Healthy | Gluten-Free | No Refined Sugar | Vegetarian | Vegan Option | Dairy-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.
And the texture? It is everything you want from crunchy homemade granola. You get big crisp clusters, roasted nutty pieces, little seed crunch, chewy raisins, and that dark tahini coating that holds everything together. It looks absolutely stunning on the pan with that deep, dark colour, almost like rustic chocolate bark, and honestly, it is a total sensory experience. I find myself going to bed thinking about having a chunk with my morning coffee, then looking forward to crumbling it over a cold bowl of milk or yoghurt later in the day.
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 You’ll Love This Black Tahini Granola
✔️That Sweet Umami Crunch
Black tahini gives this granola a deep sesame richness, while cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, cacao nibs, and natural sweetness create that warm, sweet, almost umami flavour that makes every cluster so addictive.
✔️Big Chunky Clusters
It bakes into dark, crunchy granola clusters that are so satisfying to break apart, snack on, or crumble over yoghurt and smoothie bowls.
✔️Not Your Usual Granola
This granola is sweet, but in a deeper, more grown-up way. The black tahini brings earthy sesame depth, the spices add warmth, and the cacao nibs give a slightly bitter chocolate note that balances everything beautifully.
✔️Quick and Easy to Make
You only need about 10 minutes to mix everything together in one bowl, then spread it on a tray and bake.
✔️Crunchy, Chewy, and Satisfying
Every bite has a mix of crisp oats, roasted nuts, little seed crunch, chewy raisins, and rich black tahini coating.
✔️Made with Wholesome Ingredients
This granola is made with oats, nuts, seeds, cacao nibs, black tahini, coconut oil, and natural sweetness from honey or maple syrup.
✔️Refined Sugar-Free
It is naturally sweetened without white sugar, making it a lovely refined sugar-free granola option for breakfast or snacking.
✔️Gluten-Free Friendly
Use certified gluten-free oats if needed, and this becomes a beautiful gluten-free granola recipe for your breakfast rotation.
✔️Perfect for Meal Prep
Make one tray and keep it ready for the week to enjoy with milk, yoghurt, chia pudding, smoothie bowls, fruit, or coffee.
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.
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Black Tahini Granola | Crunchy, Gluten-Free, Refined Sugar-Free
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 ovenPreheat the oven to 160°C fan, or 320°F convection. Line two baking trays with parchment paper.
- Soak the black raisinsWash 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 nutsRoughly chop the cashews, almonds, and walnuts. Keep some pieces larger for extra crunch and chunky texture.
- Mix the dry ingredientsAdd 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 mixtureIn 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 granolaPour 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 pressDivide 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.
- BakeBake 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 completelyLet 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.
- StoreOnce completely cool, break the granola into chunks and store in mason jars or an airtight container.
Notes
- 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.
- Use certified gluten-free oats if you need this recipe to be fully gluten-free.
- Do not break the granola while it is warm. It needs to cool completely on the tray to become crunchy and form clusters.
- For bigger clusters, press the granola firmly before baking and again after the first 20 minutes.
- Store in an airtight jar or container at room temperature for up to 2 weeks.
- Honey gives a slightly stickier cluster, while maple syrup keeps the recipe vegan-friendly.
Nutrition Facts per Serving:
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.Some of Your Questions
How should I store homemade black sesame granola?
Store the completely cooled granola clusters in an airtight glass jar or container at room temperature. Kept in a cool, dry pantry, it will remain perfectly crunchy and fresh for up to 3 weeks.
Can I freeze this granola to keep it longer?
Yes. Place the granola clusters in a freezer-safe zip-top bag or airtight container, removing as much air as possible. It freezes beautifully for up to 3 months. Thaw at room temperature for 15 minutes before serving to restore the crunch.
What is the secret to getting big granola clusters?
Do not stir the granola when you pull it out of the oven! Press it firmly into a single flat sheet before baking, and let it cool completely on the hot sheet pan for 30–60 minutes. The mixture binds as it cools, forming giant, breakable shards.
