Which Granola Is Nut Free? The Essential Guide to Allergy-Safe Brands

November 10, 2025 •

4 min read

According to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), one in ten U.S. adults has a food allergy, making it crucial to navigate grocery store aisles with caution. For those managing a severe allergy, finding which granola is nut free can be a particularly challenging task, as many brands contain or are processed alongside nuts. This guide provides clarity on safely selecting a granola that fits your dietary needs.

Quick Summary

This guide details certified nut-free granola brands and teaches safe label-reading practices to protect against allergens. It covers dedicated facility information and provides alternatives for those with nut sensitivities.

Key Points

Check for Dedicated Facilities: The safest store-bought nut-free granola comes from brands that manufacture in dedicated allergen-free facilities, preventing cross-contact.
Read All Labels Carefully: Even products without nuts can carry a risk of cross-contamination if they have 'may contain' warnings or are processed on shared equipment.
Choose Seed-Based Alternatives: For homemade granola, use safe seeds like pumpkin, sunflower, and chia as a crunchy, protein-rich replacement for nuts.
Verify All Ingredient Sources: When making your own granola, ensure all components, including dried fruit and seeds, are sourced from certified allergy-friendly suppliers.
Trust Certifications over 'Vegan' Labels: Never assume a product is nut-free based on labels like 'vegan'; always scrutinize the specific allergen declarations and facility information.

Navigating the Granola Aisle for Nut-Free Options

For individuals with nut allergies, selecting a safe granola requires vigilance far beyond simply checking the ingredients list. The risk of cross-contact during manufacturing is a serious concern, making products from dedicated nut-free facilities the most reliable choice. A key step is understanding the difference between brands that are inherently nut-free and those that guarantee no cross-contamination.

How to Read Labels for Hidden Nut Allergens

Reading food labels is the first line of defense against allergic reactions. As of late 2024, the FDA requires food manufacturers to declare the nine most common allergens, including peanuts and tree nuts, in plain language on the product label. However, this doesn't protect against all risks. Here’s what to look for:

The 'Contains' Statement: Look for a clear 'Contains' statement that lists allergens. If a brand includes a specific nut, like 'Contains: Almonds,' it should be avoided.
Precautionary Allergen Labeling (PAL): Warnings like 'may contain nuts' or 'produced in a facility that also processes tree nuts' are used by manufacturers to address the risk of cross-contact. For those with severe allergies, these products are not safe to consume.
Check for Facility Information: The safest option is to choose brands that explicitly state they are manufactured in a dedicated nut-free facility. This information can often be found on the company's website or product packaging.
Verify Beyond 'Vegan' or 'Gluten-Free': A product labeled vegan, for example, is not automatically free of allergens like nuts. Always verify the allergen information specifically, as these terms don't guarantee safety for nut allergies.

Certified Nut-Free Brands for Peace of Mind

Several brands have established themselves as trustworthy options for those seeking nut-free granola. These companies prioritize allergen control and provide clear labeling for consumer safety. For instance, MadeGood Foods crafts its granola minis in a dedicated top-9 allergen-free facility, making them a safe and healthy option. Similarly, Red Plate Foods and 88 Acres manufacture their products in dedicated facilities free from the top allergens, including nuts. Other brands like Oat Haus and Safe + Fair also offer dedicated nut-free product lines. Checking their websites for the most current allergen information is always recommended.

Homemade Granola: The Ultimate Allergy Control

For those who prefer total control over ingredients and preparation, making your own granola at home is the most secure method. By sourcing ingredients from verified allergy-friendly brands, you can create a delicious and safe recipe tailored to your preferences. Common substitutions for nuts include seeds and dried fruit.

Nut-Free Granola Ingredients and Alternatives:

Seeds: Use a variety of safe seeds like sunflower seeds, pumpkin seeds (pepitas), chia seeds, and flax seeds to mimic the crunch of nuts. Source these from a brand that guarantees no cross-contamination, such as Gerb's Allergy-Friendly Foods.
Dried Fruit: Add flavor and chewiness with dried cranberries, cherries, raisins, or dates. Ensure these are also sourced from an allergen-safe supplier.
Seed Butters: Replace nut butters with sunflower seed butter or tahini for a creamy binder that helps form clusters.
Other Mix-Ins: Experiment with toasted coconut flakes, puffed rice cereal, or pretzels for additional texture.

Comparison Table: Certified Nut-Free Granola Brands


Brand	Allergen Information	Key Features	Where to Buy
MadeGood Foods	Dedicated top-9 allergen-free facility	Organic, gluten-free, with added nutrients from vegetables; available in Granola Minis	Website, Amazon, Target, Whole Foods
Red Plate Foods	Certified Gluten-Free and free from the top 10 allergens; dedicated facility	Vegan, made in small batches; flavors include Vanilla, Cinnamon, and Dark Chocolate	Website, Amazon, Sprouts
88 Acres (Seed'nola)	Dedicated top-9 free facility	Seed-based (sunflower, pumpkin); sustainable and delicious; various flavors like Cinnamon Maple	Website, Amazon
Safe + Fair	Dedicated top-9 allergen-free facility	Offers fun, dessert-inspired flavors; no artificial ingredients; vegan, gluten-free	Website, Amazon, Target
Oat Haus	Dedicated peanut and tree nut-free facility	Known for Granola Butter, expanded to granola; unique flavors like Cookie Dough and Brownie Batter	Website, Amazon
Gerb's Allergy-Friendly Foods	Dedicated top-14 allergen-free facility	Provides variety of seeded and dried fruit granolas; sold in various bag sizes	Website, Amazon, Walmart

Conclusion: Your Safest Granola Options

Choosing a nut-free granola is a manageable but serious process for allergy sufferers. The safest path involves selecting products from brands like MadeGood, Red Plate Foods, Safe + Fair, 88 Acres, Oat Haus, and Gerb's, which are transparent about their dedicated, allergen-free manufacturing processes. Alternatively, making your own granola at home provides the highest level of ingredient control and eliminates any risk of cross-contact. By prioritizing safe labeling and reputable suppliers, you can confidently enjoy a delicious and worry-free bowl of granola.

For more information on food allergen regulations and safety, consult the official guidance from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.

Frequently Asked Questions

The most reliable sign is a declaration on the packaging that the granola was made in a dedicated facility free from nuts or a specific list of allergens. Phrases like 'made in a nut-free facility' provide the strongest assurance against cross-contact.

No, a 'vegan' label only means the product contains no animal products. Nuts are not animal products, so a vegan granola could still contain nuts or be produced in a facility with nut cross-contamination.

Yes, for individuals with severe nut allergies, any product with a 'may contain nuts' or similar precautionary statement should be avoided. This indicates a risk of accidental cross-contamination during processing.

Several brands, including Oat Haus, Red Plate Foods, Safe + Fair, MadeGood, 88 Acres, and Gerb's Allergy-Friendly Foods, offer certified nut-free granola manufactured in dedicated facilities.

Excellent substitutes for nuts include sunflower seeds, pumpkin seeds (pepitas), chia seeds, and toasted coconut flakes. Seed butters can also be used as a binding agent.

For complete safety, purchase all ingredients from suppliers who are transparent about their allergen protocols or who operate dedicated allergen-free facilities, such as Gerb's Allergy-Friendly Foods.

No, while the FDA requires plain-language allergen declarations for the nine most common allergens, it does not mandate precautionary labeling for cross-contact risks. This is why trusting brands that use dedicated facilities is so important.