Supercharged healthy cookie granola [refined sugar free]


This supercharged healthy cookie granola is an improved version of my healthy cookie granola, featuring a greater variety of whole grains (puffed and rolled), with the addition of moist coconut flakes and a whole lot of seeds.
I love eating food which is nutritious and delicious, and this granola easily ticks both of those boxes. If you don’t have much time in the morning but still want to eat a filling breakfast which is real food, good for your body, gut and skin, and it tastes like eating cookies, then you’ve come to the right place.

Supercharged healthy cookie granola for the win
I am not kidding, I eat this granola a lot. I started with the classic version of this healthy cookie granola last year, and the kids and I would have it in pots pretty much every weekend.
And then I started thinking, what if I added some seeds? And perhaps some coconut flakes?
At the same time, I came across this organic five grain mix and puffed multigrain blend at my local supermarket, which gave me the idea to substitute them for the plain rolled oats and puffed rice, to have a little more variety in the base ingredients too.
My favourite way of eating this granola is as shown in the photo just above – with some delicious creamy plant-based yoghurt and a couple of spoonfuls of my homemade cherry berry jam, topped with as big a handful of fresh berries as you can manage.
In summer, when Queensland mangoes are plentiful, we switch to using mango jam which gives it a bright yellow summery look – perfection any time of day, but especially in the mornings, if you ask me.


What did I change in this supercharged healthy cookie granola?
The granola is still full of gorgeous crunchy clusters that taste like speculoos cookies, so the basics are still there. And when it bakes, yum! The whole house smells like Christmas.
But I call this version “supercharged” because in addition to nuts, oats and puffed rice, I’ve included a large variety of seeds, delicious coconut, and more types of whole grains which is something you will love especially if you are the type of person who doesn’t usually have a lot of seeds and grains in their diet otherwise.
Overall I have kept the quantities the same, basically just substituting one cup of nuts for the seeds and adding a bit of extra coconut. The result is just wonderful though – look at all that goodness peeking out of the top of that jar!

All the goodness in this supercharged granola, in turn
Nuts
This recipe calls for two cups of raw nuts – I love to use a mix of walnuts, pecans, almonds, brazil nuts and macadamias. Pistachios, hazelnuts and cashews might also be great additions.
You can use whatever you have or the types of nuts you prefer. However, remember, your gut loves variety and the more nuts you put in, the better.
Nuts generally are full of healthy fats (monounsaturated fat, as well as omega-6 and omega-3 polyunsaturated fat), fiber and protein. They also contain a number of vitamins and minerals, including magnesium and vitamin E.
Walnuts and macadamias in particular are an excellent source of the omega-3 fatty acid alpha-linolenic acid (ALA) and brazil nuts are an incredibly rich source of selenium.
Source: Healthline
Seeds
I substituted one of the cups of nuts from the original recipe with seeds. I love using whatever I have on hand, usually a mix of chia seeds, linseeds (also known as flaxseeds), pine nuts, hemp seeds, pumpkin seeds and sunflower seeds.
They are all easy to find in supermarkets these days and all are incredibly nutritious. Not only they are great sources of fiber, they also contain healthy monounsaturated fats, polyunsaturated fats and many important vitamins, minerals and antioxidants. Seeds can help reduce blood sugar, cholesterol and blood pressure.
Source: Healthline
Fun fact: pine nuts are edible seeds that come from the cones of pine trees. They are sometimes considered nuts but more generally accepted to be seeds.
They’re an excellent source of nutrients and particularly high in vitamin E, manganese, magnesium, vitamin K, zinc, copper and phosphorus.
Sources: Healthline and Huffington Post
I’ve managed to squeeze in another extra bit of seed through swapping out a third of the hazelnut meal for some linseed meal. Linseeds (or flaxseeds as they are also known) are amazingly nutritious and contain a good amount of protein, fiber and omega-3 fatty acids, in addition to being a rich source of some vitamins and minerals.
They’re been grown for centuries and apparently it’s due to their goodness that they’ve been given a Latin name Linum usitatissimum which means “the most useful”.
Source: Healthline

More types of healthy fiber
The cup of plain rolled oats got swapped with a lovely mixture of five rolled wholegrains, including oats, triticale, barley, rye, and brown rice which I recently found at my supermarket.
Full of healthy fiber, this mix is perfect to include in your breakfast meal (or at least regularly in your diet).
I also love mixing it up into my overnight oats for an extra shot of goodness, or substituting it for rolled oats in any recipe you’re using (muffins, slices and the like).

