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This tigernut granola recipe is a ridiculously addicting breakfast or snack that you won't believe is AIP-friendly, Paleo, Vegan, and nut-free! (yes nut-free, despite the name, see more below)

Most nut-free, grain-free granolas seem to be made of just coconut flakes. Not that there's anything wrong with that, but sometimes you want that crunch, you know?

That's where tigernuts come in.

What are Tigernuts?

Despite the “nut” name, tigernuts are actually NOT nuts but rather small root vegetables, like sweet potatoes.

They are not as well known in the US as in other parts of the world, where they've been called things like chufa and groundnuts.

Tiger nuts are high in antioxidants, a great source of fiber, have antibiotic properties, and work as a prebiotic, as well as a great source of iron. (1)

For this recipe you'll want sliced tigernuts because slicing tigernuts on your own would be time consuming, let along dangerous (they're pretty hard)!

Tigernut granola ingredients (and substitutions)

I made this tigernut granola with just a six ingredients:

• Sliced tigernuts – I HIGHLY recommend going with the pre-sliced tigernuts as whole tigernuts can be kind of hard and tricky to slice yourself. (I use these by Organic Gemini.)

• Coconut flakes– you can use shredded coconut or coconut flakes, but I personally recommend the flakes because they're roughly the same size as the sliced tigernuts and therefore will cook at the same rate. (I use these by Bob's Redmill)

• Avocado Oil – you can also use coconut oil, I just like to use avocado oil because it's in liquid form

• Maple Syrup – obviously gives this dish some sweetness 🙂 Feel free to use the equivalent amount in honey if you'd rather, though the taste will change slightly

• Vanilla Bean Powder or Vanilla Extract – This is an optional ingredient but I love the flavor it brings to this granola. Some people don't do well with vanilla extract though, so if that's you, leave it out or use the powder (and yes, vanilla bean powder is AIP-compliant as the “bean” is not actually a bean in the traditional sense. And the vanilla seeds are so teeny tiny that you probably won't break them down as you eat them, much like seeds in berries – so they're fine on AIP)

• Carob or Cocoa Powder – use Carob Powder (I use this one) for AIP and Cocoa Powder (I use this one) for any other diet  *Note – the carob powder in this one is really delicious, and I usually don't love carob. It just goes really well with the other ingredients!

How to eat this tigernut AIP granola

There are several ways to eat this:

• alone, as a snack (watch out – it's addicting!)

• like a cereal with your favorite dairy-free milk (use coconut milk or tigernut milk or banana milk for AIP)

• with your favorite dairy-free milk, like a cereal (use coconut milk or tigernut milk or banana milk for AIP)

• as a topping on a coconut parfait

• as a topping on a sweet potato bowl

• I also love granola as a topping on pancakes to give them a bit of crunch. You could do these AIP Cassava Flour Pancakes or these Paleo Carrot Cake Pancakes

How to make this granola coconut-free

You can make this granola coconut-free by replacing the coconut flakes with an equal number of sliced tigernuts. The granola will taste a bit different and may not clump together as much, but it will still be delicious.

Make Ahead

You can make this Chocolate granola and store it up to 6 months in a sealed container at room temperature! (Note – this one stores longer than the Pumpkin Spice Granola because it doesn't use fresh pumpkin)

That's what makes this so great – spend an hour making it (and I'd make the Pumpkin Spice Granola too at the same time) and then have it at your disposal any time you need it!

Video Demo

If you're more of a visual person, watch the full-length video on YouTube to see how easy it is to make this nut-free granola!

Want more breakfast ideas? Try one of these!

Pumpkin Pie Coconut Parfait (Paleo, AIP, Vegan, nut-free)

Nourishing Breakfast Bowl (Paleo, AIP, Whole30, nut-free)

Cassava Flour Pancakes (Paleo, AIP, Vegan, nut-free)

10 AIP Breakfast Ideas

More Helpful AIP & Paleo Resources in the Freebie Library

If you find this recipe helpful, you may really enjoy the resources in my Paleo & AIP Freebie Library! There's a “dump” freezer meal plan, a list of AIP-compliant breakfast toppings, and so much more. Plus, you'll get even more ideas sent to your inbox! Get the password here.

Chocolate Tigernut Granola Recipe

Also be sure to check out my Pumpkin Spice Tigernut Granola as well! Equally as delicious, with many uses.

If you make this granola, I'd love to hear how it turned out! Either comment below or share a pic on Instagram and tag me @thrivingautoimmune!