Healthy Chocolate Granola Recipe (2024)

FAQs

What makes granola healthy? ›

Granola is calorie-dense, as well as rich in protein, fiber, and micronutrients. In particular, it may provide iron, magnesium, zinc, copper, selenium, B vitamins, and vitamin E. However, its nutritional profile varies widely depending on the specific ingredients used.

It tastes great with milk, or by the handful, but is also super tasty when sprinkled over lemon or blueberry yogurt for a burst of flavor. There's also Coconut Spice Granola, which is made with whole grain oats, real maple syrup, coconut and wholesome seeds.

Baking time: Increase the baking time for your granola. The longer you bake it, the drier and crunchier it will become. Keep a close eye on it to avoid burning, and stir it occasionally during baking to ensure even toasting.

You might be wondering: If granola is supposed to be so good for you, then why does it have so much sugar? To put it simply: Food companies (both big and small ones) add sugars and sweeteners to foods because they don't think you'll buy them otherwise.

Yes, granola can be eaten daily. As part of a balanced diet and if the portions are checked. Go for healthier options with less added sugars and saturated fats to get the most out of it.

Smoothie with Granola

Try adding it to your favorite smoothie to give it an extra boost of fiber from the whole grains, healthy fats and added flavor. It's also an easy way to increase calories in a smoothie. Personally, I think it would be a delicious addition to my Strawberry Peanut Butter Smoothie!

Oats are an excellent source of beta-glucan, which is a fiber that helps reduce LDL and overall cholesterol levels—two risk factors for getting heart disease. Improve gut health. Granola can help increase the levels of healthy bacteria in the gut compared to other breakfast cereals.

Often touted as health food, many packaged granolas contain so much fat, sugar, and calories that you might as well eat a candy bar. On the other hand, when enjoyed in moderation, healthy homemade granola is an excellent source of fiber, iron, healthy fat, and protein.

Granola is healthy in small amounts, especially because oats, nuts, seeds and dried fruit in granola provide some fiber that's good for heart and gut health. However, granola can also be a rich source of calories, saturated fat and sugar, depending on the brand you buy.

Here are downsides and potential risks of consuming granola:

High consumption of sugar raises the risk for health issues like weight gain, obesity, heart disease and type 2 diabetes. High in calories, with about 200 to 240 calories per half-cup serving (which isn't very big!).

What ingredient makes granola clump together? ›

Clumpy Granola Method: Add Egg White

About this method: According to Deb Perelman of Smitten Kitchen, “Nothing glues like protein.” While there are many granola recipes that include an egg white, I got this tip from the Big Cluster Maple Granola recipe in The Smitten Kitchen Cookbook.

The oxidation products have strong rancid off-flavors including the typical “fishy note”, and the oxidized oil has a reduced nutritional value.

Muesli is a better choice for people looking for low-sugar cereals or people with diabetes. Both are healthy, but consider granola if you want your cereal with a dash of sweetness from honey, chocolate or maple syrup.

Popular granola blends can pack up to 39 grams of carbohydrates and 13 grams of sugar. This is because they are often made with oats—which are often processed and can raise blood sugar by being digested quickly—and sweeteners, such as honey or maple syrup, or other sugary ingredients like sweetened dried fruit.

‍Fiber is a type of carbohydrate that can help people with diabetes to control their blood sugar by slowing down the absorption of carbohydrates after eating, and keep them feeling full for longer. Choosing a granola that's higher in fiber is one way to help to keep your blood sugar levels stable after a meal.

Granola is a significant source of important vitamins and minerals. It is typically made from oats, which contain micronutrients like Vitamin E, folates, zinc, iron, selenium, copper, manganese, choline and more. These all play crucial roles in the human body. Vitamin E is vital for immune function and skin health.

Both oatmeal and granola make for a healthy, nutritious breakfast, but the winner for us is granola—the added nuts, seeds, and dried fruits give you a source of fiber and healthy fats that oatmeal can't quite compete with.

Granola is also calorie dense – some contain a little more than 300 calories per cup, but others can pack up to 600 calories per cup, from added oils, coconut, chocolate and added sugars including evaporated cane juice, honey, maple syrup, molasses, cane sugar and brown rice syrup.

While both granola and cereal may seem similar, there are significant differences between the two. Granola is a healthier, more nutrient-dense, and joyfully versatile option that will not only make your taste buds dance but also keep your body happy and healthy.