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    Protein Granola

    Published: Oct 11, 2021 by Elise Shivamber · This post may contain affiliate links · Leave a Comment

    Jump to Recipe Print Recipe

    Protein Granola is the perfect healthier breakfast, snack or after-dinner treat! This homemade granola recipe is packed with 12g of protein, whole grains, crunchy nuts and seeds and is sweet, sticky and crunchy! (Vegan + Gluten-free)

    Protein granola close up shot with some granola crumbles and dried strawberries on a wooden spoon.

    Granola is a great healthy snack or breakfast to have prepared. When homemade, granola is simple to make, less expensive and not full of refined sugar and fats. This crunchy granola recipe is the recipe for successful granola so you can customize it on your own!

    If you’re like me, buying granola is a huge treat, because it can be quite expensive. And it’s a treat I don’t often purchase, because I hate being hungry after eating it. 

    So, that's why I add protein powder to my granola to not only feel balanced, but to stay full for sooo much longer!

    Once I started making sure every meal was balanced in proteins, carbs and lots of veggies/fruits, I struggled with breakfast ideas. That means my measly toast was replaced with protein granola, overnight oats/chia pudding with protein, meal prepped protein pancakes and protein vegan quinoa bowls. And on weekends, I ball out with some Chilaquiles topped with eggs and chorizo (because YUM!).

    This protein granola recipe is so simple and is a foolproof way to incorporate more protein into your diet, and is so easy to meal prep! Plus, homemade granola can be used on smoothies or smoothie bowls, to make a mini parfait, or to eat by the handfuls! I love having it on hand for a healthier snack, or even as my breakfast with a little bit of greek yogurt!

    Jump to:
    • Highlights of this Recipe
    • Ingredients
    • Instructions
    • Mix In Ideas
    • Clean Ingredient Tips
    • 💭 Top Tips
    • How to Store
    • Frequently Asked Questions
    • How to Use
    • Healthy Breakfast Recipes
    • 📖 Recipe

    Highlights of this Recipe

    This recipe is:

    • Easy
    • Refined sugar free
    • Few ingredients
    • High protein

    Ingredients

    All of the ingredients needed for granola: oats, maple syrup, vanilla, cinnamon, nut butter and protein powder.

    Rolled Oats - Make sure to use rolled oats aka old fashioned oats. Quick oats or steel cut oats will burn much faster and won’t cook properly. You can substitute part of the rolled oats for pre-washed quinoa.

    Protein Powder - Use an unflavored, vanilla or chocolate protein powder. Tips below for the cleanest protein powders out there!

    Nut or Seed Butter - Use a nut or seed butter that has no added sugar and no added oils. You can use peanut butter, cashew butter, almond butter, or a nut free alternative like sunflower seed butter or pumpkin seed butter. I prefer to make my own nut butter because it's so easy and less expensive per serving!

    Sweetener - I use maple syrup to make this recipe vegan, but you can also use honey.

    Mix-ins of choice 

    Instructions

    Making granola is so easy, it’s surprising!

    First, you’re going to want to add all ingredients except nut butter into a large mixing bowl.

    Next, microwave the nut butter in 30 second intervals until thinned out and loose.

    Pour the nut butter over all other ingredients and stir well to combine. 

    • Process of mixing ingredients together to make protein granola.
      Add all ingredients to the same bowl.
    • Protein granola in a bowl after mixing all of the ingredients together.
      Mix until completely together.

    Place the granola mixture onto a large 11x17 parchment paper lined baking sheet. Pack the granola together to get the crumbliest pieces.

    Flattening the protein granola onto parchment lined baking tray before baking.
    Flatten the granola on the parchment paper.

    Bake granola for 20-22 minutes in a 325ºF oven, stirring gently halfway.

    Protein granola in a large clump after baking. Next step: break up into crumbles.
    Granola out of the oven once complete.

    Remove from the oven and let cool. Once cool, break into crumbles.

    Protein granola after breaking it up into large crumbles.
    Granola broken into large crumbles.

    Add mix-in's and enjoy!

    Mix In Ideas

    A close up view of granola with mix-in's of seeds, nuts and strawberries.

    The best part about granola is it’s really flexible! You can substitute your preference for nuts, dried fruits and other mixins!

