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This protein granola recipe needs just 4 ingredients to make but yields the most crunchy and cluster-filled granola! I love that it packs in 22 grams of protein.
Love protein-packed breakfast recipes? Try my protein pancakes, protein oatmeal, protein cinnamon rolls, and protein overnight oats.
I love my healthy granola but I’ll be honest- I do need some extra protein to kickstart my mornings. My protein granola has been a lifesaver and tastes delicious to boot!
Table of Contents
Why I love this recipe
- Keeps you full! The addition of protein powder will keep you fuller for longer, and you won’t be thinking about food until lunchtime. Also, hello, 22 grams of protein!
- Vegan and gluten-free. No dairy and also no gluten, thanks to the addition of gluten-free oats.
- Healthy. Made with whole grains and no added sweeteners, this is the kind of cereal I feel good about eating.
- Perfect texture. It’s crunchy and chewy, with chunks and clusters throughout. It’s sweet and has a subtle peanut butter flavor, but feel free to customize it however you like.
Ingredients needed
- Rolled oats– Also known as old-fashioned oats. Avoid using quick oats or steel-cut 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 remember, the flavor will be evident.
- Peanut 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 because I sometimes find honey a little overpowering (plus some vegans don’t consume honey).
- Mix-ins of choice– Add your favorite dried fruits, nuts, seeds, or even chocolate chips!
How to make protein granola
I’ve included step-by-step photos below to make this recipe easy to follow at home. For the full printable recipe instructions and ingredient quantities, scroll to the recipe card at the bottom of this post.
Step 1- Mix the dry. Start by adding the oats and protein powder to a mixing bowl and setting it aside.
Step 2- Melt. In a microwave-safe bowl, add the peanut butter with your maple syrup and microwave in 20-second spurts, until the peanut butter has melted.
Step 3- Combine. Add the wet to the dry mixture and mix until combined.
Step 4- Bake. 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 for 13-15 minutes, stirring halfway through.
Step 5- Cool and mix. 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.
Recipe tips and variations
- 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 is 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.
Storage instructions
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
Ingredients
- 2 cups rolled oats gluten free, if needed
- 1 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
Originally published August 2021, updated and republished March 2024
I made this as my store-bought granola was running out on a cold dreary after the 4th of July in Denver. The smells and cooler temperatures made it feel like Christmas in July.
I made a few changes and it turned out softer than I expected. I’m curious to get your feedback on how to make it crunchier.
(2x recipe):
2 cups rolled oats
1 cup quinoa
1/2 cup powdered peanut butter
1/2 cup unflavored pea protein powder
1/2 cup ground flax seed
2/3 + 1/8* cup peanut butter
1/2 + 1/8* cup maple syrup (about 1 tbsp was the remains of my honey)
1 cup almonds added after cooling down
* 1/8 cup of each wet ingredient was added in order to balance out the added flax seed
What is the serving size ?
This is one delicious recipe! Packed with so much protein and healthy ingredients, would definitely love to try this using Rolled Oats and I know it’d be delicious. Thanks for sharing such an amazing recipe.
Hey, thanks for sharing the recipe. It is really amazing, I tried making this with oats. They turned out well. As they are a clean label food brand with 100% natural and whole grains ingredients, I prefer using them often in different dishes. This granola was very crunchy and tasty making it awesome.
Great to hear that!
I love homemade granola!
Never having store bought granola again! 😀
Arman! What a gloriously delicious dish! Adding the protein makes it PERFECT! I would LOOOVE it. Pinning! I can’t believe all the lovely comments you have here Friend. You sure have a great following…and it’s easy to see why. Thanks much for sharing this with us at Weekend Potluck. Enjoy a great weekend.
Thank you for hosting my friend! I promise if I get a working VISA for America this year, I’m bringing you a huge batch!
WOOOOHOOO!!
This looks great! Oats are definitely the grain that I miss the most since going grain-free. I didn’t eat them a lot before, but I love their flavor. I’m sure I would love this granola.
Thanks Linda! I’m working on a grain free like granola using coconut and almond flour- Hopefully after some tweaking, it will work out well! 🙂
This is glorious, espesh because it serves one. Hope your tongue is feeling fabulous again!
Thanks love! I act Sriracha last night and effed it up AGAIN.
You have become a granola making machine my friend, and I love it. I’ll have to give this stovetop stuff a whirl one day. Until then, I shall continue to work on my savory concoction, in mass quantities of course. Homey don’t mess with just one. 🙂
You are the granola QUEEN. But promise me to not give this a go until you showcase your collation 😉
Oh yes this is vegan!!!!!!
I love how it makes one portion – sick of seeing recipes that make vats and vats of it. Do people not get sick of the same flavor for weeks? Do people eat granola everyday? I don’t know because I don’t talk to people much.
So Arman….can you answer these burning questions?
Amrita
You have cats. Cats eat granola.
I know right. All my recipes are usually single serving because I only make for one. Me.
