Black Tahini Granola | Gluten-Free, Refined Sugar-Free

This Black Tahini Granola is crunchy, deeply nutty, and full of bold, beautiful texture in every bite. It is not your usual golden granola. I am obsessed with making granola, and I’m going to be completely honest with you, I make a lot of granola. Like, a lot. But if I had to choose just one single homemade granola recipe to live on for the rest of my life, this would be the one. No question about it.

It bakes into rich, dark, chunky granola clusters with an earthy sesame flavour, warm spices, roasted nuts, seeds, cacao nibs, and little chewy bites of black raisin. It looks dramatic, rustic, and so special, but the flavour is what makes it truly unforgettable.

The flavour is warm and beautifully balanced, with cinnamon, ginger, and a little nutmeg blending perfectly into the deep richness of the black tahini. It gives the granola this almost savoury, umami-style depth that makes it completely addictive. The cacao nibs add a slightly bitter chocolate note, the black raisins bring just the right chewy sweetness, and the toasted nuts and seeds make every spoonful feel crunchy, satisfying, and full of flavour.

Unlike store-bought granola, this homemade version has no refined sugar, no processed oils, and no hidden extras. It is a wholesome granola made with oats, nuts, seeds, black tahini, cacao nibs, warm spices, and a little natural sweetness. It feels like a superfood granola, but it still tastes rich, comforting, and genuinely delicious. You only need about 10 minutes of quick prep to mix everything together in one bowl, then the oven does the rest. Once you taste those dark, crunchy clusters, I think you will understand why this one is so special.

What You Need to Make This Black Tahini Granola

You only need simple pantry ingredients to make this crunchy homemade granola, but together they create the most beautiful dark clusters, warm spice, nutty flavour, and chewy-sweet texture.

• Gluten-free oats, if needed

• Raw cashews

• Raw almonds

• Raw walnuts

• Black raisins

• Sunflower seeds

• Cacao nibs

• Black sesame seeds

• Poppy seeds

• Ground cinnamon

• Ground ginger

• Nutmeg

• Salt

• Coconut oil

• Black tahini

• Honey or maple syrup

• Vanilla extract

• Cacao powder

Why This Granola Is Considered a Superfood Snack

This Black Tahini Granola is considered a superfood-style snack because it is made with a rich mix of nuts, seeds, oats, cacao nibs, black tahini, and warm spices. Each ingredient brings something nourishing to the recipe, from fibre and healthy fats to minerals, antioxidants, and plant-based energy.

The nuts and seeds make this granola naturally satisfying. Cashews, almonds, walnuts, sunflower seeds, black sesame seeds, and poppy seeds add crunch, richness, and healthy fats that help make each serving feel more filling than a regular sweet cereal or snack.

Black tahini is one of the most special ingredients in this recipe. It gives the granola its deep colour, earthy sesame flavour, and creamy richness before baking. It also adds minerals and healthy fats, making the granola feel more nourishing and balanced.

Cacao nibs bring a bold chocolate-like flavour without making the granola overly sweet. They add crunch, depth, and a beautiful slightly bitter note that balances the honey or maple syrup and the chewy black raisins.

The oats add fibre and make the granola hearty, while cinnamon, ginger, and nutmeg bring warmth and a cozy flavour that works beautifully into the mix. Together, everything bakes into crunchy clusters that feel sweet, earthy, satisfying, and full of real ingredient goodness.

How to Make Black Tahini Granola Step by Step

Start by preheating your oven to 160°C fan, or 320°F convection. Line two baking trays with parchment paper so the granola can bake evenly and lift off easily once it cools.

Before you begin mixing, wash the black raisins and soak them in warm water for at least 5 minutes. This helps soften them slightly so they become beautifully chewy in the granola instead of drying out too much or burn in the oven. Drain them well before adding them to the mixture.

Roughly chop the cashews, almonds, and walnuts. You do not want them too fine because those bigger pieces give the granola its beautiful texture, crunch, and chunky homemade feel.

Add the oats, chopped nuts, seeds, cacao nibs, and drained black raisins to a large mixing bowl. Mix everything together so the dry ingredients are evenly combined and ready to be coated with the black tahini mixture.

