Why I Created This Protein-Packed Gluten-Free Granola Recipe with Sea Berries and Figs

This recipe started with a lovely email from one of my newsletter readers who asked:

“Do you have a “go-to” granola recipe that’s high-protein, low sugar and gluten-free using your dried sea buckthorn berries?”

It was one of those moments where I thought — yes! This is exactly the kind of real-food recipe I’ve been craving, too. I often find store-bought granolas way too sweet, too oily, or full of fillers. And if you’re someone trying to support your gut health, those extras can get in the way.

I wanted something light yet nourishing, with ingredients that add function, not filler — the kind of granola that holds up in a smoothie bowl or works as a snack on the go.

🍽 Real-Life Tested — With Tips If You Prefer Bigger Clusters

When I made this batch, I loved the toasty quinoa, the crunch of seeds and nuts, and the bright contrast between the tartness of the sea buckthorn berries and the sweetness of the dried fig pieces. The result was a wonderful cereal-style granola — but it was a bit crumbly for my taste, as I prefer a chunkier granola. So I experimented with a few strategies to help it clump together better — and it worked!

Here’s what I recommend:

Use a flax egg or whipped egg white to create a natural binder (especially helpful when using instant oats).
Increase the almond butter and apple purée, press the mixture firmly onto the pan before baking, and skip the mid-bake stir to let it set.
Chop your dried figs small so they help glue clusters together, and use your hands to mix the granola, gently squeezing it into the soft flesh of the figs.

These tweaks help create bigger bites that stick to the fruits and nuts — making your granola more snackable and satisfying.

Protein-Packed Gluten-Free Granola with Sea Berries and Figs

A high-protein, fibre-rich granola that’s easy on the sugar, gluten-free, and made without added oils. This batch includes lightly sweetened dried sea buckthorn berries and dried figs for a tangy-sweet twist — perfect for a gut-friendly breakfast or snack you’ll actually feel good about.

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Prep Time 10

Cook Time 30

Total Time 40

Course Breakfast, Snack

Cuisine gluten free, Health focused

Servings 4 cups (8–10 servings)

Calories 160 kcal

Equipment

1 Large mixing bowl
1 small saucepan
1 Baking Sheet
1 Set measuring cups
1 set measuring spoons
1 spatula

Ingredients

2 cups Gluten-free instant oats
1/2 cup Puffed quinoa
1/3 cup Pumpkin seeds
2 tbsp Chia seeds mixed with hemp seeds
2 tbsp Ground flaxseed
1/3 cup Chopped almonds and walnuts
1/2 tsp Ground cinnamon
Pinch of sea salt
1/4 cup Unsweetened apple purée
1 tbsp Almond butter
1 tsp Vanilla extract
1/2 cup Lightly sweetened dried sea buckthorn berries (stirred in after baking)
1/3 cup Chopped dried figs (stirred in after baking)

Instructions

Preheat oven to 325°F (160°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
Mix dry ingredients in a large bowl: oats, puffed quinoa, pumpkin seeds, hemp-chia, flaxseed, nuts, cinnamon, and salt.
Warm wet ingredients: In a small saucepan, gently heat apple purée and almond butter until smooth. Remove from heat and stir in vanilla.
Combine wet and dry ingredients, mixing well to coat.
Spread onto baking sheet in a firm, even layer. For larger clumps, press down with a spatula and avoid stirring mid-bake.
Bake for 25–30 minutes or until golden brown. Let cool completely.
Stir in dried sea buckthorn berries and chopped figs once cooled.
Store in an airtight container for up to 2 weeks.

Notes

🔬 Nutritional Notes (Per ~1/2 cup serving, estimated)

Calories: ~160
Protein: ~6g
Fibre: ~4g
Fat: ~6g (mostly from seeds/nuts)
Sugar: Naturally occurring + a touch of cane sugar from sweetened sea buckthorn berries (approx. 2–3g per serving depending on berry quantity)

💡 How This Recipe Supports Your Health Goals
This recipe was designed to be:
- ✅ Gluten-Free – Made with gluten-free oats and puffed quinoa
- ✅ High in Plant Protein – With chia, hemp, pumpkin seeds, and nuts
- ✅ Low in Added Sugar – Sweetened only with lightly sweetened dried seaberries and figs
- ✅ Low in Fat – Uses no added oils; almond butter adds minimal fat and a lovely toasted flavour
- ✅ Gut-Friendly – Rich in fibre, omega-3s, and prebiotics to support digestion

Keyword gluten-free, granola, gut health, high protein, low-sugar, Sea Buckthorn Recipes

💬 Try It and Tag Me!

If you’re looking for a way to enjoy functional, real-food breakfasts — especially if you’re following a gut-friendly, gluten-free or lower-sugar lifestyle — this granola might be your new go-to.

Ready to try it? You can grab a pouch of my lightly sweetened dried seaberries here and let your creativity take it from there. (They’re delicious in trail mix and scones too, just saying…)

👉 Tag @MyPrettyBerry on Instagram if you make it, or send me your tweaks — I’d love to see how you bring these ideas to life in your kitchen.

Omega Fruit Sea Buckthorn Products

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BENEFITS

With 70% of our immune system residing in our gut, what we put into it, counts! Sea buckthorn juice is known to help achieve balanced nutrient intake, cold and flu resistance and increased energy levels. It’s inflammation reducing antioxidants help athletes fight body fatigue, and the balanced Omegas fatty acids 3 – 6, 7* & 9, are considered to have a clear role in the prevention and healing of certain Atopic disorders.

RECIPE IDEAS

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Products

Frozen Sea Buckthorn berries (IQF) $65,50 – $282,00
Sea Buckthorn Shrubs | cultivar: LORD $14,00

Protein-Packed Gluten-Free Granola with Sea Buckthorn Berries and Figs

Why I Created This Protein-Packed Gluten-Free Granola Recipe with Sea Berries and Figs

🍽 Real-Life Tested — With Tips If You Prefer Bigger Clusters