The Short Answer
You should make your own.
The gap between homemade and store-bought granola is massive. Commercially produced granola is essentially a crushed-up cookie, relying on inflammatory seed oils (like canola or sunflower) and massive amounts of refined sugar to create those crunchy clusters.
By making it at home, you cut the cost by nearly 50%, eliminate preservatives, and can use high-quality fats like coconut oil, butter, or olive oil. It takes about 5 minutes to mix and 25 minutes to bake. Unless you are buying the absolute most expensive premium brands (like Is Purely Elizabeth Clean), store-bought is almost always a nutritional downgrade.
Why This Matters
It’s the oil, not just the sugar.
Most health-conscious shoppers look at the sugar content—which is high, averaging 12g per serving—but miss the fat source. To keep costs low and texture crunchy, brands drench oats in industrial seed oils. Even "organic" brands often use high-oleic sunflower oil, which can still be inflammatory when consumed in large quantities. Is Oatmeal Healthy
The "Serving Size" Scam.
Check the label on your bag. The serving size is likely 1/3 cup (30g). Most people pour a bowl closer to 1 cup. That means you aren't eating 6g of sugar; you're eating 18g+—more than a glazed donut—before you've even left the house. Why Is Granola High Sugar
The Premium Markup.
Clean brands that do use coconut oil and maple syrup charge a fortune. A bag of Purely Elizabeth costs around $7-9 for 8oz. You can make a 24oz batch at home with organic ingredients for about $6 total.
What's Actually In Store-Bought
Here is what you are typically paying for in that colorful bag:
- Sunflower/Canola Oil — Cheap binders used to crisp the oats. These are high in Omega-6 fatty acids and prone to oxidation.
- Evaporated Cane Juice — A fancy word for sugar.
- Natural Flavors — Proprietary chemical blends that mask the lack of real ingredients (like real vanilla bean).
- Non-Organic Oats — Oats are a heavy crop for glyphosate (Roundup) spraying. Unless it's certified organic, you are likely eating pesticide residues. Glyphosate In Oatmeal
Homemade vs Store-Bought: By The Numbers
| Feature | Homemade | Standard Store Brand | Premium "Clean" Brand |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cost Per Serving | $0.25 - $0.50 | $0.40 - $0.60 | $0.90 - $1.20 |
| Oil Source | Coconut / Olive / Butter | Canola / Soybean | Coconut / Avocado |
| Sugar (per 1/3 cup) | 3-5g (adjustable) | 10-14g | 6-7g |
| Protein | High (if adding nuts/seeds) | Low (mostly oats) | Moderate |
| Time to Acquire | 30 mins | Trip to store | Trip to store |
What to Look For (If You Must Buy)
If you can't bake it, you have to read the label aggressively.
Green Flags:
- Fat Source: Coconut oil, avocado oil, olive oil, or ghee.
- Sweetener: Maple syrup, honey, or dates listed after the nuts/seeds.
- Sugar Count: Less than 6g per serving.
- Certifications: Certified Organic (crucial for oats) and Glyphosate Residue Free.
Red Flags:
- "Vegetable Oil": Usually a blend of soy and canola.
- Soy Lecithin: An emulsifier used in processed foods.
- Puffed Rice/Grains: Cheap filler to bulk up the bag.
- Dried Fruit with Sugar: Cranberries and cherries often have added sugar on top of the fruit sugar.
The Best Options
If you are going to buy, buy the best. If you are going to bake, keep it simple.
| Type | Product | Verdict | Why |
|---|---|---|---|
| DIY | Homemade Granola | ✅ | Best value & health. Control oil, sugar, and oat quality. |
| Store | Purely Elizabeth | ✅ | Uses coconut oil and coconut sugar. Clean ingredients. |
| Store | Grandy Organics | ✅ | Grain-free options, organic, no seed oils. |
| Store | Bear Naked | 🚫 | High sugar, uses expeller-pressed oils, "natural flavors." |
| Store | Quaker / Nature Valley | 🚫 | Basically crushed candy bars. High fructose corn syrup risks. |
The Bottom Line
1. Bake it on Sundays. It takes 30 minutes. Mix organic oats, nuts, coconut oil, and maple syrup. Bake at 300°F (150°C) until golden.
2. Watch the binders. If you buy store-bought, refuse any brand listing "sunflower," "safflower," or "canola" oil.
3. Check the serving size. If you eat a full bowl, triple the sugar number on the nutrition label to see what you're really consuming.
FAQ
Is granola actually healthy?
It depends. Most store-bought granola is not—it is a high-sugar, calorie-dense dessert. However, homemade granola made with healthy fats and minimal sweetener can be a great source of fiber and energy. Is Granola Healthy
Can I make granola without sugar?
Yes. You can use egg whites as a binder to create clusters without using honey or syrup. You can also sweeten entirely with date paste or mashed banana, though this softens the texture slightly. Granola Lowest Sugar
Why is store-bought granola so expensive?
You are paying for packaging and marketing. The actual ingredients (oats and sugar) are incredibly cheap. Premium brands cost more because nuts, seeds, and coconut oil are significantly more expensive than the cheap oats and canola oil used by big brands.