nutritional value.

This homemade Lemon Blueberry Cashew Granola is a testament to that philosophy. My partner, M, is particularly enthusiastic about homemade versions, often expressing a wish that we’d never buy granola from the store again. And honestly, I’m almost convinced, especially with a recipe this good! The only challenge is how quickly this irresistible batch disappears from our pantry.

We prefer our granola chunky, with a perfect balance of light sweetness, generously packed with nuts, seeds, and dried fruits. This Lemon Blueberry Cashew Granola ticks all those boxes and more. It’s an explosion of tangy lemon zest and sweet, chewy dried blueberries, with the option to add toasted coconut flakes for an extra layer of crunch and flavor. This isn’t just any granola; it’s a wholesome, homemade delight that happens to be entirely vegan, gluten-free, and notably, made without any added oils. It’s the fresh, light, and vibrant spring essential you’ll want to sprinkle over everything!

The Ultimate Spring Granola: Fresh Flavors & Healthy Goodness

As the days grow longer and warmer, do you find yourself craving lighter, brighter flavors? We certainly do! And there’s no flavor combination quite as quintessential for Spring as the pairing of vibrant lemon and sweet, juicy blueberries. This homemade granola captures that essence perfectly, blending the tartness of lemon, the natural sweetness of blueberries, the rich creaminess of cashews, and the delicate crispness of coconut into one seriously crunchy and incredibly delicious breakfast cereal. It’s a delightful departure from heavier, richer granolas, offering a light and fresh taste that is gently sweetened with pure maple syrup, making it an ideal start to any spring day.

Beyond its fantastic taste, this granola is designed with health in mind. By utilizing cashew butter as its primary binder, we completely eliminate the need for any added oils, making it a truly oil-free option. This not only lightens the recipe but also enhances the rich, nutty flavor profile of the cashews. Whether you’re looking for a wholesome breakfast, a satisfying snack, or a delightful dessert topping, this lemon blueberry cashew granola is sure to become a seasonal favorite.

Essential Ingredients for Your Lemon Blueberry Cashew Granola

Crafting this deliciously healthy granola requires just a handful of simple, wholesome ingredients. The beauty of this recipe lies in its simplicity and the way these core components come together to create a complex and satisfying flavor profile. Here’s what you’ll need to gather:

• Gluten-Free Old-Fashioned Rolled Oats: These are the base of our granola, providing a hearty texture and sustained energy. Using old-fashioned oats ensures a substantial chewiness that holds up well during baking. Opt for certified gluten-free oats if you have dietary restrictions.
• Raw Cashews: Unroasted cashews contribute a buttery texture and a subtle, creamy nuttiness that pairs beautifully with the lemon and blueberry. They also add healthy fats and protein, making the granola more filling.
• Pure Maple Syrup: Our natural sweetener of choice. Maple syrup not only adds a lovely, nuanced sweetness but also helps bind the granola mixture together, contributing to those desirable crunchy clusters.
• Cashew Butter: This is the secret to our oil-free granola! Creamy cashew butter acts as a fantastic binder, coating the oats and nuts to create clumps without the need for any added oils. It also enhances the overall cashew flavor and richness.
• Fresh Lemon: You’ll need both the juice and the zest from a fresh lemon. The zest provides intense aromatic oils for a bright, tangy flavor, while the juice adds a refreshing tartness that cuts through the sweetness and enlivens the entire blend.
• Dried Blueberries: These little gems offer bursts of concentrated sweetness and a chewy texture that complements the crunch of the oats and cashews. They infuse the granola with that classic blueberry flavor.
• Toasted Coconut Flakes (Optional): For those who love an extra layer of flavor and crunch, toasted coconut flakes are a perfect addition. They introduce a tropical hint that harmonizes wonderfully with the lemon and blueberry.

That’s it! With these seven simple ingredients, you’re ready to create a truly exceptional homemade granola.

Crafting Your Perfect Lemon Blueberry Cashew Granola: A Step-by-Step Guide

Making homemade granola is surprisingly simple, and with a few key techniques, you can achieve that desirable crispy, chunky texture every time. Lately, my preferred method involves slow-baking the granola at a lower oven temperature for a slightly longer duration. This approach prevents burning while ensuring every cluster is perfectly golden and crunchy.

Preparation is Key

Begin by preheating your oven to 325°F (160°C). This moderate temperature is crucial for the slow-baking process, allowing the granola to dehydrate and crisp up without scorching. While the oven preheats, prepare a large baking sheet by lining it with parchment paper. Parchment paper is essential here as it prevents sticking and makes for easy cleanup, ensuring your precious granola doesn’t get stuck to the pan.

Mixing Your Granola Base

In a spacious mixing bowl, combine the gluten-free rolled oats, raw cashews, pure maple syrup, creamy cashew butter, and fresh lemon juice. These ingredients form the heart of your granola. The cashew butter plays a particularly vital role; it acts as our oil-free binder, imparting a rich, nutty flavor while ensuring the granola mixture remains wonderfully moist and clumps together beautifully without the need for any additional oils. Use a sturdy spatula or wooden spoon to mix everything thoroughly until all the oats and cashews are uniformly coated. The mixture should appear moist and sticky, ready to absorb all those wonderful flavors.

