What actually counts as a whole-grain snack?

Anything where the primary grain is still intact as whole grain — bran, germ, and endosperm included. Think rolled oats, whole-wheat crackers or crispbreads, and granola made with whole oats.

Are instant oats worse than old-fashioned oats?

They’re still whole grain, just cut thinner to cook faster. Nutrition is similar, but flavored packets often add sugar and sodium — plain instant with your own toppings is the better bet.

How much sugar is reasonable in granola clusters?

Aim for a serving with 6–8 grams added sugar or less, and watch portions. Pair with unsweetened yogurt or fruit so the overall bowl doesn’t tip into dessert territory.

Is multigrain the same as whole grain?

Nope. Multigrain just means multiple grains; they could be refined. Look for the word whole in the first ingredient or the Whole Grain Stamp to be sure.

Can I eat whole-grain snacks if I’m gluten-free?

Oats are naturally gluten-free, but cross-contact is common. Choose oats labeled gluten-free and skip wheat or rye crispbreads; there are gluten-free crackers made with whole-grain brown rice or sorghum.

Will whole-grain snacks help with weight management?

They can. Fiber and chew factor help you feel fuller, but portions still matter — granola and nut toppings are energy-dense.

Are seed oils in granola a big deal?

Oils help oats cluster and improve texture. If you’re concerned, pick brands using canola or olive oil and lower sugar, or bake your own with the oil you prefer.

What’s an easy way to make oats more snackable?

Turn rolled oats into energy bites with peanut butter, or bake sheet-pan granola. Overnight oats in small jars are portable, inexpensive, and endlessly customizable.

How should I store oats, granola, and crispbread?

Keep them airtight and cool. Oats last months in the pantry, granola stays fresh 1–2 months (or freeze it), and crispbread stays crisp if you reseal promptly.

Are protein oats worth the extra money?

They’re handy if you want built-in protein without adding powders or yogurt. Budget tip: you can mimic the effect by cooking regular oats with milk and topping with nuts or Greek yogurt.

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Ingredient

Snacks With Whole Grains

100% whole wheat, oats, quinoa, and other whole grains

Products

2.0

Avg. NOVA Score

Top Brands

ONE DEGREE ORGANIC FOODSBob's Red MillGrains First

✨ Editor's Picks

Our top recommendations for this category

Editor's Choice

Quaker Oats

34 products

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ONE DEGREE ORGANIC FOODS

Organic Sprouted Rolled Oats, 45 OZ

$13.29📊 NOVA 1

Bob's Red Mill

Bob'S Red Mill Gluten Free Apple Cinnamon Instant Oatmeal Packets

—📊 NOVA 3

Bob's Red Mill

Bob's Red Mill Gluten Free Quick Cooking Rolled Oats

—📊 NOVA 1

Grains First

Grains First Crackers, Whole Grain & Seeds 7.3 oz

—📊 NOVA 4

WHOLE FOODS MARKET

Organic Quick Cook Rolled Oats, 16 OZ

$3.49📊 NOVA 1

Bob's Red Mill

Bob's Red Mill Natural Whole Grain Granola

—📊 NOVA 3

Kind

Kind Healthy Grains Cinnamon Oat Clusters with Flax Seeds

—📊 NOVA 4

Quaker

Quaker Quick Oats

—📊 NOVA 1

Bob's Red Mill

Bob's Red Mill Quick Cook Oats Gluten Free Organic

—📊 NOVA 1

Bob's Red Mill

Bob's Red Mill Honey Oat Granola

—📊 NOVA 3

BOBS RED MILL

Organic Classic Oatmeal, 1.8 OZ

$3.09📊 NOVA 1

BOBS RED MILL

Organic Protein Oats, 32 OZ

$10.79📊 NOVA 1

Bob's Red Mill

Bob's Red Mill Organic Extra Thick Rolled Oats

—📊 NOVA 1

Kind

Kind Healthy Grains Peanut Butter Whole Grain Clusters

—📊 NOVA 4

Nutri-Grain

Kellogg's Nutri-Grain Powerfuls Chocolate Chip

—📊 NOVA 4

365 by Whole Foods Market

365 by Whole Foods Market, Organic Quick Oats, 42 Ounce

$6.79📊 NOVA 1

Back to Nature

Back To Nature Classic Granola Lightly Sweetened Whole Grain Rolled Oats

—📊 NOVA 3

365 by Whole Foods Market

365 by Whole Foods Market, Organic Rolled Quick Oats, 18 Ounce

$3.79📊 NOVA 1

365 by Whole Foods Market

365 by Whole Foods Market, Organic Old-Fashioned Rolled Oats, 42 Ounce

$6.79📊 NOVA 1

Quaker

Quaker Old Fashioned Oats

—📊 NOVA 1

Bob's Red Mill

Bob's Red Mill Gluten Free Old Fashioned Rolled Oats

—📊 NOVA 1

BOBS RED MILL

Organic Old Fashioned Rolled Oats, 32 OZ

$8.39📊 NOVA 1

Farmers We Know

One Degree Organic Sprouted Quick Oats

—📊 NOVA 1

365 by Whole Foods Market

365 by Whole Foods Market, Organic Quick Cook Steel Cut Oats, 24 Ounce

$4.59📊 NOVA 1

Bob's Red Mill

Bob'S Red Mill Gluten Free Classic Instant Oatmeal Packets

—📊 NOVA 3

Back to Nature

Back To Nature Crackers Whole Wheat

—📊 NOVA 3

Farmers We Know

One Degree Oats Rolled Sprouted Organic

—📊 NOVA 1

Bob's Red Mill

Bob's Red Mill Gluten Free Steel Cut Oats

—📊 NOVA 1

Ritz

Nabisco Ritz Crackers, Whole Wheat

—📊 NOVA 4

Nature's Bakery

Nature's Bakery Crumble, Apple Oatmeal

—📊 NOVA 4

365 by Whole Foods Market

365 by Whole Foods Market, Organic Steel Cut Oats, 30 Ounce

$6.29📊 NOVA 1

Better Oats

Better Oats Oatfit Cinnamon Roll 10 Pack

—📊 NOVA 4

BOBS RED MILL

Organic Thick Rolled Oats, 32 OZ

$8.79📊 NOVA 1

The Silver Palate

The Silver Palate Oatmeal, Thick & Rough

—📊 NOVA 1

What is NOVA?

