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12 Nut-Free Granola Brands To Add To Your Snack Bag
Katherine Stallard, Merve Basoglu and Sydney WexlerPublished: April 15, 2022
In a world of over-processed snacks full of empty calories, granola may seem like the perfect food to start your day with or snack on during a busy day. Granola is a tasty, delicious, and nutritious snack popular with children and adults alike. The problem is, most granolas usually contain nuts.
For those with nut allergies, browsing the supermarket for granola isn’t as easy as it seems. Granola options you can eat without closely reading the ingredient label to avoid an allergic reaction can seem few and far between.
Granolas that don’t list nuts as an ingredient may seem nut-free and safe to eat until further inspection shows an asterisk that says their processing isn’t.
Whether you’re on the hunt for nut-free granola for a loved one, yourself, or just trying to munch on something safe in a shared space like work or school, it can feel useless to find a snack that’s nut-free, easy, AND exciting.
Our list of 13 nut-free granola picks and tips on how to find them will make allergy-safe snacking a breeze and help you skip the struggle and go straight to snack time.
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How to choose nut-free granola
When shopping for any nut-free granola, there are a couple of things to look for to ensure your granola choice is the best one for you:
- Added sugar. Pre-packed foods often cram a load of added sugars into their ingredients, and nut-free granola isn’t an exception. While granola can be a healthy snack, granola bars, specifically, can have as much added sugar as a candy bar. Added sugars, in general, are something to consumers in moderation, so take care to inspect the food label and try to stay within the American Heart Association (AHA)’s recommended 6-9 teaspoons of added sugar per day for a balanced diet (2).
- Palm oil. Palm oil is hidden in a lot of pre-packed snacks, and in this case, nut-free granola. Palm oil is the most commonly consumed vegetable oil on the planet and is hidden in about 50% of packaged food. It’s one of the leading causes of deforestation and has raised concerns regarding many negative social and environmental impacts. Keep an eye out for palm oil in ingredient lists and do your research to support companies that promote sustainable palm oil production (3, 4, 5).
- Allergen statement. Granola bars that may at first seem nut-free may put a warning label on their ingredient lists. It’s important to double-check the ingredient label for the allergen statement to ensure you don’t purchase a product that may cause an allergic reaction. In products with top allergens like nuts in their ingredients, manufacturers must list an allergen statement following the ingredient list. However, it is left up to the manufacturer to include an advisory statement for products that may contain traces of nuts due to cross-contact during processing. If you can’t discern a clear allergen assessment, it’s safer to put it back on the shelf (6).
All the products below were selected based on the following:
- Do NOT contain tree nuts (except for coconut)
- Do NOT contain peanuts
- Cross-contamination risk if any is noted under Allergen info
*Always check the label for possible allergens before consuming.
1. Nature’s Path – Organic Flax Plus Pumpkin Granola
12-pack, 11.5 oz each
Nature’s Path Organic Flax Plus Pumpkin Granola has a high nutritional value, is moderately processed, and is estimated to have a very low carbon footprint and a moderate water footprint.
Allergen info: Contains soy. Produced in a facility that uses wheat, peanuts or tree nuts.
Ingredients: Whole Grain Rolled Oats, Cane Sugar, Soy Oil, Brown Rice Flour, Pumpkin Seeds, Flax Seeds, Oat Syrup Solids (Oat Syrup Solids, Tocopherols), Sea Salt, Molasses, Cinnamon
- 4.6/5 stars (575 reviews)
- 85/100 GreenScore® rating
- Rich in whole grain
- Great source of fiber (5g per serving)
2. Natures Path – Organic Granola Coconut Chia
12-pack, 12.34 oz each
Natures Path Organic Granola Coconut Chia has some nutritional value, is moderately processed, and is estimated to have a very low carbon footprint and a moderate water footprint.
Allergen info: Contains soy and coconuts. Produced in a facility that uses peanuts, wheat and other tree nuts.
Ingredients: Whole Grain Rolled Oats, Cane Sugar, Soy Oil, Dried Coconut, Brown Rice Flour, Chia Seeds, Oat Syrup Solids (Oat Syrup Solids, Tocopherols), Natural Coconut Flavor, Sea Salt, Molasses, Natural Vanilla Flavor
- 4.9/5 stars (195 reviews)
- 83/100 GreenScore® rating
- Rich in whole grain
- Good source of fiber (6g per serving)
3. Go Raw – Sprouted Organic Granola Coco Crunch
6-pack, 8 oz each
Go Raw Sprouted Organic Granola Coco Crunch has a low nutritional value, is moderately processed, and is estimated to have a very low carbon footprint and a low water footprint.