    • Coconut flakes
    • Nuts like pumpkin seeds, slivered almonds, walnuts, pecans, sunflower seeds, peanuts, or cashews
    • Dried fruit like cranberries, cherries, blueberries, apricots or raisins
    • Freeze dried fruit like freeze dried strawberries
    • Chocolate chips or chunks or cacao nibs
    • Goji berries
    • Flax seeds or hemp seeds

    Clean Ingredient Tips

    Clean Oat Brands

    So, what is the cleanest oats brand? There are quite a few clean oats out there. Look for oats that have:

    • Few ingredients (think: oats, water and salt - the fewer the better)
    • No gums (like xanthan gum)
    • Glyphosate* free oats or organic oats or gluten free oats

    *Glyphosate (an ingredient in pesticides that is toxic to plants) is found in non-organic ingredients. Wheats and grains can have higher levels of glyphosate and are better if purchased as glyphosate free, organic or gluten free.

    Are Oats Gluten Free?

    Oats are not intrinsically gluten free. 

    Oats can be sometimes contaminated with gluten as they are processed in facilities with gluten. If you are celiac or have a stronger gluten intolerance, look for gluten-free certified oats.

    Look for glyphosate free oats or gluten-free certified oats.

    Best Clean Protein Powders

    Protein powder and clean eating may seem like a direct contrast. While I prefer to get the majority of my nutrients directly from the food I eat, sometimes a protein powder is necessary for adding protein to my diet. I personally use Optimum Nutrition Gold Standard 100% Whey, but there are a good amount of options available - both whey and plant-based. When searching for a clean protein powder, ignore any marketing tools and look immediately at the label. 

    Make sure your protein powder has:

    • Whey or a plant-based protein source as the first ingredient
    • Limited added sugar
    • At least 20g protein per serving, aim for 25g
    • Testing by a third-party like NSF Certified for Sport

    Can I use a flavored protein powder?

    Unflavored protein powders are going to give you the most natural ingredients. Aim for the unflavored protein powders if possible, but if you are going to use a flavored protein powder just check the ingredients labeled!

    💭 Top Tips

    Spread Out Mixture Evenly

    You want the granola ingredients to be semi crowded but still even so that all ingredients can toast evenly. I like to pack mine together to get the granola crumbles.

    Use Parchment Paper

    You don’t want the granola mixture to stick to the pan and parchment paper helps.

    Let the Granola Cool

    Let the granola cool completely before removing from the pan and breaking into little crumbles. 

    Mix’ins Once Granola is Cooled

    If you like adding mix-ins, wait until the granola has cooled completely. Then it’s time to add your dried fruits, chocolate chips, or 

    Final view of protein granola crumbles with mix-in's on a baking sheet.

    How to Store

    Store granola in an airtight container. It can be kept at room temperature or in the fridge for up to 2-4 weeks.

    Keep homemade granola by freezing it immediately. Put cooked granola into airtight containers or bags. Remove as much air as possible and keep in the freezer for close to 6 months.

    To thaw frozen granola, simply leave container on the counter. It should take 1-2 hours to dethaw.

    Read more about freezing homemade granola here.

    Frequently Asked Questions

    What can be used to substitute nuts in granola if I have a nut allergy?

    You can add dried fruits instead of nuts after the granola cools.

    What type of oats should I use in granola?

    You can use old fashioned oats or rolled oats. These are best because they’re softer.

    Why is my granola not crunchy?

    Too hot of an oven can cause some of the ingredients to burn, while others won’t get crispy enough. Stick to the lower temperature of the oven to make sure that ingredients crisp up and dry out enough to be crunchy.

    Should I refrigerate granola?

    You can store homemade or store bought granola at room temperature or in the fridge for 2 weeks. Freeze granola for up to 6 months.

    A view of protein granola in a white bowl with milk and a spoon.

    How to Use

    Eat granola with dairy or nondairy milk as a homemade cereal!

    Toss into pancake batter or on top of baked goods like blueberry lemon bread.

    Sprinkle on top of roasted vegetables, like carrots.

    Use on top of breakfasts like chia pudding, or on top of yogurts. 

