Basic Granola Recipe (2024)

FAQs

How much granola is enough? ›

What is a serving size of granola? 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.

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.

Not only can you transform that soggy, chewy granola back to being blissfully crunchy, but it's easier than you might think. All it takes is spreading the granola in a single layer on a rimmed baking sheet and heating it in a 400 degree oven for five minutes — essentially re-baking it.

Yes. "Granola does contain important nutrients, and if you enjoy it, eating some every day is probably fine as part of a balanced diet," says Harris-Pincus.

When dampened, chia seeds gel and swell to several times their original size, plus they get very sticky. Since they're already used as egg alternatives in baking, it's not surprising that chia seeds act as the ideal granola binder, but it is strange that they do it better than eggs.

Add an egg white.

The whites act as a kind of glue that binds the ingredients together. To ensure that the egg whites coat all the ingredients, I beat them with a whisk until foamy and increased in volume, which makes it much easier to fold into the granola.

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.

The best blend is Greek yogurt with granola, which is high in protein and fiber.

You can use any kind that you like, but my favorite low sugar vanilla yogurts are Two Good, Chobani Less Sugar, or Siggi's. If you prefer to sweeten your own, you can use plain Greek yogurt and use either honey or maple syrup.

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!

Saturated Fat

Some granola recipes or brands have a lot of saturated fat, often from ingredients like coconut oil. A diet high in saturated fat can harm your heart. Hence, aim for granola packed with more unsaturated fats, such as nuts and seeds.

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.

To avoid overeating granola, it's important to pay attention to portion sizes and the nutrition information on the packaging. Stick to a serving size of around 1/4 to 1/2 cup, and look for granolas that are low in added sugars and high in fiber and protein.

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.

Consuming one or two bars per day as a snack is generally acceptable, but should be balanced with other nutritional needs and the overall diet. Individuals should be cautious of their total daily intake of calories, sugar, fat, fiber, and sodium to maintain a balanced diet.