Allergen info: Contains coconut. Go Raw’s products are free of major allergens: gluten, peanuts, tree nuts (with the exception of coconuts), dairy, soy, eggs, fish, and shellfish. However, some Go Raw products do contain coconut and sesame. While these products are made on the same lines as other products, we conduct deep cleaning and allergen swabbing between runs to ensure there is no cross contamination.
Ingredients: sprouted buckwheat groats, dates, sprouted sunflower seeds, sprouted sesame seeds, coconut unsulphured, hemp seeds, cacao, vanilla extract, sea salt organic ingredient contains coconut and sesame seeds
- 81/100 GreenScore® rating
- No added sugar
4. One Degree Organic Foods – Sprouted Quinoa Cacao Granola
6-pack, 11 oz each
One Degree Organic Foods Sprouted Quinoa Cacao Granola has some nutritional value, is moderately processed, and is estimated to have a very low carbon footprint and a low water footprint.
Allergen info: One Degree Organics Granola products are made in a peanut-free facility that uses tree nuts.
Ingredients: sprouted gluten free organic oats, organic cane sugar, organic brown rice syrup, sprouted organic brown rice, organic sunflower oil, water, organic quinoa, organic cacao powder, unrefined salt, tocopherols.
- Certified organic
- 80/100 GreenScore® rating
- Contains lower added sugar than others on the list (6g)
5. Bobs Red Mill – Granola Natural
6-pack, 20 bags each
Bobs Red Mill Granola Natural has a high nutritional value, is moderately processed, and is estimated to have a very low carbon footprint and a moderate water footprint.
Allergen info: This product is processed in a facility that also processes almonds, walnuts, soy, wheat, corn, oats, coconut, sesame seeds, egg, and milk ingredients on shared lines. Despite thorough and stringent cleaning processes there is a possibility for cross contact.
Ingredients: decaffeinated green tea, decaffeinated white tea, spearmint, peppermint, and peppermint essence.
- Good source of fiber and protein (5g fiber, 6g protein per serving)
- 77/100 GreenScore® rating
- Good source of iron (10% of the DV per serving)
- 100% whole grain
6. Bakery On Main – Sprouted Blueberry Flax Organic Happy Granola
6-pack, 11 oz each
Bakery On Main Sprouted Blueberry Flax Organic Happy Granola has a low nutritional value, is moderately processed, and is estimated to have a very low carbon footprint and a low water footprint.
Allergen info: May contain almonds, brazil nuts, cashews, coconut, hazelnuts, pecans, walnuts, and soy.
Ingredients: organic gluten free oats, organic invert cane sugar, organic sprouted millet, organic brown rice syrup, organic sunflower oil, organic brown rice, organic cane sugar, organic dried blueberries organic blueberries, organic cane sugar, organic sunflower oil, organic sprouted flax seeds, natural flavors, organic sprouted quinoa, corn starch, organic rice bran extract.
- 76/100 GreenScore® rating
- Rich in whole grain (20g per serving)
7. Madegood – Granola
6-pack, 10 oz each
Madegood Granola has a very high nutritional value, is moderately processed, and is estimated to have a very low carbon footprint and a low water footprint.
Allergen info: All Made Good products are baked in a dedicated allergen-free bakery.
Ingredients: pure gluten free oats, crisp brown rice, cane sugar syrup, sunflower oil, strawberry pieces, strawberry flavor, sea salt, vegetable extracts spinach, broccoli, carrots, tomatoes, beets, shiitake mushrooms organic.
- 4.9/5 stars (32 reviews)
- 74/100 GreenScore® rating
- Good source of fiber (3g per serving)
- Good source of protein (5g per serving)
8. Flax4life – Granola
6-pack, 11 oz each
Flax4life Granola has a high nutritional value, is moderately processed, and is estimated to have a very low carbon footprint and a moderate water footprint.
Allergen info: Produced In A Facility That Also Uses: Soy (Non-GMO) & Tree Nuts (Coconut).
