Crunchy High Protein Granola is an easy healthy breakfast or snack with clusters of nuts, seeds and oats, naturally sweetened and packed with 11 grams of protein!
We love this recipe so much, I turned it into protein granola bars!
This high protein granola is perfect for summer! Toss it in a bowl of yogurt or cottage cheese with in-season fruit and fresh berries. Or break into smaller pieces and enjoy it with almond milk!
It turned out delish with a nutty, slightly sweet flavor and plenty of crunch. I mixed in plain, 1 gram sugar Cheerios for fun, added some protein powder, and tossed in the highest protein nuts and seeds.
But you can make it your own, just remember to use the correct ratio of dry to wet ingredients found in the tips section below.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Lower in sugar than store-bought: I despise commercial granola because the high sugar content makes my teeth cringe, even with the organic brands. This is healthier and tastes so much better!
- Higher in protein: Nuts, seeds, oats, egg whites, and protein powder give you 11 grams of protein per 1/2 cup.
- Wholesome ingredients: We’re talking whole grains and nuts with extra virgin olive oil and natural sweetener.
- Easy to make: Super meal prep friendly with just 10 minutes of prep and 30 minutes in the oven.
- Versatile: Use nuts and seeds you love, omit protein powder, and add your favorite dried fruit.
- Kids love it: So delicious and they will eat flax seeds and pumpkin seeds without even noticing!
Ingredients for High Protein Granola
These 9 simple ingredients make this granola higher in protein than any store-bought bag, and costs less too.
- Oats: Both quick and rolled oats work great for this recipe. For a gluten free version, use certified gluten free oats.
- Cheerios: I mixed in plain Cheerios with just 1 gram of sugar, but feel free to omit and add more oats.
- Nuts and seeds: I tossed in unsalted peanuts, pumpkin seeds, and whole flax seeds to make this part of my high protein recipes collection. Use what you have and check out the variations below for more ideas.
- Protein powder: Use unflavored or vanilla protein powder, I went with LeanFit whey vanilla. You can also try chocolate one or skip it altogether.
- Liquid sweetener: Pure maple syrup or honey naturally sweetens the granola without added sugar. Just remember, honey isn’t vegan. You can also use plant-based alternatives like agave nectar.
- Oil: Extra virgin olive oil gives it a hint of sweetness and a perfect crunch.
- Egg whites: Binds the ingredients together and adds a bit of protein.
How to Make High Protein Granola
This recipe is a breeze for anyone! Just mix everything in one bowl, bake, cool, and break it apart.
We’re making 12 servings so you’ll need to line 2 large rimmed baking sheets and preheat the oven to 300 F.
- Combine dry ingredients: Add oats, cheerios, peanuts, pumpkin seeds, flax seeds and protein powder to a large bowl and mix to combine.
- Add wet ingredients: Stir in the maple syrup, olive oil, and egg whites until everything is well coated.
- Transfer and bake: Split the granola mixture between baking sheets, then use a spatula to spread it out evenly and press it into a single layer. Bake for 30 minutes.
- Cool and break: Let it cool for 10 minutes after coming out of the oven. Break into granola clusters and serve with yogurt, cottage cheese, or milk.
Tips for Best Results
Here are my expert tips for the best high protein granola recipe, you’ll want to make it every weekend!
- Bake on 2 sheets: To help it dry out, clump up, and roast evenly.
- Spread it well: So it bakes through properly. Don’t spread it in a thick layer, or it won’t stick together as well.
- Don’t stir: You will break the clumps if you stir it after removing from the oven. Wait till after it cools, then break.
- Experiment but remember this ratio: 5-6 cups of dry ingredients to 1 cup of wet ingredients. It’s the secret to granola greatness!
Variations and Add-Ins
- Nuts: Mix and match raw walnuts, pecans, almonds, cashews and pistachios instead of, or in addition to peanuts.
- Seeds: Chia seeds, sunflower seeds, sesame seeds, hemp seeds, or poppy seeds will add flavor and crunch.
- Cereal: Use corn flakes or puffed brown rice or quinoa instead of cheerios. Or just add in more oats.
- Dried fruit: You can add a variety of dried fruits after baking and breaking. Try raisins, dried cranberries, cherries, apricots, blueberries, dates or figs. You can also mix in some chopped banana chips.
- Spices: Add a dash of cozy cinnamon, nutmeg, vanilla extract, or pumpkin pie spice before baking.
- Other mix-ins: Tweak it to your taste with chocolate chips, coconut flakes, fresh orange or lemon zest, sea salt, or a few tablespoons of melted peanut butter, cashew butter, almond butter, or sunflower seed butter.
How to Store
Store: Pop your granola into a big airtight container or bag, and stash it in a cool, dry spot. I also add a slice of bread to the container to help absorb moisture and keep granola dry. It’ll stay fresh for weeks!
Freeze: You can freeze your granola for up to 3 months. Storing it in a vacuum-sealed bag is best, but an airtight container will work too.
Reheat: I love the toasty, fresh flavor of warm granola! If frozen, thaw at room temperature. Reheat in the oven at 300 F for 10-15 minutes to restore its texture.
FAQs
Yes, but remember that if you skip the protein powder the protein content will be lower, and the flavor might be less sweet, depending on the other mix-ins you use.
Maybe, although I haven’t tried it. It is more absorbent than whey so you will need to add more oil or other liquids to make sure it sticks together.
You can substitute with 1/4 cup olive oil (will clump less) or maple syrup. You need it to be a liquid in order for this granola recipe to work.
No. Steel cut oats are too hard and your homemade granola will be too crunchy. You may use quick cooking steel cut oats though.
More Granola Recipes to Try
More High Protein Recipes
High Protein Granola
Equipment
Ingredients
- 3 cups quick or rolled oats
- 1 cup plain cheerios or more oats
- 3/4 cup peanuts unsalted or other nuts
- 1/2 cup pumpkin seeds
- 1/4 cup flax seeds whole
- 1/3 cup vanilla whey protein powder omit if you want
- 1/2 cup maple syrup or honey
- 1/4 cup olive oil extra virgin
- 2 large egg whites
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 300 degrees F and line 2 large rimmed baking sheets with parchment paper. Set aside.
- In a large mixing bowl, add oats, cheerios, peanuts, pumpkin seeds, flax seeds and protein powder. Mix well with spatula.
- Add maple syrup, olive oil and egg whites. Stir until well mixed and coated.
- Divide granola mixture between 2 baking sheets and level evenly with spatula while pressing it into a single layer. Bake for 30 minutes.
- Remove granola from the oven and let cool for 10 minutes. Break into pieces and enjoy with yogurt, cottage cheese or milk.
Notes
- Store: Place in a large airtight container or bag and store in a cool dry place for weeks.
- Freezing: Granola can freeze in an airtight container, or better yet a vacuum-sealed bag, for up to 3 months.
- Reheating: Before using, if frozen, leave to thaw at room temperature. Reheat in the oven at 300 F for 10-15 minutes to regain some of the original texture.
