Alisa Fleming ~ Granola in a cookie form … why didn’t I think of that? After all, we have granola bars, why not scale them down into more versatile snack portions like cookies? I love the Granookies concept, but how does it execute …

The actual “cookie” creation only held up for two in one of the bags. In fact, I really wasn’t sure how many actually cookies were supposed to be in each bag. Unfortunately, due to the soft-shell pouch packaging, most of my Granookies turned into a chewy granola snack rather than maintaining a cohesive form. Different packaging that separates and protects the “cookies” would likely work much better, but I am guessing that may not be as eco-friendly (the packaging appeared “low impact” but I couldn’t find any information to confirm if it was recycled materials or otherwise eco-friendly).

Looks aside, this was a tasty and rather virtuous snack (naturally sweetened, gluten-free, vegan, whole grain ... the whole nine yards). They currently come in two scrumptious flavors:

Chocolate Chip – These were good, and granola-like with ample mini chocolate chips throughout. I thought it was an interesting flavor combination, dried fruits with chocolate. It took some taste bud adjustment (I was searching for peanut butter or almond butter after getting the first bites of chocolate), but my palate settled in and liked it. My husband said these Granookies tasted kind of like cocoa krispies.

Ingredients: Organic Rice Puffs, Gluten Free Whole Grain Rolled Oats, Organic Buckwheat, Organic Raw Agave, Organic Raisins, Organic Dried Apples (unsulphured), Organic Dates, Gluten Free/Dairy Free/Soy Free Chocolate Chips, Organic Pumpkin Seeds, Organic Sunflower Seeds, Organic Millet, Organic Cocoa Powder, Organic Chia Seeds, Organic Flax Seeds, Organic Cinnamon, Organic Vanilla Extract

Apricot Cinnamon – Though I love chocolate chips, the Apricot Cinnamon variety was the natural fit for my taste buds. The fruit, the seeds, the crunch, the chew … it all belonged together. The cinnamon was mild, and could have been stronger for my cinnamon-addicted taste buds, but I must confess, it blended seamlessly with the sweet apricot notes. I’m so used to pairing apples with cinnamon that this combo has never occurred to me, but it was truly delightful. 

Ingredients: Organic Rice Puffs, Gluten Free Whole Grain Rolled Oats, Organic Buckwheat, Organic Raw Agave, Organic Raisins, Organic Dried Apples (unsulphured), Organic Dates, Organic Dried Apricots (unsulphured), Organic Pumpkin Seeds, Organic Sunflower Seeds, Organic Millet, Organic Chia Seeds, Organic Flax Seeds, Organic Cinnamon

The texture of the Granookies is chewy (but not the kind of sticky chew that sticks to your teeth), and really more like semi-cohesive soft granola clusters then cookies. But, I have never been one swayed by names … delicious sweet granola clusters or cookies, whatever the name, I will eat them.

Granookies are boasted as gluten-free, vegan, and food allergy-friendly (soy-free, nut-free, etc.), so they are suitable for most diets.

This is a third party review by Alisa Fleming, author of Go Dairy Free: The Guide & Cookbook, founder of Go Dairy Free, and blogger at Alisa Cooks. For more information and to purchase this product, visit the Grassroots Granookies Website.