This Homemade High Protein Granola is a crunchy, make-ahead staple with 15 grams of protein per serving, without using traditional protein powder. It’s perfect for smoothies or yogurt, or enjoying it straight from the jar for an easy, protein-packed breakfast or snack.
"This has become one of my favorite granola recipes! The addition of shredded coconut gives the granola such a lovely flavor. It stays crunchy for way longer than other recipes I've tried before, and the fact that it's gluten-free is perfect for our family." - Laura
A Quick Look At The Recipe
- ⏲️Ready In: 60 Minutes
- 👪Serves: 10
- 🍽 Calories and Protein: 454 kcals and 15 grams of protein
- 📋Main Ingredients: Dried fruit, egg whites, collagen powder, walnuts, almond flour, coconut oil, almond butter, honey, nuts, and seeds
- 📖 Dietary Notes: Dairy-free, gluten-free, grain-free, and paleo.
- ⭐ Why You'll Love It: Makes the perfect grab-and-go snack for the whole family!
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Skip the store-bought bags and make this gluten-free protein granola at home; it honestly tastes better than anything I’ve bought. I love knowing exactly what’s going into it, and having a jar on hand saves me on busy weeks when snacks and breakfasts need to be quick (though the recipes in my Rise and Chill Breakfast E-book help too!).
Finding creative ways to increase protein without living on chicken breasts and shakes is a real struggle for most moms (which is why understanding the benefits of a high protein diet matters so much). This high protein granola recipe without protein powder is one of my go-to solutions: it’s simple to make, keeps cravings in check, and feels like a treat. I use it the same way I do chocolate protein granola or sprinkle it over Greek yogurt protein pudding.
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💭Why You'll Love The Protein Granola
Versatile: Not only does homemade protein granola taste great, but it also works as a make-ahead, grab-and-go breakfast, or protein snack.
Healthy: Made with nuts and seeds, this recipe is loaded with healthy fats and packed with 15 grams of protein per half cup serving.
Not sugar-based: Most granola recipes place an extra emphasis on sugar (not like this nut-free granola recipe!). This homemade protein granola recipe uses just honey and dried fruit to create its sweet flavor, and thus it's an extra healthy choice in the mornings.
Ingredients and Substitutions
- Egg Whites: These are used to help hold the granola together to create a more “cluster” effect while also contributing some protein
- Collagen powder: Though the recipe doesn't use traditional protein powder, it does use collagen (learn more about what collagen powder is). If you want to skip this, replace it with more almond flour.
- Almond flour: Both almond flour and ground almonds will work in the granola, so use what you have on hand.
- Almond butter: This will help the gluten-free granola stick together. Make sure to use fresh nut butter so that it’s runny and mixes well. Homemade peanut butter is a great swap here, too.
See the recipe card for full information on ingredients and quantities.
Flavor Variations
Dried fruit: Mix and match your dried fruit to try new tastes. Chopped mango, apricot, blueberries, and cherries are all delicious.
Make it vegetarian: If you want to make this vegetarian, replace the collagen powder with more almond flour and the honey with coconut syrup. Maple syrup will work but won't bind the recipe as well.
Zests: Want more or a bright and fresh taste? Add fresh lemon or orange zest to the granola mixture.
How To Make Homemade High-Protein Granola
Step 1: Portion out all the ingredients.
Step 2: Mix together the wet ingredients in one bowl and dry in another.
Step 3: Mix in the egg whites.
Step 4: Press down slightly to flatten the protein granola onto the baking sheet.
Expert Tips
The mixture will seem wet when you mix in the egg whites- that’s okay!
When portioning the high-protein gluten-free granola on the pan, spread it out and press it down slightly; it should all be “connected”.
When you stir the high protein granola at the halfway point, break it up, move the middle to the outside etc.
Once it comes out of the oven, you want to use a silicone spatula to scrape the granola off the pan, taking care to leave lots of larger chunks/clusters.
Use a high-quality collagen powder for the best taste and health perks. I like Perfect Supplements because it's a quality brand that uses pasture-raised cows. Code mamabear10 saves you money if you try it.
Store the protein granola in a mason jar with the lid in the fridge for up to 14 days.
Ways To Enjoy It
- On top of your favorite strawberry protein smoothie bowl
- In place of cereal
- As trail mix
- As the top of a dairy-free yogurt parfait
- To add a crunch to cookie dough overnight oats or high protein blueberry chia pudding
Homemade High-Protein Granola
Granola is very calorie-dense and loaded with healthy fats. It does contain a lot of plant-based protein. However, unless egg whites, collagen powder, or protein powder is added to the granola, it is not very high in protein.
Most store-bought granolas use an excessive amount of sweeteners in order to have a palatable flavor. Making your own protein granola allows you to control the ingredients and is often healthier.
