Granola: A Sweet and Crunchy Delight or a Healthy Breakfast Option? That's the Million-Dollar Question!
Granola, a beloved breakfast staple, is a unique blend of baked oats, nuts, and a touch of sweetness. While it shares similarities with muesli, granola's distinct character comes from its sugar syrup base, typically made with maple syrup, honey, or golden syrup. This addition gives granola its signature sweetness, which can be a double-edged sword for those with a sweet tooth like me.
The best granolas strike a delicate balance. They offer a satisfying crunch, a range of whole grains, dried fruits, nuts, and seeds, and a touch of salt to enhance the flavors. A personal favorite addition is toasted coconut, which adds a depth of flavor without breaking the bank.
In our taste test, we discovered a diverse range of granolas, from nutty bargains to indulgent treats and surprisingly healthy, low-sugar options.
The Best Supermarket Granola:
Best Overall:
- Eat Natural Low-Sugar Granola: This granola boasts medium-roast oat clusters with a generous helping of toasted coconut, sunflower seeds, almonds, and pumpkin seeds. Flavored with buckwheat, it contains just 4.4% sugar, making it a sweet yet healthy choice.
Best Bargain:
- Tesco Finest Super Nutty Granola: A classic granola with generous clusters of dark-roasted oats, spelt, and barley, along with 15% nuts, including almonds. With 12% sugar, it's not overly sweet, but the added flavoring might be unnecessary for some.
Other Notable Mentions:
- Scrumshus The Premium Granola: A floral, aromatic granola with large clusters of dark-roast oats sweetened with honey and maple syrup. It's packed with nuts, seeds, and dried fruit, making it a sweet and indulgent treat.
- Bio&Me Super Seedy & Nutty Granola: A healthy, savory wholefood granola with small, dark-roasted clusters of oats, puffed brown rice, buckwheat, and quinoa. It's made with extra-virgin olive oil and contains no added sugars, making it a great option for health-conscious individuals.
- Nibs Etc Rye, Hazelnut & Cacao Granola: A small-batch, UK-made granola sweetened with upcycled British apple pulp and maple syrup. It's fortified with sunflower seeds, hazelnuts, and extra virgin rapeseed oil, making it a savory and eco-friendly choice.
And there you have it! A guide to some of the best supermarket granolas. But here's where it gets controversial: Should granola be a sweet treat or a healthy breakfast option? And which granola do you think deserves the top spot? Let's discuss in the comments and share our granola preferences!
