Enjoy a healthy cereal for breakfast with this protein granola made with 4 ingredients! The addition of protein powder adds a whopping 22 grams of protein per serving but you’d never be able to tell- It tastes like any good granola!
Protein Granola
I love creating recipes with protein powder and my favorites include waffles and cookies. Say goodbye to a bowl of cereal leaving you hungry and say hello to this satisfying and delicious high protein granola.
If you are anything like me, you love cereal but need more than just one bowl to be satisfied. Growing up, it would be common for me to go through at least three bowls of cereal before leaving for school, and if it was a sugar-laden one (hello, fruit loops!), I’d be looking at a box finished in three days.
Since I started paying more attention to my breakfasts (and making sure I could last until lunchtime), I made sure to have an adequate amount of protein in it. This meant that cereal was replaced with protein oatmeal or avocado toast with a side of eggs. However, I’ve been yearning to incorporate cereal back into my breakfast rotation, and the answer to that? Make protein granola.
This protein granola recipe needs just 4 ingredients to make and is a foolproof way to have cereal for breakfast AND be satisfied after it. The addition of protein powder will keep you fuller for longer, and you won’t be thinking about food until lunchtime! It’s made with just 4 ingredients and takes minutes to make! Bonus? It packs in a whopping 22 grams of protein per serving AND is vegan and gluten free!
Now, just because it has protein powder in it doesn’t mean it changes anything to what traditional granola is like. The texture is crunchy, chewy, and chunks and clusters throughout. It’s sweet and has a subtle peanut butter flavor, and can be customized with your favorite mix-ins.
I have a confession to make- Because this recipe boasts over 20 grams of protein in a serving, I’ve started replacing my post-workout protein smoothie with a bowl of this granola! I now eat this at least twice a day and I don’t see myself stopping anytime soon!
How do you make high protein granola?
The Ingredients
- Rolled oats– Also known as old fashioned oats. Avoid using quick oats or steel cuts oats. The former will burn very quickly and be brittle and the latter will be undercooked and inedible. If you’d like this recipe to be gluten free, use certified gluten free oats.
- Protein powder– Use an unflavored or vanilla protein powder. You can use chocolate or other flavored protein powders, but you are limited with what to pair with it (besides milk!).
- Peanut butter OR another nut/seed butter– Smooth and creamy peanut butter with no added sugar. You can also use almond butter, cashew butter, or a nut free alternative, like sunflower seed butter. Regardless of which you choose to use, ensure that the texture is smooth and drippy.
- Maple syrup OR honey- Either liquid sweetener works. I used maple syrup to ensure it is suitable for vegans.
- Mix-ins of choice– Add your favorite dried fruits, nuts, seeds, or even chocolate chips!
The Instructions
Start by adding the oats and protein powder into a mixing bowl and setting it aside. In a microwave safe bowl, add the peanut butter (or nut/seed butter) with your maple syrup (0r honey) and microwave in 20-second spurts, until the peanut butter has melted. Whisk together, until smooth. Next, add the peanut butter/maple syrup mixture into the mixing bowl and mix with the oats, until fully incorporated.
Now, line a large baking tray with parchment paper. Transfer the granola mixture on top of it and spread it out into an even layer. Bake the granola at 180C/350F for 13-15 minutes, stirring halfway through. Remove the granola from the oven and stir once more, before letting it cool completely. Once cooled, transfer it to a mixing bowl and add your mix-ins of choice.
Can I make this stovetop?
While the oven is the preferred method, you can easily make this granola stovetop. Simply prepare the granola and add it to a non-stick pan and place it over medium heat. Once you hear the mixture starting to sizzle and toast, stir it around for 4-5 minutes, until golden.
Tips to make the best homemade protein granola
- Use a protein powder you like the flavor of. Some brands of protein powder can be quite overpowering in flavor or quite the opposite, be quite earthy and dry. Think of it this way- If your protein powder tastes good as a protein shake, it will be fine to use for this granola.
- Mix the granola halfway through. You must stir the granola halfway through or else you risk the edges being somewhat burnt while the middle portion of the granola being underbaked.
- If you like clusters, let the granola cool completely. If you enjoy granola with plenty of chunks and clusters, do not stir it once it has been removed from the oven. Instead, let it cool completely before breaking it apart with your hands into giant clusters.
- Don’t add mix-ins until the granola has cooled down. Avoid adding your favorite nuts/seeds/dried fruit/chocolate chips until the granola has cooled down completely. If you bake your granola with your mix-ins, you risk them burning and making the granola inedible.
Storing and freezing granola
- To store: Protein granola should be stored at room temperature, in a sealable container or jar. The granola will keep well for up to 1 month.
- To freeze: Place leftover granola in a ziplock bag and store it in the freezer for up to 6 months.
More high protein recipes to try
Protein Granola (4 Ingredients!)
Ingredients
- 2 cups rolled oats gluten free, if needed
- 1/2 cup protein powder * See notes
- 1/3 cup peanut butter ** See notes
- 1/4 cup maple syrup or honey
- 1 cup mix-ins of choice *** See notes
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 180C./350F. Line a large baking tray with parchment paper and set aside.
- In a large mixing bowl, add the oats and protein powder and mix well. In a microwave safe bowl, add the peanut butter and maple syrup and microwave in 20-second spurts, until the peanut butter has melted.
- Add the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients and mix well, until fully incorporated.
- Transfer the protein granola mixture onto the lined baking tray and spread out in an even layer. Place the baking tray in the oven and bake for 13-15 minutes, removing the granola halfway through to stir.
