Name: The Best Maple Pecan Granola (low-sugar recipe)
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 20 min
Total time: 25 min
Yield: 8
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 2 cups rolled oats; 1/4 cup chia seeds; 1/4 cup pecans, roughly chopped; 1/2 cup unsweetened coconut flakes; 1/4 cup maple syrup; 1/4 cup coconut oil, melted

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Move over store-bought granola. This low sugar maple pecan granola recipe is filled with super-foods and is equal parts healthy and satisfying and taste so good it will quickly become your go-to yogurt topper.

Granola is one of those foods that make me cringe a little when I put in my grocery cart because any of the good brands are just so expensive. And many of them are super high in added sugar, which isn’t the best way to start the day.

So when I have a few free minutes (because it’s actually quite quick), I whip up this satisfying and healthy granola to use on our morning yogurt bowls, or just to eat by the handful.

What Makes this Maple Pecan Granola Healthy?

Granola can be a super nutritious, but many granolas masquerade as healthy but are basically just dessert. This granola is filled with nutrient-dense ingredients without unnecessary extras.

It’s a good source of fiber. It contains 5g of fiber per serving, which is about 20% of the daily recommended amount of fiber. Fiber supports heart health, balanced blood sugar, a healthy digestive system, and helps keep you full for longer.
It contains protein. While granola is not a high-protein food, this recipe adds 4g of protein to your breakfast or snack. Pair with yogurt or serve with milk for a protein-packed breakfast or snack that will satisfy you for hours.
Contains healthy-fats. Chia seeds provide omega-3’s, which are linked to a wide variety of health benefits including lower inflammation, heart health, and better cognition. The pecans also add unsaturated fats that support heart health.
It’s low in added sugar. With only 6g of added sugar, this granola has just enough sweetness to taste great without totally blowing your daily allotment at breakfast or snack.

This granola is perfectly balanced with protein, fiber, and healthy fat to keep you full with just enough sugar to satisfy without spiking blood sugar like many granolas do.

How to Customize Your Maple Pecan Granola

This granola could not be more flexible. If you’re out of an ingredient, don’t rush off to the grocery store before reading our simple swaps.

If you’re out of pecans: Try walnuts or slivered almonds.
Make it nut-free: skip the nuts and use pumpkin seeds.
Don’t have coconut oil?: Use olive oil or avocado oil.
Make it your own: add other favorite granola ingredients like raisins, dried cranberries, blueberries, cherries, or chopped dried apricots. Just know that this can impact the sugar content.

This low sugar granola recipe is kid-friendly, too.

My kids (currently 3 and 6) snack on this by the handful. If you have kids, you know that when you find something nutritious your kids will eat, you make it on repeat.

Here’s why I love this recipe for kids:

It’s packed with nutrients many kids don’t get enough of including fiber, omega-3’s, and other healthy fats.
It’s a safe way for younger kids to eat nuts. Since the nuts are chopped, it’s good for kids under 4 who are at a higher risk for choking on whole nuts.
Getting kids in the kitchen is one of the most effective ways to expand their diets. It can help prevent (or reverse) picky eating, while building a healthy relationship to food. But cooking with kids can be exhausting, messy, and overwhelming. This is an easy recipe where measurements don’t need to be exact, and they can learn to measure, pour, and stir without stress.

Frequently Asked Questions

You can swap, but it will make it a little sweeter, give it a slightly different flavor, and will increase the amount of added sugar since honey has more sugar by volume.

I do not recommend it. Brown sugar will caramelize too quickly, and there won’t be enough liquid in the recipe to help the granola stick together.

I recommend storing it in an airtight container at room temperature. If it’s summer, you may want to store it in the fridge. It will stay fresh for 2-3 weeks in your pantry, and longer in the fridge. But I’d be surprised if you’re able to keep it in your house that long!

More healthy breakfast recipes with oats

Try some of our favorites:

Easy make-ahead high protein baked oatmeal

Oatmeal peanut butter breakfast cookies

Apple pie overnight oats

Or browse all of our easy, healthy breakfast recipes here

Yield: 8 (1/3 cup) servings