Low-Calorie Granola (93 Calories per Serving!)
Sneak Preview: This crunchy Low-Calorie Granola is ideal for breakfast or snacks. Main ingredients include old fashioned oats, wheat germ, sugar-free maple syrup, almonds, raisins, and unsweetened coconut.
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If oatmeal cookies tempt you, this crunchy Low-Calorie Granola will hit the spot without the guilt. Traditional granola recipes can be sugary calorie bombs, but I’ve got you covered with this tasty, lower-calorie version.
Got a sweet tooth? Try my Chocolate Granola with Maple Syrup and Olive Oil for a delightful treat—perfect for family (if you don’t finish it first).
Happy Bakers Speak Up
“I did not have any wheat germ so I substituted unprocessed wheat bran (millers bran) instead. Turned out great!” —MARGARET
Ingredients and Substitutions
- OLD-FASHIONED OATS: Quick oats can be substituted, though granola may be crumblier. Leftover oats? Try these Five Ingredient Greek Yogurt Waffles.
- WHEAT GERM: Adds nutrition; keep refrigerated after opening. Substitute wheat bran if desired.
- SUGAR-FREE MAPLE SYRUP: Feel free to use your favorite low-cal syrup.
- VEGETABLE OIL: Essential for crunch. Avocado, olive, or canola oils are great alternatives.
- UNSWEETENED COCONUT: Look for this in baking or freezer sections.
- ALMONDS: Pecans or walnuts work well, too.
- RAISINS: Substitute dried cranberries or cherries for variety.
How To Make Low-Calorie Granola
1. Combine Dry Ingredients: Mix oats, wheat germ, cinnamon, and salt in a bowl.
2. Prepare Syrup Mixture: Whisk sugar-free syrup, oil, and water in a microwave-safe bowl. Microwave until it simmers (about 1 minute).
3. Combine and Clump: Stir hot liquid into oats, then squeeze mixture into clusters on a greased or lined baking sheet. (I keep nitrile gloves in my kitchen at all times for tasks like this.)
4. Bake Granola: Bake at 275°F for 30 minutes, stir in coconut, nuts, and raisins, then bake an additional 20-25 minutes.
5. Cool and Store: Allow granola to cool completely before storing in an airtight container or vacuum-sealed jar.
📌Paula’s Kitchen Hacks & Facts📌
Vacuum-sealing granola in a Mason jar extends freshness and curbs frequent snacking. Use a portable electric vacuum sealer to keep snacks crispy longer and slightly less accessible to grazing fingers.eks.
The portable electric sealer in the picture below is my latest favorite. You can buy it here. Use it to keep all the “nibbles” in your pantry fresh and crispy for longer. Because the jar is sealed, I’ve noticed people and kids don’t get into it as often as they would otherwise.
Low-Calorie Homemade Granola Recipe
Video
Ingredients
- 2 cups (162 g) old-fashioned oats
- ¼ cup (29 g) toasted wheat germ
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- 3 tablespoons (41 g) vegetable oil
- 3 tablespoons (45 g) warm water
- ¼ cup (81 g) sugar-free maple syrup I like Cary’s
- ¼ cup (20 g) coconut, shredded or chips
- ¼ cup (36 g) almonds or pecans
- ¼ cup (36 g) raisins
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 275 °F (140˚C) Spray a 13-by-9-inch baking sheet with cooking spray. Alternatively, cover the baking sheet with a silicone mat or parchment paper.
- Mix 2 cups (162 g) old-fashioned oats, ¼ cup (29 g) toasted wheat germ, 1 teaspoon cinnamon, and ¼ teaspoon salt in a large bowl.
- Whisk together the ¼ cup (81 g) sugar-free maple syrup, 3 tablespoons (41 g) vegetable oil, and 3 tablespoons (45 g) warm water in a microwave-safe bowl. Microwave for one minute or until this mixture starts to simmer. Drizzle over the oat mixture and stir to combine.
- Pour the granola mixture into a prepared pan. Working a handful at a time, squeeze cereal to form small clumps.
- Bake for 30 minutes. Stir in ¼ cup (20 g) coconut, shredded or chips, ¼ cup (36 g) almonds or pecans, and ¼ cup (36 g) raisins. Continue to bake until golden brown, 20 to 25 minutes longer.
- Let cool and store in an air-tight container. Vacuum-packing in a quart jar is even better.
Equipment
Nutrition
All images and text ©️ Paula Rhodes for Salad in a Jar.com
Frequently Asked Questions
- Can granola really be low-calorie?
- Yes! Using sugar-free syrup and portion control helps significantly.
- How do I store homemade granola?
- Store in airtight containers at room temperature or vacuum-seal for freshness.
- How can I get more clumps in granola?
- Firmly squeezing handfuls before baking creates bigger clusters.
Final Thoughts
Granola is my tasty compromise for oatmeal-averse folks (like me!). If you are an oatmeal fan, don’t miss these Homemade Pop-Tarts with oatmeal in the crust. These Chewy Oatmeal Cookies with Coffee Icing are my husband’s favorite cookies…and I like them, too. If you’re a bread maker, try my recipe for Honey Oatmeal Dinner Rolls or Bread Machine Oatmeal Bread with Sunflower Seeds.
Need help troubleshooting? Email me: Paula at saladinajar.com—photos welcome!
Paula Rhodes, owner
As a retired home economist, I created Saladinajar.com to share my belief that you don’t have to be a chef to find joy in creating homemade food worth sharing. Bread machines (used in an unconventional way), homemade yogurt, and quick microwave recipes are my specialty.