granola

American  

[gruh-noh-luh] / grəˈnoʊ lə /

noun

1. a breakfast food consisting of rolled oats, brown sugar, nuts, dried fruit, etc., usually served with milk.

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granola British  

/ ɡrəˈnəʊlə /

noun

1. a mixture of rolled oats, brown sugar, nuts, fruit, etc, eaten with milk

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Etymology

Origin of granola

1870–75; originally a trademark; -ola

Explanation

Granola is a type of cereal made of rolled oats, nuts, and dried fruits. Many people eat granola with yogurt. Hippies love it. We have the great cereal man W.K.Kellog to thank for the word granola, probably from the word grain. The word was originally coined as a trademark (now lapsed) in the 19th century. Although granola is just a delicious food, it’s associated with liberal planet-loving tree huggers, and not always in a good way. If you’re wearing socks with sandals and have a few leaves in your long, uncombed hair, people might tell you you’re "looking granola." Because you are.

Example Sentences

His rider contains only healthful snacks: granola bars, melon slices, grapes large as ping-pong balls.

From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 25, 2026

The dark purple berry went global in the early 2000s after it was reinvented as a sweet sorbet, often topped with granola and fruit, and marketed for its antioxidant-rich properties.

From Barron's • Jan. 28, 2026

There are gifts that actually improve with a little time — spiced nuts, granola, brittle, caramel corn, spice blends, pickles.

From Salon • Dec. 23, 2025

HOLLISTER, Calif.—Teacher Andrea Gonzales sipped tea from an apple-adorned mug a student gave her, and mixed granola into a bowl of yogurt.

From The Wall Street Journal • Dec. 6, 2025

She breaks off half of her chocolate-chip granola bar and pushes it across the table to me.

From "Invisible Inkling" by Emily Jenkins