My only experience cooking buckwheat was the giant pot of hot cereal I made for fifty 4th graders on a class overnight. The group was re-enacting life in a 19th century Russian settlement and the meals were in keeping with the times. The kasha, as it’s known, was one of the least appealing dishes I’ve ever cooked or eaten. This is why I had to laugh when I read these words in Carolynn Carreño’s new book, Bowls of Plenty, ” I don’t love buckwheat cooked. It reminds me of something you’d eat in a cold Russian winter when you didn’t have a lot of options.” Luckily, Carreño followed that up with a terrific recipe for homemade buckwheat granola.
Buckwheat is Better When Baked
Since Carreño so aptly nailed my opinion on kasha, I was intrigued to find an entirely different approach to cooking buckwheat in the pages of her book, which features gorgeous grain-based recipes, from amaranth to wild rice. One batch of her Buckwheat Crunch and I was hooked. Turns out buckwheat groats fare better when baked than stewed on the stovetop. As Carreño says, “They’re like nature’s Grape Nuts.”
Today’s recipe is my spin on the one in Bowls of Plenty. You start with uncooked buckwheat groats, which you can find in the bulk bin section of natural food markets or on some grocery store shelves (likely under the Bob’s Red Mill brand). Toss that with slivered almonds, sesame seeds, olive oil, maple syrup, and salt. I do this right on the baking sheet, which means one less bowl to clean. Then bake it until golden brown and crunchy.
Gluten-Free Buckwheat Granola
Fun Fact: Buckwheat isn’t wheat at all. It’s considered a pseudo grain, similar to quinoa and amaranth, and is gluten free. It’s excellent with sliced bananas under a pool of cold milk or sprinkled over plain yogurt with fresh berries. The combination of buckwheat, almonds, sesame seeds, and olive oil, means it’s a good source of fiber, antioxidants, healthy fats, and protein, which collectively will keep you filled up through a busy morning.
If you like Buckwheat Granola, you might like:
Homemade Buckwheat Granola
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 cups buckwheat (see notes)
- 1 cup slivered almonds
- 3 tablespoons sesame seeds
- 1/4 heaping teaspoon kosher salt
- 1 1/2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
- 2 tablespoons maple syrup
- 1/3 cup raisins
Instructions
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Preheat oven to 325 degrees F.
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Put the buckwheat, almonds, and sesame seeds on a large baking sheet. Sprinkle the salt and drizzle the olive oil and maple syrup over the top. Thoroughly stir everything together with your hands or a rubber spatula. Spread on the baking sheet and bake until toasted and lightly browned, stirring halfway through, about 20 minutes total.
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Let cool on the counter to allow the cereal to crisp up. Scatter the raisins over the top. Transfer to a jar or other sealed container.
Recipe Notes
Look for uncooked buckwheat groats. You do not want roasted buckwheat or buckwheat cereal.
Adapted from a recipe in Bowls of Plenty: Recipes for Healthy and Delicious Whole-Grain Meals by Carolynn Carreño
Comments
04.11.2017 at7:29 AM #
Pamela
I had a taste of this— delicious! I can’t wait to make it! Thanks Katie💚
04.11.2017 at9:31 AM #
Allison
In the recipe, you refer to your ingredient as “kasha”, which is roasted (or sometimes referred to as “toasted”) buckwheat), but in the Notes section you mention not to use roasted buckwheat. Please clarify. Thanks!
04.11.2017 at9:31 AM #
Katie Morford
For the recipe, use buckwheat that is not roasted. When I mentioned kasha in the post, it was in reference to the pot of hot cereal, not this granola. Hope that clarifies.
04.11.2017 at9:37 AM #
Madeleine
So looking forward to altering your feelings about “kasha” when the girls are home this summer! 😉 That doesn’t diminish that this prep looks very yummy… as does everything you prepare! 🙂
04.11.2017 at9:37 AM #
Katie Morford
I’m all for seeing the light on kasha!
04.11.2017 at3:42 PM #
Lauren O'Connor
I love kasha. First time I ever had it was as a little girl at my Nana’s who often made Kasha Varniskas (buckwheat and bow ties) with brisket. Today I enjoy it all sorts of ways. Can’t wait to try this buckwheat granola!
04.12.2017 at7:33 AM #
Nevila
I had some uncooked buckwheat at home and i didn’t how to use them. My only question is : do you previously soak the groats before baking them? Or you just toss them right away in the oven?
Thanks
Nevila
04.12.2017 at7:33 AM #
Katie Morford
You do not soak the buckwheat in advance. You just toss it with the other ingredients along with the maple syrup and olive oil.
07.14.2017 at12:39 PM #
Jeanette Macleod
I decided to give it a go. stupidly, having put it in the oven i read too late not roasted buckwheat. i run to check the packet. OH DEAR. I will let it cook and see how it turns out.
