Basic Granola Recipe (2024)

FAQs

How much granola is enough? ›

Go for a healthier choice with less added sugars and fats. And pay attention to the suggested serving size. How much granola should be consumed in a day? For one meal, a 1/4 to 1/2 cup serving should do.

Clumpy Granola Method: Add Egg White

About this method: According to Deb Perelman of Smitten Kitchen, “Nothing glues like protein.” While there are many granola recipes that include an egg white, I got this tip from the Big Cluster Maple Granola recipe in The Smitten Kitchen Cookbook.

Baking time: Increase the baking time for your granola. The longer you bake it, the drier and crunchier it will become. Keep a close eye on it to avoid burning, and stir it occasionally during baking to ensure even toasting.

The serving size for granola can differ by brand, but a typical portion of granola is 1/3 cup, says Sass, “about the size of one-third of a tennis ball.” That means sitting down to a big bowl of granola for breakfast is excessive.

Assuming you are consuming a true “serving size” of less than ½ cup of granola each day, and it isn't loaded with added sugars and fats (see next section), granola can be a part of a healthy diet.

Nut butter is a super flavorful fat that serves multiple purposes in granola. It acts as a binding agent—along with additional coconut oil and whatever natural sweetener I've chosen—helping to pull the dry ingredients together into a wet, sticky mass for baking.

You need to stir the granola as it bakes to encourage even toasting. But, about halfway through the total bake time, just let it be. As the sugars caramelize, they cause the ingredients to stick together and eventually form those oh-so-desirable clusters.

Natural peanut or cashew butter – It helps bind the bars together, and it adds protein, healthy fats, and irresistible nutty flavor. Whole rolled oats – They give these bars a perfect chewy texture. If you're gluten-free, make sure that you use certified gluten-free oats.

Yogurt and granola can be genuinely healthy, depending on the yogurt and granola you use. There are better and unhealthy forms of the two fixings. The best blend is Greek yogurt with granola, which is high in protein and fiber.

Granola with milk or yogurt is a great option for a healthier sweet treat at the end of the day, but you can also use it to top ice cream, milkshakes or homemade sweets.

What do you mix with granola? ›

Trail Mix. Simply add dried fruit, like raisins, craisins, or banana chips and nuts or seeds to granola. You'll have a homemade trail mix in an instant!

While granola is often considered a healthy food due to its whole grain and nut content, it can also be calorie-dense and high in added sugars and fats, particularly if it's sweetened or contains a lot of added ingredients like chocolate chips or dried fruits.

Sugar may not sound as exciting as honey or maple syrup, but those comparatively high-fructose sugars are eager to burn in the oven, making the granola bitter and dark.

Granola may prompt weight gain if eaten in excess, as it can be high in calories from added fats and sugars. What's more, sugar is linked to chronic conditions like type 2 diabetes, heart disease, and obesity.

How much granola should you eat a day? The prevailing belief is that you should consume 45-50g of granola daily. This is frequently the recommended portion size on the granola cereal package. Suggested portion sizes are often 45g, only about three tablespoons full.

Yes, it is possible to eat too much granola. While granola can be a healthy and nutritious food, it is often high in calories and sugar, especially if it contains added sweeteners or dried fruit. Eating too much granola on a regular basis can contribute to weight gain and other health problems.

For most people, a granola bar in your lunch or for snack every day is not going to be an issue. If we're having 2-3 a day, maybe it's time to find some more variety in your snacks, but that could vary by the person based on their specific needs.

The general consensus is that you should eat between 45 to 50g of granola a day. This is often the recommended portion size that is stated on our granola cereal packaging.