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.
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.
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Sugar values from Typical nutrition label; actual amounts vary by brand, ripeness, and recipe. Last updated 2026-07-21.