Savory Vegan Granola [gluten-free + no added sugar]

If you love a savory, cheesy, crunchy snack but don’t love the mystery ingredients that usually come with it, this one’s for you.

This savory vegan granola is the perfect high-fiber, plant-based snack that doubles as a salad topper, soup garnish, or straight-from-the-jar handful situation. It’s naturally sweetened with date syrup, packed with seeds and nuts, and made without any hard-to-find ingredients, but still delivers that crave-worthy crisp texture.

And yes, it’s completely dairy-free.

Why You’ll Love This Healthy Savory Granola

• Gluten-free and plant-based
• Naturally sweetened with date syrup (no refined sugar)
• High in fiber and plant protein
• Perfect for meal prep
• Ready in about 30 minutes
• Great for salads, soups, snack boards, and game day spreads

This recipe hits that sweet-savory balance thanks to the subtle caramel notes of date syrup paired with garlic and nutritional yeast.

The Secret Ingredient: NuNaturals Nutritional Yeast

Nutritional yeast is the key to that bold, savory, cheesy flavor without any dairy. For this recipe, I use NuNaturals Nutritional Yeast, which has a clean, mild umami flavor that blends beautifully into baked snacks.

It adds depth, richness, and that crave-worthy cheesy taste while keeping the recipe fully plant-based. Plus, it’s a great source of B vitamins and adds a little extra plant protein, making this crunchy oat mix as functional as it is flavorful.

If you’re new to nutritional yeast, this is the perfect beginner-friendly way to use it.

Ingredients

• 1-2 tbsp date syrup (code HEALTHYHELPER saves!)
• 1 tbsp olive oil or melted avocado oil
• 1 tbsp water
• 1 tsp garlic powder
• 1 1/4 cup gluten-free rolled oats
• 1/4 cup sunflower seeds
• 1/4 cup sliced or whole almonds (raw or roasted)
• 1/4 cup NuNaturals Nutritional Yeast (code HEALTHYHELPER saves!)
• Pinch of cayenne (optional)
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1/3-1/2 cup roasted chickpeas (you can get them pre-roasted or make them yourself… for an oil-free version, try these!)

How to Make Savory Vegan Granola

1. Preheat oven to 325°F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
2. In a large bowl, whisk together the date syrup, olive oil, water, garlic powder, and cayenne.
3. Add oats, sunflower seeds, almonds, nutritional yeast, and salt. Stir until evenly coated. The mixture should feel lightly sticky but not wet.
4. Spread evenly onto the prepared baking sheet, pressing down slightly to help it crisp.
5. Bake for 15 minutes, rotate the tray, then bake another 15–20 minutes until lightly golden and toasty.
6. Cool completely (this step is key for crunch). Stir in roasted chickpeas and store in an airtight container for up to one week.

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Ways to Use This Savory Vegan Granola

• Sprinkle over roasted vegetables
• Top creamy tomato soup
• Add crunch to salads
• Serve on a snack board
• Eat it straight from the jar

Pro Tips for Extra Crunch

• Press the mixture down before baking
• Do not skip the cooling step
• Let it cool fully before sealing to prevent steam softening

If you’ve been searching for a healthy savory granola, dairy-free cheesy oat snack mix, or high-protein plant-based crunchy topping, this savory vegan granola checks all the boxes.

Simple ingredients. Bold flavor. Serious crunch.

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