Homemade granola can be a healthy source of nutrients! Most granola use nuts and seeds as a base, which provides a good amount of healthy fats and plant-based proteins. Plus, protein granola allows you to be the one in control of the sweeteners added. Scaling back on sugar is an easy way to improve the healthy breakdown of granola.
Protein granola tastes best when cooked at a semi-low temperature. This is because ingredients like nuts, nut butters, and seeds tend to burn at high temperatures. If your granola is not crunchy, it could be because it hasn't had enough time to dry out. Cook it at a lower temperature for longer and keep an eye on it.
Protein powder and collagen absorb very differently. So, if you use protein powder in this recipe, the texture will alter. Vegan protein powder especially absorbs a lot of liquid (compared to whey protein powder) and is tricky to bake with.
Yes, you can eat protein granola as cereal. It's a crunchy blend of nuts and seeds that makes for a great cereal substitute. Just pour your favorite milk on top, and you're good to go.
More Granola Recipes You'll Enjoy
If you tried this High-Protein Granola Recipe or any other recipe on my blog, please leave a 🌟 star rating and let me know how it goes!
Homemade High-Protein Granola (Gluten-Free)
Video
Equipment
- Large baking tray
Ingredients
- ½ cup Hemp hearts
- ½ cup Shredded coconut
- 1 cup Walnuts chopped
- ⅛ cup Walnuts Chopped
- 1 cup Almond flour
- ¼ cup Pumpkin seeds
- ⅓ cup Coconut oil measured solid
- ½ cup Almond butter
- ⅓ cup Honey
- ⅛ cup Collagen powder
- ½ cup Dried cranberries
- ⅓ cup Egg whites
Instructions
- Pre-heat the oven to 300 degrees Farenheit
- In a large bowl, mix together all the dry ingredients.
- Melt the coconut oil and whisk together all wet ingredients except the egg whites.
- Pour wet into dry and combine.
- Add in the egg whites and mix well. It will look wet.
- Portion onto a baking sheet and press down slightly. The granola should all be "connected" (this is what makes bigger clusters)
- Bake for twenty minutes.
- Stir the granola with a silicone spatula. Move the middle parts towards the outside and then press down lightly again so it's mostly connected.
- Back another twenty minutes.
- Turn the oven off and let sit for ten minutes.
- Remove from the oven and let cool in the pan. Then, scrape it off, break it up into preferred chunks and store in the fridge.
Notes
- The mixture will seem wet when you mix in the egg whites- that’s okay!
- Any dried fruit will work for the recipe.
- Use Perfect Supplements Collagen Powder for the best quality (code mamabear10 saves you money!)
- If you don't want to use collagen powder, replace it with more almond flour.
- Store the granola in the fridge in an airtight container
- The recipe makes roughly 5 cups, and one serving is half a cup
Disclaimer:
Nutrition values are estimates only, using online calculators. Please verify using your own data"
Nutrition
Angela says
My family loved this!
Laura Arteaga says
This has become one of my favorite granola recipes! The addition of shredded coconut gives the granola such a lovely flavor. It stays crunchy for way longer than other recipes I've tried before, and the fact that is gluten-free is perfect for our family.
Elizabeth S says
This was easy to make, super filling, and yummy. Will be making again. I am going to try different flavors of collagen next.
fitasamamabear says
Ohh lwt me know how that goes! I always stick to unflavored but chocolate would be fun.
Lisa says
You have some of the best high protein breakfast ideas. This granola is one of my favorites.
fitasamamabear says
You are the sweetest, thank you!
Gina says
This recipe makes me feel better about eating granola knowing that there's some protein in the mix. Paired with Greek yogurt, it's one of my favorite snacks!
fitasamamabear says
Haha definitely!
Kelli Miller says
This is an amazing base to a trail mix - just added some nuts, a few dried fruits or berries, and mini dark chocolate chips. So delicious!!
fitasamamabear says
Yes! It works great when out and about or traveling too.
Sharina says
This high-protein granola has been part of my brunch ideas! So healthy and delicious. Even my sister loves it!
fitasamamabear says
It makes it such a great treat to munch on!
Jacqui says
Easy to make and pantry friendly!
fitasamamabear says
Yeppers!
Aimee DiPasquale says
I love homemade granola. It's so versatile. But I have not tried egg white. I will have to try that.
fitasamamabear says
It's just easy to eat! Works on everything 🙂
Marian says
Can you make it without egg whites?
fitasamamabear says
The egg whites is what helps keep it crunchy and bind, along with adding protein. You'd need to up the liquid somewhere else so that it holds together more if you omitted the egg whites.
Katie says
Love this high protein granola! It's so healthy and super easy to make. I was full for hours after eating it for breakfast!
fitasamamabear says
Love hearing that!
Abhi says
Wow, I love this super healthy recipe. It is on my hit list now! Thanks Shelby for coming up with such amazing recipes!
fitasamamabear says
Thanks so much! It's such a favorite of ours!