Granola is the sweet, baked oat mixture commonly eaten with yogurt for breakfast.
Typical granola combines rolled oats with nuts, seeds, dried fruit, oil, and a sweetener such as honey, maple syrup, or brown sugar. It is baked until crisp, sometimes forming clusters. People commonly serve it with yogurt, milk, or fresh fruit, and it is also used as a topping for smoothie bowls and desserts.
Granola differs from muesli in preparation. Muesli is generally a raw or lightly processed mixture of oats, fruit, and nuts, while granola is normally baked with added fat and sweetener. Commercial products vary widely, so some granolas contain considerably more sugar or energy than plain oats.
The name has a historical connection to John Harvey Kellogg’s 1890s cereal, although modern granola recipes are not the same as the original wheat-based product. This distinction explains why historical and contemporary definitions differ.