Top 12 Gluten-Free Granola Brands To Buy At The Store

Granola is a favorite simple breakfast, snack, and anytime bite of health nuts nationwide, but while finding gluten-free granola may seem like a no-brainer, it isn’t always. 

Despite granola’s main ingredient — oats — being naturally gluten-free, some granolas also contain grains such as barley that aren’t gluten-free, so be mindful of the ingredients list. 

Additionally, several granolas are not gluten-free due to cross-contamination with gluten during processing. 

According to one study, the rate of cross-contamination with gluten in otherwise gluten-free food products may be as high as 20%. Researchers assessed 186 products without gluten-containing ingredients and found that 44 products out of 186 contained >20 ppm of gluten — an amount that could potentially elicit a reaction in those with celiac disease and gluten sensitivity (1). 

If you’re eliminating gluten from your diet due to celiac disease or gluten sensitivity, the safest option is to look for a Certified Gluten-Free Label. 

To meet the requirements for the gluten-free label, brands must meet the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) certifications to advertise their products as such. 

The FDA definition states that a food product must contain less than 20 mg of gluten per kilogram to be labeled gluten-free. The product also cannot contain wheat, barley, rye, or other grains that contain gluten (2). 

These standards apply to all certified gluten-free labels, as well as any product that claims it’s gluten-free anywhere on the packaging (3).

While a lot of gluten-containing ingredients aren’t likely in granola, the potential for cross-contamination with grains that do contain gluten (such as wheat, barley, and rye) is a concern. 

To help reduce the stress of the grocery store search, we’ve chosen a selection of the top 12 gluten-free granola brands on the market and where to find them to unite you with your perfect granola match.

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How to choose a gluten-free granola

When choosing gluten-free granola, here are some things to look out for:

• Fiber. Many people skimp on their daily fiber needs, but luckily, granola is a great source. A meal packed with fiber will encourage slow and controlled digestion, optimize your daily energy intake, and ensure you stay fuller and energized for longer. Along with promoting healthy digestion and fullness at meals, adequate fiber consumption has been associated with a lower risk of certain diseases including heart disease and type 2 diabetes. A granola bar is considered a good source of fiber if it contains more than 10% of the recommended Daily Value (DV) per serving (4, 5). 
• Protein content. Oatmeal is already a great source of plant-based protein with 10.7 grams per cooked cup, and other high protein add-ins like nuts, such as almonds, walnuts, and cashews, and seeds like hemp or pumpkin seeds can give your granola an extra protein boost. The FDA recommends 50 grams of protein daily, based on a 2,000 calorie diet (6, 7, 8). 
• Added sugars. While granola can be healthy, it can have a lot of added sugar. Added sugars, in general, are something to consume in moderation and most manufacturers tend to go overboard with the amount of sugar they add to granola. Be mindful of the added sugar content in your granola, keeping in mind the American Heart Association (AHA)’s recommended 6-9 teaspoons of added sugar per day for a balanced diet (9).

GreenChoice Top Picks

1. Bear Naked Grain Free Almond Coconut Granola

This certified gluten-free granola with sunflower seeds, flax seeds, almonds, and pumpkin seeds packs a serious punch. It’s a great source of fiber and protein providing 6g of fiber —20% of the daily recommended value (DV) — and 8g of protein per serving.

Allergen info: Contains coconuts and their derivatives, tree nuts, and their derivatives. May contain tree nuts and their derivatives, peanuts, and their derivatives.

2. Baker’s Breakfast Cookie Homestyle Granola With Ancient Grains

Erin Baker’s gluten-free granola is made with vanilla, almonds, oats, molasses, and puffed quinoa. Aside from being gluten-free, this granola is a great source of fiber and protein offering 7g of protein and 5g of fiber – 18% of DV – per serving. Plus, it’s vegan.

Allergen info: Contains: Almonds. Produced in a facility that processes wheat, peanuts, tree nuts, eggs, soy, and dairy.

3. Flax4Life Gluten-Free Flax Snacking Granola Apple Cinnamon

Flax4Life Apple Cinnamon Granola is filled with cinnamon-infused apple pieces and flaxseeds. This certified gluten-free granola provides 4g of protein and 5g of fiber. With 2.6g of omega 3’s, it’s also packed with heart healthy fats and contains 10% of the DV for iron per serving. Additionally, it’s free from nuts (with the exception of coconut) and dairy.

Allergen info: Not available

4. Back To Nature Classic Granola

Back to Nature Classic Granola is packed with oats and sweetened with fruit juice concentrate. This gluten-free granola offers a whopping 38g of whole grains, 4g of fiber (14% of the DV), and 5g of protein per serving. Also, a one half cup serving provides 10% of the DV for iron.

Allergen info: Made on the same equipment that processes milk, peanuts, sesame seeds, soy, and tree nuts.

