My Grain-Free Granola Recipe is made with coconut oil, honey, pecans and dried cherries. You won't miss the oats in this Paleo granola!

I don't know about you, but if I don't have a healthy breakfast prepped ahead of time, the whole day seems more stressful.

Knowing I have breakfast all ready and waiting for me makes getting out of bed just a little bit easier in the morning and ensures I start the day with the nutrients my body needs to feel its best.

This cherry vanilla paleo granola recipe is the perfect make-ahead breakfast for those busy weekday mornings because it lasts really well and is super easy to take on the go if you have an extra busy morning.

This would be delicious with my homemade almond milk or on top of a smoothie bowl (try my Chocolate Cherry Decadence Bowl or Purple Haze Smoothie Bowl!)  It's also pretty addicting just on its own!

In my mind it doesn't get much better than the cherry-vanilla combo, but it's easy to mix up the flavor of this granola by changing the dried fruit and nuts.  Apricot almond granola? Cranberry pistachio?  There are so many choices with this one, you really can't go wrong!

Are you looking for more great make-ahead breakfast ideas?  Make sure to check out our breakfast bundle, which includes great every day recipes for your family as well as my favorite brunch recipes for entertaining!

What is the nutrition like in this grain-free granola recipe?

While store-bought granola is often full of sugar and low quality oils, this grain free granola recipe is as nutritious as it is tasty. When I think of a healthy breakfast, I think of something that has plenty of protein, healthy fats and some micronutrients. Here are a few of the nutritional benefits from this healthy meal prep breakfast:

Coconut Oil (MCTs, Lauric Acid)

Much of the beneficial nutritional impact of coconut oil stems from the medium chain triglycerides (MCTs) it contains. Processed differently than other fats, your liver turns MCTs into ketones, which are beneficial for brain health. The lauric acid found in coconut also has beneficial antimicrobial properties.

Honey (Antioxidants)

Honey has antibacterial and antioxidant properties, which are strongest in darker honey. Buy raw local honey when possible as filtering the honey can diminish its nutrients.

Flax Seeds (Omega 3s, B Vitamins, Magnesium, Antioxidants, Protein)

Flax seeds are full of omega-3s, fiber and antioxidants. Because of these vital nutrients, flax may help reduce the risk of cancer, cardiovascular disease and even hot flashes! Flax offers ALA, a type of Omega-3 fatty acid, which may reduce inflammation, heart disease and stroke. Flax also contains a beneficial plant compound called lignans. Lignans are high in antioxidants and may help reduce the risk of both breast cancer and prostate cancer.

Pecans (Copper, B Vitamins, Zinc, Magnesium)

Pecans and other nuts are considered excellent for heart health and they also add healthy fat to help keep you full until your next meal. If you are following a high fat keto diet, pecans are a great source of healthy fat because they're high in monounsaturated fatty acids which may benefit cholesterol levels. Pecans may also help improve blood sugar levels.

Walnuts (Vitamin E, Omega-3s, Antioxidants)

Many consider walnuts to be the healthiest nut, in part due to their high antioxidant content. They may help reduce the risk of heart disease, cancer, and type 2 diabetes, as well as supporting healthy brain function and healthy gut bacteria. They are a true super food!

Almonds (Magnesium, Vitamin E, Potassium)

This recipe features almonds in two forms, almond flour and almond butter. Look for almond butter that contains just almonds and salt for maximum nutrition.

Almonds are good for your heart and also help lower LDL cholesterol. Furthermore, one serving of almonds also has as much calcium as 1/4 cup of milk! Thus they're a particularly good choice if you're dairy-free.

Cherries (Vitamin C, Potassium, Copper, Manganese, Fiber)

Cherries are great for your immune system and blood pressure. In addition, cherries are anti-inflammatory and high in antioxidants. Cherries also contain melatonin and therefore may help with quality sleep! Dried cherries are called for in this grain-free granola recipe – make sure to look for dried cherries with minimal to no added sugar to maximize the nutrition of this healthy breakfast.

Can you freeze granola?

Yes! I'm a huge fan of stocking my freezer with healthy breakfasts as well as dinners. My oat free granola makes the perfect freezer breakfast.

Simply add to a freezer bag or freezer meal prep container and stick in the freezer! Make sure to label and enjoy within three months or so. As with anything you store in the freezer, make sure to let the granola cool completely before freezing.

For more tips on how to use your freezer for meal prep, check out my tips on homemade freezer meals here!

Variations – What other mix-ins can I add to this oat free granola?

This grain-free granola recipe is so good as-is! The cherry vanilla flavor profile is hard to beat. Still, I think part of the fun of recipes like this one is playing around with it and really making it your own. Here are a few mix-ins you may want to try:

• Cacao Nibs
• Mini Chocolate Chips
• Hemp Seeds
• Dried Blueberries
• Dried Cranberries
• Diced Dates
• Pumpkin Seeds
• Sunflower Seeds
• Almond Extract (in place of vanilla extract)

What are some other healthy meal prep breakfast ideas?

Every week our Prep Dish Gluten Free and Paleo meal plans include a healthy meal prep breakfast recipe for the week. I know that when things get busy it's easy to forget about breakfast and I want to make it EASY for you. Below are three of my favorite prep-ahead breakfasts.

You can also get my free Breakfast Hash Freezer Meals download below!

And if you want more, click below for a prep-ahead freezer hash download!

Want to save for later?  Pin the image below!