If you’re wondering what the differences of granola, muesli and oatmeal are, you most certainly are not alone! Granola, muesli and oatmeal are similar sorts of foods and it’s not uncommon for folks to get confused as to which is which.
All three can be enjoyed for breakfast, a snack and even dessert! Some can be eaten by the handful, some make a delightful warm breakfast porridge.
Once you master the subtle yet important differences between these three fantastic ingredients, you can figure out which oat product is right for you! Read on to learn the differences between granola vs muesli vs oatmeal in our simple comparison guide.
We’re here to help you find your all-time favorite oat!
Granola
Traditional granola tends to be a mix of oats, sweetener and oil or butter that is heated to become toasted and crispy. At Bob’s Red Mill, we make our whole grain granolas with real, unsulfured dried fruits, nuts, seeds, honey and spices. So far as granola vs oatmeal, granola is crunchier and delicious when eaten by the handful or sprinkled on top of yogurt. You can pair it with your favorite nut milk or use it on top of baked goods for added texture and flavor.
Honey Almond Granola
Our Honey Almond Granola is a fan favorite among granola enthusiasts. These crunchy clusters are delightful when layered in yogurt parfaits or eaten as a breakfast cereal. You can also add a bit of extra coconut and some brown sugar to create a truly special treat.
Maple Sea Salt Pan-Baked Granola
Our Maple Sea Salt Pan-Baked Granola is made from whole grain oats, real maple syrup, coconut and wholesome seeds. We pan-bake it all to perfection so you can enjoy a spectacular snack when you’re at home or on-the-go.
Classic Granola
Sometimes nothing beats a classic. Our Classic Granola is the perfect starting point if you’re just embarking on your journey with granola. Try it straight out of the bag and we’re sure you’ll fall in love at first bite.
Make sure to visit our whole line of granolas to find just the thing to satisfy your granola sweet tooth!
Fruit, Granola and Yogurt Parfait
One of the easiest and fanciest ways to enjoy granola is in a parfait. This Fruit, Granola and Yogurt Parfait is quick to whip up and makes for a pleasing start to the day. It’s layered with ingredients like vanilla yogurt, honey, cinnamon, kiwi and banana, and of course our Honey Oat Granola.
Cherry Almond Chia Granola
This Cherry Almond Chia Granola celebrates one of our favorite superfoods, the tiny but mighty chia seed. With a perfect mix of Buckwheat Groats and Old Fashioned Rolled Oats, it’s a delicious homemade granola chock full of nutrients.
Honey Oat Granola Pancakes
Did you know that granola can even be used in your morning flapjacks? This recipe for Honey Oat Granola Pancakes uses our Honey Oat Granola in the most creative ways! Once combined with Gluten Free Pancake Mix, almond milk, eggs and oil, our beloved granola takes on an entirely new form. Pair these pancakes with a cup of coffee and relish in a slow morning well spent.
Muesli
At Bob’s Red Mill, we put a twist on an old-school recipe with our delicious line of muesli. You can enjoy it cold with milk, hot like porridge, or soaked overnight with yogurt and grated apple like the Swiss!
Muesli is considered your Everything Cereal. Whole grains, dried fruits, nuts and seeds combine to give you a boost of all things protein and fiber. When it comes to granola vs. muesli, muesli is certainly similar to granola. However, it’s uncooked and unsweetened. Because it isn’t baked or toasted, it’s versatile and can be enjoyed as a snack, breakfast or baking ingredient. The magical muesli is an employee favorite at Bob’s Red Mill and was introduced to our company thanks to a trip Bob once took to Europe with his wife, Charlee. He loved it so much, he put his own twist on this breakfast tradition and brought it back to America. If you’re especially curious about muesli, feel free to take a look at our blog post, which dives into the history and background of this delightful cereal.
Old Country Style Muesli
Our Old Country Style Muesli is made with a blend of whole grain wheat, rolled oats, raisins, almonds and walnuts. Try it the traditional Swiss way, mixed with yogurt and grated apple then soaked overnight in the refrigerator.
Paleo Style Muesli
Our Paleo Style Muesli is made with a base of unsweetened, unsulphured coconut flakes. We toss these tender, fresh flakes with real fruit, like blueberries, cranberries, currants and strawberries. From there, we highlight the flavors of macadamia nuts, almonds, cashews, sunflower and pumpkin seeds. Because it’s grain-free, we don’t recommend eating it hot, but it’s delicious cold or by the handful!
