Ladera Granola Review

There are a lot of granola options on store shelves these days, but it’s a rare treat when you can find a granola that tastes delicious and fresh, while also being healthy! It seems as though a good majority of granola brands in stores today make granola that is high in sugar, empty calories, and filled with lots of ingredients that I can’t even pronounce. Although I love granola, I have actually avoided buying and eating granola because of this. For those of you who are finding yourselves in a similar granola predicament, fear not, for I have been introduced to a granola that is not only delicious, but healthy as well! I am pleased to introduce to you…Ladera Granola!

Ladera Granola isn’t your average granola company. Ladera Granola was born and raised in the kitchen of Karen Butterfield, a Stanford-trained medical doctor and mother of three from the small hillside community of Ladera in Northern California. Her granola recipe was so popular among family and friends that her son, Brian, decided to take the granola to market. Together, Brian and his mom set off on a mission to promote healthy diets, active living, and sustainable business practices with their very own granola company.

It’s an understatement to say that I was thrilled when a package of Ladera Granola showed up at my door! The flavor I received was Original Almond Pecan. I examined the list of ingredients and nutrition and then opened up the bag to try it out. Upon opening the bag, I was greeted with the most heavenly granola smell—sweet, cinnamony, and I could tell just by smelling it that it was fresh! For the remainder of the review, I will be providing you with my opinion on the nutritional information, taste, texture, pros and cons, and my favorite ways to use Ladera Granola!

Nutrition (8.75/10)

LADERA GRANOLA—ORIGINAL ALMOND PECAN

Serving Size ¼ C (30g)

Servings per container about 11

Calories 150 Calories from Fat 80

Total Fat 9g

      Saturated Fat 1g

      Trans Fat 0g

Cholesterol 0mg

Sodium 25mg

Total Carbohydrate 15g

      Dietary Fiber 3g

      Sugars 4g

Protein 4g

Vitamin A 10% | Vitamin C 0% | Calcium 2% | Iron 6%

Ingredients: whole grain oats, almonds, olive oil, maple syrup, pecans, brown sugar, spices, salt.

Contains: almonds, pecans.

*The nutrition facts of Ladera Granola compared to other granola brands averages out to be slightly higher in calories and fat, but lower in sugar and added ingredients. Ladera Granola provides a much more natural, nutrient dense granola that is healthier for your body and your mind!   

Taste (10/10)

Sweet, cinnamon/spice flavor is prominent

Nutty taste from pecans and almond slivers

Very flavorful

Excellent overall taste

High quality, fresh, healthy

*The taste of Ladera Granola is extremely flavorful with a prominent cinnamon, spice, and nutty oat flavor. Hands down the best tasting granola I’ve ever had.

Texture (9.5/10)

Soft crunch

No giant chunks/clusters

Whole pecans

Almond slivers

*The texture of Ladera Granola can best be described as having a soft crunch, so you won’t find any rock hard clusters of oats. There are whole pecans and almond slivers mixed in which really add a lot to the volume and texture of the granola.  

Pros

All natural ingredients (literally NO additives)

Heart healthy

Low in sugar, high in protein

Baked at low temperature to preserve flavor and nutrients

Amazing taste and texture

Fresh

Packaging is 100% recyclable 

Made with love

*Unlike almost all other granola brands you’ll find in stores, Ladera Granola has NO additives or preservatives and is made with all natural ingredients.

Cons

Slightly higher in calories and fat compared to other granola brands

*Some people may see this as a con, because other brands of granola have less calories and fat for a larger serving size. I personally don’t consider this a con, because the higher calorie and fat content of Ladera Granola is nutrient dense, which means it’s healthy and better for your body!

Uses

Plain—I personally don’t eat dry granola by the spoonful, but Ladera granola has such an amazing taste and texture that you will be tempted to eat it straight from the bag!

With milk—I’ve never eaten granola in a bowl of milk (like cereal), but this has become one of my favorite new ways to eat Ladera Granola! The milk soaks up the flavor of all the spices in the granola which creates a bowl of sweet, cinnamony deliciousness!

With yogurt—Adding Ladera Granola to yogurt is one of my go-to breakfast or snack options! It takes yogurt to a whole new level by adding delicious flavor, crunch, and nutrients that will keep you full and energized throughout the day!

Ice cream topping—Ladera Granola is my new favorite ice cream/frozen yogurt topping. I added strawberries and Ladera Granola on top of my Lemon Cake flavored Halotop ice cream, and the experience was life changing! Ice cream + Ladera Granola = perfect summer treat.

Mini-cheesecake crust—I used Ladera Granola to make a crust/base for my mini-blueberry cinnamon cheesecake, and although it didn’t turn out as I expected, it was still pretty tasty! The crust turned out to be softer because I blended the granola will egg beaters and milk before baking it which resulted in a crust resembling a baked oatmeal.

Other ideas for using Ladera Granola—in cookie recipes, energy bites, cobbler topping, cake topping, homemade granola bars, etc.  

Overall (9.75/10)

Ladera Granola is by far the best tasting granola I have ever had, and I don’t say that lightly. I love the amazing taste, impeccable ingredients list, and low amount of sugar. I should warn you though…Ladera Granola is addicting and will disappear insanely fast, so when you place your order online or find Ladera Granola in a store near you, I suggest you stock up! Your body and taste buds will thank you. :)

To order your own delicious bag of Ladera Granola today, visit their website here.