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The Granola and Cereal Winners That Brought the Crunch This Year
From crunchy clusters to wholesome bowls worth waking up for, these winning granolas and cereals rose above the rest in Good Housekeeping’s 2026 Snack Awards.
Granola and cereal are true pantry MVPs: convenient, endlessly versatile, and ready for breakfast, snacking, and everything in between. But in an aisle full of options, only a few truly stand out.
For Good Housekeeping’s 2026 Snack Awards, our judges and taste testers sampled dozens of contenders to find the ones that got everything right: balanced flavor, exceptional crunch, and thoughtfully chosen ingredients. These winners rise above the rest, blending oats, nuts, seeds, and ancient grains into snacks that feel both nourishing and genuinely satisfying. The result is a lineup that’s redefining what granola and cereal can be, one crunchy bite at a time.
Not your average granola, Purely Elizabeth focuses on real nourishment. This warm cinnamon blend has 10 g of protein from real foods like nuts, seeds, and oats instead of fillers or isolates.
TEST RESULTS: “It actually tasted homemade, with a strong, authentic cinnamon flavor that didn’t taste fake at all. Even my husband, who is not a granola lover, enjoyed eating this,” one tester said. Women’s health dietitian Valerie Agyeman especially appreciated that the granola’s protein comes from whole, plant-based ingredients rather than isolates or fillers.
Packed with crunchy seeds and ancient grains, these salty-sweet clusters from Tosi deliver big flavor along with impressive nutrition. The blend of pumpkin seeds, flax seeds, hemp seeds, puffed quinoa, and other wholesome ingredients creates a fiber-rich, antioxidant-packed bite.
TEST RESULTS: Food influencer Yumna Jawad praised the clusters’ savory flavor, subtle sweetness from organic coconut nectar, and satisfying crunch. Taste testers also appreciated that the snack contains no artificial flavors and offers an easy, portable way to enjoy a variety of nutrient-dense seeds and grains.
Overnight oats get a high-protein upgrade in these convenient packets from Bob’s Red Mill. Just combine the pouch with your milk of choice, stir, cover, and refrigerate overnight for an easy grab-and-go breakfast or snack.
TEST RESULTS: GH’s Nutrition Director highlighted that the packs deliver 10 g of protein from a naturally protein-rich variety of oats, with no protein isolates. She also noted the addition of real blueberries and chia seeds for a high-fiber, filling snack. Taste testers especially appreciated the convenience, noting how simple it was to prepare them before bed without making a mess, and wake up to a ready-made breakfast.
These irresistible clusters from Alter Eco combine the brand’s signature dark chocolate granola with rich, organic Swiss chocolate for a unique bite of indulgence.
TEST RESULTS: Testers praised the rich chocolate flavor, saying it was balanced and not too heavy. One tester said, “It was just sweet enough to curb my sweet tooth, and my kids enjoyed it as well.” Our food pros also love the complexity of the initial crunch followed by an irresistible chewy texture.
Magic Spoon offers a childhood classic's bright, nostalgic flavor in a gluten-free high-protein cereal that won't lead to a sugar crash. The colorful treat gets its vibrant hues from natural ingredients like spirulina and turmeric rather than artificial dyes.
TEST RESULTS: Taste testers were wowed by how on point the taste was, reminiscent of that of a popular childhood cereal, and GH’s dietitian highlighted it as a high-protein alternative in an aisle that often lacks protein-forward options. “If you're trying to pack in more protein, without sacrificing your favorite cereal, this is the way to go,” one tester said.
These crunchy clusters from Nature’s Garden give blueberry muffin vibes in every bite. Packed with almonds, oats, cashews, chia seeds, and sweet dried blueberries, they’re big, hearty, and snackable.
TEST RESULTS: “These are dreamy! As a lifelong blueberry muffin fan, I have high expectations when promised blueberry flavor, and these delivered tenfold,” said judge and chef Alejandra Ramos. “I adore the large clusters, and I also love that the bag is generously filled. They’re sweet without being cloying.”
This gluten-free granola from Seven Sundays combines a crave-worthy peanut butter, chocolate, and banana flavor profile with wholesome ingredients and subtle sweetness from dates and maple syrup.
TEST RESULTS: GH dietitians praised the brand’s innovative use of upcycled oat protein, which gives the granola an impressive 6 g of plant-based protein per serving with only 3 g of added sugar. And testers loved the complimentary flavors, with one saying, “Peanut butter, banana, and chocolate are a classic combination, exactly what my sweet tooth craves in the afternoons.”
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Our 2026 Best Snack Awards Are Here!
