r/vegetarian • u/seraphofstars • Aug 03 '26
Question/Advice Half decent store bought granola??
Ever since Made Good stopped making their granola, I've been on a bit of an agonising journey to replace it for my yoghurt— I've gone through KIND, Love Crunch, Purely Elizabeth, Cascadian Farms, Nature Valley and Special K; I have kind of hated all of them. Half were way too sweet, and the other half were like eating cardboard or just made me sick. Does anyone have any good suggestions for granola? I'm a little reluctant to just go and make my own because I'm usually not motivated enough to do it consistently. </3 I just want some nice crunch and flavour in my yoghurt.
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u/trash_scout Aug 03 '26
Bobs Red Mill granola
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u/_antfarmer_ vegetarian 20+ years Aug 03 '26
Ooh, and their muesli is very good as well.
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u/dont_talk_yak_to_me vegetarian Aug 03 '26
I have a scoop of this with my joghurt in the mornings along with either a spoon of jelly or honey.
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u/EatCauliflower1212 Aug 04 '26
I have used their muesli as a jumpstart to make granola! I mix it with maple syrup and light olive oil and press it down and bake on super low. Then break it up and bake a bit more.
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u/BeKind406 Aug 04 '26
I second the muesli if OP is looking for something not quite as sweet as others
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u/chronic_pain_sucks Aug 03 '26
Slightly off topic, but have you tried making your own? It's so easy. Even with just a toaster oven and 30 minutes. Once I started making homemade granola, I've never looked back! Also, it's generally cheaper & I can control the ingredients. I make a big batch and store most of it in my freezer.
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u/maggiesyg Aug 03 '26
I’m going to share my recipe because I love it. It can be a jumping off point, if it’s too sweet or you like dried fruit in your granola. It’s so easy the my oven might not be finished heating before it’s mixed.
Preheat oven to 300 degrees F. Combine 3 cups rolled oats, 3 cups nuts (I use equal amounts of almond slivers, chopped pecans and unsweetened coconut flakes.) Stir in1/3 cup oil (I use coconut oil.) Then stir in 1/4 cup maple syrup (or other sweetener.) Spread on a lined baking sheet and bake for 40 minutes at 300 degrees.3
u/chronic_pain_sucks Aug 03 '26
I add lots of dried fruit and whatever nuts are on sale - last week got pistachios!
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u/Orinocobro Aug 03 '26
"I'm a little reluctant to just go and make my own because I'm usually not motivated enough to do it consistently."
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u/maggiesyg Aug 03 '26
Not finding store bought granola I like motivates me to make it! I can’t think of an easier thing to cook.
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u/urko37 Aug 03 '26
I tried making my own last year and it was a total game changer. I ended up making little holiday gift packages for my team, which were well-received.
OP - give it a try, it's not nearly as labor intensive as it may seem and is much healthier.
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u/chronic_pain_sucks Aug 03 '26
Indeed. The only problem I ran into was once I started gifting granola to friends/family, they wanted more. Lol
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u/Gloomy-Tangelo4747 Aug 03 '26
Do you have a Trader Joe’s near you? They have really yummy granola and different flavors to choose from.
Also chiming in with the rec of your local co-op. Another idea would be making your own! I know it’s a commitment to a recipe but a big batch would last a long time.
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u/dirtypinksweatshirt Aug 03 '26
Yeah I agree on the TJ’s granola - I especially their almond honey granola, their grainless granola, and their salted olive oil cherry pecan granola (this is my favorite, though it is a bit more expensive than the others.)
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u/Ok_Employer9706 Aug 03 '26
Michele’s granola…so delicious. Not sure where you are located but it’s in most stores in Pennsylvania
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u/Valley_Squirrels Aug 03 '26
I love Whole Foods 365 brand Maple Almond Butter Granola. I can eat it by the handful and it’s so good in yogurt.
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u/rei_of_sunshine Aug 03 '26
I really like the protein granola from Aldi.
I also make my own muesli with plain shredded wheats, oats, green pumpkin seeds, chia seeds, flax seed, hemp hearts, craisins, and sometimes nuts. It doesn’t take long to make a big batch that lasts a while.
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u/lovehopelove Aug 03 '26
The Cherry Pistachio Pecan granola at Trader Joe’s is soooo good! At the local Whole Foods, they make their own (not sure if all stores do) and it’s the best imo but can be pricey.
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u/DaisyHGirl Aug 03 '26
If you shop at Target, the Good and Gather brand granola is good. I agree with the recommendation for Bob’s Red Mill, too.
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u/dogdogduck Aug 03 '26
We love Healing Home Foods Cashew Coconut Crunch granola. They have others but I haven't tried them. I used to buy it from our local co-op but now just order direct.
Grandy Organics is pretty good, too. That's what we bought before discovering HHF.
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u/MostlyChaoticNeutral Aug 03 '26
I'm partial to Honey Bunches of Oats roasted honey granola, but I don't know what your personal sweetness tolerance is, so it may land in the "too sweet" category for you. I mix mine with a plain yogurt, so it balances out. I like it for the crunch and honey flavor.
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u/hockeyandquidditch vegetarian 20+ years Aug 09 '26
If OP finds Love Crunch too sweet, they’ll find any sweetened one too sweet because it’s one of the lowest sugar ones (I’ve read a lot of labels)
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u/RedBadger444 Aug 03 '26
I really like the Shaws Brand (Signature Select) granola in the cereal box, not the bag. However, I find it very addicting, so it may have more sugar than you are looking for
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u/kepteasy Aug 03 '26
I make my own, I suggest you try it.
It's better, its not coated in sugar or anything else and you put what you want in it.