Extra wholegrains
I have also recently found this mix of organic multigrain puffs which contains organic puffed buckwheat, sorghum and brown rice.
I love that you can get an unsweetened version and this mix contains less than 0.1g of sugar per 100g which is amazing.
I much prefer buying this and then sweetening it anyway I want (or not at all, if I feel like it) than buying pre-sweetened cereal puffs.
Delicious coconut (but no other fruit)
The last thing I added to this granola is some moist coconut flakes. I prefer the larger flakes to desiccated / shredded coconut, as they retain moisture better (they don’t dry out so much on baking), they have a slightly better texture, and you get a more of a coconut-ty flavour shot in one bite. That said, this is an optional add-on, so feel free to omit it if you don’t have any or don’t like coconut. The granola will be pretty perfect without it too.
You may have noticed that I haven’t added any other fruit to this granola, like dried dates, raisins, sultanas, apricots, or anything of the kind. This is mostly to keep the sugar content down (as dried fruit is high in sugar, although it’s natural) and make sure that the granola clumps properly.
The granola is perfectly delicious on its own but I don’t want it to be supersweet – I want to have a lovely crunchy spiced based which I can dress with some jam and fruit in the morning, so I keep it nutritious but as simple and low in sugar as possible.
Because this granola is, therefore, made with mostly nuts, seeds and wholegrains, it will last beautifully in a container in your cupboard for weeks.

Recipe
Supercharged healthy cookie granola [refined sugar free]
Ingredients
- 2 cups nuts (walnuts, pecans, macadamias, brazil nuts and almonds)
- 1 cup seeds (chia seeds, linseeds (also known as flaxseeds), pine nuts, hemp seeds, pumpkin seeds and sunflower seeds)
- 1 cup five rolled wholegrains mix (rolled oats, triticale, barley, rye, and brown rice)
- 1 cup puffed wholegrains mix (puffed buckwheat, sorghum and brown rice)
- 1/3 cup moist coconut flakes (optional)
- 1/3 cup linseed meal
- 2/3 cup hazelnut meal
- 1 heaped tsp speculaas spice mix (make your own – the recipe is here)
- heaped 1/2 cup maple syrup
Instructions
- Pre-heat your oven to 160C.
- Line a large baking tray with baking paper.
- Place the nuts into a large ziploc bag, squeezing the air out as you're closing it. Bash them with a wooden mallet or a rolling pin until you get a mixture of smallish and largish pieces. Place them into a large mixing bowl.
- Add the remainder of the ingredients (except for maple syrup) into the bowl and mix until combined.
- Pour the maple syrup into the bowl and stir well, until all the mixture is wet (until the maple syrup has been distributed well through the mixture).
- Pour the mixture into the lined baking tray, press well into the tray (this is important as it will help you create those lovely chunks) and bake for 30 minutes until your house smells divine.
- The original recipe sets out two different ways to create chunks in your granola, but I only really ever use the first one which is to leave the pressed mixture baking as is for the whole baking time, then take it out of the oven and let cool in one piece. Once cool, break into pieces and store in a granola storage box. This will create softer but still crispy chunks – you will get the crispiness especially around the edges but the middle will still be soft-ish.
- This granola should keep for a few weeks. I store it in a glass or plastic container with a lid, away from sunlight.
Notes

Recipe notes
This makes quite a lot of granola (I would estimate maybe enough for 10 to 12 breakfasts, depending on how much you like to eat in the morning). It is easily halved if you prefer to make less.
That said, most often I double this recipe and bake two trays of it at once – it’s the easiest way to make a lot of granola which will last a while (perfect for me as I go through gallons of these).
This granola is also the perfect homemade Christmas, birthday or housewarming present for family or friends who have everything, or just to make someone’s day brighter. I usually make fresh granola, fill up a glass container from Ikea and take it over with me when I’m visiting friends – it’s always popular.
To make sure that you have enough soft bits of granola, don’t use really large tray so that the mixture doesn’t spread out too thin. If that’s all you have (a really large baking tray), perhaps reduce the baking time slightly – maybe by 5 minutes, see how you go.


