5 Best Granola Brands Most Recommended By Foodies

Granola is a crunchy blend of oats and grains that is usually sweetened with something like honey or maple. After this relatively traditional base, the rest of the ingredients can vary widely. Nuts, dried fruits, and cookie crumbles are a few examples of popular granola add-ins. Our list of the top five best granola brands is a tasty collection of all of the above, catering to anyone wanting a little extras crunch atop their favorite breakfast items.

While sprinkling a little granola over yogurt is a great way to get in some extra fiber and flavor, granola bars themselves are a different story. A new study shows that many brands of granola bars aren’t actually healthy, and instead are packed with added sugars that actually resembles more of a sweet treat than a nutritious breakfast. With that being said, read the labels before assuming all granola bars are good for you.

As they say, breakfast is the most important meal of the day. And a recent study strives to prove that is true! Eating breakfast refuels your body’s glucose levels, which allows you to feel energized for whatever your day may hold. So, be sure you fill your breakfast with nutrients that serve you well!

On yogurt, with ice cream, or in a beautiful berry parfait: granola is an ingredient that many love to have on the menu. StudyFinds has compiled this list of the top-selling best granola brands according to the consensus of 10 expert sources. Each one offers unique nutrition and flavor. Let us know your favorite brands of granola in the comments below!

The List: Best Granola Brands Experts Love

1. Bear Naked Fit V’Nilla Almond Granola

Looking for a granola that satisfies your taste buds while staying mindful of your sugar intake? Bear Naked’s “V’Nilla Almond” granola might be your perfect match. Good Housekeeping applauds its 45 percent less sugar compared to leading brands, translating to a mere six grams of added sugar in a generous half-cup serving. Plus, it packs five grams of dietary fiber, making it a great choice for health-conscious eaters.

Bear Naked Granola offers many popular flavors. This widely available brand can be purchased at most retailers. Spoon University echoes the praise, highlighting its relatively clean profile with 120 calories, 2.5 grams of fat, and only four grams of sugar per quarter-cup serving. They appreciate its focus on lower sugar content, even if it means sacrificing some crunchy clusters.

Women’s Health loves how it includes flaxseeds, a valuable source of omega-3 fatty acids and fiber, adding a nutritional boost to this delicious treat.

2. Nature’s Path Dark Chocolate and Red Berries Love Crunch Granola

Nature’s Path Love Crunch Dark Chocolate & Red Berries Granola offers a delicious and satisfying way to start your day. This granola is available from many retailers including Amazon and Costco. Simply Oatmeal raves about the “breathtaking” experience of diving into large clusters of oats and rolled spelt, while Mashed acknowledges it’s not the top choice on their list but praises the balance of sweetness and nutrition.

For those seeking a decadent treat without derailing their health goals, Eat This, Not That! loves the appealing combination of dark chocolate and tart raspberries. They point out the low saturated fat content and moderate added sugar per serving, allowing you to indulge guilt-free.

Overall, Nature’s Path Love Crunch Dark Chocolate & Red Berries Granola seems to be a solid choice for those seeking a balanced and flavorful breakfast option. With its combination of crunchy texture, dark chocolate indulgence, and healthy ingredients, it provides a satisfying start to your day without sacrificing nutrition.

3. Purely Elizabeth Blueberry Hemp Ancient Grain Granola

Purely Elizabeth offers many types of granola blends. The sleek packaging and trend-forward buzzword ingredients make this a popular brand that offers nut-free varieties. Bon Appétit praises their Blueberry Hemp granola for its warm spices, deep toastiness, and covetable clusters, free from nuts for those with allergies. They love adding it to yogurt bowls with a touch of blueberry jam for a vibrant breakfast treat.

Craving a granola that’s both delicious and packed with nutrients? Look no further than Purely Elizabeth. Tasting Table commends Purely Elizabeth’s dedication to “superfood” ingredients. Their organic, vibrantly flavored granola is sweetened with coconut sugar and baked in raw coconut oil, offering a healthy alternative to sugary breakfast options. The use of ancient grains like quinoa and amaranth adds an extra boost of nutrition, making this granola a tasty and satisfying choice.

Simply Oatmeal solidifies Purely Elizabeth’s reputation among health-conscious consumers, labeling them one of the “most sought-after” granola brands for fitness enthusiasts. Their focus on superfood cereal crops like quinoa, amaranth, and millet ensures a nutritious and delicious start to your day.

4. Udi’s Au Naturel Granola

Udi’s brand offers many gluten-free options making it a delicious alternative for those with special dietary restrictions. Mashed highlights Udi’s strong reputation within the gluten-free community, while Eat This, Not That! applauds their commitment to using only certified gluten-free whole grain oats and natural sweeteners like honey. This minimalist approach results in a granola with just four ingredients, making it perfect for those seeking clean and simple options. It’s also low in sugar, fat, and sodium, earning it a spot on our list.

For those following a gluten-free diet, finding tasty and healthy breakfast options can be a challenge. Udi’s Granola comes to the rescue, living up to their motto of “Gluten Free, Not Taste Free.” Tasting Table explains the wide range of gluten-free options from this brand encompassing breads, muffins, bagels, and, of course, their granola. They praise the brand’s ability to offer nutritious and flavorful options for individuals with celiac disease or other dietary restrictions.

5. Nature Valley Granola Protein Oats & Honey

Nature’s Valley is known for their extra-crunchy products with many satisfying flavors. However, opinions seem to differ when it comes to their Oats & Honey Protein Granola. Sporked takes a humorous approach, referencing the many internet memes about their granola tends to turn to dust just by looking at it. This implies frustration with the product’s lack of structural integrity, but it’s kind of funny if you have come across some of these posts.

On the other hand, Mashed acknowledges Nature Valley’s brand recognition and highlights the “improved” version of their classic Oats & Honey granola, now catering to fitness enthusiasts with a protein boost.

This brand holds a prominent position in the granola world, with many recognizing and enjoying their products. With a legacy that started in 1973, you can’t go wrong with Nature’s Valley, according to Tasting Table.

Sources:

• Good Housekeeping
• Spoon University
• Women’s Health
• Simply Oatmeal
• Mashed
• Eat This, Not That!
• Sporked
• Tasting Table
• bon appétit
• The Daily Meal

Note: This article was not paid for nor sponsored. StudyFinds is not connected to nor partnered with any of the brands mentioned and receives no compensation for its recommendations. This article may contain affiliate links in which we receive a commission if you make a purchase.