If you've never made homemade granola, give this nourishing and delicious Hemp Granola with Dates a try! It's super easy to make, tastes amazing, will have your house smelling like you've been baking all day, and has less sugar than store-bought granolas!
The perfect crunchy texture from rolled oats and nutty hemp seeds sweetened with chopped dates and honey. I hope you love this recipe as much as I do!
This recipe was inspired by my Orange and Cranberry Granola that I make at the holidays! I wanted to incorporate hemp seeds and dates to create a granola that would be good to make year round.
Make a batch of this hemp seed granola recipe and serve it however you want! Throw it on top of smoothie bowls, have it alone with almond milk, or mix it with Greek yogurt and maple-glazed air fryer apples for a great start to your day. It's also perfect to pack as a healthy snack for when you're on-the-go.
You could even bring a batch of granola as a hostess gift for a friend or bring it to food banks near you!
Jump to:
Why You’ll Love this Recipe:
- NUTRITION - this recipe is loaded with healthy fats and antioxidants from the nuts and seeds. And it contains phosphorus, manganese, and fiber from the oats. Plus, it has less sugar than store-bought stuff. The ingredients in this hemp granola make it a great choice for brain health, gut health and hormone health.
- CUSTOMIZABLE - once you have the basics, you can totally customize hemp granola however you want using what you have in your pantry.
- SIMPLE INGREDIENTS - it's made with real food including nuts, hemp seeds, oats and dates.
- EASY - this recipe couldn’t be more simple.
- DAIRY FREE, GLUTEN FREE (if using certified gluten-free oats!)
Ingredients for Hemp Granola
This hemp granola recipe is made with wholesome ingredients.
*Be sure to check the recipe card at the bottom for exact ingredient measurements and full recipe.
ROLLED OATS: use rolled oats instead of quick oats. Rolled oats will maintain their texture and heartiness when baked whereas quick oats are smaller and won’t give the crunch for a good granola. Oats are a great source of whole grain and contain dietary fiber which has been shown to have many health benefits, including improving gut health and lowering cholesterol.
NUTS: this recipe calls for sliced or slivered almonds. Sliced almonds get nicely browned when baked! But you can use any combination of nuts that you enjoy or have on hand. Nuts and seeds contain protein, healthy fatty acids including Omega-3s, and antioxidants. They are anti-inflammatory and are good for hormone health, brain health, and heart health.
HEMP SEEDS: hemp seeds are a good source of plant protein and also contain healthy fats including ALA Omega-3s. I use pepitas (green pumpkin seeds) in this recipe too. But you could also use chia seeds, sunflower seeds, or flax seeds. Or double up on hemp seeds! I used the conventional Manitoba Harvest hemp hearts. They also sell organic hemp seeds if you prefer!
FINE SEA SALT: just a pinch of salt is perfect for enhancing the other flavors.
CINNAMON: adding cinnamon makes it a more flavorful granola. Cinnamon also adds antioxidants!
OIL: I use olive oil for this granola. You could also use avocado oil, but I love that olive oil is slightly more robust in flavor and it pairs well with the other ingredients in this recipe. Olive oil is high in heart-healthy fats and antioxidants.
SWEETENER: this recipe calls for honey, but maple syrup works too! The sugar is what helps to bind the oats together to make clumps. Honey is antimicrobial and if you use local honey it's great for helping with allergies.
VANILLA: vanilla extract adds a depth of flavor that blends perfectly with the other ingredients in this one.
DATES: chopped dates get stirred in after this hemp granola is out of the oven. . In this recipe, it replaces other dried fruits like raisins or craisins that are often found in granola and tend to be high in added sugars. Dates are a natural sweetener and a popular sugar alternative. Plus, dates also add nutrition including extra fiber and some potassium, iron, Vitamin B6 and magnesium.
Looking for other recipes using dates? Try Date Snickers Bars, a Viral TikTok Recipe!
Instructions for Hemp Granola
*Below are the instructions for how to make Hemp Granola with Dates with some visuals that I hope are helpful! Don't forget to check out the recipe card at the bottom for the full recipe.
Step 1: Preheat the oven to 325℉ and prep a large baking sheet with parchment paper. In a large bowl, mix together the dry ingredients including the oats, nuts, seeds, salt, and cinnamon. Do not add the dates yet!
Step 2: In a medium mixing bowl, whisk together the wet ingredients including the oil, honey and vanilla. Then, add the wet mixture to the dry and stir together until well combined.
Step 3: Spread the oat mixture on the baking sheet in an even layer and bake in the preheated oven for 25-30 minutes, stirring every 8-10 minutes. The granola is done when it’s golden brown. Remove from the oven and let the granola cool.
Step 4: Once the hemp granola has cooled, stir in the chopped dates and break it into clumps.
Hint: Don’t stir it right after taking it out of the oven! Let it cool for as long as possible first. The air will help create the granola clusters. 🙂
Substitutions
One of the best things about a homemade granola recipe is that you can literally customize it to your taste and dietary preferences to make your own favorite granola. Below are some ideas for you.
- Nuts and seeds: use any combination of nuts and seeds! Pecans, walnuts, almonds, pistachios, macadamia nuts, cashews, brazil nuts, pumpkin seeds, chia seeds, hemp seeds, flax seeds or sunflower seeds. The combination options are truly endless!
- Dried Fruit: add a different dried fruit if dates aren’t your thing. I love using chopped dates in homemade granolas for natural sweetness since dates don't have added sugar. But you could also use dried cranberries, regular raisins or golden raisins. Dried apples, dried blueberries, or dried apricot, cherries, mango, pineapple or papaya are options, too!
- Oil: use whatever oil you prefer to bake with. As a dietitian, I recommend using either olive oil, avocado oil, or sunflower oil for hemp granola. You could also use vegetable oil like canola oil.
