The 7 Store-Bought Granolas We’re Eating By the Handful

One even tastes like a candy bar.

Jan 18, 2024

9 min read

*This article includes mentions of merchants or brands who are partners of DoorDash, and DoorDash may receive a commission if you choose to make a purchase from these merchants or brands.

I absolutely love granola. My love affair with the breakfast-meets-snack-food category began as a bulk-bin buyer. It’s one of my favorite things to snack on no matter the brand. There’s just something super satisfying about the crunch and the endless options involved with mixing and matching sweet and savory.

That’s why I always make room in my pantry for boxed or bagged versions of granola, despite having recently discovered how easy it is to make. This way, when I don’t have time to make granola from scratch, I can scoop a handful of it and pair with a bowl of berries, ice cream, or Greek yogurt.

That said, not all commercial granolas are created equal. I tested several major brands along with the smaller-batch ones that caught my eye to see how they would hold up against my sophisticated granola taste buds.

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The Tasters

To add to the fun, I assembled other tasters — five of my fellow mom friends — and asked them to weigh in on the flavors, textures, and intrigue of the granolas we tried. What were their qualifications, you ask? Each one is either a regular runner, hiker, GORP enthusiast, or a patient parent who has spent more than a little bit of time shepherding a picky eater kid through the cereal aisle, meaning they all have strong granola opinions.

The Methodology

We tried seven brands of shelf-stable granolas, all of which are available on DoorDash. First, we tried them straight, in small bowlfuls right out of the box to get a gut reaction to the crunch quotient. Second, we tasted the granola in milk to see how each one held up with a liquid addition. I poured the milk first, added enough granola to absorb the liquid, and then waited a few minutes before tasting.

The Results

For me to recommend a bag of granola, it must meet three requirements: It should taste as close to homemade as possible; it needs to retain a satisfying crunch after being soaked in milk (which all seven achieved); and it’s got to have a little something extra special, whether that’s a cool flavor profile or an ingredient that packs an extra healthy punch.

With that in mind, here are seven winning granolas worth ordering:

Nature’s Path Love Crunch Dark Chocolate Macaroon

Granola isn’t just a bunch of toasted oats and honey. Thanks to the thick pieces of shredded coconut and chocolate squares, this granola tastes like Almond Joy, which is a positive in my book. Its texture won serious points with my tasters, too. “Am I eating a coconut macaroon or am I munching on granola?” Lucy wondered. We all agreed that this granola was the most intriguing of the bunch — and delicious enough to top over a bowl of ice cream, which I did as soon as everyone left my house.

Jamie’s Farm New York Chai Streusel with Honey

Ghee is one ingredient I wouldn’t have considered adding to my granola, and it brings this one to the next level. A women-owned granola brand, Jamie’s Farm has an impressive ingredient list that prompted plenty of “wows” from the tasters: grass-fed ghee, oats, and chai (a mix of cinnamon, cardamom, and ginger). (Fun fact: The chai is upcycled from Dona, a tea company in Brooklyn.)

As we tried this one, we suddenly felt like we were doing a wine tasting. “This one has a kaleidoscope of flavors,” Carol said. Lucy added, “The more I eat this, the more I discover different layers.” Lisa shared, “This is a granola that has a very complex after-note.”

Purely Elizabeth Cranberry Pecan Ancient Grain Granola

I may be a granola purist, but if I’m going to buy granola, I want it packed with all sorts of healthy add-ons. Purely Elizabeth didn’t disappoint. Its ingredient list is long and features organic everything — we’re talking amaranth puffs, quinoa flakes, and chia seeds, all of which are sources of protein. This combo, along with the cranberries and nutty flavor, had me digging into the bag over and over again and hovering over my granola in milk. I kept thinking: “Could this be a cookie in disguise?” Carol agreed with me, saying, “I can imagine using this granola to make a big yummy round cookie.”

KIND Almond Butter Clusters

Since some of our kids are athletes, finding a high-protein, shelf-stable item is always top of mind. This granola more than fits the bill with 10 grams of protein per serving — most contain half that — and super grains such as oats, buckwheat, millet, amaranth, and quinoa galore.

But what sends this granola over the top is a supreme crunch and a pleasantly high proportion of cinnamon. The moms snacked on this by the handful. I plan to have this on hand for when my son comes home from college.

Bear Naked Vanilla Almond Crisp

It’s hard to argue with the fact that granola is basically just as caloric as dessert, so finding a granola with 30% less sugar definitely appeals. According to the packaging, one serving contains 8 grams, a significant reduction in comparison to other Bear Naked granola products that contain 13 grams.

With an ample ratio of roasted almonds per spoonful, this granola was a definite favorite. Margaret declared that this granola is the real thing: “I would totally take this to a yoga retreat and not be called out as a fake.”

Nature Valley Cinnamon Granola

There’s something nostalgic about Nature Valley. Maybe it’s because I’m a ’70s kid, and I remember it as one of the first to the commercial granola party. It’s also the kind of product that feels so decidedly middle-of-the-road that no one could find anything that notable about it during our tasting, save for the price: a reasonable $6.59 per one-pound bag, which is half the price of some of the other premium granolas.

Still, the moms couldn’t stop snacking and thinking of different ways they’d want to eat this. “This would be yummy paired with berries and Greek yogurt,” Margaret said. And Lori couldn’t help but add: “I’d pack this for a travel soccer game and I’d definitely take this with me on a hike.”

