Is Homemade Granola Worth the Effort? (2024)

FAQs

Is Homemade Granola Worth the Effort? ›

By making your own granola, you have the power to sweeten it the way you like. More fiber: DIY granola also gives you the ability to amp up the fiber content by using oats, nuts, seeds, and dried fruit. Some store-bought granolas skimp on fiber-rich ingredients due to cost.

It's easy to make, it's healthy, it's delicious, and it will make your kitchen smell amazing! If you're anything like me, you've spent hours in the granola aisle at the grocery store, trying to find just the right kind.

Homemade is higher in gut-healthy fibre, too, with 15 per cent of your recommended daily intake in each bowl. The same portion of the shop-bought granola has 11 per cent. The homemade version contains more than twice the quantity of nuts and seeds than the shop-bought one, so it is 10 per cent higher in calories.

They save well (wrap and freeze them for up to two months), are more affordable than store-bought bars, and don't contain the long list of unpronounceable ingredients. Plus, your kitchen will smell like a bakery while these granola bars bake. Ahhhh.

Advantage homemade. Both granolas have whole oats as their main ingredient, but the Kellogg's is high in refined sugar and contains palm oil. The homemade version contains protein-rich pecans and uses only a small amount of honey, brown sugar, and vegetable oil. It took me an hour to make granola from scratch.

Bake low and slow.

Cook at 300 degrees F slowly for about 30 minutes or until it is golden brown and toasty. Cooking at too high of a temperature will likely burn the honey coating, the oats, and the nuts. A lower temperature ensures even baking for crispy, crunchy granola.

On the downside, granola can be high in added sugars, hidden calories, and saturated fat, making some options less healthy.

When stored properly at room temperature, fresh homemade granola can last for up to four weeks. Preserve its quality by letting it cool completely before storing. Packing it while it's warm leads to condensation and, consequently, unnecessary moisture.

California homemade food types

No restrictions, so long as food is sold the same day it's made.

Whole grains, dried fruit, nuts, and seeds may help reduce and control blood sugar levels, particularly in people with obesity or prediabetes ( 12 , 13 , 14 ). Improve gut health. Granola has been found to increase levels of healthy gut bacteria, compared with refined breakfast cereals ( 11 ).

Are homemade granola bars healthier? ›

Granola bars are a convenient, flavorful, and portable snack. Still, many prepackaged varieties are high in sugar, calories, and ingredients that may harm your health. Studying ingredient lists carefully or choosing to make your own granola bars can ensure that your snack is both nutritious and delicious.