- Vegan: the recipe will not be vegan when honey is used. But you can easily replace it with maple syrup! If you like a sweeter granola, you can bump up the amount a bit. You could use date syrup too, but I haven’t tried that yet.
- Spice: if you don’t like cinnamon, take it out or replace it with a spice you do enjoy. Nutmeg or cloves are yummy options.
Variations
- Nut-free: instead of tree nuts like almonds, use 2-3 different kinds of seeds instead!
- Fancy hemp granola: add some coconut flakes (add these halfway through baking if using), dark chocolate chips (add AFTER baking so they don't melt!) or brown sugar. Mix in some peanut butter.
- Fruity granola: if you like it more fruity, add golden raisins, tart dried cranberries or cherries, and dried apples along with the dates!
- Sweet granola: prefer a sweeter granola? Add some organic cane sugar or brown sugar.
- Ginger hemp granola: add ½ teaspoon of dried ginger or 1 ½ tablespoon of freshly grated ginger to make this a simple ginger flavor.
Storage
Granola is at the peak of freshness a day or two after it's made. But one of the great things about granola is that it stores well for a long time.
Fridge (or room temperature): store it for up to 3 weeks in an airtight container in the fridge or at room temperature.
Freezer: store hemp granola in an airtight container for 3-6 months in the freezer. Thaw in the fridge overnight or at room temperature for about an hour.
Expert tips for homemade granola
- When the granola mixture is done baking, remove it from the oven and let it cool to room temperature before stirring it or breaking it apart. This is what helps form the big clusters! But honestly, I love it even without a lot of clumps because it is so perfectly toasty!
- Add in the dates after the granola has baked and cooled. I tried adding it with the other ingredients and I personally thought it was too chewy and it hardened a bit. Adding it after the granola bakes keeps the dates nice and tender.
FAQ
Homemade granola doesn't have the preservatives that store-bought granola has so it doesn't last as long. But it still lasts for a long time, which is why it's one of my favorite things to make! In fact, homemade granola lasts for up to 3 weeks. To store it, use an airtight container and keep it away from moisture, heat, or direct sunlight. Since this hemp granola has dates, it's even better to store it in the refrigerator.
Absolutely! Once it is completely cooled, you can freeze granola in an airtight container for 3-6 months. To thaw it, either keep it in the refrigerator overnight or let it sit out at room temperature for 30-60 minutes.
As long as you use gluten-free oats, this is gluten-free granola! If you are buying a store-bought granola, be sure to check the nutrition label to make sure it is gluten-free. In general, the main ingredient in granola is oats. Oats are a naturally gluten-free food. However, many oats are processed in a facility that also processes gluten-containing foods so there is a risk of cross-contamination. The best way to tell if the oats you use are gluten-free is to make sure that gluten or wheat is not listed under the "may contain" statement on the nutrition facts panel. Feel free to use either conventional or organic oats!
Related
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I hope you enjoy this recipe as much as I do! I would love to hear from you! If you made this recipe, please leave me a review below or tag me in a photo or story on Instagram....I LOVE knowing there’s people out there trying out my recipes! 🙂 IG: @mallorythedietitian
📖 Recipe
Hemp Granola with Dates, Healthy and Easy Recipe
Ingredients
- 2 cups rolled oats
- ¼ cup hemp seeds (I use Manitoba Harvest brand)
- ¼ cup pepitas (pumpkin seeds)
- ¼ cup sliced or slivered almonds
- ¼ cup honey
- ¼ cup olive oil
- ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
- ½ teaspoon fine sea salt
- ½ teaspoon cinnamon
- 3 dates, chopped
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 325℉ and prep a large baking sheet with parchment paper. In a large bowl, mix together the dry ingredients including the oats, nuts, seeds, salt, and cinnamon. Do not add the dates yet!
- In a medium mixing bowl, whisk together the wet ingredients including the oil, honey and vanilla. Then, add the wet mixture to the dry and stir together until well combined.
- Spread the oat mixture on the baking sheet in an even layer and bake in the preheated oven for 25-30 minutes, stirring every 8-10 minutes. The granola is done when it’s golden brown. Remove from the oven and let the granola cool.
- Once granola has cooled, add in the chopped dates and break the granola into clumps.
- Hint: Don’t stir it right after taking it out of the oven! Let it cool for as long as possible first (about an hour). The air will help create the granola clusters.
Notes
- Use rolled (old-fashioned) oats instead of quick oats. Rolled oats will crisp up better in homemade granola.
- When the granola mixture is done baking, remove it from the oven and let it cool to room temperature before stirring it or breaking it apart. This is what helps form the big clusters! But honestly, I love it even without a lot of clumps because it is so perfectly toasty!
- Add in the dates after the granola has baked and cooled. I tried adding it with the other ingredients and I personally thought it was too chewy and it hardened a bit. Adding it after the granola bakes keeps the dates nice and tender.
- Fridge (or room temperature): store it for up to 3 weeks in an airtight container in the fridge or at room temperature.
- Freezer: store in an airtight container for 3-6 months in the freezer. Thaw in the fridge overnight or at room temperature for about an hour.
- Oats are high in fiber which is great for gut health and can help lower cholesterol levels.
- Hemp seeds and nuts are high in anti-inflammatory Omega-3s and a source of plant protein.
- Dates are a natural sweetener and contain potassium, iron, Vitamin B6 and magnesium.
- Olive oil is high in healthy fats and good for brain health.
Mary
I've made this recipe 3 times now and every time I make it it's SO good. I love that it uses dates instead of craisins or other dried fruit cause I'm cutting back on added sugars. I always throw a handful of the granola in my smoothie in the AM. Thank you for a new favorite!