What are the ingredients in granola butter?

November 10, 2025 •

4 min read

Made from toasted oats, oils, and spices, granola butter is a popular nut-free spread that delivers the comforting flavor of granola in a creamy form. It's a versatile alternative for those with nut allergies or anyone looking for a new, delicious topping. This guide will detail exactly what are the ingredients in granola butter, exploring both commercial options and homemade recipes.

Quick Summary

Granola butter is an allergen-friendly spread made from blended toasted oats, spices, oil, and a sweetener. It's used as a nut-free alternative on toast, in smoothies, or for baking. Variations can include nuts, seeds, or different flavorings, providing a creamy, versatile option with a warm, spiced flavor.

Key Points

Core Ingredients: The base of granola butter consists of toasted rolled oats, a neutral oil, a sweetener (like maple syrup), and spices.
Nut-Free Alternative: Many commercial brands, like Oat Haus, are specifically designed to be allergen-friendly and free of top allergens, including nuts.
Customizable at Home: Homemade versions allow for full control over ingredients, enabling additions like seeds, different nuts, or cocoa powder for varied flavors.
Flavor Profile: The distinct, cookie-like taste comes from warming spices such as cinnamon, cardamom, and ginger.
Achieving Smoothness: A high-speed blender or food processor is necessary to blend the toasted oats into a smooth, buttery consistency.
Versatile Use: Granola butter can be used similarly to nut butter, spread on toast, added to smoothies, or used in baking.

Core ingredients in granola butter

At its most basic, granola butter is a creamy spread created by toasting and blending granola ingredients. While there are variations, the fundamental components generally include a base, a fat, and a sweetener.

The base: rolled oats

Rolled oats are the foundational ingredient that provides the nutty flavor and creamy texture. To make granola butter, these oats are toasted to enhance their flavor before being blended into a fine flour. For those with celiac disease or gluten sensitivities, certified gluten-free rolled oats can be used.

The fat: a neutral-flavored oil

An oil is crucial for achieving a smooth, spreadable consistency, helping the ground oats transform from a powder into a butter. A neutral oil is often preferred to avoid overpowering the other flavors. Common choices include:

Olive oil: Provides a healthy, mild flavor.
Avocado oil: Another neutral option with a high smoke point.
Coconut oil: Can be used, though refined coconut oil is recommended if you want to avoid a strong coconut flavor.

The sweetener: maple syrup or honey

Sweeteners provide the distinctive cookie-like flavor profile. Maple syrup is a popular choice for its flavor and for keeping the recipe vegan. Honey is another option that adds a classic sweetness. For a lower-sugar alternative, some recipes may use a touch of honey or a sugar-free substitute.

The spices: adding warmth and aroma

Spices are what give granola butter its warm, comforting taste, often reminiscent of oatmeal cookies or gingerbread. A standard mix typically includes:

Cinnamon
Cardamom
Ginger
Allspice

The finishing touch: salt

A pinch of salt is used to balance the sweetness and enhance all the other flavors.

Variations and additional ingredients

While the core ingredients remain consistent, many recipes and brands add other components to create unique flavors and textures.

Seeds for texture and nutrients

For extra protein, fiber, and healthy fats, seeds are a common addition. They can be toasted along with the oats before blending. Popular seeds include:

Sunflower seeds
Pumpkin seeds
Hemp hearts
Flaxseed

Nuts for a richer flavor

While the main appeal of granola butter is its nut-free nature, some versions include nuts to replicate a traditional nut butter texture. Examples include walnuts, pecans, or almonds. It is crucial to check the label for nut content if you have an allergy.

Fruit for sweetness

Dried fruits are sometimes blended into the butter to add natural sweetness and flavor. Dried dates or cranberries are common options, though they can make the texture gummier if not blended thoroughly.

Chocolate for indulgence

For a decadent treat, chocolate chips or cocoa powder can be added. This creates a chocolate-flavored spread perfect for desserts or a richer breakfast.

Commercial vs. homemade granola butter

Making granola butter at home offers ultimate control over ingredients, while commercial brands provide convenience and reliable, allergen-friendly options. The primary difference often lies in the flavor variations and the use of proprietary extracts for unique taste profiles, such as Oat Haus's use of rosemary extract.

Comparison Table: Homemade vs. Commercial Granola Butter


Feature	Homemade Granola Butter	Commercial Granola Butter (e.g., Oat Haus)
Ingredients	Fully customizable, based on pantry staples like rolled oats, oil, sweetener, and spices.	Uses specific, often organic, ingredients for consistent flavor, such as gluten-free oats, olive oil, and unique extracts.
Allergen-Friendly	Depends on ingredients chosen. Can be made nut-free and gluten-free by selecting certified oats and avoiding nuts.	Specifically designed to be allergen-friendly, often free from the top 8 allergens like nuts, soy, and dairy.
Cost	Generally more cost-effective as it uses common ingredients you may already have.	Can be more expensive due to specialized ingredients, production, and branding.
Flavor	Can be tailored to individual preference, from more spiced to sweeter.	Offers a consistent flavor profile, such as the signature cinnamon and cardamom blend in the Original flavor.
Consistency	Can vary depending on the blender's power and blending time. May require more oil to achieve smoothness.	Consistent, creamy texture due to industrial processing and specific ingredient ratios.
Storage	Shorter shelf-life; typically lasts a few weeks in the refrigerator.	Longer shelf-life, often with no refrigeration needed until opened.

Conclusion

Granola butter is a delicious, spreadable alternative to nut butters, crafted primarily from toasted rolled oats, a neutral oil, and a sweetener. Its warm, spiced flavor is created by a blend of spices like cinnamon, cardamom, and ginger. Both homemade and commercial versions exist, with homemade offering customization and cost savings, while commercial products provide guaranteed allergen-friendliness and consistency. Whether you choose to create your own unique blend or opt for a convenient, store-bought jar, understanding the basic ingredients is the key to enjoying this versatile and tasty spread.

For more information on making your own granola butter and recipe ideas, refer to resources like The Conscious Plant Kitchen.

Frequently Asked Questions

Granola butter is made primarily from toasted and blended rolled oats, a neutral oil like olive or coconut oil, a sweetener such as maple syrup, and warming spices like cinnamon, cardamom, and ginger.

Granola butter can be a healthful option as it is typically made from whole ingredients like oats and healthy oils, providing fiber and healthy fats. The healthiness can vary depending on the amount of added sugar and other ingredients, but it is often considered a healthier alternative to some high-sugar spreads.

No, granola butter does not taste like peanut butter. It has a distinct flavor profile closer to a spiced oatmeal cookie or graham cracker, with warm notes from cinnamon and other spices.

You can use your favorite granola, though it's often best to avoid granola with large pieces of dried fruit, as these can create a clumpy texture. Many homemade recipes start with plain rolled oats, seeds, and spices, which are then toasted and blended.

Commercial granola butter often doesn't require refrigeration until opened. Once opened, it can last for several weeks in the fridge, though it will thicken. Letting it sit at room temperature for a bit will restore its spreadable texture.

Many commercial granola butters, like Oat Haus, are produced to be free from common allergens, including nuts, making them school-safe. For homemade versions, it is crucial to ensure all ingredients, especially oats, are certified allergen-free and processed in a safe facility to avoid cross-contamination.

Homemade granola butter can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature for about 1-2 weeks or in the refrigerator for up to a month.