5. McCabe’s Granola Delta Blueberry

McCabe’s Granola Delta Blueberry is made with rolled oats, walnuts, seeds, maple syrup, extra virgin olive oil, and blueberries. This granola provides 2.5g of fiber (11% of the DV)  and 5g of protein per serving. It’s free from soy, dairy,  and preservatives. It’s free from gluten-containing ingredients, but is processed in a facility that also processes wheat. If you’re concerned about cross-contamination, you may want to consider another product.

Allergen info: Produced in a facility that uses peanuts, soy, tree nuts, wheat, and dairy.

6. Go Raw Sprouted Organic Granola Coco Crunch

Go Raw Coco Crunch Sprouted Granola is filled with organic chocolate, cocoa powder, and sprouted seeds., This gluten-free granola is sweetened with coconut and dates and offers a decent 2g of fiber and 4g of protein per serving. Plus, it’s vegan and free from nuts, soy, or added sugars.

7. Milk & Honey Granola – Rick Bayless’s Mexican Mix

Purely Elizabeth Coconut Cashew Grain-Free Granola is made with cashews, coconut flakes, coconut oil, seeds, cashew butter, and vanilla extract. This gluten-free granola offers 2g of fiber, 4g of protein, and 4g of added sugars per ⅓ cup serving. Aside from being gluten-free, it’s certified paleo.

Allergen info: CONTAINS: Peanuts and Coconut. Produced in a facility and on equipment that also processes peanuts, coconut, almonds, pecans, cashews, and wheat.

8. Purely Elizabeth Granola – Coconut Cashew

Purely Elizabeth Coconut Cashew Grain-Free Granola is made with cashews, coconut flakes, coconut oil, seeds, cashew butter, and vanilla extract. This gluten-free granola offers 2g of fiber – 7% of DV -, 4g of protein, and only 4g of added sugars per serving. Aside from being gluten-free, it’s certified paleo and keto.

Allergen info: Contains: Cashews, Coconut and Almond. Made in a facility that also processes soy, milk, eggs, peanuts, and other tree nuts.

9. Grandy Oats Organic Granola Coconola Grain Free

Grandy Oats Organic Granola Coconola is packed with coconut, cashews, pecans, and a variety of seeds. It provides 2g of fiber – 7% of DV – and 4g of protein per serving. Additionally, this coconut granola is organic and paleo-friendly. It’s free from gluten-containing ingredients but is processed in a facility that also processes wheat. If you’re concerned about cross-contamination, you may want to consider another product.

Allergen info: Contains: Coconut, Cashews, and Pecans. Created in a bakery that uses peanuts, tree nuts, wheat, and soy.

10. Bob’s Red Mill Natural Foods – Coconut Spice Granola

This certified gluten-free granola is made with oats, coconut flakes, seeds, coconut oil, and maple syrup. It contains 2g of fiber – 7% of DV – and 3g of protein per serving.

Allergen info: Contains: Coconut

11. Bakery On Main Sprouted Blueberry Flax Organic Happy Granola

This gluten-free certified granola is packed with sprouted ancient grains, flax seeds, and sweet blueberries. One serving offers 2g of fiber – 9% of DV – and 4g of protein. Plus, it’s organic and vegan.

Allergen info: May Contain: Almonds, Brazil Nuts, Cashews, Coconut, Hazelnuts, Pecans, Walnuts & Soy

12. One Degree Organic Foods Sprouted Quinoa Cacao Granola

This gluten-free granola contains sprouted oats, coconut palm sugar, cacao, and brown rice in its ingredients. It offers 2g of fiber – 8% of DV – and 3g of protein per serving. Additionally, it’s certified organic and gluten-free.

Allergen info: Not available.

Key takeaways for buying gluten-free granola

Choosing granola that suits a gluten-free diet shouldn’t be a challenge. If you know how to search, there is plenty of gluten-free granola for anyone in your life with gluten sensitivities.

Granola is a great source of fiber and protein, which work together to keep you full and energized longer. Pay attention to the ingredients list for nutrition values and information on extra add-ins like nuts that will boost the fiber and protein content of your granola and support healthy body functions.

Although granola can be healthy, certain brands contain a lot of added sugars. Be mindful of the added sugar content in your granola by checking the ingredient label, following the AHA’s daily guidelines of 6-9 teaspoons of sugar a day, and consuming in moderation.

We hope our list of the top 12 gluten-free granola options on the market helps you find gluten-free granola that’s perfect for your granola fix.

There are 1,000s of food products that won’t be right for you

Let GreenChoice find the ones that are

Tell us your dietary needs & values and we’ll show you foods that match!

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GreenChoice, PBC has evaluated and rated more than 340,000 food & beverage products across hundreds of attributes related to diet, health, and sustainability. Easily find the best products for you, the planet, & your budget. Sign up to access the GreenChoice marketplace, the first carbon-neutral online grocery marketplace for healthy, climate-friendly shopping.

Katherine

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Merve

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Makayla Meixner, MS, RDN

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