This high protein granola recipe is the perfect breakfast for busy mornings! Packed with 15 grams of protein per ½ cup it is naturally sweetened and contains wholesome simple ingredients like whole grain oats and high fiber flax. Made in just one bowl, it takes less than 10 minutes of hands on time to prepare and has a delicious maple flavor.
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Chunky granola has been a long-time favorite breakfast for me (as is Chocolate Oatmeal). I make my own granola every few weeks and always have a few mason jars on hand for a quick breakfast or snack.
I realized, though, that on its own granola doesn't contain a lot of protein.
And while that is fine when you pair it with Greek yogurt and berries, sometimes I want to be able to take a container with me for a quick breakfast on the go and not be hungry an hour later (I created these High Protein Granola Bars for the same reason).
So I started experimenting with adding protein powder to my different granola recipes to make them more sustaining.
After several tests, I am confident that you will like this version too because it's:
- High Protein. Packed with 15 grams of protein per half cup serving, more than double of what you'd find in a store-bought granola, this homemade version is perfect for a quick breakfast or healthy snack.
- One Bowl. With just one bowl needed for making this pantry staple, this recipe is easy to make with less than 10 minutes of prep.
- Wholesome Ingredients. It is made with ingredients like oats, nuts, flaxseed, and maple.
- Deliciously Chunky. Filled with clusters and maple flavor, this easy homemade granola delivers on both taste and texture.
The Ingredients
- Rolled Oats- I prefer to use large flake (old fashioned oats) for the best texture but quick oats work as well. If you need the recipe to be gluten free, ensure you are using certified gluten free oats.
- Protein Powder- I use either plain pea protein isolate powder, brown rice protein or half and half of each. You can try substituting with another protein powder but keep in mind that different protein powders absorb different amounts of liquid. And if you choose to use a flavored one, make sure the flavors complement the granola.
- Nuts- Use raw nuts as roasted ones may brown too quickly and burn before the granola is done baking. If you need it to be nut-free, simply leave them out.
- Ground Flaxseed- I love adding ground flaxseed to granola for an extra bit of protein, fiber and Omega-3s. You can leave it out if you prefer and add an additional ½ cup of oats.
- Maple Syrup- Be sure to use real maple syrup (not the flavored pancake stuff). This provides our maple flavor plus adds sweetness and helps to bind the granola. If you need an alternative, honey will work or see this post on maple syrup substitutes.
- Avocado Oil- This helps the granola to bind. Melted coconut oil or olive oil will also work.
- Egg White- Using an egg white is a key ingredient for extra clusters and adding enough moisture to the granola. If you need the recipe to be vegan, you can omit it and add an additional tablespoon of oil.
- Sea Salt- A bit of salt balances out the sweetness from the maple syrup.
The Method
1. Mix. In a large bowl, combine the oats, protein powder, nuts, flaxseed and salt. Add the maple syrup and oil and stir until evenly coated and combined. Fold in the egg white.
2. Bake. Spread the high protein oat mixture into an even layer on a silicone or parchment lined baking sheet. Bake at 300 F for 45-60 minutes, rotating the pan 180 degrees after 30 minutes until lightly golden brown and nearly dry to touch.
3. Cool (the hardest part!). Let the granola cool on the baking sheet. Once completely cooled (1-2 hours), break into clusters and store.
4. Enjoy!
Leftovers and Storage
To Store: Cool completely and then store this high protein granola in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 weeks.
To Freeze: Granola can be frozen for up to 3 months.
Check out this granola storage tips post for more information.
Make it Your Own
After making several batches of protein granola, I've figured out how to adapt each of my granola recipes into a higher protein version:
- Apple Granola- Decrease the oats to 3 cups, increase the honey to ½ cup and add 1 cup (120 grams) of protein powder.
- Chocolate Granola- Reduce the oats to 2 and ½ cups, increase the coconut oil to ¼ cup and add 1 cup (120 grams) of protein powder.
- Coconut Almond Granola- Decrease the oats to 2 and ½ cups, increase the honey to ½ cup and add 1 cup (120 grams) of protein powder.
- Honey Cinnamon Granola- Reduce the oats to 3 cups, increase the oil to 3 tablespoons and add 1 cup (120 grams) of protein powder.
- Maple Granola- Follow the recipe in this post as this is what it was adapted from!
- Pumpkin Flax Granola- Reduce the oats to 3 cups, add 1 tablespoon of avocado oil or melted coconut oil and add 1 cup (120 grams) of protein powder.
You can also use this homemade granola recipe as your base and try changing up the following:
- Nuts- Any of the following would be delicious or you can use a combination:
- Walnuts
- Pecans
- Macadamia Nuts
- Cashews
- Almonds
- Seeds- In place of the nuts, you could add up to 1 cup of raw seeds instead such as:
- Shelled Pumpkin Seeds (pepitas)
- Sunflower Seeds
- Other Add Ins:
- Coconut Flakes- Use to replace ½ cup of oats or the flaxseed and add at the same time as the rest of the dry ingredients.
- Dried Fruit- Mix in 1-2 cups of raisins, dried cranberries, etc. once the granola has cooled.
- Chocolate Chips- Sprinkle 1 cup of chocolate chips (white, dark or milk) over the warm pan of granola after it has finished cooking. Allow granola to fully cool and then finish mixing in.
Serving Ideas
- Breakfast Bowl- Layer granola with fresh fruit and Greek yogurt for a parfait or enjoy it cereal style in a bowl with your choice of milk and maybe some fresh berries.
- Topping- Use it to top a strawberry smoothie bowl, fruit salad or chia pudding.
- As a Snack- Enjoy it on its own by the handful.
- And More! Check out this post of What to Eat with Granola for even more ideas!
Tips for the Best Granola
- Don't stir. Let the granola bake undisturbed to allow for clumping and clusters to form, resulting in a chunky texture.
- Cool completely. Allow the granola to cool fully before breaking it apart to ensure maximum clusters
- Use an egg white. Adding an egg white helps bind the ingredients together, resulting in larger clusters. If you need the recipe to be vegan, you can use an additional tablespoon of oil.
And if you liked this recipe...
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Recipe Card
High Protein Maple Granola
Ingredients
- 3 cups large flake rolled oats
- 1 cup raw nuts
- 1 cup protein powder I typically use pea protein and brown rice protein isolate
- ½ cup ground flaxseed
- ½ teaspoon fine sea salt
- ½ cup maple syrup
- 3 tablespoon avocado oil
- 1 egg white
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 300 °F. Line a large baking sheet with a silicone baking mat or parchment paper.
- Mix together all of the dry ingredients in a large bowl. Add the maple syrup and oil and stir until evenly coated. Fold in the egg white.
- Spread the mixture out evenly onto a prepared baking sheet (lined with parchment paper or a silicone mat) and bake for 45-60 minutes, until dry. Rotate the pan 180 degrees after 30 minutes.
- Let cool completely on the pan and then break into chunks and store in an airtight container.
ann says
I have made at least a half a dozen other recipes for homemade protein granola and some were pretty good. I just tried yours and it is without a doubt the BEST I have ever had and so easy to make. I used oatmeal cookie flavored protein powder and it turned out fantastic.
Janessa says
I'm so glad you liked this recipe, Ann! Thank you for your kind review.