Best Granola for Acai Bowl [We Tested 10 Brands]
If you’ve come here, you’re looking for expert granola advice.
You are in the right place!
After years making acai bowls at home, I’ve naturally developed a sensibility to detect good and not so good granolas for acai bowls.
To find the best granola for acai bowls, I tested 10 different ones and analyzed what each granola offered.
Here’s the veredict:
Granola for Acai Bowls – Buying Guide
Granola is overwhelming.
When choosing the best granola for acai bowls, I have a very specific criteria:
- Taste: Not overly sweet and flavour must not be too strong
- Texture: A nice soft crunch is best. Crunchy but not too much.
- Added sugars: Non-negotiable, must be less than 5gr per serving, or 15gr per 100gr
- Calories: The less the better, most granolas are in the 400-500kcal per 100gr range.
- Price: Nothing crazy, under 1,50$ per 100gr
- (Protein and Fiber are a nice plus)
Best Granola for Acai Bowls
For the busy ones, here is the ultimate selection:
Best Overall: Quaker Simply Granola Oats, Honey, Raisin & Almonds
Best with No Added Sugars: Cascadian Farm Coconut Cashew No Added Sugar Granola
Best Macros (honestly they are unreal!): Julian Bakery Pro Vanilla Cluster Granola
For those who want to check it out for themselves, we assesed 10 granola brands and analyzed their nutriional value, texture, cost and more.
Purely Elizabeth Original Ancient Grain Granola
- Calories: 430kcal per 100gr
- Added Sugar: 22gr per 100gr
- Fiber: 7gr per 100gr
- Protein: 10gr per 100gr
- Texture: Soft medium clusters, medium crunch
- Flavor: Original granola earthy taste
- Other flavors available: Yes, many! My favourites are Chocolate Peanut Butter and Blueberry Hemp.
- Cost: $1,75 per 100g
- Personal thoughts: Great texture and crunch, lots of chunks, and many seeds which I love. It’s gluten and dairy-free, so that’s a plus! My go-to granola when making acai bowls!
Nature Valley Protein Granola Oats & Honey
- Calories: 405kcal per 100gr
- Added Sugar: 22gr per 100gr
- Fiber: 6gr per 100gr
- Protein: 19gr per 100gr
- Texture: Small crunchy compact chunks
- Flavor: Oat & Honey
- Other flavors available: Not that I’m aware of.
- Cost: $1,25 per 100g
- Personal thoughts: It tasted great, very home-ly. The extra protein is everything to help satiate. The chunks are small, they seem to break with time, but that works perfect with acai bowls.
Cascadian Farm Coconut Cashew No Added Sugar Granola
- Calories: 480kcal per 100gr
- Added Sugar: 0gr per 100gr
- Fiber: 6gr per 100gr
- Protein: 7gr per 100gr
- Texture: Small single crumbs, nice medium crunch. Chewy coconut flakes.
- Flavor: Coconut Cashew
- Other flavors available: Blueberry Vanilla (check it out here)
- Cost: $1,60 per 100g
- Personal thoughts: Natural sweet flavor, 0 artificial taste. Perfect amount of sweetness and very freshly-tasting. Works wonders in acai bowls!
Quaker Simply Granola Oats, Honey, Raisin & Almonds
- Calories: 405kcal per 100gr
- Added Sugar: 13gr per 100gr
- Fiber: 10gr per 100gr
- Protein: 10gr per 100gr
- Texture: Thick crunchy clusters, chewy raisins
- Flavor: Oat, Honey, Raisin & Almonds
- Other flavors available: Chocolate Protein
- Cost: $0,75 per 100g
- Personal thoughts: Tasty, fresh, and overall a good classic granola for acai bowls. A little bit on the sweet side. One of the few crunchy granolas with raisins!
365 by Whole Foods Market Oat Honey Granola
- Calories: 460kcal per 100gr
- Added Sugar: 29g per 100gr
- Fiber: 6g per 100gr
- Protein: 10g per 100gr
- Texture: Crispy, small granola and nut clusters
- Flavor: Oat & Honey
- Cost: $1,25 per 100g
- Personal thoughts: It is not extremely crunchy, so its easy on the teeth. Delicious flavour. Not a fan of the high added sugar, keeping in mind acai bowls can be already packed with added sugars.