In a small pot, add the coconut oil, black tahini, honey or maple syrup, vanilla, cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, cocoa powder and salt. Warm everything over medium heat, stirring constantly, until the mixture is smooth, glossy, and well combined.

Pour the warm black tahini mixture over the dry ingredients. Stir really well until everything is coated and no dry patches remain. You want the oats, nuts, seeds, raisins, and cacao nibs to be covered in that dark, rich tahini coating so the granola bakes into crunchy clusters.

Spread the granola mixture onto the prepared baking trays in an even layer. Try not to make it too thick or too thin. Press the mixture down firmly with a spatula or the back of a spoon, as this helps create those big chunky granola clusters after baking.

Bake for 20 minutes, then remove the trays from the oven. Gently press the granola down again, rotate the trays 180 degrees, and return them to the oven for another 10 minutes, or until the granola looks toasted, dry on top, and slightly crisp around the edges.

Once baked, let the granola cool completely on the trays before touching or breaking it apart. This step is very important because the granola firms up as it cools, and waiting helps you get those beautiful crunchy clusters.

When the granola is fully cool, break it into chunks and store it in clean mason jars or an airtight container. Enjoy it with yoghurt, milk, smoothie bowls, chia pudding, fruit, or by the handful when you want something crunchy and satisfying.

Try These Next!

Nutty Coconut Crunch Granola Clusters
Easy Crunchy Granola Clusters
Oat & Nuts Bars With Rosewater & Tahini
No-Oven Chocolate Tahini Seed Cups
Pan-Made Nut & Seed Bars

Black Tahini Granola | Crunchy, Gluten-Free, Refined Sugar-Free

Annie, Healthy Food by Annie

This Black Tahini Granola is rich, crunchy, crispy, deeply nutty, and full of bold dark clusters. Made with oats, raw nuts, seeds, cacao nibs, black tahini, warm spices, and natural sweetness, it has the most beautiful sweet, earthy, almost umami flavour. Perfect with yoghurt, milk, smoothie bowls, chia pudding, fruit, or simply by the handful.

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 10 minutes mins

Cook Time 30 minutes mins

Total Time 40 minutes mins

Course Breakfast, Healthy Snacks

Cuisine Dairy-Free, Gluten-Free, Refined Sugar Free, Vegan Option, Vegetarian

Servings 24

Calories 203 kcal

Ingredients

  

For the Granola Base

• 2 ½ cups oats gluten-free if needed (250 g)
• 1 cup raw cashews roughly chopped (130 g)
• 1 cup raw almonds roughly chopped (140 g)
• 1 cup raw walnuts roughly chopped (100 g)
• ⅓ cup black raisins 55 g
• ½ cup sunflower seeds 70 g
• ¼ cup cacao nibs 30 g
• ¼ cup black sesame seeds 35 g
• ¼ cup poppy seeds 35 g
• 1 tsp ground cinnamon
• 1 tsp ground ginger
• ⅓ tsp nutmeg
• 1 tsp cacao powder
• Pinch of salt

For the Black Tahini Coating

• ⅓ cup coconut oil 75 g
• ½ cup black tahini 120 g
• ⅓ cup honey or maple syrup 110 g honey or 105 g maple syrup
• 1 tsp vanilla extract

Instructions

 

• Preheat the oven

  Preheat the oven to 160°C fan, or 320°F convection. Line two baking trays with parchment paper.
• Soak the black raisins

  Wash the black raisins, then soak them in warm water for at least 5 minutes. Drain well before adding them to the granola mixture.
• Chop the nuts

  Roughly chop the cashews, almonds, and walnuts. Keep some pieces larger for extra crunch and chunky texture.
• Mix the dry ingredients

  Add the oats, chopped cashews, chopped almonds, chopped walnuts, drained black raisins, sunflower seeds, cacao nibs, black sesame seeds, and poppy seeds to a large mixing bowl. Mix well until evenly combined.
• Warm the black tahini mixture

