The $3.99 Trader Joe’s Peanut Butter Granola I Reach for Every Morning

Crispy, crunchy, and high in protein. I can’t get enough.

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Trader Joe's Peanut Butter Protein Granola

• Price: $3.99 for a 12-ounce bag
• Why I Love It: This peanut butter granola is my breakfast secret weapon. It's not too sweet, packed with protein, and it's just as tasty sprinkled over granola or with milk as it is snacking on it straight from the bag,

I love breakfast foods—from waffles and quiche to smoothies—but I can rarely be bothered to actually make them. The mere idea of heating the waffle iron on a weekday gives me anxiety. Mornings are busy, and I often end up reaching for whatever is the most convenient and will keep me full until lunchtime. 

With this in mind, I grabbed Trader Joe’s Peanut Butter Protein Granola while on a shopping trip months ago. The rest is history. Now I pick up a bag every time I go, and sometimes I buy two just to make sure I don’t run out. It’s my breakfast secret weapon, one I rely upon to keep me sane on busy weekday mornings.

Why I Love Trader Joe’s Peanut Butter Protein Granola

This easy-to-love granola has a lot going for it. It’s super crunchy without being hard, making it very fun to eat. You’ll find a mix of larger clusters along with smaller pieces. My husband doesn’t usually eat granola (he doesn’t like yogurt. I still love him, but it’s hard), but he loves to snack on the clusters. I actually prefer the smaller pieces to mix with yogurt, so it works out great.

The flavor is decidedly peanut buttery and lightly sweet. I love that the granola isn’t too sweet—just enough to make it a delicious counterpoint to tangy yogurt. Toasted peanuts add extra crunch and more peanut flavor.

The granola has an impressive 11 grams of protein per serving thanks to the peanuts as well as pea protein. I’ve had other products that include pea protein, like bars, and it can provide a slightly off-putting texture and/or flavor. I don’t notice it one bit in TJ’s granola, so it’s a nice nutritional bonus.

Simply Recipes / Laurel Randolph

How I Enjoy Trader Joe’s Peanut Butter Protein Granola

My favorite way to eat this granola is with plain yogurt, whether it’s Greek-style or otherwise. The flavor combo reminds me of the filling for peanut butter pie, but with crunch, and it adds even more protein to the mix. For a PB&J experience, add some fresh raspberries, strawberries, or blackberries, or swirl a little jam through your yogurt. For a dessert-like snack, add chocolate chips or a drizzle of chocolate sauce.

Peanut Butter Protein Granola is also good with a milk of your choice since it keeps its crunch really well. Or you can enjoy it as my husband does, as an afternoon snack straight out of the bag.

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