07.14.2017 at12:39 PM #
Katie Morford
I have done that myself… I just pulled it out a little earlier. Hope it works out for you.
05.29.2019 at9:11 AM #
Victoria
Thank you for sharing the recipe. But will 2 tablespoons of liquid sweetener be sufficient?
05.29.2019 at9:11 AM #
Katie Morford
How sweet you like your granola is all quite personal, of course, but I think 2 tablespoons here does the trick. The granola also has the natural sweetness of raisins.
09.09.2019 at2:29 AM #
Austeja
Hi, thanks for the recipe. I have IBS and I do not tolerate gluten and also oats buckwheat and rice are the only grains I rely on.
I have tried to make this granola a couple of times but it ended up so hard that it was impossible to chew. Do you have any idea how do you manage to soften it while baking it?
09.09.2019 at2:29 AM #
Katie Morford
Hi there! Yes, this is a very crunchy granola. I happen to like it that way, but if you don’t, you could let it sit in yogurt or milk for a minute before eating. I am not sure how to soften it in terms of baking. Wish I could be more helpful here!
03.24.2020 at4:10 PM #
Jennifer
When you click on the name “Carolynn Carreño’s” in the above recipe it pulls up a horrible website. Everyone please do not click on this. I believe your content has been changed somehow.
03.24.2020 at4:10 PM #
Katie Morford
Thank you for telling me! I just removed the link. Most appreciated.
06.22.2020 at2:21 PM #
Rhianna
I can’t wait to try this. I don’t have sesame seeds though. Can I sub sunflower, chia, flax or hemp? Thanks.
06.22.2020 at2:21 PM #
Katie Morford
Yes, you can substitute any seeds.
01.18.2021 at12:17 AM #
Uma
Hi
Thank you for this recipe. I made it and it came out well. I modified it by coating the groats with 1/4 cup sugar free apple juice mixed with cinnamon powder and 1 tablespoon honey. I added cranberries instead of raisins.Then I baked it. It is with mild to minimum sweet as the cranberries add some sweetness. Perfect for my gluten intolerant husband. Thanks once again.
01.18.2021 at12:17 AM #
Katie Morford
Wonderful! I love how you adapted this. Thank you for sharing.
04.06.2021 at9:41 PM #
Carol Shannon
I soaked the groats overnight and have dried them with low oven temperature. Will they work with oats or should I use them for something else? Thank you.
04.06.2021 at9:41 PM #
Katie Morford
I haven’t tried with oats, but I bet it would work. Let me know how it goes.
06.23.2021 at1:22 PM #
Poppi Woodhams
Hi
I just tried this but it all got stuck to the baking paper I used. Is that my mistake for using the paper? Or could it be because I used honey instead of maple syrup? Thanks!
06.23.2021 at1:22 PM #
Katie Morford
Honey is stickier than maple syrup, so I’m guessing that’s what happened.
06.27.2021 at4:39 AM #
Poppi Woodhams
Thanks Katie, would you recommend with or without baking paper on the baking sheet?
06.27.2021 at4:39 AM #
Katie Morford
I figure it can’t hurt.
04.04.2022 at12:50 PM #
Kristel
This is my favorite granola recipe. It’s easy to make and uses much less sugar and oil than other recipes. Perfect to add to yogurt!
04.04.2022 at12:50 PM #
Katie Morford
Thanks Kristel….I think I’m overdue to make a batch myself! Glad you like it.
05.03.2023 at1:09 PM #
Diana
Hoping to try this recipe loved my oatmeal but I cannot have anymore do to health issues so was looking for something to replace oats. Will try the buckwheat groats. Having so many issues with food.
05.03.2023 at1:09 PM #
Katie Morford
I’m sorry to hear that. I hope you like this. I also have a breakfast quinoa recipe that might be of interest.
08.07.2023 at11:07 AM #
Sarah
This sounds delicious! Is raw buckwheat the same as buckwheat groats?
08.07.2023 at11:07 AM #
Katie Morford
Yes!
01.28.2024 at5:23 AM #
Anouli
Hi amazing recipe. What is the shelf life of this when stored in an air tight container. Both at room temp and when refrigerated
01.28.2024 at5:23 AM #
Katie Morford
Oh gosh, it never lasts very long in my house, so I haven’t tested it. That said, I find granola in general will last a few weeks at room temp and longer in the fridge.
05.18.2024 at11:32 AM #
Daniella
Just made this and eating it now with yogurt and green apples. I was getting tired of eating so much oats in everything, this is a delicious alternative.
05.18.2024 at11:32 AM #
Katie Morford
Wonderful! It’s always good to mix things up.