NOVA isn't just about "good vs bad" but about understanding how food is made. Foods are grouped into 4 categories, from unprocessed or minimally processed (Group 1) to ultra-processed foods (Group 4).

📊 NOVA 1

Unprocessed or minimally processedRaw grains, nuts, seeds, fresh produce

📊 NOVA 2

Processed culinary ingredientsOils, butter, salt, sugar

📊 NOVA 3

Processed foodsSimple foods made by combining NOVA 1 + 2 with methods like baking, canning

📊 NOVA 4

Ultra-processedIndustrial formulations with additives

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Can you Spot Ultraprocessed Foods? Play our Supermarket Game

Take a virtual shopping trip to learn more about what's on grocery store shelves.

What You Should Know About Snacks With Whole Grains

This hub is all about snackable ways to get real, intact whole grains into your day. Think old-fashioned rolled oats you can turn into granola or energy bites, crispbreads that behave like cracker-plus, and clusters that bring the crunch to yogurt or trail mix. We’re talking 100% whole wheat, oats, quinoa, millet, rye, buckwheat — the grain’s bran, germ, and endosperm all still present. Real talk: not every option here is monk-level wholesome, and that’s okay. Rolled oats are wildly budget-friendly (pennies per serving) and have zero added sugar; granola clusters are pricier and often come with added sugars and oils for that irresistible clump factor. Crispbreads are a nice middle ground: affordable, low sugar, big crunch, but watch sodium. Organic versions cost more; store brands often taste just fine. And processing isn’t a dirty word — rolled oats are technically processed, yet still 100% whole grain. The main trade-off to watch is convenience versus added sugar and price. A bag of KIND clusters is a joy on yogurt; a tub of Quaker or 365 oats is the weeknight workhorse. Read labels, choose what fits your budget and vibe, and remember: whole-grain snacks are tools, not rules.

Key Benefits

Whole grains keep you fuller longer, making snacks more satisfying between meals.
They deliver fiber, minerals, and antioxidants you don’t get from refined grains.
Oat and wheat snacks are budget-friendly staples compared to nut-based or protein bars.
Crispbreads and granolas add crunch, making fruit, yogurt, and cheese more fun.
Easy to stock, store, and customize—great for quick breakfasts or late-night bites.

Buying Guide: How to Choose Snacks With Whole Grains

Start with your base grain, then choose your format. If you want maximum value and versatility, grab big canisters of rolled oats (Quaker, Whole Foods 365, Bob’s Red Mill). Turn them into overnight oats, homemade granola, or energy bites. If you want a ready-to-eat crunch, Wasa Multigrain crispbread is a sturdy vehicle for hummus or nut butter. For grab-and-go sweetness, granola clusters like KIND’s are convenient — just mind the added sugar per serving. Label tips that matter: look for whole as the first ingredient (whole oats, whole wheat, whole rye) and the Whole Grain Stamp if present. For clusters and granolas, aim for lower added sugar (ideally under 6–8 g per serving) and reasonable sodium. Oils aren’t automatically bad; they make clusters clump. Prioritize overall balance: fiber at 3–5 g per serving is a solid target. If you’re gluten-free, choose oats labeled gluten-free and skip rye/wheat crispbreads. Where to buy and save: warehouse clubs and big bags cut the per-serving cost on oats dramatically. Store brands (365, store-label rolled oats) are often identical to national brands. Online, watch unit prices; those small, cute granola bags can be sneaky spendy. Splurge selectively: Bob’s Red Mill Protein Oats if you want more protein baked in; save on everyday rolled oats and DIY your clusters with your preferred sweetener and spices.

Quick Comparison

Product	Whole grain source	Added sugar per serving	Fiber per serving	Approx price/serving
Quaker Old Fashioned Rolled Oats (18 oz)	Whole rolled oats	0 g	about 4 g (1/2 cup dry)	$0.20–$0.40
Whole Foods 365 Organic Old Fashioned Rolled Oats (16 oz)	Organic rolled oats	0 g	about 4 g (1/2 cup dry)	$0.30–$0.50
Bob’s Red Mill Whole Grain Old Fashioned Rolled Oats (52 oz)	Whole rolled oats	0 g	about 4 g (1/2 cup dry)	$0.25–$0.45
Bob’s Red Mill Protein Oats	Whole oats (higher-protein)	0 g	about 5 g (1/2 cup dry)	$0.50–$0.80
Wasa Crispbread Multigrain, Whole Grain	Whole rye and whole wheat	0–1 g	about 2–3 g (per slice)	$0.25–$0.45
KIND Dark Chocolate Whole Grain Clusters (11 oz)	Oats, millet, quinoa, buckwheat, amaranth	6–8 g	3–4 g (per serving)	$0.80–$1.20