Cascadian Farm Cinnamon Raisin Granola

This non-GMO, USDA organic granola reads as healthier — maybe it’s because Cascadian Farm is one of the first organic brands in the U.S., or maybe because the packaging has a crunchy, earthy vibe.

Despite its healthful appearances, this granola had an old-fashioned oatmeal raisin cookie vibe, probably because it features whole grain oats, raisins, and a touch of cinnamon. “This would be great as a late evening snack with hot tea,” Lucy said. We all agreed.

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PHOTO CREDIT:

Photographer: Paul Quitoriano
Art Direction: Sarah Ceniceros Gomez

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Ready to level up your breakfast bowl — or your snack stash? Granola’s got range. There’s Decadent choices like Nature’s Path Love Crunch, or bakery-style blends such as Jamie’s Farm Chai Streusel.You can go nutrient-dense with Purely Elizabeth Ancient Grain, reach for crunchy staples like KIND Almond Butter Clusters, or keep it cozy with cinnamon-forward mixes from Bear Naked, Nature Valley, and Cascadian Farm. Whether you prefer something wholesome, sweet, or perfectly snackable straight from the bag, you can get your go-to granola delivered fast with DoorDash.

Frequently Asked Questions about Ordering Granola on DoorDash

You can easily find granolas from local or small-batch makers right alongside big national brands on DoorDash. Just head to the Grocery tab and search for “granola” to see options from both neighborhood markets and larger chains. Look for labels like “local,” “small-batch,” or “artisan,” or browse stores known for carrying regional products to discover something new. You can mix and match brands in the same cart, making it simple to build a breakfast lineup that fits your tastes. Ready to explore? Check out the selection through our grocery delivery page.

Finding different granola flavors and textures on DoorDash is easy thanks to the search and filtering tools built into the Grocery tab. Just type “granola” into the search bar, then browse through the results to spot labels like crunchy, soft-baked, grain-free, paleo, or protein-packed. Many stores also separate granola into helpful subcategories, so you can quickly compare textures, flavors, and ingredients across brands. Whether you’re craving classic oats or something more unique, DoorDash makes it simple to shop your style and build the perfect breakfast lineup in one seamless delivery.

Yes—you can shop multiple grocery stores at once on DoorDash when you want to compare granola options. Just enter “granola” in the search bar, and the app will pull results from all nearby participating stores, letting you scroll through big national brands, organic varieties, and small-batch local makers all in one place. If you want to mix items from more than one store, DoubleDash may appear at checkout, allowing you to add products from another nearby merchant without additional delivery fees. It’s a simple way to compare, discover, and stock up in a single, streamlined shop.

You can often get granola and other breakfast staples delivered through DoorDash in as little as 30 minutes*, especially when you select a nearby store with same-day availability. The app shows you a real-time delivery window before checkout so you know — within minutes — when your order will arrive. It’s a quick and convenient way to stock up without a trip to the store.

*Delivery times vary by location. See app for estimate.

Yes—DoorDash often carries smaller or specialty granola brands, including artisan makers like Purely Elizabeth or Jamie’s Farm, right alongside big national names. Just search “granola” in the Grocery section and you’ll see a mix of organic, small-batch, and premium options from both local markets and larger retailers. It’s an easy way to explore new brands, compare styles, and stock up on favorites—all in a single order.

Yes—DoorDash makes it easy to add yogurt, fruit, and other breakfast add-ons to the same delivery as your granola. Just search for the items you want or browse categories like Dairy & Eggs, Produce, or Breakfast & Cereal within the same store. Everything goes into one cart, so you can build a full morning lineup without juggling multiple orders. And if you realize you forgot something while your shopper is still in-store, you may even see an option to add more items. It’s a simple way to round out breakfast in one smooth delivery.

DoorDash has you covered if any grocery item—like granola, yogurt, or fresh fruit—arrives past its expiration date. Just head to the Orders tab in the app, select your delivery, and tap Help → Order Issues to report what happened. You can note the expired item, upload a quick photo, and our team will review it and typically offer a refund or credit through our Grocery Quality Guarantee. We want every delivery to meet your standards, so letting us know helps us make it right and keep your future orders fresh.

Yes—you can easily reorder your favorite granolas or save them for future grocery runs on DoorDash. Just head to the Orders tab in the app, find the grocery order that included the granola you loved, and tap Reorder to add those exact items back into your cart. If you prefer to build a list for later, you can also save items by marking them as favorites, making it simple to restock your go-to breakfast staples anytime. It’s a quick, convenient way to keep your pantry filled with the granolas you rely on most.

Yes—when you shop for granola (and other grocery items) on DoorDash, you’ll often see in-store promotions, strike-through prices, and sale discounts directly in the app. We surface these deals in the offers section or through discounted pricing on item listings, making it easy to save while you stock your pantry. Just double-check your cart before checkout to make sure the sale price is applied — then sit back while we bring your breakfast staples to your door.

Yes — you can usually view nutrition labels or ingredient lists for granola (and other grocery items) before you add them to your cart on DoorDash. Just click on the product you’re interested in; many listings include detailed product descriptions, including nutrition facts, allergy info, and ingredients. It helps you make informed choices — so you’ll know exactly what you're serving, even before checkout.