I’m still a lone ranger until I go out and buy the fish my momma “gifted” me for Christmas, and granola was the ONE thing I’ve been dying for. But my baking sheet is nested in my pile of dirty dishes that I really need to get to that I probably won’t until Monday. Stovetop? Protein? APPROVED.
Definitely overate this season. In fact, STILL overeating and I do not care. Momma picked me up some raw coconut-PB cups and Green and Black’s 85% Dark Chocolate; therefore I have a valid reason to keep gorging. I like to be a rebel and not follow the typical “lose weight” New Year’s Resolution. Nope. Mine is to finally buy some dried cherries. I know it’ll happen ONE day!
Oh my God I’m literally sitting here with a small block of Green And Blacks 85% chocolate…how amazing is it!
Buy those dried cherries and make this granola 😉
I am a fan of all the beans. I can eat a can as a snack and two cans for a meal. My NYE hangover food was a huge bowl of beans and cheese. I thought about making bean brownies, but that takes too long. I don’t think I overate them…I’ll ask my coworkers tomorrow if they can smell me, then I’ll know 😉
Good luck!
I love putting my chocolate in the freezer — twinsies! I think you’re officially the granola king haha
Hahaha thanks buddy! I love chucking everything in the freezer!
You downed a shot of chili oil, are you mad!? Actually, is that even a question? Of course you are.
Mad GENIUS for recipes like these.
I went overboard with peanut butter this morning (didn’t think that was possible), but I accidentally left like 3-4 tablespoons left in my jumbo jar of pb for overnight oats, and I was struggling to finish it. I mean, I finished, but struggling to finish pb isn’t an issue for me typically.
STRUGGLING TO FINISH PEANUT BUTTER?
I can forgive that. Speaking of bets…I lost a bet a few years ago to finish a small jar of nutella.
I’ve never thought to make granola on the stovetop! What a good idea. Love that it is pretty quick then, and not an all day process! 🙂
Exactly! So much faster and no oven!
I think you’d be hard-pressed to find someone that actually likes airplane food. Those people don’t exist.
And I wish I could get a plane ticket home for $350!! Fun fact: if I book a flight back home rightthissecond for April 1st, it’ll cost me around $500 and thats an awesome deal. Why is Canadian airfare so expensive!?!
LOLOL. But isn’t Canada all next to each other 😉 Can’t you WALK home?
I don’t even think I need to tell you what food I go overboard with because… hi… you’re taunting me with it right here. It’s been a while since I’ve given myself a stomach ache off it, though, so fingers crossed that it stays that way!
I expect the next time we chat for you to have empty packages around you. That has got to be the best ever.
Mmmm chili oil haha. That sounds awful. I didn’t really overdo it over the holidays, except for New Year’s. I stuffed my face, drank too much, then stuffed myself some more with our annual tradition of ordering pizza on January 1st. I’d say pizza is my weakness, for sure!
I think that is a tradition I need to be apart of. Well, I’ll make a new pizza one starting this weekend.
A bowl full of chili oil? That’s like my worst nightmare! I hateeee spicy things. Love me some stove top granola though. Looks great!
Chelsea. We need to teach your pallet a lesson.
Chilli. Flying. Geeze dude, the list just keeps getting longer.
I’m really curious about what the bet was! I made a non-PG related bet in December that I lost…. very badly haha
Hahahahahahaha. It was cricket related and because I have no cricket knowledge, I lost.
i don’t think this granola would make it to the bowl. Pour some milk in the pan and let’s eat! hope you chili oil tongue has recovered.
Thanks buddy. It has and I just reburnt it by adding extra sriracha with dinner Sunday night. Fail.
Simultaneously laughing and crying for you about the chili oil. Been there – it sucks but can’t back down from a bet! Also, totally digging ‘skull’ instead of ‘chug’…waaaaay cooler.
SKULL SKULL SKULL.
CHUG CHUG CHUG.
I like Chug hahaha!
Glad you explained the chocolate chips, Arman! Otherwise, we might think you’d come from another planet or something. 😉 Great recipe and way to make granola! I’m like you with granola and pistachios. Once the eating stops, there is no stopping until it’s/they’re all gone!
Shirley
Oh pistachios- Mum’s side is Persian and they were on every table growing up- I can go through those like nothing. It especially irks me when there is ‘diet advice’ out there saying eat pistachios because they take longer.
…Not when you eat them all.
Chilli Oil?? OMG, that would be my punishment. I am such a wimp when it comes to spicy stuff, so drinking chilli oil would make me faint.
I clearly go overboard on chocolate, regularly. I guess cold turkey is the only solution. I love that this recipe contains oats and oatbran, my favorite breakfast carbs! And well, I don’t mind the chocolate chips either.
I’m going to make you a chilli oil quark pudding.
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! 🙂
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.
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…. 😉
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 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!
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 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).
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.
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 😉
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!
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!
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.
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!
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
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.