Store bought granola tends to be high in sugar and contain low quality oils and ingredients. Making your own not only saves money but also allows you to customize it to exactly how you like it. This healthy granola recipe is low in sugar, high in protein, fiber and healthy fats and makes a big enough batch to last for several days.
If you love my High Protein Overnight Oats and Killer Grain and Seed Cereal you are going to love this granola!
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Why you will love this recipe
- Easy to prepare - once you gather all your ingredients it's just a matter of mixing and baking.
- Less expensive than store-bought - with today's food prices who doesn't want that?
- Customizable - as long as you keep the dry to wet ratios relatively the same you can switch up the bits and bites as much as you like!
- Low in sugar - This recipe only has 6 g of sugar per ¼ cup serving.
- High in protein - with 6 g of protein per ¼ cup serving, you can boost the protein content in your yogurt, oatmeal or anything you like.
Ingredients and Substitutions
Please refer to the recipe card below for a full list of ingredients and quantities.
This recipe is very versatile and customizable. Keeping the ratio of dry to wet ingredients relatively the same feel free to substitute or add in any of the following:
- Nuts of your choice. Be sure to use unsalted and untoasted nuts and seeds as they will toast during the baking time.
- Flax seeds or hemp hearts
- Dried fruit. If adding dried fruit, do so after the granola has baked to avoid it drying out.
- Add more protein with the addition of your favorite protein powder. Add up to ½ a cup to the mix before baking.
- Other sweeteners such as brown rice syrup or date syrup can be used. Any type of sugar can also be used but you will need to dissolve it first. Place the oil, honey or maple syrup if using, and sugar into a small saucepan and heat over medium heat stirring until the sugar is dissolved.
- Nut butter - melt ¼ to ½ cup of your favorite nut butter with the oil and sweeteners to add more healthy fat and protein.
- Other oils - coconut oil or olive oil make great healthy fat substitutes. Keep in mind that both oils can add a slight flavor change and coconut oil may need to be melted first.
- Vanilla extract makes a lovely addition to the mix. Also feel free to bump up the cinnamon or ginger if you like a bit more spice.
How to make this recipe
Please see full instructions in the recipe card below.
- Mix together the oil, honey, and maple syrup.
- Mix all the dry ingredients together in a large bowl.
- Add the honey mixture to the dry ingredients and stir well to combine.
- Spread on a parchment lined baking tray then bake, stirring every 15 minutes, for approximately 45 minutes.
Expert Tips
- Baking granola at a low temperature for a longer period of time ensures that everything bakes evenly and it doesn't burn.
- Stirring often also prevents burning and even baking.
- If you prefer a more "chunky" granola, press it down firmly right when you take it out of the oven and let it cool without stirring.
- If you like it even more crunchy with larger clusters beat one egg white and mix it into the oil and sweetener mixture. You can also increase the amount of sweetener by an extra ¼ cup or so. Play around with it!
Can I use quick oats to make granola?
Quick or instant oats won't work for granola. Old fashioned, rolled, or large flake oats are your best option. You can use steel cut oats keeping in mind the texture will be more firm and chewy.
How to store granola
Keep granola at room temperature, in a sealed container for 2 to 3 weeks. I like to keep mine in a glass jar just because it looks so darn good!
What to eat with homemade granola
My favorite way to enjoy this low-sugar granola is with plain Greek yogurt but any yogurt will do. Granola is also delicious with your favorite milk or sprinkled on top of oatmeal, pancakes or waffles. Try it on top of these High Protein Overnight Oats.
Tried this recipe? I would love it if you could leave a star rating ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ and/or a comment below. You can also follow me on social media here on Facebook, Instagram, and Pinterest!
📖 Recipe
Healthy Low-Sugar Granola
Ingredients
- ¼ cup honey
- ¼ cup maple syrup
- ⅓ cup avocado oil
- 3 cups large flake or old fashioned oats
- ½ teaspoon cinnamon
- ¼ teaspoon ground ginger
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ½ cup coconut
- ½ cup pumpkin seeds raw unsalted
- ½ cup sunflower seeds raw unsalted
- ¼ cup sesame seeds
- ¼ cup chia seeds
Instructions
- Adjust oven rack to center position and preheat to 300 degrees F.
- In a small bowl whisk together the honey, maple syrup, and oil.