Gluten Free Tropical Muesli Cup
With our line of muesli cups, you can take your muesli with you anywhere! Bring our delicious Gluten Free Tropical Muesli Cup with you on the go! This blend of whole grain oats, tropical dried fruit, macadamia nuts and sunflower seeds is sure to fuel your next adventure.
For more muesli magic, take a look at our full line of muesli for all your breakfast, snacking and baking needs!
Apple Muesli Sandwiches
These Apple Muesli Sandwiches are made with apples, sunflower seed butter and our Gluten Free Muesli. It’s the perfect pick-me-up or wholesome afternoon snack. This is one recipe the little ones will enjoy helping to prepare! Though we think it’s delicious any time of year, we especially love it at the peak of apple season.
Tart Cherry and Chocolate Covered Almond Muesli Energy Poppers
It doesn’t get much tastier than these Tart Cherry and Chocolate Covered Almond Muesli Energy Poppers. A portable snack meets a fancy dessert that can be eaten at any time of day. They’re super easy to throw together and are perfect for everything from gym bags to school lunch boxes.
Oatmeal
At Bob’s Red Mill, we’re serious about our oatmeal! We feature our rolled oats in three thicknesses, and offer steel cut oats and Scottish Oatmeal. We offer conventional, organic, gluten free and gluten free organic options, as well as oatmeal cups! Oats are one of the prides of the mill and are known as whole grain nutritional powerhouses packed with antioxidants and fiber. Whatever sort of oatmeal you’re in the mood for, it’s safe to say we’ve got you covered!
Scottish Oatmeal
Our Scottish Oatmeal is the original porridge of ancient Scotland and is stone ground on traditional quartz mills. With a smooth and creamy texture, this oatmeal makes for an excellent morning porridge!
Organic Pineapple Coconut Oatmeal Cup
For a modern take on oatmeal, take a trip to the tropics with our Organic Pineapple Coconut Oatmeal Cup. It’s made with a blend of whole grain rolled and stone-ground oats, real dried pineapple, toasted coconut flakes and wholesome flax and chia seeds. It’s perfect for mornings when you’re in a rush or heading out the door for school or work.
Steel Cut Oats
Our Steel Cut Oats are so good they actually took home the winning trophy at the 2009 and 2016 Golden Spurtle World Porridge Making Championship in Carrbridge, Scotland. With a chewy texture and a full-bodied flavor, this is the oatmeal to make if you’re in the mood for something hearty and delicious.
Oatmeal Congee
Congee is a savory porridge that is popular throughout Asia, and this Oatmeal Congee features some of our favorite, comforting flavors. With toppings like cooked chicken, fried garlic, sriracha, soft boiled eggs, pork belly and more, this savory dish is a truly decadent way to enjoy oatmeal. It’s an excellent choice for mornings or afternoons when you’re not in the mood for sweets!
Oatmeal Cookie Smoothie
One of the more surprising ways to enjoy oatmeal is to have it in smoothie form! This Oatmeal Cookie Smoothie is perfect for times when you’re craving a quick and wholesome meal or snack. It incorporates our Chai Protein Powder Nutritional Booster, dates, almond milk and vanilla extract with our Old Fashioned Rolled Oats. If you’re craving morning oatmeal with a twist, try this recipe for a fun variation.
Now that you’ve mastered granola vs. oatmeal, oatmeal vs. muesli and everything else in between, we’re confident you’re ready to get to the kitchen and get cooking! Whether you’re throwing together a simple parfait with granola or constructing an elaborate bowl of steel cut oats with berries and yogurt, we know you’ll love these oats as much as we do.
What’s your favorite oat when it comes to granola vs muesli vs oatmeal? Have any oat-inspired recipes you’ve made and loved?
Feel free to share them with us and our readers in the comments below. As you know, the Bob's Red Mill team are devout oat enthusiasts and we love when our customers share the passion for wholesome, healthy ingredients.
Thanks for reading! Wishing you a nutritious and delicious day ahead. May it be filled with oats, sunshine and a ton of tasty goodness.
Note: Eating raw oats is generally safe, but may cause digestive issues or increase the risk of foodborne illness.
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