Ingredients: ground flaxseed, rolled oats, honey, water, dark chocolate chips sugar, chocolate liquor, cocoa butter, non gmo soy lecithin, evaporated cane juice, cocoa, high oleic expeller pressed safflower oil, natural vanilla extract, ground cinnamon, sea salt.
- Good source of fiber and protein (5g per serving)
- 73/100 GreenScore® rating
- Good source of iron (15% of the DV)
9. Back To Nature – Classic Granola
6-pack, 12,5 oz each
Back To Nature Classic Granola has a high nutritional value, has little to no processing, and is estimated to have a very low carbon footprint and a moderate water footprint.
Allergen info: Made on the same equipment that processes milk, peanuts, sesame seeds, soy and tree nuts.
Ingredients: Whole Grain Rolled Oats, Mixed Fruit Juice Concentrate (Pineapple Syrup, Pear Concentrate, Pineapple Concentrate, Peach Concentrate, Pectin), Cane Sugar, Vanilla Extract, Mixed Tocopherols
- 4/5 stars (3 reviews)
- 70/100 GreenScore® rating
- Good source of fiber and protein (each 5g per serving)
- Good source of iron (15% of DV)
10. Nature’s Path – Hemp Hearts Granola
12-pack, 11.5 oz each
Nature’s Path Hemp Hearts Granola has a high nutritional value, is moderately processed, and is estimated to have a very low carbon footprint and a moderate water footprint.
Allergen info: Contains soy. Produced in a facility that uses wheat, peanuts and tree nuts.
Ingredients: whole grain rolled oats, cane sugar, soy oil, brown rice flour, flax seeds, oat syrup solids (oat syrup solids, tocopherols), hemp seeds, sea salt, molasses
- 4.8/5 stars (35 reviews)
- 69/100 GreenScore® rating
- Good source of fiber (5g per serving)
- Good source of protein (6g per serving)
11. Plentiful Planet Brands – Made With Granola With Flax
6-pack, 13 oz each
Plentiful Planet Brands Made With Granola With Flax has a low nutritional value, is moderately processed, and is estimated to have a very low carbon footprint and a moderate water footprint.
Allergen info: May contain tree nuts, wheat and soy.
Ingredients: whole rolled oats, milled cane sugar, expeller pressed canola oil, rice flour, cornstarch, flax seeds, honey, freeze dried blueberries, salt, natural flavor, barley malt syrup.
- Good source of fiber (4g per serving)
- 65/100 GreenScore® rating
- Rich in whole grains
12. New England Natural Bakers – Blueberry Harvest Granola
6-pack, 12 oz each
New England Natural Bakers Blueberry Harvest Granola has a high nutritional value, is moderately processed, and is estimated to have a very low carbon footprint and a moderate water footprint.
Allergen info: Contains soy. Manufactured in a facility that also uses peanuts, tree nuts, soy, wheat and milk.
Ingredients: organic whole rolled oats, organic naturally milled sugar, organic soy powder, organic expeller pressed canola oil, organic sunflower seeds, organic rice syrup, organic brown rice with organic brown rice syrup and sea salt, organic freeze dried blueberries, organic vanilla, organic cinnamon, salt.
- Good source of fiber (4g per serving)
- 64/100 GreenScore® rating
- Good source of protein (8g per serving)
Key takeaways for choosing a nut-free granola
When it comes to selecting a healthy snack or a nutritious breakfast, granola is a great option to satiate your hunger, and that doesn’t have to change if you’re nut-free.
To find the perfect nut-free granola bar for you, remember that many processed snack foods, like granola, can contain more added sugar than you may expect. Be conscientious of your sugar intake, and limit your consumption to around 6-9 teaspoons of added sugar daily.
Palm oil is also commonly found in packaged granola and is known for its negative social and environmental impacts. Do research on each brand’s palm oil production process or reach for a non-palm oil-containing option to ensure the granola you purchase supports your values.
Lastly, nut-free options may not always be as allergen-friendly as they seem. It’s critical that when choosing granola that suits your allergen needs, you stay on the lookout for warning labels about allergen contents and food processing. Once again, if you’re worried about cross-contact, it’s best to go for options that are made in a dedicated nut-free facility.
With our best 13 nut-free granola choices in mind and our advice on how to make a good selection, we hope that your mealtime will be both nut-free AND stress-free.
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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