- In a large bowl stir together oats, cinnamon, ginger, salt, coconut, pumpkin seeds, sunflower seeds, sesame seeds and chia seeds. Pour the oil mixture over the oat mixture and stir to combine well.
- Pour everything onto a 12 x 18-inch baking tray lined with parchment paper or foil. Spread everything into an even layer.
- Bake for 45 minutes, stirring every 15 minutes, or until the granola is nicely browned and toasted. Keep an eye on it as baking times may vary depending on your oven.
- Let cool completely. If you like chunks or clusters of granola pack it down after removing from the oven and let cool completely. Store in a jar or airtight container on the counter for 2-3 weeks.
Notes
- Use large flake or old fashioned oats for best results.
- As long as you keep the ratios of wet to dry ingredients relatively the same you can mix and match other ingredients as you like.
- Nutritional Facts are only an estimate using an online calculator.
Chris L says
Delicious! I have this granola on my yogurt and fruit, it’s so tasty! I have to make this every weekend because my family have discovered it thanks to the amazing smell while it’s baking, and of course, the taste. Thanks Andrea!
Andrea says
My pleasure! I'm so happy everyone is enjoying it!
Michelle Thornley says
Incredible! I crave this granola. Easy to make. Good for you and added bonus the house smells Incredible while it's baking. A MUST TRY!
Andrea says
So happy you enjoyed it! Thanks for commenting!
Kim Peever says
Thanks Andrea! Awesome recipe! I made my first batch yesterday but I know it won't be my last. I added in 1/4 cup of hemp hearts and 1/4 cup of dried cranberries. Delicious!
Andrea says
Love the additions! Thanks so much for commenting!
Darnell says
This is delicious. 👏👏👏. It will never last 2 - 3 weeks because it is so good Just made it and the house smells amazing but also while I wait for it to cool I tried some and it is so so so much better than store bought granola and so easy to make. Thank you Andrea.
Andrea says
I'm so happy you are enjoying it! Such a wonderful aroma! Thank you for commenting!
Lorraine says
I love the idea that this recipe has flexibility but also you have suggested higher protein tweaks with less sugar and some nice spices. My perfect morning meal!
Andrea says
I'm so happy you like the recipe Lorraine. Thanks for commenting!
Lorie Greer says
I'm getting to ready to throw the first batch in the oven and made recipe as is. Next time I would like to add peanut butter but wasn't sure if I'm supposed to decrease/replace the amount of oil.
Andrea says
Hi Lorie! The nut butter can be in addition to the oil. Hope you enjoy it!
Marylynn says
Wow, another great recipe, added peanut butter, pecans and vanilla, so yummy. Had with milk this morning could have kept eating. Thanks for putting out such great recipes.
Andrea says
So happy you enjoyed it and sounds like a delicious combo!
Kim MacKenzie says
Thank you Andrea for another amazing and easy recipe!! I added cashew butter and walnuts to bump up protein. OMG so delicious and I think I will be eating it right from my mason jar by the handfuls.
Thank you again
Kim MacKenzie
Andrea says
Those sound like delicious additions!
Sharon Van Dyke says
Just made this, super easy and delicious! I split it up into mason jars for storage. This is my 3rd recipe of yours I made this week. Thanks Andrea for keeping the recipes coming!
Andrea says
Wow that's amazing Sharon! I'm so happy you are loving everything!
Claudine Schuster says
Easy and fantastic!!!! I switched up almonds for sunflower seeds because that is what I had available. So many versatile ways to change it up!!!
Andrea says
I'm so happy you enjoyed it Claudine! Thanks so much for the comment ☺️
Suze says
I just made up a batch and it is Delicious! Just like all your other recipes I’ve tried. Thank you
Andrea says
I'm so happy you enjoyed it Suze. Thanks for commenting!
Marlene says
Thank you Andrea for another awesome recipe! Just made this granola and love it!! I added 1/4 cup hemp hearts and next time will also add 1/4 cup flax seeds. Would I need to add more liquid to balance out dry ingredients?
Andrea says
It's completely up to you and how crunchy and sweet you like it. I suggest playing around with it until you hit your sweet spot (pun intended!)
Janet says
this looks excellent, I will be trying and let you know
Deb says
Could I make these into small bars
Andrea says
Hi Deb, they wouldn't work as bars as they don't have much binding. I haven't tested it but you could probably add some egg whites and/or nut butter to help with that. Let me know if you test that out!