- Remove the granola from the oven and mix once more, before letting it cool completely. Once it reaches room temperature, transfer into a large mixing bowl and add your mix-ins of choice.
Notes
Nutrition
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Hahaha I would have said that Australia had badass blue chocolate chips and just not told anyone. It could have been the next big thing! To be honest, I have a tendency to go overboard on anything. If it is in front of me, I eat it. Often even if I don’t like it… It is terrible, and often a ticket to an upset stomach. You wouldn’t know it by looking at me, but I have absolutely NO willpower or self control. NONE
Hope your tongue is fully recovered!
Dude, we would KILL a buffet together. KILL it. You know how they say no one makes their worth at a buffet?
We would.
ARMAN! This is so genius! You know I’m a sucker for single-serving recipes. Hence living alone and having so many options to try with so little time for repeats (unless it’s carrot cake bread ;)) But as i mentioned before we are on the same telepathic wavelength. I leave for San Francisco on Friday and have been trying to plan out my travel food! 1. Airplane food is disgusting. 2. Like they serve anything catered to allergies =l but you know who does? DING DING. YOU!! And i alwayyys add protein to my recipes because i feel like it’s the only way it fills me up.. but you’re already ahead of me on this one 🙂
DEFINITELY going to try this! heck probably before i leave because that seems like too far away to wait for such deliciousness. can i skull this?
Dude, we are a match made in single serving heaven although…..we’d need to make two servings. Okay, four because we both have epic appetites.
WHAT! You’re in San Fran? Have a blast my friend. x
Granola on the stovetop?? Can’t wait to try this – looks delicious!! I definitely ate my fair share of sweets and bread this holiday season…time to get back on track! Have a great weekend.
Thanks Alanna- Hope you do try it out!
I think this granola queen needs to try some stovetop granola! Haha, next time though, I just made a delicious new batch yesterday!
Dude, my kitchen ALWAYS smells like a combination of honey/oats/nut butter because I’m always making granola to have on hand.
LOL @ jaded blue chocolate. Not entirely sure why I find that so hilarious…but I do. Also, my love for granola knows no bounds so I totally get you. 2015 will be the year of stove top granola.
LOL. I had to let people know to avoid getting hate emails about fake chocolate lolol!
Happy New Year! I hope you’ve recovered from the chili oil. Although you deserve to suffer a little bit after that “Love Actually” comment you left on my blog! 😉
Haha. I must confess something. They showed ‘New Years Eve’ on NYE here and I have a new hate movie. That will probably change on Valentine’s day when they show THAT movie.
Haha! How can you even compare Love Actually to those movies? NYE and Valentine’s Day are both AWFUL!
That sounds like a pretty good Christmas to me. Although, I have to admit, I did overeat. Back to normal now though.
Also, I am a big fan of any breakfast that comes with chocolate. It’s the way forward I think!
Tweeting!
YES- Forward thinking indeed. Please tell me you watch the Apprentice- this should be my business plan for Lord Sugar 😉
What a good idea! I also go overboard with granola… and nut butters. I’ll eat it all the granola in one sitting and the nut butter by the spoon full. Sometimes that’s good because then it’s out of the house, but my stomach gets pretty pissed off haha. Hope your tongue heals up from that chili oil!
Thanks buddy- Although I wrecked it by eating extra sriracha last nght. So worth it.
I love the idea of making granola on the stovetop! Makes the process even faster! I seriously make like 4 batches of granola per week, I’m pretty much addicted! Gonna try this next time i make it!
You and me both! I could shower in granola (but I don’t because it’s sticky).
Yikes about the chili oil aftermath!! That stuff is soooo good with dumplings though, so I don’t blame you for going hard on it.
Stovetop granola is such a genius idea! Why has it taken me so long to realize that can be done?? So trying this one!
Thanks buddy! I’ll confess something…I may have lost the bet on purpose.
I have a major sweet tooth, so I try to limit my sweet eating to the weekends, because I always go for a second slice of cake! I’ve never made granola, and this one looks super yummy! 🙂
You need to try it out, Ashley- It’s delicious!
Mmm..dumplings….I had plenty of those this holiday season! Although I don’t think I’ve ever had the prawn ones. Anyway, you are quite brilliant, you know that? I don’t think I’ve ever made granola over the stove! Must try…
Quite brilliant? Dude, I’m like Einstein level.
Just kidding. You need to try the prawn ones- It tasted so good, but I think it’s because they added extra MSG 😉
I cannot do the chili oil! Now granola, that’s a different story. I love making baked granola. I usually add a couple of egg whites to my batch to make the granola nice and crunchy and clustery! A single serving recipe is perfect though. I’m excited to try skillet granola!
YES! Whenever I want to make clusters, I love adding egg whites!
Now let’s talk about how to make you enjoy chilli oil…. 😉
I can’t believe you downed at chili oil! You crazy man! On another note, this protein sounds delicious. Much better than chili oil, haha! Happy new year, Arman 🙂
Thanks Gen….Confession. I may or may not have lost the bet on purpose.
Keeping chocolate chips in the fridge?? Give me a second to ponder if I think that’s odd or genius. Maybe it’d ensure there are actually some left when I want to bake with them because as of now I just keep snagging handfuls every now and then to find an empty bag by the time I consider baking. ..
And hello what! You mean you don’t get all excited about airplane meals? The one with the added joy of not knowing what exactly you’re supposed to eat ;)??
The idea of single-serving granola is awesome and the nut butter + coconut + chocolate combination is a winner.
It’s because it’s Summer here and they were melting! 🙂