Most Processed Granola Brands
Traditional granola is oats, honey, oil, and nuts baked together — a simple Level 2 food. Commercial granola adds corn syrup, brown rice syrup, soy lecithin, artificial flavors, and chocolate chips or yogurt coatings with hydrogenated oils. Some "healthy" granolas contain more sugar per serving than cereal.
Granola at a Glance
15 Most Processed Granola Brands
Brands ranked by highest average processing score across all their products in this category.
| Rank | Brand | Products | Scores | Ultra | Minimal |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | M&ms | 4 | 36.9 4.0 | 4 | 0 |
| 2 | Kudos | 14 | 20.4 4.4 | 14 | 0 |
| 3 | Pampa | 5 | 19.9 5.2 | 5 | 0 |
| 4 | Family gourmet | 3 | 17.2 5.0 | 3 | 0 |
| 5 | Naturetrails | 3 | 17.2 5.0 | 3 | 0 |
| 6 | Special k | 12 | 16.7 4.7 | 12 | 0 |
| 7 | My essentials | 3 | 15.3 7.0 | 3 | 0 |
| 8 | Stater bros. | 3 | 15.3 5.0 | 3 | 0 |
| 9 | Food club | 43 | 15.3 2.9 | 43 | 0 |
| 10 | Lowes foods | 3 | 15.2 5.0 | 3 | 0 |
| 11 | Price chopper | 6 | 15.2 5.5 | 6 | 0 |
| 12 | Market basket | 3 | 15.1 5.5 | 3 | 0 |
| 13 | Marvel | 24 | 15.1 6.3 | 24 | 0 |
| 14 | Iga | 10 | 14.7 4.8 | 10 | 0 |
| 15 | Weis | 9 | 14.3 6.3 | 6 | 0 |
Closest Look: Top 5 Most Processed
Least Processed Granola Products
Individual products with the lowest processing scores.
Most Processed Granola Products
Individual products with the highest processing scores.
What to Look for on the Label
- 1Sugar should not be in the first three ingredients
- 2Multiple sweeteners (sugar, corn syrup, brown rice syrup, honey) is a red flag
- 3Simple granola: oats, nuts/seeds, oil, sweetener, salt — 5-6 ingredients total
- 4Yogurt or chocolate "coating" on clusters contains hydrogenated oils and additives
Least Processed Granola Brands
For comparison — brands with the lowest average processing scores.
| Rank | Brand | Products | Scores | Ultra | Minimal |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Gomacro | 5 | 4.0 5.0 | 0 | 0 |
| 2 | Super grain | 4 | 4.0 9.5 | 0 | 0 |
| 3 | Big green tomato | 3 | 4.0 9.0 | 0 | 0 |
| 4 | Kitchfix | 12 | 4.3 5.7 | 0 | 0 |
| 5 | Lola granola bar | 4 | 4.5 7.8 | 0 | 0 |
| 6 | Two moms in the raw | 13 | 5.0 8.7 | 0 | 0 |
| 7 | Nourish snacks | 6 | 5.0 7.5 | 0 | 0 |
| 8 | 18 rabbits | 24 | 5.0 7.5 | 0 | 0 |
| 9 | Mitten bites | 3 | 5.0 7.5 | 0 | 0 |
| 10 | Nothin but | 6 | 5.3 5.6 | 0 | 0 |
| 11 | Perfect granola | 8 | 5.5 5.3 | 0 | 0 |
| 12 | Simple truth | 4 | 5.5 3.8 | 0 | 0 |
| 13 | My super snack | 3 | 5.5 5.0 | 0 | 0 |
| 14 | Rxbar | 5 | 5.5 5.7 | 0 | 0 |
| 15 | Simply eight | 13 | 5.5 6.5 | 0 | 0 |
How We Score Products
Every product is evaluated using two independent scores. The Processing Score (lower is better) measures the degree of industrial processing based on ingredient analysis, including the presence of artificial additives, preservatives, and highly modified ingredients. The Nutrition Score (higher is better) rates overall nutritional quality, rewarding protein and fiber while penalizing excess sodium, added sugars, and saturated fat.
Products are assigned to one of four processing levels: Minimal (score ≤ 2.5), Processed (2.6 – 5.0), Highly Processed (5.1 – 8.0), and Ultra-Processed (above 8.0). Brand averages are calculated across all products in the category to produce the rankings shown here.
Based on analysis of 1.98 million products in the USDA FoodData Central database. For a deeper look at the methodology, see our Processing Score guide and Two-Score System explanation.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is commercial granola so sweet?
Sugar-coated clusters are crunchier and more addictive. Many brands use 3+ sweeteners (sugar, brown rice syrup, honey) that together contribute 10-15g sugar per serving.
Are granola clusters more processed?
Yes. Creating stable clusters requires additional binders (corn syrup, soy lecithin) and coatings (sugar glaze, chocolate, yogurt) that simple loose granola does not need.
Is granola more processed than muesli?
Typically yes. Muesli is unbaked (raw oats + nuts + dried fruit), making it Level 1-2. Granola adds oil and sweetener during baking, and commercial versions add many more processing agents.
Related Food Guides
Learn more about how individual foods are classified.
Disclaimer: All tools and data visualizations are provided for educational and informational purposes only. They are not intended as health, medical, or dietary advice. Product formulations change frequently — always check the actual label for current ingredients and nutrition facts before making purchasing decisions. Consult healthcare professionals for personalized dietary guidance.