66 Comments
Molly Pisula
This looks deliciously healthy, and would make a fantastic holiday gift in a mason jar with a pretty ribbon!
Katerina
Exactly my thinking! Thank you Molly!
Sophie Harriet
Ooh, I love granola, and this looks so delicious! I love that it’s healthy too. I may give it a go! xx
Katerina
Thanks so much Sophie!
Aarthi
It is surely a power packed granola , just love the variety of flavors, and nutrients from different ingredients. Definetely a perfect breakfast / snack idea , to keep yourself filled, and energized. I am going try this with my overnight oats or with some fresh yogurt, I will let you know how it turned out, Thanks Katerina!!
Katerina
All the best! Thanks very much, Aarthi!
Jeff the Chef
I haven’t had granola in such a long time! This is tempting!
Katerina
Thanks Jeff! You should give this a try!
Shea
Mmm, my mouth is watering–this looks fantastic! I love granola, it is a breakfast staple around here. And I love that this is healthy COOKIE granola. Yum!
Katerina
Right!? Healthy cookies are the best! Thanks so much Shea.
Monika
It looks really tasty and healthy 🥰🥰 Regards!!
Katerina
Thank you Monika!
Sophie
This looks sooo good. I love making my own granola and this one looks amazing, and so many great ingredients too. I need to try this x
Sophie
Katerina
Thanks so much Sophie!
Natalia
Yum,I love homemade granola, so crunchy! I loooove your photos, very pretty!
Katerina
Thank you so much, Natalia, much appreciated!
Balvinder
Same here, Kaerina! I love eating food which is nutritious and delicious. Your granola recipe sounds amazing! Would love to use puffed sorghum, and buckwheat in my next batch of granola.
Katerina
Thank you so much Balvinder, much appreciated!
Laura Bambrick
I don’t eat granola much because often the stuff from the store can be so high in calories and sugar. This is such a great healthy alternative by making your own! It sounds absolutely delicious!
Katerina
Yes, I know exactly what you mean, Laura, and that’s why I don’t buy granola either. I hope you get to try this version! Thank you for your comment!
Carrie @ Curly Crafty Mom
I don’t know what it is, but I love granola this time of year. I love this healthier version with fresh fruit! Yum!
Carrie
curlycraftymom.com
Katerina
Healthy is definitely the name of the breakfast game here, Carrie! Thanks so much!
Jill
I love granola! This looks so amazing! I definitely need to make this!
Jill – Doused in Pink
Katerina
Thanks so much Jill, I hope you do!
jodie filogomo
I think you have the best recipes Katerina. This is something we will have to try when Rob is able to introduce more grains into his diet.
BTW, did you get my blogaversary reminder email?? I know my emails sometimes go into spam…ugh!!
XOOX
Jodie
http://www.jtouchofstyle.com
Katerina
Thanks so much Jodie, much appreciated as always! And no – I must check my email again – I was just thinking about it yesterday!
Lisa
I absolutely LOVE granola but had to stop eating it because every shop bought one I tried was either sugar loaded or if not tasted of nothing. I don’t know why I never thought to make my own but this looks yummy, thank you!
Katerina
This is exactly why I don’t buy granola anymore, Lisa! I hope you give this a go! Thanks so much, hope you have a lovely day.
Martha
This looks so delicious, I’m definitely going to make some and I think I might make some for Christmas gifts too!
Katerina
Ohhhh, that’s wonderful – thank you Martha! I hope you have a wonderful day!
Simone
I’m always having a similar cookie granola for breakfast. It tastes so good and it gives me the energy I need for the day. I need to try it with the coconut flakes.
xx Simone
Little Glittery Box
Katerina
That’s wonderful! Thank you Simone!
John / Kitchen Riffs
This looks fantastic — so full of healthy goodies, and just loaded with flavor. Such a neat recipe! Thanks.
Katerina
Thank you so much John – exactly my thoughts! Much appreciated.
Kathrine Eldridge
Love that your house smells like Christmas when you make this. It look delcious and thansk for sharing yoru new version.
https://www.kathrineeldridge.com
Katerina
Absolutely – just like Christmas cookies. Thanks so much Kathrine!
Judee
This recipe looks amazing. My older son will not eat any refined sugars. I have found so many healthy snack recipes on your site to make for him.. Thanks – this looks like another winner.
Katerina
I’m so glad Judee – thank you so much, I hope you and your son both enjoy this recipe!
