High Protein Granola (without protein powder)

Make high protein granola without protein powder! This protein-rich granola is ready in 30 minutes for an easy, nutrient-dense breakfast or snack.

Granola is so often marketed as a health food when it's packed with tons of ultra-processed ingredients, loaded with sugar, and stripped of nutrients like fiber and protein.

Don't get me wrong, I LOVE granola. I have so many granola recipes on my site.

But even with homemade granola, it's best to enjoy it in moderation. Even homemade granolas can be higher in calories and easy to over eat.

BUT I've got a delicious protein granola in store today.

This granola has the taste and texture of a classic granola recipe, but it's secretly got some extra protein. So this recipe can be enjoyed as part of a balanced breakfast!

Jump to:

• What makes this recipe high protein?
• Why I love this High Protein Granola
• Ingredient Notes & Substitutions
• How to make High Protein Granola without protein powder
• FAQ & Expert Tips
• Ways to eat granola
• More Protein Breakfast Recipes
• Recipe Prayer
• Tried this recipe?
• 📖 Recipe
• 💬 Comments

What makes this recipe high protein?

I don't know about you, but I don't really want my granola to taste like protein powder.

To make a high protein granola without protein powder, you need some source of protein.

This recipe uses TVP (textured vegetable protein) as the plant protein source.

So, no weird protein powder flavors. TVP has a neutral flavor and turns super crunchy in the oven, for a perfect granola texture!

What is TVP?

TVP stands for Textured Vegetable Protein.

It's a vegan meat substitute. Unlike many meat products on the market, it is only one ingredient: soy.

TVP can come in different shapes and sizes, but most often it is sold in small pieces.

Soy is high in protein, and TVP is a concentrated form of soy protein. So TVP is especially high in protein, making it a great vegan protein source.

Typically TVP is used in savory recipes, but it works so well in this granola!

As with all foods that are semi-processed, it's best to enjoy TVP in moderation and opt for whole foods in their least processed form as often as you can.

That said, TVP makes a delicious crunchy granola that's got a punch of protein!

Why I love this High Protein Granola

• Dietary needs - this recipe is plant-based, oil-free, gluten-free, dairy-free, nut-free, and refined sugar-free
• High protein granola without protein powder - instead of protein powder, this granola features TVP, which adds plant protein without any of the flavor of protein powder
• Perfect treat - this granola is made from whole food ingredients with fiber and nutrients for a healthy and tasty breakfast or snack
• Simple ingredients - With only 6 ingredients, you likely already have all the ingredients you need to make this granola recipe!
• Customizable - stir in your favorite dried fruits or nuts. Add flax or chia seeds. Whatever you love! The possibilities are endless
• Makes your kitchen smell like a literal dream - vanilla extract smells absolutely divine when cooked in the oven.
• Neutral taste, perfect for pairing - serve with your favorite smoothie, on a yogurt bowl, or by itself!

Ingredient Notes & Substitutions

• Puffed Millet or Rice: using a puffed grain like puffed millet, amaranth, quinoa, rice, etc. helps add volume to the granola without as many calories from non-protein sources. Feel free to replace any/all of the puffed grain with oats
• Textured Vegetable Protein: TVP is the main source of protein in this granola. Usually, TVP needs to be rehydrated and is cooked as a meat substitute in savory vegan recipes, but it makes a surprisingly delicious and SUPER crunchy granola without needing to be rehydrated
• Rolled Oats: You can make granola with quick oats but it's much better with rolled oats. If you are gluten-sensitive be sure to buy certified gluten-free oats to avoid any cross contamination
• Maple Syrup: maple syrup is the ideal sweetener for granola because it hardens when baked and helps create crunchy clusters. For a completely fruit sweetened granola you can sub date syrup 1:1. This recipe is intended to have balanced macros, so there isn't a ton of syrup - if you are looking for really large clusters you can increase the syrup to ¾ cup
• Peanut Butter: A nut butter adds a bit of fat to the recipe and helps deepen the overall flavor profile. I love anything peanut butter, so I used peanut butter in this recipe, but feel free to use your favorite nut or seed butter. Cashew butter has a neutral flavor and is usually my go-to when I'm looking for a nut butter that doesn't add any flavor
• Vanilla: for ultra strong vanilla flavor use vanilla bean paste instead of vanilla extract. If you don't have paste, extract is perfectly fine!
• Cinnamon
• Salt

How to make High Protein Granola without protein powder

Step 1. Preheat the oven to 350°F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.

Step 2. In a large bowl, mix all the ingredients until thoroughly coated.

Step 3. Spread on the prepared pan and bake for 20-25 minutes until the granola is golden brown.

Step 4. Remove from the oven and cool completely on the pan to create clusters. Then break into chunks and enjoy!

FAQ & Expert Tips

Ways to eat granola

• On top of a smoothie or açai bowl
• Paired with a high-protein yogurt
• On oatmeal or overnight oats for some crunch
• For some crunch in your cereal
• As a topping for ice cream
• In trail mix
• By itself - my favorite!

More Protein Breakfast Recipes

Recipe Prayer

Thank you God for this protein-rich granola without protein powder. Thank you for this nutrient-dense food to fuel our day. Amen.

Tried this recipe?

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📖 Recipe