Physical, sensory, in‐vitro starch digestibility and glycaemic index of granola bars prepared using sucrose alternatives

Summary Granola bars were prepared using barley flakes, groundnut bits, cocoa powder, sucrose and/or sucrose alternatives (coconut sugar, fructooligosaccharide and inulin). Apart from sensory acceptance, nutritional composition, energy values and glycaemic responses (glycaemic index, GI and glycaemic load, GL) of the bars were evaluated. Physico‐chemical properties and sensorial acceptance of granola bar made with coconut sugar and fructooligosaccharide were on par with those made with sucrose. Further, all formulated granola bars, except with inulin, were intermediate moisture foods. GI of all five formulations of granola bars was <55; ranging between 51 and 54.9, corresponding to low glycaemic food. Granola bars with coconut sugar had high GL (≥20), while bars prepared with FOS, inulin and without sugar were in the medium range (>10 to <20). Effect of choice of raw materials, complexity of matrix structure and particle size of ingredients on GI and GL of the bars is explained.