Eileen
Hello,
Your photos are fantastic, they have me wishing I could grab some of your granola right off my screen. This granola looks and sounds delicious. I will be saving this recipe. Take care, enjoy your day! Have a great week ahead!
Katerina
Thank you so much Eileen, your kind comment has made my day! Hope you have a lovely day too.
David Gascoigne
Hello Katerina: Firstly, thanks very much fir stopping by my blog. I had hoped to visit Australia for myy third visit in July but COVID put an end to those plans! Next year is looking iffy too. The recipe looks outstanding, and I think I will give it a try. A little stash of this healthy snack on a birding walk would be perfect. As you get into summer down there, I cast my mind back to last yeaar’s terrible wildfirs and I hope you don’t have to suffer thriugh it again. Best wishes, David
Katerina
Hello David and thank you so much for your lovely comment. I’m glad you like the recipe and yes, it’s a perfect snack for when you’re out and about – I hope you enjoy it! Thank you for your best wishes – we’re all hoping there’s very little in the way of bushfires this summer.
Michelle | Sift & Simmer
Love granola! This one looks so delicious Katerina! I’m gonna have to try this soon 🙂 And I’m loving the beautiful photos too!!
Katerina
Thank you so much Michelle – your kind comments are much appreciated!
Healthy World Cuisine
Homemade granola that looks this good is addictive. Coconut and Speculaas spices adds that extra warming spice and nuttiness that we crave. Stay well and take care
Katerina
Thanks so much – my thoughts exactly!
Lauren
This looks fantastic! I mean cookies for breakfast (minus the guilt)…how could anyone be against that? Thanks for sharing the recipe Katerina!
Katerina
Haha.. exactly my thinking, Lauren! Thanks so much!
Danielle
This looks delicious! I absolutely love granola!
Katerina
Thanks so much Danielle!
David @ Spiced
Ah, I love homemade granola! I used to make it all the time, but it’s kinda fallen by the wayside in favor of storebought granola. Homemade is so much better, though, and this post is definitely inspiring me! We often sneak flaxseeds into our granola for a sneaky health boost, too! And toasted coconut is almost always included, too. I enjoy the way you used that wholegrain mix though. Definitely putting this on the list to make soon. After all, speculoos cookies. 🙂
Katerina
Haha.. well, exactly. Those speculoos spices are the best thing since sliced bread, if you ask me. Thanks so much, David!
Neil
I stopped buying granola a good few years back when I started reading recipe labels and understanding just how much rubbish was in shop bought versions. I’ve been making my own granola since. I’m always on the look out for new / different home made granola variations to try. Yours is next Katerina. Thank you!
Katerina
I’m exactly the same, Neil, I haven’t bought granola for a couple of years now and don’t miss it at all! Thank you so much and I hope you like this one!
Tasia ~ two sugar bugs
This granola looks postitvely delicous! I also love how it’s refined sugar free! We will definitely add the coconut to ours!
Katerina
Thanks very much Tasia – we love the coconut in ours too.
Rahul
This looks so delicious. Perfect for midnight sweet craving or just sprinkling over yogurt. Speculaas spice mix sounds interesting.
Katerina
Thanks so much Rahul – you’re definitely right, I’ve eaten this as a snack and it’s delicious with yoghurt!
Auggie
Oh I love that idea of having cookies for breakfast, especially this healthy and tasty kind. Definitely won’t feel guilty about eating. Thank you for sharing a superb recipe as always! ❤
Katerina
Thank you so much Auggie. I definitely love this for breakfast and I hope you will too!
Juliana
Oh Katerina, I could munch of these all day long…they look and sound delicious…I love homemade granola.
Have a wonderful week ahead!
Katerina
Thank you so much Juliana! Have a great week too!
Anika
Looks like such a delicious breakfast! Nuts are one of my favourite snacks so I totally want to try this one out, sounds so tasty 🙂
Anika | chaptersofmay.com
Katerina
Thank you very much Anika, I love snacking on nuts too!
Marie
Your photos are beautiful & really showcase how delicious the granola must taste. Coconut flakes is a fave in granola for me. The mango jam you mentioned sounds divine!
Katerina
Thank you so much, Marie, much appreciated!