How Much Sugar Is in Granola?
A half-cup of granola has about 12 g of sugar — often more, since it's held together with honey or syrup and portions are usually underestimated.
in 1/2 cup (55 g) · about 2.9 teaspoons
- Per serving
- 12 g
- Per 100 g
- 22 g
- Type
- Added sugar
- In teaspoons
- ≈ 2.9 tsp
Fine in a portion — worth keeping an eye on.
A modest half-cup of granola has about 12 g of added sugar, and here's the catch: almost nobody eats half a cup. Granola is dense, so a normal bowl is easily 1–1.5 cups — 25–35 g of sugar before you've added milk or fruit. The oats are wholesome; the honey, syrup, and dried fruit binding them are where the sugar hides.
This is a classic 'health halo' food. Checking the label per your actual portion, or switching to plain oats you sweeten with fruit, cuts the sugar sharply.
How granola compares
Out of 205 everyday foods and drinks we track, granola ranks #95 for sugar per serving — more than 54% of them.
- Orange12g
- Chocolate chip cookie12g
- Granola (this page)12g
- Maple syrup12g
- Pomegranate12g
Bars show sugar per serving. Tap any food to see its full breakdown.
Lower-sugar swaps
- Use plain oats or oatmeal and top with berries
- Measure a real portion and mix half granola, half plain oats
Frequently asked questions
- Is granola actually healthy?
- It can be, but many granolas are as sugary as dessert. Check the label and — crucially — the serving size, which is usually far smaller than what people pour.
More foods
Learn more
Sugar values from Typical nutrition label; actual amounts vary by brand, ripeness, and recipe. Last updated 2026-07-21.