Protein Granola
Make chunky protein granola by coating rolled oats and protein powder with melted peanut butter and maple syrup. Bake until golden and let the pan cool completely for crisp, dense breakfast clusters.
Equipment
- Large baking tray
- Parchment Paper
- Large Mixing Bowl
Ingredients
- 2 1/2 cups rolled oats (225g, gluten free, if needed)
- 1/2 cup chopped nuts (60g, or seeds)
- 1 cup protein powder (100g)
- 1/2 cup peanut butter (120g)
- 1/3 cup maple syrup (80ml, or honey)
Instructions
- Heat the oven to 160C/325F and line a large baking tray with parchment paper. Make sure the parchment lies flat so the oat mixture can bake in an even layer.
- Combine the rolled oats and protein powder in a large bowl, then microwave the peanut butter and maple syrup in 20-second bursts until smooth and melted. The warm mixture should pour easily and look glossy, with no firm lumps of peanut butter remaining.
- Pour the warm peanut butter mixture over the oats and protein powder, then stir until the dry ingredients are thoroughly coated. The mixture should become sticky and heavy, with no visible pockets of loose protein powder.
- Spread the mixture across the lined tray, press it firmly into an even layer, and bake for 20 minutes, stirring halfway through. The edges should gradually deepen in color while the center smells nutty and toasted.
- Stir the granola once after taking it from the oven, then let it cool completely before transferring it to a bowl and adding any mix-ins. It will feel soft while hot, but it hardens into crisp clusters as it reaches room temperature.
Notes
Ingredient tip: Use casein, pea protein, brown rice protein, or a plant-based blend designed for baking. Avoid whey isolate, which dries out quickly in the oven and can leave the granola powdery and crumbly.
Texture tip: For the biggest clusters, press the sticky mixture firmly across the tray before baking, and let the baked granola cool completely untouched before breaking it up.
Storage: Keep the completely cooled granola in an airtight container at room temperature. Skip the refrigerator to prevent condensation from softening the oats.
Nutrition information is an estimate based on common ingredients and serving sizes. Values may vary depending on brands, portions, and substitutions.