  In a small pot, add the coconut oil, black tahini, honey or maple syrup, vanilla extract, cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, cacao powder and salt. Heat over medium heat, stirring constantly, until smooth, glossy, and well combined.
• Coat the granola

  Pour the warm black tahini mixture over the dry ingredients. Stir very well until everything is evenly coated and no dry patches remain. You can also add the dry ingredients into the pot if it is large enough, then mix everything together there.
• Spread and press

  Divide the granola mixture between the two prepared baking trays. Spread into an even layer that is not too thick or too thin, then press the granola firmly down with a spatula or the back of a spoon. This helps create chunky clusters.
• Bake

  Bake for 20 minutes, then remove the trays from the oven. Gently press the granola down again, rotate the trays 180 degrees, and return them to the oven for another 10 minutes.
• Cool completely

  Let the granola cool completely on the trays before touching or breaking it apart. This is very important because the granola firms up as it cools and creates those crunchy clusters.
• Store

  Once completely cool, break the granola into chunks and store in mason jars or an airtight container.

Video

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Healthy Food by Annie (@healthy_food_by_annie)

Notes

1. Tray size note: I used two trays that are approximately 38 x 26 cm (15 x 10 inches) each. Try not to spread the granola too thick or too thin so it bakes evenly and forms crunchy clusters.
2. Use certified gluten-free oats if you need this recipe to be fully gluten-free.
3. Do not break the granola while it is warm. It needs to cool completely on the tray to become crunchy and form clusters.
4. For bigger clusters, press the granola firmly before baking and again after the first 20 minutes.
5. Store in an airtight jar or container at room temperature for up to 2 weeks.
6. Honey gives a slightly stickier cluster, while maple syrup keeps the recipe vegan-friendly.

 

Nutrition Facts per Serving:

Nutrition per serving: ⅓ cup (1 of 24 servings), Calories: 203 kcal, Protein: 5 g, Carbohydrate: 15 g, Net Carb: 12 g, Sugars: 5 g, Fat: 15 g, Saturated Fat: 3 g, Fiber: 3 g, Sodium: 75 mg

 

 

Nutrition Facts Notes:

✔️ Rich in healthy fats: Black tahini, almonds, walnuts, cashews, sunflower seeds and black sesame seeds provide mostly unsaturated fats that support heart health and sustained energy.

✔️ High in fibre: Oats, nuts, seeds, raisins and cacao nibs contribute fibre that supports digestion, gut health and helps keep you feeling satisfied.

✔️ Good source of plant-based protein: Nuts, seeds and oats provide plant protein, making this granola a more balanced breakfast or snack option.

✔️ Contains omega-3 fats: Walnuts naturally provide plant-based omega-3 fatty acids, which support overall health and wellness.

✔️ Rich in minerals: Black tahini, sesame seeds, nuts and oats provide important minerals including calcium, magnesium, iron, zinc, phosphorus and manganese.

✔️ Source of vitamin E: Almonds and sunflower seeds are naturally rich in vitamin E, an antioxidant that supports healthy cells, skin health and overall eye health.

✔️ Antioxidant-rich ingredients: Black sesame seeds, cacao nibs, cinnamon and walnuts contain beneficial antioxidants and plant compounds that help protect cells from oxidative stress.

✔️ Naturally gluten free option: When prepared with certified gluten-free oats, this granola is suitable for a gluten-free diet.

✔️ No refined sugar: Sweetened with honey or maple syrup, this granola contains no refined white sugar or artificial sweeteners.

✔️ Supports sustained energy: The combination of complex carbohydrates, fibre, healthy fats and protein helps provide longer-lasting energy compared to many store-bought granolas.

✔️ Nutrient-dense superfood ingredients: Black tahini, black sesame seeds, cacao nibs and nuts add a wide range of beneficial nutrients and plant compounds.

✔️ Perfect for breakfast or snacking: Enjoy with yogurt, milk, smoothie bowls, fresh fruit or simply by the handful as a satisfying snack.

 

Note: Estimated nutrition is based on 26 servings and using honey. Values may vary slightly depending on the exact brands of ingredients used and the final yield after baking.

Keyword Black tahini granola, crunchy homemade granola, Hommade granola, Superfood