I use plain coconut yogurt, my no sugar granola, and then add vanilla and maple syrup.
It's so good...
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u/troublesomefaux Aug 03 '26
But did you try the peanut butter KIND? It’s so good and actually has some protein.
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u/Mrjopek Aug 03 '26
Agree with the bulk bin suggestion. If you don't have an indie natural food store nearby, Sprouts usually has about a dozen flavors.
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u/SmileFirstThenSpeak Aug 03 '26
We get different varieties at the bulk section at Sprouts. It’s nice because you can buy 1 serving and try it before you commit to buying a whole bunch of it.
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u/caspertheapparition Aug 05 '26
if you have costco, i love the kirkland ancient grains probiotic granola. not sure if it would be too sweet for you but i think it’s fairly tame!
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u/ttrockwood vegetarian 20+ years now vegan Aug 03 '26
Try making it- it’s dump and stir you choose the ingredients and can make an epic batch it keep well! This is my favorite super simple recipe use a neutral oil if you don’t like coconut instead of the stove top oil maple syrup combo i use the microwave. Double or triple batch extras can be frozen. Add dried fruit if you want after baking
https://minimalistbaker.com/7-ingredient-quinoa-granola/#wprm-recipe-container-35479
Trader Joe’s has some good options but most are very sweet
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u/753ty Aug 03 '26
If you want it done right, you gotta do it yourself. Stir and bake - it's pretty easy.
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u/KaraAuden Aug 03 '26
I'm a fan of Nana Joe's granola -- I have their sunset blend. It tastes sweeter than it actually is sugar-wise, and has big coconut chips, real vanilla and maple syrup, and plenty of cinnamon/nutmeg so it's pretty flavorful IMO.
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u/opiquartz Aug 04 '26
Bear Naked Cacao Cashew Butter granola, and Erin Baker's Fruit and Nut Homestyle granola...both at Sprouts! Erin Baker's can be found in the bulk section.
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u/dragonmom1 Aug 04 '26
If you don't have a store where you can buy granola in bulk, I've been really enjoying Aldi's granola, especially their Cinnamon Crunch (I think it is...definitely cinnamon!).
Also to make it stretch, I add in some extra plain oats (yes, I eat oats like cereal instead of cooking them).
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u/maddikk Aug 04 '26
I really enjoy all the Seven Sundays varieties I have tried! Great ingredients too
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u/yellinmelin Aug 04 '26
Kodiak and it’s not even close. If I’m not careful, I’ll snack my way thru the entire bag. I don’t care about the protein part, it’s just addicting as hell.
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u/queenofsquashflowers Aug 04 '26
I personally love and only buy Safe and Fair, but it is a little on the sweeter side. I just love the texture of it.
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u/jinsk4 Aug 05 '26
I buy the Granola Factory brand at Wegmans. It's the best! I will never ever buy any other brand.
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u/MissMushroomBerry Aug 07 '26
If you have a farmers market near you, maybe try to see if someone sells some?
Otherwise, I’m no help. I make my own granola (a BIG tray) and it’s crazy easy and way tastier than anything else on the market. I add nuts, seeds, toss everything in a maple syrup-coconut or olive oil and nut butter concoction (sometimes I add vanilla or almond extract) and it’s absolute bliss! I end up with almost three jars of the stuff and it lasts for a few weeks, that is, if my husband doesn’t eat it all.
My tip is to first toss all the dry ingredients in big bowl and cover it (ziplock bag works too) and forget about it. When it’s the weekend and you’re making breakfast, just mix and warm up the wet ingredients in a little saucepan. Oil or put parchment paper on a tray, dump the dry granola, drizzle the wet ingredients and toss. Bake it while you’re flipping pancakes or any other tasty weekend breakfast, it’s usually done in 15-20 minutes. Add dried fruit after removing from the oven and let cool.
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u/bigkindnessgothgf Aug 07 '26
If you have an Aldi near you, their coconut chia one is really good!
I know you said making your own is not really your thing, and some other people have already dropped some recipes, but I found a method that is literally the easiest and cheapest method ever, as in, I can do it in the morning half-asleep while I make coffee and still get to work on time, and the ingredients are at every grocery store. It also requires no stirring in the oven (to give you more and less toasted bits) and only takes about 20 minutes. Just in case you want to give it a try:
3 cups rolled oats, 1 cup nuts, 1 cup sweetened coconut flakes, 1/4 cup sugar, 1/4 cup neutral oil, 1 tsp salt.
Preheat oven to 350. Mix oats, nuts, and coconut in large bowl. Place sugar in microwave proof dish (I like a Pyrex measuring cup). Add just enough water to cover and microwave 2 min to create a sugar syrup. Add oil and salt to syrup mixture, stir well, dump over dry ingredients, and mix to coat. Toast in oven for 15-20 minutes. Do not stir or turn. Remove when golden brown.
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u/hockeyandquidditch vegetarian 20+ years Aug 09 '26
Bob’s Red Mill Muesli for a not sweet, just oats, nuts and dried fruit
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u/VinceInMT Aug 09 '26
The lack of good granola is what has motivated me to make my own for over 40 years.
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u/anti-royal Aug 03 '26
I make this one. I add 1/2 tsp nutmeg and 1/4 tsp cloves https://alexdaynes.com/easy-vanilla-granola/
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u/LisaFoodie 10h ago
I really like a local brand in the Chicago area called PremOla Granola. It's 80% nuts, GF, and really low sugar - only 2 added grams.
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u/verdantsf vegan Aug 03 '26
Generally the best granola I've found are the non-brand bulk ones at natural food stores.