Easy Sourdough Granola Recipe

Sourdough Granola is crunchy and loaded with nutty goodness. Made with oats, sourdough discard, nuts, and seeds, it’s perfect for yogurt or snacking.

A chef and baker I’ve always looked up to in my family is my aunt. Whenever she visited, you could always count on her bringing a delicious treat.

One treat I’ll never forget was her homemade granola!

Lightly sweetened, packed with toasted oats and nuts, and perfectly spiced, I couldn’t resist asking her for the recipe. Now, I’m excited to share her beloved recipe—with a sourdough twist!

But why add sourdough to homemade granola? Great question!

First, sourdough makes an amazing binding agent, helping you get those perfect granola clusters. Second, it’s an easy and tasty way to use up extra sourdough discard.

This sourdough granola is incredibly delicious. The slight tang pairs beautifully with the sweetened oats and toasty nuts. Plus, it’s completely customizable. Add your favorite nuts, spices, or dried fruit to make it just the way you like it.

You’re going to love this quick and nutritious breakfast or snack idea!

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Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Easy

This granola recipe is a breeze to make. Simply mix your wet and dry ingredients in separate bowls, combine them, and bake on a prepared pan lined with parchment paper. It’s an easy way to make your own homemade granola, and you won’t need fancy equipment or a lot of time.

Quite customizable

One of the best things about this granola is how customizable it is! Furthermore, you can switch up the nuts, seeds, and dried fruit to make it your own. Whether you love sunflower seeds, pumpkin seeds, or even want to toss in some chocolate chips after baking, the possibilities are endless. Additionally, you can get as creative as you want, tailoring it to suit your tastes perfectly. The options truly are endless.

Healthy

This granola is loaded with good-for-you ingredients like oats, raw nuts, and maple syrup, making it a tasty and nutritious snack or breakfast. Additionally, it uses sourdough discard, so you’re reducing food waste while enjoying that awesome tangy flavor. Moreover, the coconut oil adds a little extra richness, ensuring you can feel good about enjoying this guilt-free treat anytime!

Ingredients Needed

Oats: Whole-grain old-fashioned oats is what brings the perfect texture and flavor to this sourdough granola recipe.

Nuts and/or seeds: Mix and match your favorite nuts and seeds for the perfect homemade granola. I used raw walnuts, pecans, pepitas and flax seeds. Other ideas could include sliced almonds, cashews, macadamia nuts, pistachios, peanuts, chia seeds and sunflower seeds 

Oil: I used avocado oil as a neutral tasting oil, but I also love the taste that coconut oil brings to this recipe as well. 

Sweeteners: Maple syrup and brown sugar bring the sweetness to this recipe. Substitute more maple syrup or honey for the brown sugar for 100% natural sweeteners.

Water: Thins out the mixture to evenly spread over the oats and nuts.

Spices: Salt brings the perfect contrast to this sweet granola, so don’t skip it! Furthermore, I kept this basic recipe simple by adding just ground cinnamon; however, you can experiment with other spices such as nutmeg, ginger, or pumpkin spice. Alternatively, you could even mix in some cocoa powder for a delicious chocolate granola variation.

Dried fruit: Adding dried fruit like craisins, raisins, chopped dried apricots, or cherries is optional but brings an extra touch of sweetness and chew to this sourdough granola. Be sure to add your favorites once the granola has cooled.

Optional mix-ins: Other delicious inclusions include sweetened coconut flakes or chocolate chips. Be sure to add the chocolate chips once the granola has cooled completely – otherwise the chocolate will melt!

* To find precise measurements, scroll to the bottom of this post to find the recipe card*

Supplies

Mixing bowls

Rubber spatula

Rimmed baking sheet

Parchment paper

How to Make Sourdough Granola at Home

Preheat your oven to 300 degrees F and line a rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper. Set aside.

In a large bowl add the oil, maple syrup, brown sugar, sourdough discard, water, cinnamon and salt and whisk until smooth. 

In a separate bowl, add the oats, chopped nuts and/or seeds. Pour the maple syrup mixture on top of the oat/nut mixture and mix with a rubber spatula until fully coated.

Pour the granola on the prepared baking sheet. If you prefer granola clusters, press the sourdough granola down with a rubber spatula just before baking. 

Place in the preheated oven and bake for 1 hour or until the granola is golden in color with a toasty aroma.

Again, if you prefer large clusters of granola, stir the granola only once halfway through the bake with a rubber spatula. Pat down again before continuing to bake. 

Otherwise stir the granola every 15 minutes. 

Useful tip: Granola won’t be crispy just out of the oven. Instead it will crisp up as it cools. One last attempt to achieve granola clusters, press down the granola mixture just out of the oven and allow it to completely cool before breaking into clumps. 

Once you remove the granola from the oven, add the dried fruit and allow it to cool completely.

Serve with milk or on top of yogurt and enjoy!

How to Serve

Enjoy your homemade sourdough granola with a splash of milk, over yogurt, or as a quick snack. Add fresh fruit, chocolate chips, or any of your favorite add-ins for an extra treat! It’s perfect for breakfast, a delicious snack, or anytime you’re craving something tasty.

How to Store

Short Storage: Keep your sourdough granola in an airtight container at room temperature for up to two weeks. Additionally, for extended freshness, store it in a glass or Mason jar.

Extended Storage: If you want it to last even longer, you can pop it in the fridge; however, be sure it’s completely cooled first to avoid moisture buildup. Moreover, when you want that extra crunch, warm it up in the oven for a few minutes to revive its crispy texture.

FAQs

Can I use any type of oil for this sourdough granola recipe?

Yes, you can easily swap the avocado oil for another neutral oil, such as olive oil, if that’s what you have on hand. Additionally, some people even enjoy the wonderful flavor that coconut oil adds to the granola. The oil plays an important role by helping everything stick together, ensuring that perfect, even layer of granola. So, whether you prefer olive oil, coconut oil, or another option, use whichever oil you have available.

Can I add chia seeds or dried fruit like golden raisins or cranberries?

Yep, you can! Chia seeds add a delightful crunch and extra nutrition. Just swap them in for some of the nuts or seeds; however, remember they absorb liquid, so you might need to adjust the wet mixture accordingly.

For dried fruit, mix it in after baking to prevent burning.

Want a richer flavor? Toss in some peanut butter!

How can I make the granola clump together more?

If you want bigger clusters, try spreading the oat mixture into a thin layer on the baking sheet and pressing it down gently. Additionally, you can mix a bit of egg white into the wet ingredients, as it helps the oats stick together to form bigger chunks. Then, bake the granola at a lower temperature, such as 300°F, for a bit longer. This method ensures you’ll achieve those perfect clusters while preventing the granola from burning.

Happy baking!

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