5 Guilt-Free Granola Recipes (2024)

Low-Sugar Granola
PREP TIME:10 minutes / TOTAL TIME:45 minutes / SERVINGS:5
2 c rolled oats
¼ c water
2 Tbsp maple syrup
2 Tbsp ground flaxseed
1 Tbsp canola oil
1 tsp cinnamon
½ tsp ground cardamom
¼ c chopped hazelnuts
¼ c chopped dates
1 c soy milk
1. PREHEAT oven to 375ºF. Coat a large rimmed baking sheet with cooking spray. Set aside. Place oats, water, maple syrup, flaxseeds, oil, cinnamon, and cardamom in a large bowl. Stir well to combine.
2. SPREAD evenly on baking sheet and bake 20 minutes, stirring once or twice. Add hazelnuts and dates, and bake an additional 5 minutes. Remove and cool completely before storing in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 1 week.
NUTRITION (per ½ c serving) 251 cal, 7 g pro, 35 g carb, 5.5 g fiber, 10.5 g sugars, 10 g fat, 0.5 g sat fat, 2.5 mg sodium

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Low-Sodium Granola
PREP TIME:5 minutes /TOTAL TIME:30 minutes /SERVINGS:7
6 c rolled oats
½ c wheat germ
1 tsp ground cinnamon
¼ c honey
2 Tbsp vegetable oil
2 Tbsp water or apple juice
1 c raisins
1. PREHEAToven to 300°F. Coat two 2-quart no-stick baking dishes with non-stick spray.
2. COMBINEoats, wheat germ and cinnamon in a large bowl. In a small microwave-safe bowl, combine honey, oil, and water or apple juice. Microwave on high power for 1 minute. Stir well and add to oat mixture. Mix well.
3. SPREADgranola thinly and evenly in prepared baking dishes and bake for 20 minutes, or until granola is golden brown. Cool completely in baking dishes. Stir in raisins. Store in an airtight container in a cool, dry place. Makes 7 cups.
NUTRITION(per serving) 219 cal, 8 g pro, 39 g carb, 5 g fiber, 12 g sugars, 4.5 g fat, 0.5 g sat fat, 2 mg sodium

High-Protein Granola

Photo by Cultura/Danielle Wood/Getty Images

PREP TIME:5 minutes / TOTAL TIME:1 hour, 50 minutes / SERVINGS:7
3 c rolled oats
½ c unsalted roasted almonds
3 Tbsp whole flaxseeds
1 tsp ground cinnamon
1 c toasted wheat germ
4 scoops vanilla whey protein powder
2 Tbsp brown sugar
3 Tbsp honey
1 c water
3 Tbsp dried cranberries
3 Tbsp chopped dates
2 Tbsp raisins
1. PREHEAT oven to 350°F. In a large bowl, mix together all ingredients except cranberries, dates, and raisins. Coat a large baking pan with cooking spray. Add the mixture and spread from edge to edge to create an even layer.
2. BAKE for 90 minutes, stirring every 15 minutes, until granola is browned and crunchy. Remove from the oven and allow it to cool completely. Add the cranberries, dates, and raisins. Stir to mix.
NUTRITION (per ½ c serving) 418 cal, 23.5 g pro, 57.5 g carb, 9.1 g fiber, 23 g sugars, 12 g fat, 1.5 g sat fat, 28 mg sodium

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High-Fiber Granola
PREP TIME:7 minutes / TOTAL TIME:47 minutes / SERVINGS:10
3 c quick-cooking oats
½ c sliced almonds
2 Tbsp flaxseeds
2 Tbsp sesame seeds
¼ tsp salt
⅓ c honey
1 Tbsp sugar or light brown sugar
1 Tbsp extra-light olive oil
1 tsp vanilla extract
1 c chopped dried cherries
1. PREHEAT oven to 300°F. In a 9x13-inch baking pan, combine oats, almonds, flaxseeds, sesame seeds, and salt. Bake for 30 minutes, or until the oats and nuts are toasted and fragrant. Increase oven temperature to 350°F.
2. MEANWHILE, in a small saucepan, combine the honey, brown sugar, and oil. Cook over medium heat until sugar has melted, about 1 minute. Remove from heat and stir in vanilla. Drizzle honey mixture over oats and stir to coat.
3. BAKE, stirring occasionally, for 10 minutes, or until oats are crispy. With a spoon, break up any clumps. Stir in the cherries. Store in an airtight container.
NUTRITION (per ½ c serving) 230 cal, 6 g pro, 40 g carb, 7 g fiber, 17 g sugars, 6 g fat, 0.5 g sat fat, 60 mg sodium