Infusing Flavor

Once your base is well-combined, gently fold in the dried blueberries and the bright lemon zest. Mix again, but this time, be careful not to overmix. You want the blueberries and zest to be evenly distributed, creating bursts of flavor throughout the granola. The lemon zest, in particular, will release its aromatic oils as it bakes, filling your kitchen with an irresistible citrus scent.

Baking for the Perfect Crunch

Carefully transfer the granola mixture from the bowl onto your prepared baking sheet. Using your hands or the back of a spatula, crumble and spread the mixture out as evenly as possible. While a mostly even layer is ideal for uniform baking, don’t stress too much about perfection; some delightful clumpy spots are not only okay but encouraged, as they contribute to the granola’s charmingly rustic texture. Avoid pressing it down too firmly, as this can lead to a harder, less crunchy result.

Now, slide the pan into your preheated oven and bake for approximately 35-40 minutes. Keep a close eye on it, especially towards the end of the baking time, as ovens can vary, and you want to prevent any burning. A critical step for achieving chunky granola is to rotate the pan once halfway through the baking process (around 17-20 minutes in) to ensure even browning, but whatever you do, resist the urge to stir the granola. Seriously, don’t stir it! Stirring will break up the clusters that are just beginning to form, hindering the creation of those coveted granola chunks.

Tips & Tricks for Granola Perfection

Achieving truly great granola involves a few simple, yet crucial, steps. Once your granola is beautifully golden brown on top and around the edges, carefully remove the baking pan from the oven. The next step is arguably the most important for achieving that wonderfully chunky texture: allow it to cool completely for at least 15 minutes before you even think about touching it. I cannot stress this enough – DO NOT disturb the granola during this cooling period!

This cooling time is when the magic happens. As the granola cools, the maple syrup and cashew butter firm up, setting the oats and cashews into crisp, delightful clusters. Trust me on this one; patience is a virtue when it comes to chunky granola. After 15-30 minutes, once the granola has significantly cooled and hardened, you can break it into your desired sized chunks. At this point, if you’re feeling a bit nutty and want an extra layer of flavor and texture, you can gently stir in the optional toasted coconut flakes. This adds a subtle tropical note and an additional satisfying crunch that complements the lemon and blueberry perfectly.

Granola Customization & Storage

• Sweetness Adjustment: If you prefer a less sweet granola, you can slightly reduce the maple syrup. However, remember that the maple syrup also acts as a binder, so don’t reduce it too drastically.
• Nut/Seed Variations: Feel free to experiment with other nuts like almonds or pecans, or add seeds like pumpkin or sunflower seeds for extra nutrition and crunch.
• Dried Fruit Alternatives: Don’t have dried blueberries? Dried cranberries, cherries, or even chopped apricots could be delicious substitutes.
• For a Grain-Free Option: If you’re looking to make this recipe entirely grain-free, simply substitute the rolled oats with an equal amount of extra nuts and seeds. A mix of cashews, almonds, pecans, and sunflower seeds would work wonderfully, still bound together by the cashew butter and maple syrup.
• Proper Storage: Once completely cooled, transfer your homemade granola to an airtight container. Store it at room temperature in a cool, dry place. It will remain fresh and crunchy for several weeks, though it’s so delicious, it rarely lasts that long in our household!

Delicious Ways to Serve Your Lemon Blueberry Cashew Granola

This versatile Lemon Blueberry Cashew Granola is perfect to have on hand for a multitude of culinary occasions. Whether you’re planning your breakfasts, need a quick energy boost, or crave a wholesome dessert, this homemade granola fits the bill beautifully. Even if you don’t have dried blueberries or toasted coconut chips readily available, don’t worry! You’ll still end up with a wonderfully delicious Lemon Cashew Granola that’s packed with flavor.

My absolute favorite way to enjoy this granola is for breakfast. It adds an irresistible crunch and burst of flavor when sprinkled over creamy yogurt, layered into overnight oats, or used as a topping for rice cake toast with nut butter. But the possibilities don’t end there! It’s also utterly fantastic with a splash of almond milk, enjoyed by the handful as a satisfying snack, or even as a delightful textural contrast on top of ice cream or other desserts. The best part? This granola keeps beautifully in an airtight container for several weeks at room temperature. Although, based on its popularity, I highly doubt it will last that long in your pantry!

Enjoy every delightful, oil-free crunch!

Explore More Homemade Granola Recipes

If you’ve fallen in love with homemade granola, you’ll be thrilled to discover more delicious and healthy variations to try:

• Oil-Free Chunky Tahini Granola

• Strawberry Almond Butter Banana Granola

• Sweet Potato Spice Granola

• Apple Cranberry Pecan Granola

• Triple Berry Granola

• Pumpkin Spice Pecan Granola

• SunButter Gingerbread Granola

• Chocolate Almond Butter Granola

Share Your Granola Creations!

If you decide to make this delightful Lemon Blueberry Cashew Granola recipe, I would absolutely love to hear from you! Your feedback helps me create even more delicious recipes for you to enjoy.

Please take a moment to leave a comment, a rating, and a review below so I can learn from your experience and continue to bring you the best culinary creations.

Don’t forget to give me a shout-out on Instagram and use the hashtag #floraandvino to show off your beautiful granola batches. I love seeing your kitchen masterpieces!

For more healthy and flavorful recipes like this one, be sure to check out my Pinterest page. You’ll find plenty of inspiration to pin for later.

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XO Lauren

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