    Eat with fresh fruit like strawberries or cherries.

    Add crunch onto homemade ice cream sundaes or in Greek yogurt popsicles.

    Healthy Breakfast Recipes

    • Savory Breakfast Quinoa Bowl
    • 3 Ingredient Chia Pudding
    • Oat Milk Pancakes
    • Greek Yogurt Blackberry Popsicles

    📖 Recipe

    Featured image of protein granola on a brown wooden spoon.

    High Protein Granola

    Elise Shivamber
    High Protein Granola is the perfect healthier breakfast, snack or after-dinner treat! This homemade granola recipe gives you the formula for making perfectly cooked and customizable granola every single time. Oh, and it's packed with 12g of protein per serving! (Makes 4 Cups with mix-in's)
    5 from 1 vote
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe
    Prep Time 10 mins
    Cook Time 20 mins
    Cooling Time 30 mins
    Total Time 1 hr
    Course Breakfast, Snack
    Cuisine American
    Servings 8 servings
    Calories 228 kcal

    Ingredients
      

    • 2 Cups Rolled Oats
    • ½ Cup Protein Powder
    • ½ Cup Nut Butter
    • ¼ Cup Maple Syrup
    • ½ Teaspoon Vanilla Extract
    • ½ Teaspoon Cinnamon
    • ¾-1 Cup Mix-ins of Choice optional

    Optional Mix-In’s I Used

    • ½ Cup Nuts I used half slivered almonds and half pumpkin seeds
    • ½ Cup Freeze Dried Fruit I used freeze dried strawberries

    Instructions
     

    • Preheat oven to 325ºF. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and set to the side.
    • Add the nut butter and maple syrup into a small microwave safe bowl. Microwave in 30-second chunks of time, until the peanut butter is thinned out and melted.
    • Pour the nut butter/maple syrup mixture over the rolled oats, protein powder and spices into a large mixing bowl. Mix well to combine completely, you may even use your hands to squish the granola together.
    • Spread granola mixture onto a parchment paper lined sheet pan. Flatten down into one large flat clump to make the granola have large crumbles.
    • Bake for 20-22 minutes in the oven, stirring halfway gently, re-flatten the granola together and put back in oven.
    • Remove the granola from the oven once fully cooked. Once granola reaches room temperature, break into large crumbles and transfer into a mixing bowl to add mix-ins of choice.
    • Store homemade granola in an airtight container at room temperature or in the fridge. Granola is good for 2 weeks.

    Notes

    Rolled Oats - Make sure to use rolled oats aka old fashioned oats. Quick oats or steel cut oats will burn much faster and won’t cook properly. You can substitute part of the rolled oats for pre-washed quinoa.
    Protein Powder - Use an unflavored, vanilla or chocolate protein powder.
    Nut or Seed Butter - Use a nut or seed butter that has no added sugar and no added oils. You can use peanut butter, cashew butter, almond butter, or a nut free alternative like sunflower seed butter or pumpkin seed butter.
    Sweetener - I use maple syrup to make this recipe vegan, but you can also use honey.
    Mix-ins of choice - like nuts, dried or freeze dried fruits, coconut flakes, chocolate chunks, cacao nibs, chia seeds.
    Store granola in an airtight container. It can be kept at room temperature or in the fridge for up to 2-4 weeks.
    Keep homemade granola longer by freezing it immediately. Put cooked granola into airtight containers or bags. Remove as much air as possible and keep in the freezer for close to 6 months.
    Let the granola cool completely before removing from the pan and breaking into little crumbles. 
    You don’t want the granola mixture to stick to the pan and parchment paper helps.
    You want the granola ingredients to be semi crowded but still even so that all ingredients can toast evenly.

    Nutrition

    Serving: 0.5CupCalories: 228kcalCarbohydrates: 24gProtein: 12gFat: 10gSaturated Fat: 1gPolyunsaturated Fat: 3gMonounsaturated Fat: 5gCholesterol: 11mgSodium: 13mgPotassium: 234mgFiber: 4gSugar: 7gVitamin A: 19IUVitamin C: 1mgCalcium: 99mgIron: 2mg
    Keyword granola, granola protein, granola with protein powder, high protein granola, protein granola
    Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!
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