Julian Bakery Pro Granola (incredible macros!)
- Calories: 270kcal per 100gr
- Added Sugar: 0g per 100gr
- Fiber: 45g per 100gr
- Protein: 35g per 100gr
- Texture: Crunchy small crumbs
- Flavor: Vanilla
- Cost: $3,70 per 100g
- Personal thoughts: The calories and sugar contents of this granola is unlike anything I have ever seen (0 sugar and half the calories!). You can definitely see an impact on the muted taste and grainy texture. I would never have it on its own, but on an acai bowl, it adds the perfect crunch and earthy taste!
Nature’s Path Organic Gluten Free Smoothie Bowl Superfood Granola
- Calories: 470kcal per 100gr
- Added Sugar: 13g per 100gr
- Fiber: 13g per 100gr
- Protein: 10g per 100gr
- Texture: Soft, snackable medium cookie-like clusters
- Flavor: Fruit, Berry
- Cost: $3,20 per 100g
- Personal thoughts: The texture is really good, it has the perfect slight crunch at first and then becomes soft in your mouth. The clusters are consistent in size. The berry taste is not my favorite, and clashes with the acai taste!
Love Crunch Organic Dark Chocolate Macaroon Granola
- Calories: 500kcal per 100gr
- Added Sugar: 20g per 100gr
- Fiber: 7g per 100gr
- Protein: 7g per 100gr
- Texture: Crucnhy soft medium clusters with chocolate chunks
- Flavor: Dark Chocolate & Coconut
- Cost: $1,20 per 100g
- Personal thoughts: The crunchiness and cluster size is ideal, and the chocolate taste is delicious, like ferrero rocher. A little to intense granola for an acai bowl, but delicious for special occasions!
Nature’s Path Organic Coconut Chia Granola
- Calories: 490kcal per 100gr
- Added Sugar: 15g per 100gr
- Fiber: 12g per 100gr
- Protein: 10g per 100gr
- Texture: Small crumbles, slightly puffy
- Flavor: Coconut & Chia
- Cost: $0,95 per 100g
- Personal thoughts: Great light flavor, the texture is slightly puffy, different than most granolas but works great in acai bowls! The price per 100grams is good but be aware each box comes with little amount of granola.
Nature Valley Crunchy Granola, Oats and Honey
- Calories: 420kcal per 100gr
- Added Sugar: 24g per 100gr
- Fiber: 6g per 100gr
- Protein: 20g per 100gr
- Texture: Large crumbly clusters, dry crunch
- Flavor: Fruit, Berry
- Cost: $1,00 per 100g
- Product Claims on pack:
- Personal thoughts: Delicious on its own, but too crumbly dry for acai bowls, as it steals all the fresh flavor from the acai bowl.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the ideal granola ingredients for an acai bowl?
When it comes to selecting the perfect granola for an acai bowl, we recommend choosing one with a blend of whole grains, nuts, and seeds. These ingredients not only provide a satisfying crunch, but also offer essential nutrients, such as healthy fats, fiber, and protein. Additionally, opt for granola with minimal or no added sugars to keep the overall sweetness level in check.
How does granola affect the nutritional value of an acai bowl?
Granola can be a valuable addition to an acai bowl, as it can enhance the nutritional profile. The whole grains, nuts, and seeds found in granola provide essential nutrients such as fiber, protein, and healthy fats, which contribute to a balanced and nutritious meal. However, it’s important to be mindful of the granola’s sugar content, as excessive amounts can negate some of its health benefits.
How much granola should be added to an acai bowl?
The ideal amount of granola to add to an acai bowl depends on personal preference and nutritional needs. We suggest starting with a 1/4 to 1/3 cup per serving, as this provides a good balance of texture, flavor, and nutrients without overwhelming the other components of the bowl. You can adjust the quantity according to your taste and dietary requirements.
Is homemade granola better for acai bowls compared to store-bought?
While store-bought granola can certainly be a convenient option, we believe homemade granola offers several advantages when used in acai bowls. By making granola at home, you have complete control over the ingredients used, which allows you to craft a custom blend tailored to your specific preferences and dietary needs. This can lead to a healthier, better-tasting granola that enhances the overall flavor and nutritional profile of your acai bowl.
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